Today we’d like to introduce you to Terrell Thomas.
Terrell, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Well to be honest, it all started when I was a kid going to my mom’s beauty school after school. I would go there and get free massages, manicures and shampoos. She later graduated and started working in hair saloons/barbershops over the years, I grew up in the barbershop and I think that was the underlying desire to own and operate my barbershop came from. I use to come in on the closed days and clean throughout high school to make extra money, I would also work Saturday when my schedule permitted and would service the clients, I think the service aspect of running a business has always resonating with me.
I went off to college and attended USC and was fortunate enough to be drafted and play for the New York Giants for 6 years. I experience a higher level of services while playing and one was an in house barber. Jay Caldwell was a Puerto Rican cat from Jersey, talked crazy fast and was a character to say the least but boy was he a hell of a barber! Jay was no cheap ticket either, $100 out the door but his services warranted that and more. I probably have gotten my hair cut over 250 times by Jay and he never messed up because he understood that you were paying for a higher service but most importantly it was his obligation to make sure you got every pennies worth.
You fuse my childhood and the higher end service I received while playing in the national football league and you have Thee Latest Barbershop. It was my goal to bring a higher end service to the Urban community, Thee Latest represents the perfect blend of Old and New barbershops, offering Hot Towel and Razor services coupled with Free Wi-Fi, JukeBox and Beer and Wine. Top all that off with great Customer Service and you have find yourself experiencing Thee Latest in barbershops.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest struggle has been retaining barbers and stylist, there is a lot of turnover in this industry. They are entrepreneurs as well and some capitalize on that notion and others don’t. I have 17 chairs in my barbershop so you can see the struggle to fulfill all my chairs. As of now we have 14 Barbers and Stylist working and we hope to continue to grow.
Please tell us about Thee Latest Barbershop.
We’re a barbershop that renew, uplift and service our cliental. We’re the urban country club were customers can come and enjoy barbershop talk, indulge in all our amenities and receive a great haircut. We specialize in customer service, it is our job to provide you with an experience when you come to the Thee Latest.
We offer a Jukebox that customers can control from their phones, Free Wi-Fi and Beer and Wine so that you can receive a great hair cut while listening to their favorites tunes.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory is when I watched my mom countless times work and sacrifice for me. She taught me so much about customer service as she would always do the little things for clients and friends. It shaped me as an adult and now as a business owner.
Pricing:
- $28 – Hair cuts
- $20/25 – Kids
- $10 – Hot Towel and Razor
- $20 – Full Beards
Contact Info:
- Address: 9024 Archibald Ave
Rancho Cucamonga Ca, 91730 - Website: www.theelatest.com
- Phone: 909-368-9022
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Theelatestbarbershop
- Facebook: Theelatestbarbershop
- Yelp: Thee latest barbershop
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
