Introducing One of the Most Energetic and Motivated Stylist/ Barbersinthe Game Meek Shearer!!!!

This issue of Barber’s Weekly is going to be a very Hot issue! We have today one of the Hottest chicks in the Game, a woman that could melt your heart with her vibrant energy, her strong presence, and warm attitude toward life. Meek Shearer is a Stylist/Barber and Educator that has her own approach on the Industry that would make you think about the way you look at this Business…
I asked Meek Shearer how long she had been a part of the industry, and what made her want to be in the hair industry? Listen to what she had to say,” I have loved Hair for the last 24yrs I have, been Licensed for 18yrs this Nov.. I believe Family background is why I landed in this field. My dad is a Barber for the last 40 plus years, his father was a Barber and many other stylist and Barbers on his side. My mom went to school, did hair far back as I can remember unfortunately never got her license, but even on her side of the family I had multiple aunts and cousins that are licensed stylist I think if it can truly be in your blood it is in Mine.
For those of you that may not know yet, we as vets have and can see some times, weather good or bad, a lot more good the Bad, and I’m sure the Vets really know what I mean by this, I asked Ms. Meek Shearer this question, and this is what she had to say, “A Bad time in the industry??? I wouldn’t say I have had one other then slow periods, financially and that to me is a no brainer, you go harder… I could choose to sit around and complain and cry broke (which I was guilty of doing) or I could began to speak life into my career and go seek clients to get their hair done… I found that there is always someone that wants their hair done/cut and I began to share what I was choosing to do and I saw a lot of good people overcome as well to the point I don’t think they realize just a year ago we were complaining it was slow, I can’t pay my bills to now at least 3 new salon owners and never saying those what I call fatal words again…


I asked Ms. Meek Shearer to tell our readers what steps she took to build on those, Low volume days, when or how did she promote to change that? This is what she had to say, “ First and foremost I changed my thinking… You put into the atmosphere what you want get out… I passed out more cards, I went vista print bananas!! I ordered post cords with daily specials, I did T-shirts that had my name on the back and my number on the front, I talked to potential customers when out and about. Its like you have to create a buzz, let them know who you are and where you are at… And most of all make each cut/stylist a fine work of art because word of mouth is most valuable. In tough times you can not give up if you are passionate about your craft….”
For those that know Meek Shearer personally, you know that Meek has some real history. She made some very bold moves through out her years in the industry. For those that are planning to Move or relocate to another state, this is for you, so pay close attention…

I am Originally from Dayton Ohio, I first relocated to Cleveland, Ohio. When I moved there I had nothing but a booth and a rental, no knowledge of how I would pay for it . I slept at hotels, sometimes friends house, I didn’t want to burden anyone, so for the most part I slept in the back office at the shop “It’s a Hair Thing.” Rise at 6am get dressed and turn on the open sign. I first built Clients off eyebrows (which I never done before that moment) then I began to offer free styles at random! Soon I was able to get a car and place in about 90 days all together… Soon I began the social Network thing on Myspace. I only joined to monitor my kids, I soon found many stylist and Barbers and began to add them… I met many of the Barbers that are on FB or in The Barber Society there, Chevez Moman, Lee Bladez, Nat Monnie, Mc Razor, Garland "G-Whiz" Fox (major mentor to me during my move til to Date) Major League Barber, and many others. But the one that would basically be responsible for me getting me to Charleston, SC. would be Robert Bligen! We would chat back and fourth about hair and one day he asked “ what would it take to get you in my salon?” At the time I was ready for a change so after all I had been through in Cleveland I wasn’t scared to try. I began to transition here. I asked if I could work upon my first visit he said yes so I began to solicit all woman I could in, Charleston posted mad bulletin and pictures, saying when I would be coming and where I’d be…. I will never my first visit, I had 9 booked, realistic to me would have been 3 or 4, but I had all 9 not to mention they continued to book the few days I was there." Ok I’ll come back in 3 weeks all I ask is if I’m going to style your hair just don’t allow anyone to cut it" and they obeyed brought and told friends needless to say my 3rd visit I stayed. I didn’t continue to work with Robert, However; I give him all the credit for opening the door for me, and we are still good friends." Social networks are our friends when used properly and I was getting good bread didn’t have to sleep in the shop !”
Here is what meek had to say to those Barbers/Stylist that are planing to Move to another state....

"Have Faith.... If there is something/anything you want to accomplish the only thing stopping you is self. Many are afraid to fail, I hear that the only thing Behind a failure is a try, so what it doesn't work... re-think, re-plan and re-do until you get results, if you want it, it isn't just gonna fall into your lap either... I feel very blessed it happened the way it did for me, had it not?? I have had to go to War for mine and that's what I recommend to anyone..... We are a part of a career that didn't collapse in this so called "Recession" we can go anywhere and eat for real so just go for it skies the limit for most, for us there is NO LIMIT!!!"

