“The Beautiful Occasion” — The Story of Wayne Honeycutt Jr. and the Evolution of The Shop in Woodlawn

 From Marketing to Mastery

When Wayne Honeycutt Jr. graduated college with a degree in marketing, he expected to step into the corporate world. But what he didn’t expect was that his true calling — and greater financial freedom — would come from the craft he had honed since his youth: barbering.

> “When I finished school, I had a marketing degree,” Wayne said. “But the jobs in my field were paying me way less than what I was already making cutting hair. I chose barbering because I could make more than what college offered me as a professional in corporate America.”

That realization changed everything. What started as a side hustle turned into a lifelong profession. Wayne built a reputation across Birmingham and beyond for precision, care, and his own signature touch — a technique he calls “The Beautiful Occasion.”

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The Art of the Blend

When asked what type of cuts and blends he’s known for, Wayne smiles.

> “I blend differently,” he says. “I call it The Beautiful Occasion.”

His clients know exactly what that means — every haircut isn’t just a service, it’s a moment. A tradition. A connection between barber and client that’s been refined over decades of craftsmanship.

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💈 Traditional Cuts, Lasting Connections

At The Shop in Woodlawn, Wayne and his team focus on traditional barbering — the kind that never goes out of style.

> “We don’t offer a lot of specialty services,” Wayne explains. “We provide traditional cuts. But we do have a salon for women and men who are looking for beautification.”

The salon opened on a historic day — November 4, 2008, the night Barack Obama was elected President.

> “I’ll never forget it,” Wayne says. “The day Obama got elected was my first day opening the salon.”

Since then, the salon and barbershop have stood side by side — one serving as a symbol of timeless professionalism, the other as a place of modern expression and beauty.

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🔄 Keeping Up with the Times

Back in the early to mid-1990s, Wayne was known for his curls and relaxers.

> “I used to do a lot of curls and relaxers in the hair,” he recalls. “Now that I have a salon, I normally let the girls take care of that.”

Still, he remains hands-on in learning new techniques and staying current with trends.

> “You don’t have a choice,” he says. “Your clients want it, and they ask for it. I remember one day I had to learn how to use a razor — because someone asked for it. That’s how it is today. You have to practice new styles, new techniques, whatever the younger crowd wants. You stay relevant by staying ready.”

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📱 Old School Roots in a New School World

While many barbers build their following on social media, Wayne represents a generation that built clientele through reputation, consistency, and word-of-mouth.

> “I’m comfortable with using social media,” he says. “But I’ve been in business long before it. I’m kind of forced to use it now, but not like the new barbers do. I’ve been cutting hair forever — I’m a generational barber. I’m not hurting for clients. I use social media when I need to, but my name speaks for itself.”

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🕒 Professionalism and Punctuality

For Wayne, barbering has always been more than a job — it’s a career built on discipline, time, and trust.

> “The culture of the barber has changed,” he explains. “It used to be a hustle, now it’s a profession. I’ve always treated it that way. I had other options, so I chose barbering — and I chose to take it seriously.”

> “Being on time, keeping your word — that’s everything to me. If I’m going to be late, I call my client. I expect the same. Time is not replaceable, so I’m not trying to waste it. Being punctual and professional means a lot.”

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The Evolution of a Trade

Wayne’s journey reflects the transformation of barbering itself — from neighborhood hustle to respected trade.

In a world where education and entrepreneurship often collide, his story shows that a trade, when treated with integrity, can build legacy.

What began as a young man picking up clippers because his father wasn’t around one day has evolved into a decades-long business that’s seen generations of families come through its doors.

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🌍 Legacy on 1st Avenue

At The Shop in Woodlawn, Wayne’s mission remains simple: serve the people, honor the craft, and keep the culture alive.

He represents the bridge between old-school mastery and modern entrepreneurship — showing young barbers and working-class men alike that success doesn’t require chasing titles; it requires building consistency.

> “I’ve seen the industry change,” Wayne says. “But one thing hasn’t — the pride in what we do. When a man walks out of this shop, he should feel like his best self. That’s the goal. That’s The Beautiful Occasion.”

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📍 The Shop — Woodlawn, Alabama

Address: 5812 1st Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35212

Phone: 205-595-3898

Email: theshopham1@gmail.com

Website: theshopham.online

Hours: 10 AM – 6 PM

Sundays Appointments Only 8AM-12PM