By Shelly Shell

In this edition, we are honored to introduce Ron Curtis, a remarkable individual whose journey from a challenging upbringing in Ambler, Pennsylvania, to becoming a successful entrepreneur and community leader is truly inspiring. Despite facing significant obstacles, including his parents’ struggles with addiction and his own time spent in prison, Ron transformed his life through the art of barbering. Ron’s story is one of resilience, redemption, and unwavering dedication to helping others.

Today, as the owner of Final Touch Barber Shop and Final Touch Barber Academy, Ron continues to empower those around him, creating opportunities and inspiring change within his community. We invite you to learn more about his journey, the challenges he’s overcome, and the impact he’s making every day.
Early Beginnings and Inspiration

Shelly Shell:  Tell us about your upbringing. What neighborhood did you grow up in, and what was your dream job?   

             
Ron Curtis:   I grew up in Ambler, Pennsylvania I come from a single-family household my parents had addiction issues & got divorced at an early age, I had ups and downs in life, as most young men do, but I managed to overcome them with the help of my  and great family that had my back I was fortunate enough to change my life around after years in prison and having barbering background helped tremendously, which lead to me  owning my own business for many years and being able to make good money and better decisions that saved me from continuing to go down the wrong path, it still a fight daily I come from drugs and alcohol in my family that basically ruined my family,   

I can tell you so many things about my family it would take years to finish, but I will say this my family was highly respected my grandfather built a strong foundation we had it all, from the cars to the money.     
I remember the day we lost it all as well, I had to get right & get it all back one way or another by all means necessary; that was my game plan when I came home, put my family name back on the map, and that’s what I’m doing God leading the way.

Shelly Shell:  What inspired you to enter the barbering industry, and what were some of the initial challenges you faced? 

Ron Curtis:  I never really planned on being a barber when I was in high school—I always wanted to be a football player. But life had other plans for me. I started cutting hair for friends and family just to make some money, and before I knew it, I was working in a neighborhood shop while still in school. I was able to leave school halfway through the day to cut hair but to be honest, barbering wasn’t my first choice. My struggles with drugs and alcohol led me down a dark path. I had to find ways to support my habits, which eventually landed me in rehab, mental institutions, and then jail after graduating high school.
While I was in rehab, my family would visit and encourage me to go to barber school when I got out. I did what they told me to do, and when I got home, I attended Tri-City Barber School in Norristown, where I earned my barber license. I started working full-time at a shop in Ambler, making good money at an early age. But I was still hustling drugs, which led to a relapse and eventually landed me in prison again, this time for strong-armed robbery.
In prison, I started cutting hair in the barbershop for 25 cents a head and trading packs of cigarettes. I always tried to look out for others, making sure they had what they needed to survive. At the same time, I was changing my life around. I started getting closer to God, praying a lot, going to church, and staying away from people who wouldn’t help me change or could lead to more prison time. I told myself this was the first and last time this would ever happen.

Losing my grandfather while I was incarcerated was a wake-up call. He was my hero, and when I got a 12-hour pass to attend his funeral, I made a promise to myself that I’d never end up in that situation again. I told my mom during a visit that I would never want to lose her or anyone else in my family while I was incarcerated. I told her when I got out, I was going to blow up, own businesses, find a beautiful wife, raise a family, and give back to those in need.
When I came home, my prayers were answered. I became my own boss at 23 years old, and there was no stopping me from there. I stayed clean and clear of people, places, and things that could bring me down. Those rules still apply today. I’ve been home for 27 years now and have never gone back to prison. I’m the proud owner of Final Touch Barber Shop in Ambler, PA, and Final Touch Barber Academy, LLC, on Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia. I’m also in the process of opening Final Touch Barber Academy 2, LLC, at 832 N Broad Street in Philadelphia, which will include an aesthetics program. Stay tuned—there’s more to come.

Journey to Success

Shelly Shell:  What led you to open Final Touch Barber Shop in Ambler, PA, and how has the journey been over the past 23 years?

Ron Curtis:  My wife was the one who encouraged me to get my first credit card. She told me to use it, pay it off, and build my credit. It started with just a $75 limit, but after consistently paying it off, my credit grew, and so did my confidence in managing money. I always wondered how I could become my own boss. My first real start came from a lady named Shirley, also known as Cookie, who ran a tight shop—no lateness, no profanity, no drugs. She gave me my first opportunity while I was still in high school, allowing me to leave halfway through the day to work. Unfortunately, I got fired from that job because of my involvement with drugs.
After that, my grandfather introduced me to Allen Crabbe, a barber from his generation who gave me another chance. Working with Mr. Crabbe, I found more freedom to do my own thing. He always encouraged me to become a business owner, and he believed that one day I’d buy his shop when he retired. I never liked working for others, and whenever I got hired somewhere, I didn’t last long—I couldn’t stand being bossed around, so I’d quit or get fired pretty quickly.
Expanding Ventures

Shelly Shell:  Over the years, you’ve owned several other businesses alongside Final Touch Barber Shop. Could you provide some insight into these ventures and how they complemented your primary business? What motivated you to diversify, and how did you manage these different enterprises? 

