Like many young people, Jade Teague of Hazard, Kentucky, was pushed into going to college for a four-year degree.
“The message was ‘go to college or you’re not going to amount to anything.’ So I did and I wound up in a job that I hated for years,” Jade said. “I am the type of person who wants everyone to be happy and this was a job where I could not make people happy. But now, I can.”
Jade Teague recently opened the doors to Queen City Barber Shop, located on downtown Hazard’s Main Street. Though he’d always been cutting hair – known for his “front porch specials” in high school – he only recently decided it was his true calling.
A few years ago, he came home from the job he hated and talked to his wife about his vision to go to barber school. With her support and the encouragement of others in the community, he spent almost a year driving every day to Campbellsville University, almost two hours away, to get his license. He then started at Karma Spa in Combs, just outside of Hazard, for two years.
Kayla Holbrook, the spa owner, encouraged Jade to start his own location. Another local business owner, Joey McKinney of Appalachian Apparel, was also a big motivator and supporter.
“All these folks helped convince me to chase after my dreams. I wish I had done this a lot sooner, but all the pieces came together so well.”
The space Queen City Barber Shop is in is owned by a person whose hair Jade had been cutting. Recently renovated as the first location for Hazard Coffee Company when it was getting its start, it turned out to be perfect for a one-person barber set-up. The shop is located just off Main Street on Taxi Alley, named for the time there was a cab company.
“It’s a dream come true to be here. I always wanted to work on Main Street. People tell me there was a barber shop on main street for many years, and I’m honored to be the one to bring it back.”
Mountain Association is proud to support Jade with flexible business financing for the new location.
“It’s rewarding to work with folks like Jade who are turning to entrepreneurship to ‘find their place.’ It’s obvious when you talk to Jade that he is excited about his work and happy in the life he’s building,” Les Roll, Special Projects Manager at the Mountain Association said. “Plus, it’s a great haircut.”
Queen City Barber Shop is one of several new businesses to establish themselves in downtown Hazard in the last few years.
“Downtown revitalization has been a focus for Hazard. It’s about making places for people,” Les added. “Being able to walk down the street to buy a book, grab a cup of coffee, have lunch, (and now) get a haircut, speaks to quality of life which is essential for a community to thrive.”
Jade cuts hair for people of all ages and he welcomes children with special needs. Follow along: https://www.instagram.com/jade_the_barber_626/
