I learned early on that real leaders invest in others, as many of my mentors invested in me and my success as a leader.
I learned early on that real leaders invest in others, as many of my mentors invested in me and my success as a leader. I am reminded of a quote from author Sally Koch, “Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.” I’ll tell you a story of a successful businessman right in our own city.
Grant Quezada started his career path as a hairdresser in a top salon in Springfield, Missouri. Three years later, Grant heard the patriotic call during the War on Terrorism and enlisted in the United States Army, spending the next eight years serving his country. After completing his tour of duty in the summer of 2014, he completed extended male barbering training and obtained his barber license. Grant, his wife, two sons and a daughter moved back to their hometown of Prescott in fall 2014. His plan was to open the best barbershop in town.
Grant began his business when he opened the John Hancock Barbershop in 2014, with a vision to create a work environment to benefit his fellow veterans and provide a unique, signature experience for his community at the same time. Prescott is home to a large U.S. Veterans Administration presence, as well as U.S. VETS, a non-profit organization established nationwide to serve those who served with career placements and housing, both of which Grant connected with to offer career opportunities to veterans needing to re-start in civilian life. Leveraging the “perfect storm” of a large veteran community and WIOA workforce training opportunities, Grant accomplished his goals through a partnership with the Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG) Yavapai County ARIZONA@WORK Title I Program, overseen by the Yavapai County Workforce Development Board (WDB), which assisted John Hancock Barbershop with recruitment and training of veterans as barbers and management staff.
Founding Fathers Collective (FFC) was born from its premier anchor business, John Hancock Barbershop, as a way to give back to the veteran community, contributing to the thriving hospitality and tourist destination that is Prescott. FFC continues its partnership with the Yavapai County WDB with at least 10 veteran placements and has been a leader within the Prescott community by delivering an outstanding shared experience through caring and connecting the citizens of our community.
Chairman Anita Payne of the Yavapai County WDB and I are going to accompany Grant in April to the National Association of Workforce Boards “The Forum,” an annual event held in Washington, D.C., where Grant and John Hancock Barbershop/Founding Fathers Collective will be receiving the prestigious W.O. Lawton Award. The award honors businesses and business organizations that have made the commitment of time, money and leadership to make their community’s workforce and economy more vibrant. Out of 550 workforce development areas, Grant and the WDB was singled out as the 2022 recipient. We are beyond thrilled that we partner in the success and are proud of our Prescott-based businesses.
So, that’s the story. Do you want to know what a leader is? Look no further. QCBN
By Teri Drew
Serving, Solving, Sustaining
Teri Drew is the regional director for Northern Arizona Council of Governments Economic/Workforce Development (NACOG-EWD).
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