Camden Portraits of Promise series looks to spotlight Camden residents who are giving back to the community and making an impact. This month we are focusing on a local barbershop owner. Colby, the owner of Colby's Cuts & Styles Barbershop has been a resident of the city since 1980. He has been cutting hair for over 20 years and his shop has been located at 221 Market Street since 2014! Inspired by his father who was a master barber as well as his aunts who were beauticians; Colby has been dedicated to making people feel great about their appearance. Every Monday, Colby gives back to elderly residents by providing free haircuts at Virtua Hospital. Colby also gives back to the community by offering student discounts for college students in the area because he recognizes possible hardships students may face and does not want students choosing between a meal and feeling great about their appearance. Find out more about this Camden business owner by reading the full interview.
Q:Can you explain what your business does or is?
A:My Business is to make sure the people and the public are well groomed and well taken care of and make people feel better about appearances and themselves and be an all-around good barber.
Q:What motivated you to open your business in Camden?
A:I've seen a lot of people that needed things in the city, and I knew that I could be suitable for the people and give them the services they deserve. I have been in the city since 1980. I had a desire to help the city. I had a lot of motivation from other barbers as well to open up my shop.
Q:What are your hopes for the space/business? Ex. hope to be a unique space where the community can meet and share ideas...etc.
A:I hope the business expands and continues to do well. I hope the public continues to come to me for an excellent service. I also enjoy the new people in the community that patronize my business as Camden continues to grow.
Q:Are you involved in the community in other ways? If so, what are you involved in and why?
A:I'm involved because I have the purpose of serving. I go to the Virtua here in the city to cut hair for the elderly folks every Monday. I do this because I feel as though I'm giving back to the city that has given so much to me. It also makes them feel better about themselves and their appearance.
Q:Do you have any advice for other businesses looking to move into the city or get involved?
A:I believe there is a lot of excellent opportunities to move here. Camden crime rates are dwindling, and it looks like there is a great future for the city. We are a great city with great people who would enjoy more businesses to patronize.
Q:Anything else that you would like to mention about your business, story or the city of Camden?
A:I Started as a barber under the guidance of my father. My father was a master barber who cut hair for over 30 years. I also had influences from the women in my family who were in the beautician field. I have been cutting hair in barber shops for over 20 years. I decided to open up a shop in the city because I got tired of working for someone and wanted ownership of my shop. This has been a goal of mine for a long time to own a business in the city of Camden. My first shop was in Pennsauken, but when I saw the opportunity to move to this location on Market Street, I jumped at it. I opened up this shop in 2014. When I opened up my shop, I was one of the only businesses on this block. It's been a great experience to see the area begin to prosper and bring in more local businesses. I also have been able to create not only a great relationship with local Camden residents but with many Rutger-Camden students and workers of the new businesses in the city. I recognized a need with these students and began offering student discounts. I wanted to make sure the students could afford to look great and also have money for other essentials. I foresee the future as being prosperous for the city of Camden.
