Meet James Holland Jr | Owner of XAAK’s Barbershop

We had the good fortune of connecting with James Holland Jr and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi James, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve always wanted to own my own business. However, I did not know what, I wanted to do. At least, in the beginning.

What should our readers know about your business?
The name of our business is XAAK’s Barbershop(named after my children Xavier, Aracelí, Amaiya, and KeShawan). We are Northern Colorado’s 1st “TRUE” Black Barbershop! We specialize, specifically in African-American hair. However, we are skilled in ALL types of hair. As another other barbershop should. Prior to a barbershop owner.

I spent almost 10 years in retail management. I was a store manager and Assistant District Manager, for AutoZone-Houston Region; Houston, Texas. I was also a General Manager II for Advance Auto Parts as well and District Leader. I learned quite a bit in terms of everything from managing inventory, staffing, profit/losses, controllables, recruiting, customer service, succession promotive opportunities, and commercial account management. To managing multi-unit locations.

It was not easy. Not only my job but everything else in Houston, TX is VERY competitive. It was a tough field to work in. Especially, when you are new to management(at that level). Fortunate for me. I always kept my will alive and partnered up with other seasoned managers and district managers. I learned from the best (John O’dell-District ManagerAutoZone Houston Region and Mario Cardenas-Project Manager-Memphis, TN-Corp Headquarters). One of the main lessons I learned. Was to always be prepared and/or proactive and not reactive.

What we would like people to know. There is no need to go to without…..growing your hair out, driving 50+ miles to the Denver area, going to random local barbershops. Who claim they are skilled in African-American hair. But in reality are not. Going into barbershops just to find out that you are basically in a salon(because everyone in the establishment are hairdressers/non-licensed barbers-Cosmotologist). Going to a shop just to find that your barber is a no show. But forgot to tell you. Finding out the hard way that your barber may not know how to fade your hair the correct way. Or perhaps because of the lack of others skilled in a specific area you feel anchored to one location or traveling a ways to another barbershop. At XAAK’s Barbershop we are about business. We are a certified “barber shop” with actual licensed “barbers”. As, stated previously….we negotiate all types of hair (course, straight, and Asian types). We take walk-ins AND appointments. We bring the H-Town Houston, Texas style to Northern Colorado……No more of settling for a whatever experience, elsewhere……,now “YOU HAVE OPTIONS”!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Movie theater in downtown Loveland(Foundry) or Loveland IMAX theater. Estes Park. Maybe The Flipside Arcade Bar. Another good spot would be Mishawaka, in the Poudre Canyon. Horsetooth Res…..nice place for a boat ride or picnic bar b q

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Other than my immediate family(wife and children). I would say the people/community of Loveland, Colorado. Since opening the establishment. The community, at large, has been very welcoming. As well as supportive. For ground zero, of Northern Colorado’s 1st black barbershop, to be in Loveland. Was something that has been much needed, based on the average responses. Other businesses have been just as welcoming(for example Edward Jones-Downtown, Blend Nutrition, River Development LLC, FNBO, City of Loveland-Mayor Jacki Marsh, Larimer County Commissioner Ward 3 Jody Schaddycj-McNally, and Flipside. Ironically only two barbershop business owners were just as welcoming. Friday’s Barbershop and Head Zeppelin Barbershop.

Website: www.xaaksbarbershop.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xaaks_barbershop/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/XAAKsBarbershop

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xaaksbarbershop

Image Credits
All images taken by myself James Holland Jr/Hanns The Barber. Images include Deion Sanders Jr(son of Deion Sanders), Travis Hunter, and Darius Sanders at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Also, image of myself and daughter Amaiya Holland