Waverly Willis: From ‘Well-Groomed Dope Fiend’ to Bitcoin Barber
In this episode of the Up2 Podcast, host Adam Kaufman shares the mic with Waverly Willis, a man who is a true inspiration to his community. Willis is an entrepreneur who overcame countless hardships to succeed amongst internal and external doubts. The Up2 Podcast focuses on sharing candid conversations with humble leaders, and Episode 5 offers more than just a story of how passion can pick you up off your feet.
To unpack Waverly Willis’ accomplishments and adversity, Adam begins the episode by asking Willis to share his story. Willis tells Up2 about his time living a ‘dual life,’ as a young drug dealer and high school All-American football player. Hiding all of this from his mother, Willis became a drug user himself. His addiction led to chronic homelessness for nearly five years until he found a way to attend barber school and begin rehab. On his road to recovery he describes;
“I went one second, one minute at a time. And it was some very crucial days and time for me.”
Willis discusses his journey with such optimism and shares how he never took for granted the opportunities he was presented with. He constantly reminds himself what he went through and how a rocky path led him to great accomplishments.
“I'm always going to be a work in progress as we all are, but… I know I'm being watched and I know that I'm inspiring people and I accept that”
Willis explains how the people watching him are his family, peers, customers, and his students. He explains how one of his biggest aspirations is for his kids to be proud of him. Adam reassures Willis that they indeed are, while they continue to discuss his family.
Urban Kutz Barbershop is the business Willis founded in 2008 upon recovery. He focused his business plan to ensure the shop would be a part of the community and foster relationships in the same streets where he experienced some of his most challenging days. Willis uses his brand to cultivate the tough conversations around current events and society.
“There's three different things [that make my business stand apart], Adam. It's professionalism, multiculturalism, and availability.”
These key pillars in Willis’ belief system surface throughout his conversation with Adam. Willis is a positive man always looking at life with a “glass half-full” mentality, aiming to help others in any way he can. His journey is not a secret to those around him and his passion for good is evident with every story told.
“I'm just accepting the blessings that God continuously gives me as well as the responsibility that comes with those blessings. I wouldn't trade my worst day today for my best day back then.”
Episode 5 was unlike any other and voices a remarkable journey to success. Click here to listen to the full episode on the Up2 Podcast or tune in wherever you listen to podcasts.
Click here to read the full episode transcript.