Deb Armstrong, owner of Salon Lofts, has been a barber for 32 years and COVID-19 is not making business easy.

   “I think it is because people are working from home and they aren’t too worried about what they look like right now,” Armstrong said.

   When Hillsborough County shut down the barber industry, Deb was not able to work and there was no compensation for her as an owner.

   Over in La. County CA, Jamal Tillmon who has been a barber for over 20 years has built up a loyal following that has remained loyal during COVID-19. Tillmon has worked with people like Beyoncé in Coachella to Tia and Tamera Mowry’s children. 

   Tillmon said, “ It’s actually been better because [of] supply and demand.” After being able to go back to work.

   Many barbers went through two months without pay and had to purchase masks, plastic head shields, and hand sanitizer. 

    Superstar barber Tillmon said, “what I’ve been doing personally is there’s only one person in the shop at a time, it’s per customer” 

    He is following regulations that the NABBA has required to open back up. The requirements include: seating six feet apart, plastic dividers from barber to barber, and masks are required; the full list of regulations can be found  here.

   “The only positive thing that came out of it for me was I got a lot of work done around my house, having all that time off,” said Armstrong. 

   Deb Armstrong’s studio is currently open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for more information go to salonlofts.com. Jamal T Superstar barber can be reached from Instagram @jamaltsuperstarbarber.