ABOUT JJ'S BARBERSHOP
WHO IS JJ?
THE BEGINNING: JJ was a good looking, wild kid from a poorer part of Highland Park, MI. He dropped out of high school after his 10th grade year, and it wasn't until he met and married Judith that he got serious about his career in hair. In 1958, at the age of 18, James Johnston (JJ) went to La Mar Barber College in Highland Park, Michigan.
JJ moved to the top of his class, winning competitions and the respect of distinguished people in the industry. In 1961, longer hair became the “new look”. JJ went back to hair school to expand his knowledge in longer hair and chemical applications. He joined a group of stylists that experimented and shared techniques. JJ’s trendy styling got the attention of TV interviews and earned him several anchor men as clients.
Turning POINT:The wild side of JJ almost ruined his future when a life full of drinking and women drove his wife of 5 years to file for divorce. This was a wake up call to JJ that his life was going in the wrong direction.
At the age of 29, JJ’s broken life changed radically for the good. Transformation began with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. His marriage was restored, his addiction to alcohol ended and his unhealthy lifestyle stopped. JJ’s life from that point on had ups and downs, but his faith gave him strength to face life threatening health issues, loss of his house and challenges with his children.
JJ was a good looking, wild kid from a poorer part of Highland Park, MI...
During his career of 50 years, JJ owned six hair shops. When he arrived at JJ’s Barbershop in 1986, things exploded. JJ's past experiences and the emerging short hair fad triggered a flood of business. JJ’s willingness to go beyond “the norm”, combined with his genuine care for people, caused the shop to be known throughout the area as "the place" for guys to have their hair serviced.
One of JJ’s unique ideas was to have each client’s picture taken and hung on the shop’s ceiling. In the end, the pictures totaled over 8,000.
FUTURE: JJ’s Barbershop has maintained its original values and commitment to each client. Even though our look has changed and JJ retired in January of 2007, his legacy still lives on. Whether you are young or old, local or from the other side of the world, we care about you and your family, not just your hair. JJ has passed his values unto us, and we aim to share this vision both locally and internationally.
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