Exploring Life & Business with Jamal Sherman of Studio One Barber Lounge

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamal Sherman. 

Hi Jamal, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I was 10 years old the first time I picked up a pair of clippers and I butchered my hairline. I turned an otherwise straight-ish line in to a rainbow-shaped arc. That minor disaster sparked a curiosity that eventually developed into a burning passion. In 2007, during my sophomore year at the University of Toledo, I picked up barbering as a hobby and a way for a struggling college kid to make some extra cash. By the time it came for me to graduate I found myself being late and even skipping class to go cut hair. Upon graduating with my Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering, I encountered many roadblocks trying to break into the engineering world. Eventually, rejection took its toll on me and I decided to put my energy elsewhere. I worked several odd-end jobs between 2012-2015 and the only consistently positive in my life was barbering. In 2015 I took a leap of faith and quit my full-time job as Assistant Unit Director for the Boys and Girls Club of Toledo and enrolled into barber school. Finally in 2017 I became a professional licensed barber and got to unlock another world of possibilities. The 10 years previous were filled with many opportunities and character-building experiences. I’ve competed in barber battles around the Midwest and even all the way down to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. I’ve competed on the main stage of America’s Beauty Show in Chicago, IL and took 3rd place. A crowning achievement for me was being hired to be a platform barber at the Bronner Brothers Convention in Atlanta, GA. Being able to display my skill in front of 30,000 attendees my first year as a professional barber was a surreal and life-changing experience. From 2010-2019 I worked closely with the University of Toledo football program as an unofficial team barber. Little did I know that experience with the University of Toledo was preparing me for a larger opportunity. In November 2021 I was selected to serve as an official team barber for the 2022 NCAA National Champion University of Georgia Bulldogs. Since then, I’ve carried that momentum into a few more opportunities including the launching of my own barbershop, Studio One. Consistency, persistence, and a never say die attitude is what got me here today. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. In the beginning, I got burnt out of cutting hair and quit several times, only to find myself picking the clippers up. Also, early on I wasn’t the most skilled barber so getting customers was a huge challenge. The former head of the barber school I graduated from attempted to set me up to expel me simply because I had a strong clientele base already. I was kicked out of the first barbershop I was in because I was working on opening my own shop. I was doing nothing detrimental to the shop I was currently working in, but the owner didn’t like my ambition. I’ve worked in hostile work environments and dealt with hate and backbiting. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Studio One Barber Lounge?
My barbershop, Studio One, is the culmination of 15 years of blood, sweat, and tears. From the time I picked up clippers in 2007, I knew owning a shop was in my destiny. I set off to open a 10-chair barbershop in 2018, and after 4 years, the dream came to an end when I found out that one of my business partners was stealing from me. During that time, I also went through a stripping process of all the people around me. I played the “boss” role making sure I was providing opportunities to those around me. To my chagrin, those same people held resentment towards me so I separated myself and opened a private 1 chair barber studio. I spent years taking care of other people so Studio One for me represents me going all in on me and truly discovering the power of ONE. I’ve created an environment of ambience and relaxation that everyone can enjoy. I specialize in men’s haircuts and beards of all ethnicities. With comfort, vibes, and luxury oozing out of every corner of this space, the experience you’ll receive at Studio One is second to one. 

We’d love to hear about what you think about risk-taking?
I’d consider myself a risk taker. When I quit my safe secure job in 2015 with no guarantee of success, I think that was a major risk. While financially struggling in barber school, I received a call from General Motors for a job that I ended up turning down in order to keep going all in on barbering. I’ve taken many trips to barber conventions in order to network and grow my brand without guarantee of anybody actually taking me seriously. My most venture of opening a barbershop was a huge risk but I’m here for the challenge. I think risk is essential to success. Sacrifice is a requirement for winning but winning is not a direct response to sacrifice. So deciding to sacrifice whatever it is that is most comfortable and convenient in order to excel past your current position, with no guarantee of success is a huge risk. 

Pricing:

• Haircut $60
• Haircut + Beard $70
• Beard Sculpt $40
• King’s Treatment $100

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shermstaycuttin.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/shermstaycuttin
• Facebook: Facebook.com/shermstaycuttin

Image Credits
Rob Lorenzo