Since 2020, Vic Harwick and his team have offered a place of connection, personal renewal, and hope at Uppercuts Barber Club. 

Vic stated, “I think Uppercuts is truly built for allowing people to escape. They may have uptight or stressful jobs, parents living stressful lifestyles, whatever it may be and they can come here and get relief and be themselves.” He continued, “Whatever version of themself that is, I want people to be able to express it to the fullest and I love seeing it come out in our clients and barbers.”

As a child, Vic relocated to Tennessee from Detroit. When asked why he chose Cookeville to open his own business, he referenced the unique blend of possibility and community found here.

“Cookeville is a relatively small town, but it offers so much potential to grow. It’s a perfect mixture of the opportunities I saw in a big city like Detroit and the tight-knit feel of Hartsville where I grew up.” He elaborated, “Cookeville is such a great place for supporting other locals. If you get your business established and do it the right way, Cookeville will help you be successful. I’ve gotten a lot of help from a lot of people.”

Beyond a means of earning a living, Vic sees Uppercuts as a place for authentic conversation and the cultivation of friendship. For this reason, he spends long hours in the shop learning from and growing alongside his team and clientele. 

He stated, “This shop gives me an opportunity to listen. People don’t get heard and that’s not fair. Everyone is important and I want them to feel that when they walk through the doors at Uppercuts.” Vic continued, “I enjoy being here and it’s so much more to me than just running a business. Being here as much as I am helps me understand what it’s really like. It’s hard to be a truly successful CEO and not know what the janitor is dealing with. It’s not about micromanaging, but more about creating an environment that I would love to work in myself.” 

The love shown in and around Upppercuts is not a one-way street, but rather a reciprocal cycle of communal care. With emotion and gratefulness Vic recalled a moment where he was the receiver rather than the giver of the support offered within its walls.

“My sister passed away a year and a half ago and I had to fly to Detroit for her funeral. A client of one of our barbers overheard the situation and paid for plane tickets for my wife and me to attend the funeral. It’s amazing to be part of a place like this.” he stated.

It’s difficult to miss the passion Vic has for his customers and barbers. It’s clear that to Vic, the services provided and the communal aspect central to Uppercuts’ culture give much more than an outward makeover or a place to chat.

“I can help give you confidence in your physical appearance, but that doesn’t last. If I can give you a touch of physical confidence and send you off with mental confidence that will last to go along with it, that’s a win-win for me.”

He continued, “When I take a step back and think about it, being happy is cool, but that’s a temporary feeling. I want to give my clients something that will stick with them, doing that makes me feel good about what I do.”

In this vein, and to wrap up our interview, I asked Vic what gives him the most fulfillment as an entrepreneur in Cookeville, TN. His answer provides a glimpse into the heart of Vic Harwick and the spirit of Uppercuts Barber Club.

“My favorite thing about being a barber in Cookeville is being part of people’s lives. Weddings, graduations, family pictures, being able to play an important role in someone’s image and mental health on special days is my favorite part.” He concluded by saying, “I enjoy seeing people live their lives and love getting to have a little taste of it and enter their world while they’re here. I help them and they help me.”

– by Andrew Buckner, photos by Abby Weeden