SCORE Mentor Helps Barber Make Pitch Contest Cut

As businesses and restaurants were staying afloat during the pandemic through delivery and curbside pickup, Jonathan Cole had a lightbulb moment.

“I realized that people will spend large amounts of money for convenience,” Cole, a professional barber of seven years, said. “That's when I flirted with the idea that I wanted to start a barber shop for mobile service.”

Cole, owner of Chop Up Jay, has been working toward that goal since opening his brick-and-mortar barber shop in 2020. To date, he has received a half dozen grants, as well as funds from winning a 2023 SCORE Houston pitch competition. SCORE is a national nonprofit organization that supports small businesses through free mentoring.

Cole has been working with SCORE Houston mentor Linh Thai for three years, primarily on how to market his business. Thai’s insight has helped Cole find success on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram for his business, as well as his sports-focused podcast, “Home Team Sports Talk.”

Thai also guided Cole in preparing for the local pitch competition.

“We had three or four sessions where we went over the slides and pitch and we made adjustments,” Cole said. “I definitely credit him with helping me to win the pitch competition.”

In an effort to work closer to fulfilling his long-term goals, Thai, more recently, encouraged Cole to enter SCORE’s 60th Anniversary Pitch Competition. More than 2,200 small businesses applied to compete in the national competition. Contestants were pared down to 60 contenders who presented their pitch live before panels of judges. Participants were matched with SCORE mentors to refine their pitches, strengthen their presentations, and hone their business plans. Cole was one of 45 finalists.

Cole is looking at other avenues to help fund his mobile business.

“I'm still in the process of raising the funding that I need,” Cole said. “I still need $250,000 for what I'm looking for as far as transportation and luxury.”

When Cole says, “mobile barber,” he does not mean he will cut his clients’ hair in their homes.

“I'm looking for a Mercedes Benz van that can accommodate a barber and the client. Most mobile barbers will set up where you are,” he said. “Most people don't have the lighting that I invest in at my own spot. The quality of your work is impacted. I'm looking for the full mobile shop.”

Thai, who serves as SCORE Houston’s vice president of marketing, said his client’s mobile barbering idea is “unique.”

“I told him if he thinks it’s a good idea do some homework. Do some research,” Thai said. We talked about a longer-term future where he has 10 or 20 (franchises). That’s way out there.”

For now, Cole, 33, who has been cutting hair since he was 14 or 15, is content creating cuts for his clients. And, at his shop, all are welcome.

“Cutting hair was something that I always did and always enjoyed doing,” he said. “I primarily cut men’s hair. I have women clients too. Everybody can come.”

To learn more about SCORE, request a mentor or volunteer to be one, visit score.org.

About SCORE

Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 17 million entrepreneurs start, grow, or successfully exit a business. SCORE's 10,000 volunteers provide free, expert mentoring, resources, and education in all 50 U.S. states and territories. Visit SCORE at score.org.