By Devon Jones
As a part of our mission, The Cleveland Observer seeks to uplift and support minority-owned businesses in or near Cleveland, OH.
This month’s highlighted minority business is Classic Clippers, located at 9718 Buckeye Road Suite #3, 44104. Classic Clippers, established over 13 years ago, is owned and operated by Damon L. Chapman, a.k.a. Lee Chap the Barber. Since opening its doors, Classic Clippers has become a welcoming community space for residents and families. In addition to Damon, Lance Hudson, Joseph Baughes, Dionne Burns, and Lashawn Wynn also cut hair at Classic Clippers. They have a full-service, natural hair stylist servicing various types of hair.
Damon is Cleveland born and raised, and now resides in the Buckeye neighborhood. He has been cutting hair for most of his life. Looking back, he states that the first time he cut someone’s hair he was 13 years old, making it clear that being a barber was his natural talent.
When asked about what made him start his own barbershop, Damon says that prior to opening Classic Clippers, he worked at a nursing home, but was laid off. After that experience, Damon decided to get his Barber’s license. After receiving his license, he worked in a shop for one year, then chose to open his own shop.
Damon offers some words of wisdom to those seeking to open their own barbering business: As a business owner you have to establish and utilize your business credit. This can be an asset in times of uncertainty and struggle. For Damon, his credit line helped cover necessary expenses when the shop moved from Larchmere to Buckeye.
Although owning a business has many good parts, there are challenging aspects to it as well. The most important is the power of a business to own its own space/location. Damon went on to explain that in having your own business, assets such as owning your location leads to independence and autonomy. Damon stated that ownership is one of his key priorities for the future.
Classic Clippers seeks to serve the community through a host of various events aimed at helping the neighborhood, such as their recent “Braids and Fades Back to School Event” for children, held on August 22nd.
What’s the next step for Classic Clippers? Damon said, “We have a couple of goals in mind. The first is to open a cashless location that utilizes technological resources, and the second is to open a barber college in the Buckeye community or in Cleveland in general.”
To schedule an appointment, Classic Clippers can be reached at (216) 721-1744.