I have had the pleasure of meeting some awesome men in the last few months. Since this is the Male Edition Week for Be Simply Stunning Beauty Blog, I thought I'd introduce you all to one. I truly believe that God ordained our connection. Since the day I met him we have continued to encourage one another and make sure each other is continuing to push for greatness and nothing less. He is one of the DOPEST barbers in Atlanta. I want you all to meet Step and I pray that you BE INSPIRED by this interview!
BSS: Step, you are our very first Male of the Be Inspired portion of our Beauty Blog. We appreciate you for taking the time to talk to us ladies and to now draw us some male viewers. Thank you!!
StepTheBarber: Thank you for having me, I'm honored to have the invitation extended to me, and to be the "first male" is definitely icing on the cake.. I love being associated with positive causes I appreciate the opportunity to be apart of the BSS movement.
BSS: We want to simply ask you a few questions just to see what the "Luxury Lifestyle" is about and find out what the journey has been for you developing this brand.
StepTheBarber: (laughs) Ok, ok. I see you've done your homework. Luxury Lifestyle always sounds better to me when other people say it. Feedback from supporters help guide my movements. When people hash tag "Luxury Lifestyle" after they post a haircut picture on social media or they say it after they pay me, it shows that they believe in the brand as well as the man.
BSS: Tell us briefly who is Step the Barber?
StepTheBarber: Starting with my name, "The Barber" is obviously my job title but often times people ask where "Step" comes from. Step is actually short for Stephan (Stef*on) which is my first name. As far who I am on a professional level, when you see me, you see my entire business. I have every job title that larger companies hire different people to do from the president to the janitor. I'm my own Secretary, accountant, I do my own Public Relations and advertising and so much more. To be honest with you, Stepthebarber is also defined by who the people say I am (laughs). You could replace "TheBarber" with "TheLifeCoach", "TheComedian", "TheHealthConsultant" and many others. I think in this business, it's about more than haircuts and money, people want to connect with their barber and when they can, it provides comfort. Without comfort, you can't have Luxury.
BSS: What was the inspiration behind you branding your work as the "Luxury Lifestyle"?
StepTheBarber: By definition, luxury is the state of great comfort and extravagant living and of course a lifestyle is the way in which a person lives. Luxury shouldn't just be limited to the type of clothing you buy or the type of car to drive. When my clients come to see me, they are receiving an one of a kind, tailor made experience. The client is the center of attention, not me. I never want to become larger than my clients or my work because when that happens, it's impossible to live up to the hype. My brand is built off my work ethic but it is affirmed by the people. I honestly believe that it's because of these business practices that Step The Barber is becoming a household name.
BSS: For a male or female who wants to be a barber and doesn't know how to achieve those goals, what 3 tips can you give them?
StepTheBarber: First and probably the most important, FALL IN LOVE WITH THE GAME!!! Don't do it for money, fame, or accolades. In order for the greats like Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Picasso, Beethoven, etc to become who we know them as, they had to fall in love with what they do long before the "rewards" came. Secondly, RESPECT YOUR BUSINESS. This one can be broken down so many different ways but to keep it simple, respect your clients and their time, honor your commitments (appointments). Personal issues should never become an issue in your business unless absolutely unavoidable. Thirdly, accept critiques from your clients, remember you're providing a service and they're your boss.
BSS: Who's hair have you had the pleasure of grooming, that it even shocked you that you were actually grooming them?
StepTheBarber: I might tell my age on this one but when I was in high school, Ja Rule was on top of the rap game. (Laughs). So at 13, 14, 15, I'm seeing Ja all over BET, MTV, and VH1. Now fast forward to 2014. I wake up one morning and turn on the news, I saw that Ja was on the air here in Atlanta promoting his movie, "I'm In Love With A Church Girl". The news goes off, I finished getting dressed and head to work. As I'm riding down I-20 my phone rings and it's Ja Rule on the line telling me that he saw my Instagram and there was no way anyone else was going to cut him while he was here. Long story made short, it was definitely memorable. I've cut celebrities that are more active in today's media but the way whole thing played out was pretty cool.
StepTheBarber: Thank you for having me, I'm honored to have the invitation extended to me, and to be the "first male" is definitely icing on the cake.. I love being associated with positive causes I appreciate the opportunity to be apart of the BSS movement.
