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

Hi Reginald, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
My personal legacy is one that will be carried through my wife and my child. My earliest desire, outside of making a great life for myself was to be a great father and a great husband. I want my wife to smile at the end of it all when she thinks back over our life together. And for our daughter, I want her to tell the story of her dad’s laugh, his integrity, his love for God and people. As my daughter is telling her kids, and then her kids tell it to their kids. That’s where my legacy will live. As far as professional I want people to see more than a cut when it comes to the bar ber shop brand. I want each person we serve to know they have a community here. One of love and support.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I became a barber in 2011 with the desire of creating an urban barbershop franchise that will positively impact the industry and the community. This vision has been one of cheers and challenge’s. It has been a journey that has been both joyous and costly! Out of the numerous awards and recognition from my peers my greatest accomplishment to date is that I am here. My mission is set and my vision is clear! The investment in good business is more than money. My heart is here in this business, my purpose is proven here. For that I’m grateful.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m from the great city of Zebulon, however, I reside in Knightdale minutes away from Raleigh. If I were to take you out on the town we would head to Prime BBQ and then get some work down and ideas written down at The Loading Dock!

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?
John Merrick, was an influential African American entrepreneur, founder of the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, and a significant figure in the history of African American business. While John Merrick is primarily known for his work in the insurance industry, he did start his career as a barber.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the barber trade was one of the few professions open to African Americans where they could achieve economic independence and success. Merrick owned and operated several successful barbershops that catered exclusively to white clientele, which was a common practice at the time for African American-owned upscale barbershops.

Through his barbershops, Merrick provided employment and training to other African Americans. His success in this industry was a stepping stone to his later ventures, including the founding of the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, which became the largest and most successful African American-owned business in the United States by the early 20th century.

Website: www.thebarbershopnc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebarbershopnc?igsh=ZDh2bG8zenJtMzRy

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