After completing barber school, he worked at Ray’s Barber Shop in Lewisville for seven years. He said he spent those years being mentored by his employer, Ray Baker, and learning about the industry and the people in the community.
Although he was given the opportunity to buy Ray’s Barber Shop, he chose to launch a new business instead. On Jan. 2, 2001, Butler opened his own barber shop, Troy Cuts, in Highland Village.
“I saw it as a good opportunity to be on a busy street [in a] better location [with] better exposure,” Butler said.
When people visit Troy Cuts for the first time, Butler said they notice the family atmosphere and the fact that the shop cuts all types of hair.
“It’s not a Black barber shop. It’s a Black-owned barber shop,” Butler said. “It’s comfortable, no matter [if you are] Black, white, Mexican, Chinese, whatever—people are just comfortable coming here.”
Butler describes the barbers at his shop as “family guys” who each have more than 10 years of experience. He believes that their ability to consistently meet the expectations of their existing clients as well as do extensive consultations with new clients results in high customer retention.
While every customer is different, some hairstyle trends have withstood the test of time, Butler said.
“Over the years, it has been the same type of fade, but with a different name,” he said. “Where you said bald fade, the name changed to south side fade.”
To commemorate 20 years of business earlier this year, the barber shop celebrated every Saturday from January to May. They treated their customers with fish fries and barbecues. On May 2, as the celebrations came to a close, Butler said he fulfilled a longtime goal when he presented a $2,500 scholarship to a local student.
Butler describes himself as a people person. He said his profession also fits his spiritual lifestyle.
“You’ll find out that everyday people are going through everyday situations, and sometimes they need someone to talk to about what they are really going through without the ‘church face,’” Butler said. “So the opportunity is always there with every customer to share the gospel and my faith and to encourage them to make it to the next part of their day.”
Top three requested services at Troy Cuts: burst fade/mohawk fade haircut ($28 adult, $18 child); beard trim ($8); taper fade ($25 adult, $16 child)
Troy Cuts, 1940 Justin Road, Ste. 106, Highland Village. 972-966-1388. https://troycuts.com Hours: Tue.-Fri. 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m.-4 p.m., closed Sun.-Mon.