BSS: We want to simply ask you a few questions just to see what the "Luxury Lifestyle" is about and find out what the journey has been for you developing this brand.
StepTheBarber: (laughs) Ok, ok. I see you've done your homework. Luxury Lifestyle always sounds better to me when other people say it. Feedback from supporters help guide my movements. When people hash tag "Luxury Lifestyle" after they post a haircut picture on social media or they say it after they pay me, it shows that they believe in the brand as well as the man.
BSS: Tell us briefly who is Step the Barber?
StepTheBarber: Starting with my name, "The Barber" is obviously my job title but often times people ask where "Step" comes from. Step is actually short for Stephan (Stef*on) which is my first name. As far who I am on a professional level, when you see me, you see my entire business. I have every job title that larger companies hire different people to do from the president to the janitor. I'm my own Secretary, accountant, I do my own Public Relations and advertising and so much more. To be honest with you, Stepthebarber is also defined by who the people say I am (laughs). You could replace "TheBarber" with "TheLifeCoach", "TheComedian", "TheHealthConsultant" and many others. I think in this business, it's about more than haircuts and money, people want to connect with their barber and when they can, it provides comfort. Without comfort, you can't have Luxury.
BSS: What was the inspiration behind you branding your work as the "Luxury Lifestyle"?
StepTheBarber: By definition, luxury is the state of great comfort and extravagant living and of course a lifestyle is the way in which a person lives. Luxury shouldn't just be limited to the type of clothing you buy or the type of car to drive. When my clients come to see me, they are receiving an one of a kind, tailor made experience. The client is the center of attention, not me. I never want to become larger than my clients or my work because when that happens, it's impossible to live up to the hype. My brand is built off my work ethic but it is affirmed by the people. I honestly believe that it's because of these business practices that Step The Barber is becoming a household name.
BSS: For a male or female who wants to be a barber and doesn't know how to achieve those goals, what 3 tips can you give them?
StepTheBarber: First and probably the most important, FALL IN LOVE WITH THE GAME!!! Don't do it for money, fame, or accolades. In order for the greats like Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Picasso, Beethoven, etc to become who we know them as, they had to fall in love with what they do long before the "rewards" came. Secondly, RESPECT YOUR BUSINESS. This one can be broken down so many different ways but to keep it simple, respect your clients and their time, honor your commitments (appointments). Personal issues should never become an issue in your business unless absolutely unavoidable. Thirdly, accept critiques from your clients, remember you're providing a service and they're your boss.
BSS: Who's hair have you had the pleasure of grooming, that it even shocked you that you were actually grooming them?
StepTheBarber: I might tell my age on this one but when I was in high school, Ja Rule was on top of the rap game. (Laughs). So at 13, 14, 15, I'm seeing Ja all over BET, MTV, and VH1. Now fast forward to 2014. I wake up one morning and turn on the news, I saw that Ja was on the air here in Atlanta promoting his movie, "I'm In Love With A Church Girl". The news goes off, I finished getting dressed and head to work. As I'm riding down I-20 my phone rings and it's Ja Rule on the line telling me that he saw my Instagram and there was no way anyone else was going to cut him while he was here. Long story made short, it was definitely memorable. I've cut celebrities that are more active in today's media but the way whole thing played out was pretty cool.
BSS: Should we expect more things to come from the "Luxury Lifestyle" brand?
StepTheBarber: Always. The world is constantly moving so if you're stationary, you're actually moving backwards. I'm not some fly by night barber that got lucky and ended up where I am. It took hard work and consistency and I've had to constantly reinvent myself. I'm always exploring different avenues and business ventures (my own salon, a line of products, etc) so believe me, you'll see me. LUXURY LIFESTYLE
StepTheBarber: Always. The world is constantly moving so if you're stationary, you're actually moving backwards. I'm not some fly by night barber that got lucky and ended up where I am. It took hard work and consistency and I've had to constantly reinvent myself. I'm always exploring different avenues and business ventures (my own salon, a line of products, etc) so believe me, you'll see me. LUXURY LIFESTYLE
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As you can see Step is one person that you need to know! If you are ever in the Atlanta area and need a cut contact him so you can be apart of the Luxury Lifestyle. Don't Sleep, he got NOW!!!!!!!!!
Follow him on all social media sites to stay in the loop of what he has going on.
Follow him on all social media sites to stay in the loop of what he has going on.