As you can see Meek Shearer has had a very serious journey, but don’t go any where because its not over yet! She gives us an insight on where she see the industry going in the future, along with her thoughts about The Barber Society…

I know some of you are wondering where Meek Shearer went to work after she decided to stay? Well here is what else she had to say “ I have been manager at Distinguished Gentlemen Barber/Beauty Salon for the last 11 months and it’s been cool, I am soon going to be embarking on a new position, as Stylist in a shop opening in the Northwoods Mall, here in North Charleston,SC called Barbers INC. which I’m really excited about… Most of the workers were hand selected because of working with the owners at a previous location for myself it was being recommended by Rashaad Murphy, who is working with me now as well as teaching me to cut as I tech him to style… When I asked meek,"Aren't you an instructor?" This is what she had to say..."I Guess you can say that, I prefer to say I share vs. teach, because I’m not one to pretend I know everything, I feel that when sharing people already know How to cut, style or whatever it is being shown, I simply show you how I achieve what I am looking for. My method of doing so or tools I use that work well for me, I feel a person will either go and try to duplicate it or add to what they already do which in turn will help them hopefully. That same person can take something I did and add to what they do and turn around and share with me and I learn something from them. I love to share I feel its a great part of my purpose in this industry weather its how to or through conversation. I always say I want to inspire...."

As Barbers/Stylist, we should and have all made some kind of impact on the industry some large some small, But it was some kind of impact No matter what the size!!! I asked Meek what kind of impact she wanted to leave on the Industry? Here is what she had to say..."The impact I would like to leave on the industry is LOVE!! Love who you are, Love what you do.... I never knew everything and I was always willing to learn as well as share. I want to be remembered as the stylist who was selfless.... I believe if someone comes to me for help, with a question or dalema if I didn't know how to help, I would help by finding someone who did. Most of all I wish to be the stylist that went super hard via social networks and began the journey to remind the industry of the fundamentals...."Getting back to the basics" I plan to make this happen by taking action, doing, practicing what I preach! Keep your eyes on meek! In fact I'd like for my legacy to write itself according to my actions."

As Barbers/Stylist we all at some point work together or have someone that we would like to work with. I asked Meek if there were any Barber/Stylist she would like to work with in the Game or have worked with before? here is what she had to say..."I am currently a Milstan Marcell irons" Short Hair Master"... as of late I was a member of Team Xotics that's my Fam for life. I am now embarking on Meeks Purpose/Path, I value my relationship with Curtis Smith. As a result of me feeling his product, which is a great one. I might add he gave me an opportunity to be one of the first stylist on the team and for that I'm honored and consider that home.... I have worked with Major League Barber who gave me my first Opportunity as a platform artist/educator..
. I plan to work with the like of Mc Razor, Nat Monnie, Lee Bladez, Rodrick Samuels, Jay Da Barber to name a few as well as a young lady most don't know as of yet but she is a heavy hitter in Charlotte, NC Ms. Angel Robinson i say "Be On The Look Out" for she and I not to mention the concept that Rashaad Murphy and I are creating for the industry!!! Ok since you Bought her up, and introduced her, Tell the readers who Angel Robinson! Angel Robinson is a great inspiration!!! She Moved to Charllote from Cleveland as I Moved to Charleston, she informed me on how to transition to Charleston, she was the owner of "Kiss n Makeup" in Cleveland for many years and its funny we met in Cleveland but really became close like family via Myspace!!! Now in Charlotte less than 2yrs she has opened "Styling IconZ Beauty lounge" one of the premiere salons in the area she is being coined the Lady version of "No Grease" she is a motivator and innovator you can check her out @StlinIconz on FB or Angel Robinson this woman keeps me afloat when I would otherwise sink!!!! Wow it sounds like she gives you the fuel you need to stay positive, and reach out for more? "Exactly!!!! And more than that I give her fuel! We share and firmly believe what is done in Charlotte can be done in Charleston as well! We stay connected as colleagues as well as sisters uplifting one another!

As you all know there is a major movement brewing on FB called The Barber Society, and I asked Meek what she thought about the Family known as The Barber Society, and this is what she had to say..."Well, I am a member I believe By default via Chris Burke who first told me he was gonna add me but by result you actually added me through conversations in other groups. I love it!!! We are adjoined in a way that is undenible and we have potential to be a great great presence in the industry, By passion alone ! that doesn't begin to take in account the actions we all put forth for example Celebrity Black with Germaine," Puttin Hair On The Floor" with Lee Bladez, Toni with the custom paint on the clippers so forth so on! we also have a great area to become educators to the industry based upon our individuality and desire to learn and make and impact on the industry with our creativeness and willingness to share with one another! The Barber Society will be the beginning of the realist movement in our industry to date!

I always end with a good word to the readers, And this is what meek had to say.... "I guess what I would like to leave you all with is, stay true to yourself and remain humble... This is a gift that God has given and any given moment if not careful it can be taken away! I Love it hard but I Love it right!! All in all How I live is compete with no one but self, who else do I need to be better than??? And I think the other day when I was feeling a little low and passion challenged I will call it,I reached out to Rodrick Samuels to come do a class at the school. I stated my passion was suffering of course If anyone knows him he welcomed me but what he said was "Passion speaks louder than words" That was powerful for me and I think a great way to look at what you do.... If you are passionate about your craft it shows without saying!!!!