The ribbon cutting for Rae-J’s Barber Salon was held December 20. Co-owner Tana Winstead gave an interview on starting the business. “My dad was my inspiration. I’ve been in the industry for 33 years, and I was a hairstylist.” She told how she switched to cutting hair. “I started working at Great Clips, and I loved it.”

She eventually decided to start her own business. She decided on a location after riding past the building one day and seeing a for rent sign. She asked her son if he wanted to go into business with her. “He was like, ‘Yeah, what you want to do?’”

Together, they opened the barber shop. Winstead told how she has a desire to leave an impact on the younger generation. “I got more years behind me than I do in front of me. So I wanted to do something to start a legacy for my grandchildren, and I hired all young barbers, because our old barbers are fading away, and I wanted to give them the opportunity. . . to follow their dreams.”

Ray Hardy, Winstead’s son, shared what going into business with family was like. “Easier than anybody else.” He told how he had a similar vision to his mother. “I know her passion, I knew what she wanted to do.” Hardy told how he also wanted to give opportunities to younger people. “She approached me with the business opportunity, and I’m like, ‘sure, let’s start it.’”