Alrick Parris poses with Gillian Hyde, General Manager of JN Small Business Loans after finishing second at the JNSBL Barber and Beauty Battle and Expo held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in 2015.
Not many men are prepared to take their wife’s advice, particularly when it comes to treading on new ground. However, Alrick Parris is not one of those persons, but it took some prodding.
“When I saw the advertisements about the Barber & Beauty Competition in 2015, I didn’t want to enter because, I felt that I didn’t have the time for that,” Mr. Parris explained. “However, my wife, Michelle Green-Parris, encouraged me to enter, as she was confident that I could win. And, she kept saying, ‘you should enter the competition, because I have seen you do some amazing hair styles for your customers, and I know you could win.'”
Eventually, he took Michelle’s suggestion; entered, and placed second in the 2015 JNSBL Barber & Beauty Expo, with $300,000 in prize money for his professional efforts, finishing behind winner Sly Scott; and, ahead of Marlon Phillips who was third.
“I was grateful for Michelle’s encouragement to enter the JN Small Business Loans (JNSBL) Barber and Beauty Challenge in 2015, because since then, I am a better barber; and, am able to use my winnings to start another business,” he revealed, recently.
Now, after 17 years of being a barber, Mr Parris is happy that he participated in the competition, which has changed his work style and family life…for the better.
“At first I didn’t want to become a barber,” he said. “My plan was to do something else with my life. I started doing this out of pure coincidence because I lived in a yard where there were a lot of kids and I started cutting their hair. They all liked how I cut their hair and so I continued from there,” he affirms.
“Prior to entering the competition I took a lot of things for granted; and, I also didn’t realise that I didn’t know a lot of other things. “But, after entering the competition; and attending the seminars, I realised how essential barbers are; not only in terms of trimming people’s hair; but, also in other areas such as health and creating jobs for others,” he added.
He maintains that the impact and exposure gained from the JNSBL Barber and Beauty Challenge on his life has so far been positive and rewarding.
Prior to the competition, Mr Parris operated his own barber shop for some four years, in St. Ann’s Bay. And, now his fame has taken his professional reputation beyond the township across the parish.
“People have been coming from all over St. Ann to my shop in St. Ann’s Bay, to seek me out,” he related enthusiastically, “Sometimes I don’t even have the hands to trim everyone. When that happens, my apprentices, who are learning my style and standards, are now able to give the customer a hair cut as well as I can.”
With the prize money he won, Mr Parris decided to start another business; hence, he has invested in a motor vehicle, which he operates as a taxi.
“My shop employs eight barbers. And, I always wanted to set up a transport business; therefore, I used the winnings from the competition to purchase a car to enter the taxi service business. It certainly helps my barber shop, because I now can utilize earnings from the taxi service to invest in the barber shop,” he pointed out.
Mr Parris revealed that given the growth in the business he was now looking to establish another location.
“I am looking for a bigger space which I should be going into shortly and that will also mean more persons and I am grateful to be able to that. I have benefitted from the competition and this year I learnt about planning for retirement which will help me as well,” he said.
In assessing the JNSBL Barber and Beauty Competition as it entered its second season, Mrs Gillian Hyde, general manager of JNSBL, said that, “In 2015 we took the bold decision to stage a competition to engage persons in the cosmetology industry, while also informing them about opportunities to expand and grow their business.
“We knew that given the right encouragement and support, even more persons would take the bold step to start their own business. And, we are pleased that Mr Parris has not only grown his current operation; but, has actually started a new venture.”
“An essential element of the competition is the training and development aspect; and, we remain committed to providing advice and support to entrepreneurs. Therefore, we wish Mr Parris success, as he expands and grow his business,” she maintained.
