Small Business Person of the Year

Craig Charles, an alumnus of ETSU, was recently honored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as Tennessee’s Small Business Person of the Year. This prestigious recognition highlights Charles’s remarkable journey from student to small business owner, and it underscores the profound impact of his entrepreneurial spirit and community engagement.

“Craig’s commitment to excellence, innovative approach to business, and unwavering dedication to our community made him a standout candidate. Seeing him win this award is a testament to his hard work and the positive impact he’s made on our local economy,” said Mark Bays, Director of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center.

Pioneering his efforts is Craig’s Crown Cutz and Crown Cutz Academy, a training institution shaping the future of beauty industry professionals in the region. Through this academy, Charles empowers individuals to pursue careers in barbering, nail technology, cosmetology, and aesthetician fields while fostering a supportive community dedicated to professional growth and mental health awareness.

Reflecting on his ETSU experience, he notes, “One of the biggest things I took away from being at ETSU is building relationships. I think your network helps build your net worth.”

Charles built his successful business from the ground up, beginning in 2004. Today, his barbershop and training academy boast locations in Johnson City and Bristol, Virginia. Yet behind the barber chair is a man driven by a deeper purpose. With each precise snip of his scissors, he’s also trimming away at the stigma surrounding mental health awareness. “There are so many people I’ve had conversations with in my shop,” he shares, “and numerous times people come back and tell me I’ve said something that has resonated with their life.”

For Charles, the barbershop is more than just a place for grooming; it’s a sanctuary for open dialogue and support. Through initiatives like The Confess Project of America, a national organization that fosters mental health advocacy among Black men and underrepresented communities of color, Charles strives to destigmatize mental health discussions and increase access to support services. Through The Confess Project, barbers receive training in active listening, positive communication, validation, and stigma reduction.

Despite not being from the area originally, Charles has chosen to make Johnson City his home. As he aptly puts it, “Where you earn, you learn, and you return,” emphasizing his dedication to giving back and playing a vital role in the community he now calls home.

Story by Yasmeen Elayan   |   Photo by Ron Campbell