Where is Manassas?
Editor’s note: “Where is Manassas?” is a series of stories showcasing small business owners in the Greater Manassas area.
MANASSAS, Va. — When Jazmine Mitchell was traveling through Old Town Manassas, he was stopped by a train, and then noticed how many people had got off the train and walked by the small shops.
Seeing that, he thought it would be a great location for a barbershop. Mitchell found a space for lease, and in October 2007, “Jaz Cutz” was officially established.
“The best business to buy is an existing business,” said Mitchell.
In the barbershop business, you have to locate yourself where your customers are. For Mitchell, his customers are primarily located in Manassas. This is why he chose the city by the rails to open business.
Although, he really feels that Manassas chose him because his customers like him so much.
Mitchell says that it is his job to take care of his internal customers, too, which are his barbers and stylists. He says the better he takes care of his five staff members, the better they will take care of their customers.
Mitchell also said everyone needs to have the same “wants and desires out of this business.” He knows that all his staff have their own individual goals, but once he marries those goals with the business goals.
To Mitchell and is other barbers, customer service is number one. As a business man Jaz understands the fact that his customers have a choice of where they want to go. He wants to be their first choice so it is always made sure that the customer is taken care of properly. He wants customers never feel like they are doing the shop a favor by coming in. The atmosphere created, the skill set of each barber, and the shop’s commitment to customer service is what draws people in and brings repeat customers.
Mitchell’s word of advice to people attempting to start their own business is to look for investors rather than partners. He also said to note that, the life of an entrepreneur is different than the life of an employee or manager of someone else’s business.
The hours are much longer and even on your days off, you will still have a lot of work to do. He also said business owners should be involved in the community. By doing that, they are giving the public something positive to talk about.
