Vince Fillah is not your average barber.  As the owner of 1 Cut Above, he views his barbershop as an avenue to give back to the community by providing a place where he can serve as a positive role model for young men. “I’ve always wanted to own a business and do non-profit work,” says Vince.  “Opening a barbershop is the most basic way that I can do both.”  AMADI caught up with Vince just days after he moved his shop to a new location in Olney, MD.

Regular customer shows his support for 1 Cut Above

Vince grew up in the Olney/Sandy Spring area of Montgomery County and graduated in 2006 from the University of Maryland with a degree in Business.  Only six months after he walked across the stage, at 22 years old, he opened his barbershop, 1 Cut Above, with money he had been saving since he was a teenager.  He built his first shop in Sandy Spring, MD from the ground up, leasing a space that wasn’t meant to be a shop.  He put money into the floors, plumbing, wiring, and much more to transform the space into a neighborhood barbershop in the Historic District.  For his new location, he purchased and remodeled an already existing shop and added a few barbers who were already working there to his 1 Cut Above team.

What advice does he have for anyone wanting to start their own business?  “Be prepared to make a lot of sacrifices, especially between time and money.”  Vince’s shop is open 7 days a week in which he is usually there 6 out of those 7 days.

Vince takes his position as a barber and mentor very seriously.   “A lot of kids may listen to what their barber says more than a teacher or counselor,” he explains.  “If they are going through something, or want to have a man-to-man talk, I can be there to lend an ear, give advice, and help them make better choices.” He also donates money and works with non-profit organizations such as the Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund, Aunt Hattie’s Place, and Lead4Life.  In the future, Vince sees himself running his own non-profit.  For now, he is using his barbershop as a way to reach out to young men and be a mentor.  “I want to feel like I am making a difference.  Cutting hair is just a small part of it.”

Visit Vince at his shop on 18068 Georgia Avenue in Olney, MD.  Keep up with him on his website - http://www.1cutabove.com

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