Black-owned barbershop expands with assistance from Covington small enterprise method

COVINGTON, Ky. — Wale Giwa, owner of Higher Kutz in Covington, smiled when talking about the shift to a larger sized spot.

“When I got into this location, I understood it would be a good deal distinct than the outdated spot,” he stated. “I knew it would be nuts. The potential it was going to have every thing that arrives with it. New purchasers. Extra men and women that would operate with me. I wanted to amount up my organization.”

He’s been in the new store on Madison Avenue considering the fact that Nov. 1. Prior to that, he used 6 a long time at the corner of 16th and Greenup streets.

“It’s more substantial. Far more area. The outdated shop was additional cramped up in all places. It wasn’t in a superior region for folks to come,” he claimed.

Giwa’s hope is to convey a little something new to Covington.

“I’m a agency believer of possibility provides by itself. When the chance is there, I took gain of it,” Giwa said. “I was across the avenue, possessing some foods, arrived out and saw the sign for rent. I explained let’s jump on it. If it’s there, why not acquire it?”

Another possibility arrived lately when Giwa applied for Upper Kutz to obtain a rent subsidy through the city’s little small business software. The purpose of that application is to offer little corporations with funds to support with rent, or facade advancements.

Covington Metropolis Fee is envisioned to meet up with shortly to explore and approve 6 distinct corporations for this round of funding. If authorized, Upper Kutz would acquire $6,000 to help with lease about the next year.

Giwa said which is a large aid pursuing the pandemic and a world economic downturn.

“It manufactured it much better for me realizing that I was likely to get that. It built it better for me to put more revenue into the store,” he explained. “A good deal of people are occasionally concerned to acknowledge aid. I don’t want to be fearful to accept aid. It is heading to offer you me to develop my organization and help somebody else arrive up.”

Another purpose of Giwa’s is to present a beacon of hope for kids in the Town of Covington and beyond.

“I have little ones of my very own. Covington’s youth hasn’t witnessed the most effective. I’m from Covington, understanding I can do it in Covington. Putting some thing like this in Covington. I like to direct by case in point. That’s always what I want to do. Clearly show the young children you can do it the way without… you can do it the suitable way,” he said.

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By Anisa