Nashauna Drummond, Staff Reporter
LEFT: Garland Fox gave many useful and current tips to participants at the recent barber sales and training seminar held in Kingston. RIGHT: World Champion Barber Garland Fox gives a close shave to this client as he showcased his skills at the recent sales and training seminar hosted by WAHL and Forbes Manufacturing and Marketing Ltd at Knutsford Court Hotel. - CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
CLIPPERS WERE buzzing and hair was flying at the inaugural sales and training seminar for Jamaican barbers. The event was hosted by WAHL Clipper Corporation, the world's largest manufacturer of electric hair clippers and Forbes Manufacturing and Marketing Ltd, the local distributor for WAHL products in Jamaica. The seminar was held at the Knutsford Court Hotel earlier this month.
Approximately 160 barbers from across the island came out to see world champion barber Chicago-based Garland 'Gee Whiz' Fox.
For two consecutive years 2004 and 2005, Mr. Fox has won the prestigious award as the World's Best Barber. The barbers were thrilled and excited as he demonstrated the latest techniques in haircutting and showed off his championship skills.
CHAMPION BARBER
Fox, who has been a barber for 10 years, noted that initially he never thought he would become a barber even though his grandfather owned a barber/beauty salon. Mr. Fox told Flair that he used to have jherri curls but one day he went to the barber for a hair cut and they 'messed up' his hair. "So next time I did it myself. The first time I did it, I had a sugar bowl hair cut. I had used a pair of wall scissors and a disposable clipper shaver my mother used on her legs. To me it looked all right. After a while I got it right."
For Mr. Fox his love for his profession is in "the art of getting it right." He noted that customer satisfaction is key. "You have to treat your customers like celebrity because at the end of the day that's all you have." But Fox also has some real celebrity clients such as; R & B singer Carl Thomas, gospel singer Ann Nesby, and Oprah Whinfrey's personal assistant, Roosevelt Cartwhight.
Fox enjoys his profession for another reason; his opportunity to minister to his customers. Fox explained that he grew up in a very religious home. "I come from a very religious family; every Sunday my mother dropped me off at church at 7:00 a.m until the lights went out" At 15 the young man was saved, this he described as the greatest accomplishment of his life.
SPREADING THE GOSPEL
He notes that as a Christian it's your duty to spread the gospel. "You have to spread the gospel whenever you get the opportunity. God will let you know if you're to talk about Him at that particular time".
Mr. Fox's presentation at the barber's sales and training seminar was his first time in Jamaica. "It was like the king has arrived. They treated me with a lot of respect. I didn't want to come back home. I called home and told them I wasn't coming back because they have pretty women, they're nice, they were eager to learn, some people travelled five hours to see me".
In January Mr. Fox will see the birth of his greatest professional achievement; the launch of his clipper the 'gwhiz' clipper. He noted that it's an edger and liner and the best part is, it's battery operated. Mr. Fox noted that different countries operate on different hertz (watts) and sometimes this affects how the clipper operates. His battery operated 'gwhz' has the same power as the electric one.
Philosophy: You have to keep faith and believe in the Lord who strengthens you.
