Why
choose WWCI?
Every aspiring barber male or female in Dekalb County and surrounding areas should choose WWCI because it’s the first of its kind. It’s a unique space and a creative environment which allows new ideas to flourish. We offer an entrepreneur mentorship program once you sign up with the school. The tuition is the most competitive in the area and your student kit is included. We will train you on ways to make multiple streams of income while using your industry skills. Lastly, at WWCI giving back to the community is a requirement. There will be several events where students will help give back. These events include feeding the homeless, back-to-school jams for the children, and assisting the elderly and disable veterans just to name a few. So, by joining the WWCI family not only will you walk away with your certification, but you’ll also have more knowledge than expected that will help you thrive and survive in life.
WORKING HOURS
- Mon9:00 – 4:00
- Tue9:00 – 4:00
- Wed9:00 – 4:00
- Thu9:00 – 4:00
- Fri9:00 – 4:00
- Weekends Closed
Mr. Donald West Jr.
The two most important days of your life are when you are born and when you realize why. I was very young when I discovered my purpose in life and since then I’ve pursued my passion in barbering. At 12 years old I watched a neighborhood friend cut hair in my community. I was so intrigued by his skills I asked him to teach me and mentor me along the way. This would allow me to learn everything I needed to know about the barber industry. From then on I shadowed and observed and at that moment I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I started out practicing on my own head. Needless to say, I messed myself up a few times. Eventually I got it right and people started to notice me. They referred to me as the one and only “Don the Barber”. The accolades started rolling in as I was getting better and better at my craft. My clientele started to pick up rapidly and it felt so good.
As I got older and was able to branch out of my community I worked at a few other barbershops. My local clientele followed, and I acquired new clientele easily in different areas of the city. This was due to my natural ability to cut with precision. People noticed that I was always more advanced and more skilled amongst other barbers. I also knew of my skillset which is why I often dreamed of excelling in the industry and becoming my own boss. I then began to research the industry to prepare myself to go to the next level. I attended barber college in San Francisco, CA and acquired my California state license. Once getting my license I opened my very own barbershop for the first time. So now, I’m my own boss and I can help the next generation become bosses just like my neighborhood friend helped me.
I had great success at my shop for many years with an outpour of clients. I was able to employ amazing young barbers and we were growing and making plans for the future in California. However; when life happens sometimes you have to make adjustments that you may not always be prepared for. In 2012 my father was diagnosed with liver cancer. He lived in Georgia so I decided to move out of state to be with my father. I was there to help him while also cutting hair to make a living. Moving from state to state can be difficult, but I’d do it all over again if I had to. Now that I’m back in a regular barber position and wasn’t using my knowledge and skills as a business owner, I knew I had to open another barbershop in Georgia quickly. Thankfully, I was able to make some amazing connections in Georgia and was able to open up my shop. As fate would have it, shortly after opening my own barbershop in Georgia my father took a turn for the worst and passed away. However; I am honored that I was able to open my new barbershop before his passing because I knew that I had made him proud!
As a Georgia business owner with a new barbershop I have to do the same thing I did in California to build up my clientele. That wasn’t hard for me simply because I already had the blueprint. Once I started to rebuild and make even more connections I started receiving those accolades again. I was recognized and appreciated through awards from youth and religious organizations. They were very impressed with the volunteer services I provided. Great things were happening for me in Georgia, but I still felt the need to do more. This is when I decided that with all of my experience, my passion for barbers, and my love for young men in our communities I wanted to open up a Barber School. I want to teach others, so now it’s my desire to become an instructor. I studied and took the instructor exam and passed it!! I am now Instructor Don the Barber, not just Don the barber. With this new title to my name I was completely overjoyed. Now that I’m licensed to teach, I needed to open a school where I can continue to give back, uplift and provide resources for our communities. I believe my dad heard me and made it all happen. I was cutting hair one day and the owner of the building where my barbershop was walked in. We began to have small talk as we often do and I told him I wanted to open a Barber School. He said he knew of another barbershop business owner where he also owns that building in Decatur, GA and he wanted to turn his shop into a Barber School. So he made the connection and it was a perfect match. This is the story of how Westbound World Class Institute was born.
Lastly, I’ll say this… if you have a passion for something please peruse it. My story is just that, my story. It is my hope that my story encourages you to create your own. All you need to do is tap into your talents and gifts and put in the work. At WWCI we are believers, dreamers and leaders. It is our duty to make sure each student understands our mission. You will not only learn barbering from the most skillful barbers in the area, you will also learn life lessons from some incredible successful men along the way. We are looking forward to meeting all of our students and can’t wait to see them graduate. Always remember this, the goal is to become your own boss.
Mr. Beasley (aka Mr. B)
Mr. Beasley is a well-known business owner in Atlanta and surrounding areas. His entrepreneur journey started at the early age of 24. He quickly realized that it was better for him to work hard for himself rather than work hard for someone else. He currently owns several businesses and they are all thriving. His businesses include but are not limited to a trucking company, staffing recruiting, a daycare center, vending machine services and a barbershop just to name a few. Although he’s become a very successful businessman overtime, the road to success wasn’t always easy.
Most eager young people want things to happen overnight. The reality is that’s not how success works. There is a process to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Not to mention, any career path that you choose there’s always a process. You’ll need to have a lot of patient to endure the many obstacles that may occur especially in the beginning. That’s exactly what Mr. B did, he built his businesses from ground up and he didn’t start additional businesses until the first one was successful and required less of his attention. This is where a lot of people make mistakes in business. They try to do “too much, too soon.” The way to go about running a business is the total opposite. Mr. B believes that it could take anywhere from 2 – 5 years before your business is considered successful. So, to sum it all up the key factors of success are patience, determination, remaining focus and most all being passionate.
Mr. B has been recognized and awarded for his outstanding community service contributions. Along with his leadership amongst other successful businesses and his notable mentoring program with our black and brown youth. One of his most impactful organizations is the 100% Wrong Club. He’s been a member of this organization for almost 30 years however; it’s been in existence for over 100 years. It’s complied of African-American successful business owners in Atlanta that exceed a million dollar business threshold. Those business owners mentor young black and brown athletes of HBCU’s and local high schools. Their mission and purpose is to recognize extraordinary black athletes in high school and colleges that portray excellence on and off the field. While also coupling financial literacy and life skills to prepare them for their future. This could include College Prep, NFL prep and/or Career Guidance.
WWCI is very honored to have an owner like Mr. B on board. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Any student aspiring to be an entrepreneur has full access to Mr. B for mentoring. Not only could he give them guidance and support while they attend WWCI, he can also prepare them for a successful career thereafter.
