Today we’d like to introduce you to Teto Wilson.
Teto, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I opened Wilson’s Image Barbers & Stylists in August of 2007, Initially at the intersection of 39th Ave and Thomas Ave. Minneapolis MN. As I was planning to open up shop in North Minneapolis, some fellow barbers from Brooklyn Park MN chided my decision to run a business in North Minneapolis, saying that it was too dangerous and that it was a foolish decision. For me, I knew that the residents of North Minneapolis had un-met needs and that many people treated that part of Minneapolis as a pass-by area and not one to make home and or major investments in. I had a desire and passion to not only open a family oriented, safe, clean barbershop, but to also create a space that doubled as a community resource hub. Wilson’s Image is a barbershop that also provides residents of North Minneapolis with much needed resources to help ease life’s challenges as well as a safe space for conversations, connections and relationships. We’ve been able to build wide spreading and long lasting bonds because of our commitment to serving community. We feel that we’ve accomplished so much but really see our position as just getting started.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wouldn’t classify the road as smooth or rough, I’d say the road has provided many directions because I committed to the journey. There are always going to be challenges, especially when business is slow or when yo make mistakes that cause customers to leave and take their business elsewhere. Staying the course, learning and growing along the way has helped me to not just keep my doors open but to thrive.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
For my community, I started Wilson’s Image College Scholarship in 2018 to provide scholarships to North Minneapolis African American Scholars in their first and second years in college. I initially started with just $1000 to be split between 2 scholars but with the help of so many community members, in the first year, we gave $1000 each to 5 different students and since then have given over $18,000 to 11 different scholars.
Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, we started using the barbershop as a vaccine clinic in July of 2021. Myself and a local Dr. Zeke Mckinney collaborated with the Minnesota Department of Health, Stair Step Foundation and Black Nurses Rock to staff the clinic, administer the covid-19 vaccines and provide cash incentives. To date, i believe we’ve administered about 1000 shots and counting.
I’ve collaborated with the American Red Cross to start having blood drives right from the barbershop. The goal of the blood drives is to help treat Sickle Cell Disease, which affects African Americans more so than any other race.
At Wilson’s Image, we’re known for serving our community by developing relationships with key stakeholders that provide needed resources. I’m most proud of the years long relationships that we’ve built with community as well as the bridge that we’ve built between the community and the key stakeholders to help to build trust. What we do from and in the barbershop, I believe is what sets us apart from other barbershops.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
The advice I’d give anyone starting out in business is:
1. Plan-create a plan of what you want to do and how you’re going to do it.
2.Revise that plan as much as needed along the way because things will and do change.
3. Know your “why”. Dig deep and discover the real reason of why you want to or are doing what you are planning.
4. Pray Pray Pray.
Pricing:
- kids haircuts 2-12 years old $20
- teen haircuts 13-20 years old $20-$25
- Adult haircuts 21— $30-$35
- Color $30-$100 depending on process
- Designs $5-$10
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected] | [email protected]
- Website: wicscholarship.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teto.wilson.9
