Today we’d like to introduce you to Willie Robinson.
Hi Willie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I worked in corporate America for 25 years at a Director level position before deciding to venture off to start my own business. Part of my decision-making process included my son. I am a single father that had to make some tough choices to ensure I was a part of my son’s life while providing for him at the same time. Corporate America was very demanding and took all of my time both day and night. So when I made up my mind to leave, I also decided to start my own business.
I tallied up all my saving, hired a realtor and began my search. I settled on an old hardware store in K-Town and began the renovations. The space was big enough for ten booths, one office, and a break room for the employee’s both of which I had built. I built my salon with the entire family in mind. We services men, women, boys and girls of all ages. We also have activities and entertainment for the entire family from video games, coloring books, and chess boards. I am told that I have the only black-owned business in Korea Town which was in dire need of unisex salon within this very diverse community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Some of my struggles included but not limited to my contractors not getting along during renovations. After renovations were finally completed, it was a struggle to hire people and or keep people because business was slow due to this being a new business. The biggest struggle of all was I opened my doors in November of 2019 and Covid-19 happened in March of 2020 just four months later which caused me to close my doors for ten months.
We’ve been impressed with Chi-Town Cuts and Fades, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Chi-Town Cuts and Fades in the name of my business because I am from Chicago. It is a Unisex salon with a focus on the entire family being services under one roof. We specialize in hair braiding, haircuts, dreadlocks, hair color, hair styling, facials, dreadlock repair, hair growth, lace front wig installations, kid braids, ETC. I am most proud of the fact I turned an old dirty hardware store into a beautiful family-oriented unisex salon. My clients feel like they are in a salon in Beverly Hills, within their very own community here in K-T.own.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I took a huge risk leaving a company I was with for 25 years. I worked my way up from an hourly employee to a Director in several cities, I left everything I knew and loved for a long time to start my own business in a city where I knew no one. In an effort to raise my son and be present in his life. Not knowing Covid-19 was around the corner.
Pricing:
- Haircuts for men start at 30 dollars
- Haircuts for boys start at 15 dollars
- hair color start at 45 dollars
- Hair braiding for men start at 35 dollars
- Haircuts for women start at 30 dollars
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chitowncutsnfades.com
- Instagram: @chitowncutsandfades
- Facebook: @chitownandfades
Image Credits:
Image credits will go to (Backpack)
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