Ron Curtis:  I’ve always believed in creating opportunities for my community, so I opened a few businesses to make a difference. I had clothing stores called Off The Hook and Unique Boutique, which was my wife’s store. I also owned a dollar store called Everything For A Buck, a massage spa named A Better Stretch, and even started a youth basketball league called Ballaholic.
When I looked at the community, I saw so many opportunities to create jobs and careers for my people. I wanted to keep things affordable and bring smiles to the faces of those struggling, especially the kids and families. At my dollar store, we sold everything from water ice, ice cream pops, food, balloons, hair care products, and toiletries for just $1. We even had a lottery machine, hoping one day, someone might hit big and achieve their dreams.
The spa was all about relaxation—helping people ease their pain in body, mind, and soul. The basketball league was for parents to see their kids’ talents because I knew how important it was for a young kid to have that support. It brought families closer for a few hours on the weekends, and my partner Rick and I would even feed the families and support the youth. We raised a good amount of money from local businesses to help provide for people’s needs.
I also organized unity in community events, where we had all-you-can-eat crab feasts, plenty of food, and entertainment, and we provided school supplies for kids going back to school each year. I’ve always been the type of person to try everything I can to help others succeed or win. After taking care of so many inmates in jail, there was no way I was going to leave my people behind when I got out. Everything I do comes from the heart—I don’t look for rewards. I love what I do, and I’ll keep doing whatever God wants me to do until I’m no longer able.


Passion and Impact

Shelly Shell:  Your passion for barbering and giving back to the community is evident. Can you share what drives this passion and how it has shaped your approach to business and community service? What does community mean to you, and why is it important to your overall mission?

Ron Curtis:  People mean a lot to me, and seeing smiles on their faces means even more. After cutting the hair of people who were incarcerated and would never come home to their families, I realized that preventing this cycle is my mission. Too many of our kids are dying or getting locked up for life, and every day, I strive to make a difference in our community and help save lives.
I’ve been through hard times—broken homes, crime, drugs, and even three suicide attempts. I’m living proof that you can carry all that pain and still give yourself another chance to figure life out. When I thought life meant nothing, I turned nothing into something. That’s why I take pride in my community, trying to help others survive their pain and problems on a daily basis.
We need to stop watching others suffer if we can prevent it. We need to share each other’s successes and support one another. Unfortunately, within our race, we’ve lost power, businesses, and respect because we don’t share resources and too often tear each other down. We can’t keep living like this—we’re losing ground, and soon we’ll lose it all if we don’t start putting money together to buy land and build businesses.
I remember when my barber shops were raided in a drug bust, and cops tore my shops apart. They saw a young Black entrepreneur doing well, walking off parole, driving nice cars, and making money—they wanted to take away my freedom. I even had a cop tell me they didn’t want me to be like my grandfather, who was a boss and untouchable in his era. He did so much for people and the community, but I also saw his friends turn on him when things got tough. I know I could never fill his shoes, but I’ve always wanted to be a boss in my own right.
Giving back to the community is what I’ve seen my family do for years. My grandma was a great cook and would always feed anyone who needed a meal. My family made it easy for me to do what I do for the community. I’m all in, and I give all praise to God—I’m just the face of His mighty power, and He’s leading me. Soon, you’ll see even more of His greatness!

Educational Philosophy

Shelly Shell:  Can you explain the importance of the 1250 study hours requirement at your academy and how it prepares students for their state board barber exam?

Ron Curtis: To become eligible for your barber license, you must enroll in Final Touch Barber Academy and complete 1,250 hours of training over a minimum of nine months. Our program includes both practical training and theory classes designed to fully prepare you for the state exam, ensuring you have the skills and knowledge needed to succeed.

Advice and Future Vision

Shelly Shell:  Looking back on your extensive career, what advice would you give to aspiring barbers and entrepreneurs?

Ron Curtis: Stay focused, and don’t let anyone stop you from achieving success. Keep your goals in check so that you can provide for yourself and your family. Don’t try so hard to be successful. I remember my pastor telling me this when I was going through tough times in my life: Let your higher power lead the way. Don’t give up when times get tough. Remember to pray daily, especially when things seem so far away.

Key Lessons

Shelly Shell:  What key lessons have you learned that you wish you had known when you started?

Ron Curtis: I learned how to be patient with myself and give myself time to think about what I want in life without being afraid to change my life. Better choices had to be made in order to do so, so I learned how to survive in the wilderness. I want others to see what success looks like, even when it gets difficult and dangerous. I’m living proof of a lesson learned. 

Future Plans

Shelly Shell:  Lastly, what are your future plans for Final Touch Barber Academy, and how do you envision it continuing to serve and uplift the community?

Ron Curtis:  Right now, we’re in the process of opening up a new school at 832 Broad St, Philadelphia this location is bigger and will provide a bigger opportunity for more students to change their lives we will make the biggest impact in the history of barbering here in Philadelphia we will make people look better and provide all the tools to help those in need, provide more students with employment opportunities also help students build their businesses so they can follow my game plan which makes a difference in their community.

Contact
Shelly Shell:  How can interested people attend the Final Touch Academy?

Ron Curtis:  They can go to my website, Final Touch Barber Academy, Instagram, and Facebook.