A good barber is a storyteller – someone who appreciates tradition and good conversation. He’s straightforward, and, when you leave his chair, you always feel confident.

George Monroe is a classic barber. He’s an interesting guy, with interesting stories.

A native of Charlottesville, Monroe moved to Richmond in 1995 to study at Virginia Union University. After receiving an undergraduate degree in sociology, he went on to earn two master’s degrees before traveling the world on humanitarian efforts. Upon returning home, he launched a successful career in corporate America as a Lean Six Sigma professional.

But it wasn’t his real passion.

Monroe wanted a forum – a place where people from different backgrounds could sit down, talk, and make their community a better place.

“George West End is that place,” says Monroe of the barbershop he decided to open after leaving corporate life.

Quietly tucked in the Quioccasin Station Shopping Center, George West End is the kind of place where friends trade viewpoints on politics, sports, cars, and family. It’s a place where you’re always welcome, and you feel just a little bit better about your hometown every time you leave.

“What makes the difference is that we have all walks of life,” explains Monroe. “We are multicultural, with different backgrounds.” Monroe says that he used his past experiences and business background to launch something much more than just a barbershop. “It’s a place where we can add value to our community.”

Monroe says that his workdays now typically start around 10 a.m., except on Fridays and Saturdays when things heat up around 9 a.m. Monroe and his team of barbers see a steady flow of traffic throughout the day.

But it’s when 5 p.m. rolls around that George West End really comes to life. “We see a lot of people after they have gotten off of work. … It is a great feeling to help someone just relax from a hard day.”

At the heart of the barbering industry is service. Says Monroe, “To succeed you have to understand the needs of your client. You have to have the ability to anticipate wants and desires.” And at times, you’re a personal friend when one is needed most. To continue helping clients who may need a personal friend when they’re getting their hair cut, the next step for Monroe could be to start offering more services to his already successful barbershop such as home salon facilities that his loyal customers can avail from the comfort of their homes. Similarly, new customers may get to avail themselves of the same if they search for ‘mobile barber near me‘ on the internet and select Monroe’s services. This can be one of the many possible options that he could try including in his future business ventures and grow even more. Additionally, he may want to take a look at the unique services that King’s Crown Barbershop in Toronto offer for some ideas so he can spend more time inspiring people to follow their dreams.

It’s Monroe’s basic understanding of people that has helped his barbershop grow. Today Richmonders visit the shop for more than just a cut. Entrepreneurs visit for advice on their startups. Fathers stop by with their sons as they create a new tradition. And strangers sit down to share their dreams with someone who has followed his own.

George’s Advice for Starting Your Own Business:

• Know all of the federal, state, and local laws in your industry.
• Start a business that is your passion in life.
• Understand that you don’t know it all. Be open to learning new things along the way