We had the good fortune of connecting with Johnnie Bush and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Johnnie, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I started Barber School my junior year at Peterburg High School my hometown once I graduated in 1997 I immediately went to work in Pegrams Barbershop Petersburg, Va. a very professional old school Barber Shop. Great Customer service, sanitation and Being a Professional was the foundation that drove this great establishment.

Pegrams Barbershop closed its doors and I became a full-time Firefighter for the city. Still having a moderate Barbering clientele , I decided to service them part-time on my days away from the firehouse.

The Barbershops I worked in part-time did not enforce the standards of Professionalism and Customer Service that I were accustomed to so as I advanced in the Fire Department I lost the passion for Barbering that I once had.

In 2010 my family and I fell on hard times and was homeless. We moved to the Hampton Roads area for a fresh start.

Determined to support my family and become a Great Barber in this area, I started my search for a Great Barbershop that could give me the same vibes of Professionalism, Customer Service and Camaraderie that was instilled in me from John Pegram and the guys at Pegrams Barbershop.

After being in 757 area for 6 years and worked in 2 shops that valued some of those characteristics but not all…. So I decided to create that place Bushcutz Grooming Lounge located in Virginia Beach, Va

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In the Barbering industry sometimes Respect, Customer Service , Professionalism , Organization, Time Management gets forgotten. I’m always looking to avoid the stereotypes that plague the Barber community all while , being understanding and relatable.

One of the things in my career I’m most proud about is being a National Educator for Influance Hair Care and being the Top Barber Retailer for the Hampton Roads area, it was not an easy task but with the help of Influance hair care educating me on business, hair care techniques and Professionalism combined with our team at Bushcutz Grooming hard work of educating ourselves and clients on hair care , our marketing strategies, customer service and professionalism we achieved what are goals were and ultimately it put us at the Top of the list for Barbers in the area.

We’ve learned that teamwork will can propel us further and faster in business than what we can do individually.

I was 30 years old when I moved to Hampton Rods with my family. I moved here with $75 in my pocket. Sleeping on my mother-inlaws floor . My mom had to buy me a coat that day because it was 30 degrees and i didn’t own one. So it doesn’t matter when you get started, what you have or you don’t have . With God , determination, focus and a plan. You can get some like minded teammates you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
It’s so many people that helped me and continue to help me on my journey. Some have a direct hand in helping us grow and others help by just being them and being there. I have to recognize my Mom for always being there and being an ear when things were going wrong for me. Charles Baker for being my barber as a kid, showing me the art and getting me my first job in Pegrams Barbershop. Mr. John Pegram for hiring a Unfocused 18 year old kid fresh out of Barber School, guiding, mentoring , pouring into a cup that sometimes had a lid on it. Rufus Atkins Fire Chief Peterburg Fire Dept. for making me apply to the department, the 7 years I worked there I learned leadership, discipline, teamwork, organization, all things that I would need on my Entrepreneur journey. Robert Jones exclusive cuts Portsmouth for just giving me a fresh start and a Great workplace so I could begin to take care of my family in this new area. Last but certainly not least I have to thank my family and beautiful wife for Love , always pushing me to be great, always having my back and sharing the vision of making Bushcutz Grooming Lounge a true gem of Hampton Roads.

Website: Bushcutz.com

Instagram: Bushcutzgrooming

Facebook: Bushcutz Grooming Lounge

Youtube: Bushcutz Grooming

Image Credits
Tora Carter

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