Meet Wade Carpenter | Small business owner/Master Barber

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

Hi Wade, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I moved from Los Angeles to the metro Atlanta area during the COVID-19 pandemic to be closer to family. I had closed my business in LA, and to be honest, I didn’t plan on opening anything here. At the time, being new to the area, I didn’t want the responsibility of being a shop owner, so I went to work in Atlanta. The first shop I worked for, in Inman Park, unfortunately closed its doors about a year after I started working there. I then moved to a shop in midtown. Everything was great for about 6 months until we were all notified the business was closing…that day. At that point, realizing that I would have to start all over again, building clientele somewhere else, I said to myself, “If you’re going to be in a car wreck at this point in your life, you may as well drive.”

So, I started looking for places south of the city, closer to where I live. I wanted to create a space that I would enjoy going to myself, and saw the need for something different in the area. To me, that meant a shop with a more artisan feel, a modern booking system, and most importantly, a great experience and service. Luckily, I was able to find the perfect spot in Peachtree City, located in a newly developed live-work business park. Honestly, it was just seeing an opportunity, and a need, and going for it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been a Master Barber for nearly 20 years. In those years, I have worked in multiple high-end salons and some killer barbershops in Los Angeles and Atlanta, which has given me a broad education and experience with men’s hair. I’m a traditional barber; however, I prefer working more like a men’s groomer. I’m not reinventing the wheel, but I’d like to think I’m redefining the barber shop experience. I wanted to create a space where the service was just as important as the haircut. Some of the things that set The Collective Barber and Shop apart are that every client receives a hot aromatherapy towel along with a shampoo. Another difference compared to traditional shops is that all of our clients face the mirror throughout their service. This allows us to build trust, lets the client be a part of the process, and enables the barber to use the mirror to shape the cut to the face. Pretty simple, but details matter. Another thing for me is that I don’t enjoy rushing my work or rushing my client. I also prefer soft lines and hair that grows in well rather than crispy barber cuts. It’s just a preference. I’m not sure if that separates me from other barbers, but that’s how I work. I’ve also done over 50,00 haircuts in my career, so there’s a good chance it won’t be the worst haircut of your life.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m a bit of a homebody these days and tend not to go out very often. Being a barber is a very social job. I believe that’s why I like to be quiet when not at work. I enjoy working on my house, having people over to the pool when weather permits, cooking great meals, and hiking near a river or in the mountains with Annie and the dogs. If I do go out, I enjoy museums, the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Fernbank Science Center, hiking along the Chattahoochee, and supporting local vegan restaurants and markets.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a shout-out to Annie Covell. We moved here from Los Angeles together, and she encouraged me to open The Collective Barber and Shop. Peachtree City was a new place for us and, truth be told, full of uncertainties. We decided it was worth going for, signed the lease, and went to work. Annie helped with developing my website and back-end work, and handles onboarding and administrative things for me. She’s taken a lot of those responsibilities from my mind and allows me to concentrate on the things that I do best. We bounced color palette and decor ideas back and forth to find just the right approach for the shop. Therefore, I would like to give my “Shout-Out” to the silent voice behind the brand. Annie Covell

Website: https://www.thecollectivebarberandshop.com

Instagram: thecollectivebarberandshop. thecutbywade

Facebook: thecollectivebarberandshop

Other: thecollectivebarberandshop.com.

instagram/ Thecollectivebarberandshop don’t keep up with fcbook that much

Image Credits
no credits neccessary