AT a young age, Jermain Wills was given a hair cutting machine and he took a liking to cutting hair after some practice and when he got better at it he realised he had a talent which developed into a career.

Today, he has his own barbershop which is outfitted with air conditioning, a large flat-screen television with internet and a refrigerator in which beverages are stored until sold, a trademark which speaks of comfort for customers.

Wills is the proprietor of Wills Barber World which is located at Plaisance Railway Embankment, a prime spot where he has become the personal barber for many.

‘It feels good to be my own boss because I don’t have to report to no one and I am comfortable in my own zone,” he said.

Wills feels empowered because he was focused and found his talent and put it to work in his favour and is self-employed and very happy.

“Sitting on the road corner is a waste of time…nothing is wrong with liming but there are a lot of folks out there with real good talent and they should utilise it to make a living, look at me I am the perfect example,” Wills said.

He told the Pepperpot Magazine that starting his own business was not easy but he is blessed with good parents, who allowed him to construct his barbershop on their property and for him, that was the ‘break’ he was looking for.

Wills related that to make customers comfortable he installed an air conditioning unit which is an expense on his side but he did it anyway because everything is not about money but to ensure customers are pleased with the service provided.

Before becoming an entrepreneur Wills did many jobs, one was an auto spray painter and bodywork mechanic but was operating at a loss since some people found the money to spray over their vehicle but couldn’t find the cash to pay him for the job done.

He was also a part-time employee with the Ministry of Education among other things but opted for his own small business when the opportunity presented itself a few years ago.

“Everything takes time, whether I get it easy or hard, I am thankful because a piece of time I used to get a bit frustrated when the work was slow but I have learned to ‘make do’,” Wills said.

He explained that being a barber is all about listening to customers to make sure you give them the cut they wanted and once they are satisfied they will return and that’s the way to keep customers and develop a good working relationship with people.

Wills, 35, feels he has made something of himself because establishing a business is not as easy as it looks and he has crossed that hurdle.

The barbershop is opened from 08:00 hrs to late at night depending on customers’ flow and it gets busy around the weekend. He explained that he can cut all hair types and is also versed in eyebrow arching.