- October 20, 2021
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CANTON – Ten-year-old Noah Tuck sits patiently while Aaron Williams uses clippers to carefully create decorative parts in his hair around the sides and the back before tackling the mass of brown curls on the top.
Willams gave Tuck his very first haircut when he was a toddler, said the boy’s mom, Starla.
“I was looking for a barber when ours retired, and I heard Aaron had his own business,” she said. We came, and my son loved it.
The Tucks are customers of Williams’s new salon, Adubz Stylz, which he recently opened after retiring from the Canton Police Department.
I didn’t want to just sit at home,” he said of post-retirement life. I used to cut some of the guys’ (coworkers) hair. “
Pronounced “a-dubs” – a play on Williams’ initials – his studio is part of the Designer Studios Salon complex at 4327 Cleveland Ave. NW.
Williams, who served 25 years on the force, retired last year. Becoming a licensed barber, hairstylist nand makeup artist he said, is in keeping with his lifelong love of art.
After Williams enrolled in National Beauty College last year, classes were interrupted for three months by the pandemic. He acquired his licenses and certifications this past March.
My background in art helped a lot,” he said. I see hair and makeup as art.
Once training was completed, Williams secured studio space from another couple.
I second-guessed myself a little bit,” he said, “But I thought if I don’t try it, I’m always going to wonder.
Williams said most of his clientele comes from word-of-mouth.
Things have been pretty good,” he said. I try to make it convenient for the clients.
In addition to barbering, Williams also does women’s hair, including coloring, cuts, permanents and relaxers, and flat-ironing. He also does makeup.
I do a little bit of everything,” he said. “I like the art of it, seeing the clients happy when I’m finished. That makes it worth it.”
Asked how some of his former coworkers have responded to his attending beauty college, Williams laughed.
“They said ‘It figures you’d do something like that,'” he said with a smile.
A 1978 graduate of Canton South High School, Williams took art classes at Ohio State University and at the Columbus College of Art Design. Prior to becoming a police officer, He served in the Army and worked as a janitor and a machine grinder.
Williams’ biggest fan is his wife, Kathy.
“I supported him 100%,” she said.
You just wanted free haircuts,” he said with a laugh.
Kathy Williams said her husband is proof that if people really want to do something, there are no barriers.
Aaron is always looking for the next big opportunity,” she said. He likes challenges and likes to learn new things. He is a great example of what you can do, regardless of age.
Williams said that because he’s retired, he can take his time with clients, something they appreciate.
“It helps to have good communication,” he said.
His experience as a police officer has equipped him with people skills.
“This is a lot easier, believe me,” he said with a laugh. “This is a piece of cake, dealing with the public this way.”
Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com
On Twitter: @cgoshayREP
