Steven Gray Opens Doors for Others with Cali Coast Barbershop

Written by the Rasheeda Campbell

“Your passion tends to find you,” said the owner of Cali Coast Barbershop, Steven Gray. When it came to his passion, Steven made sure to work hard so he could get to where he is now as the owner of one of San Diego’s most prominent barbershops. Although barbering and being a business owner is Steven’s passion, it wasn’t his first dream. Around middle school and high school, he had the hopes of being in the NBA. Although he had his eye on being a basketball player, it didn’t really work out. “I just saw fame and money. Basketball skills weren’t really my thing.”

Later, his love for barbering began. The skill found him through his cousin, and Steven wanted to go to barbering school but he thought he needed to know more than what he did in order to go.  It wasn’t until his cousin asked him to cut his hair that he gained the confidence to attend. After barber school, he worked at a few barbershops which helped groom him to where he is now. He worked at his pastor’s barbershop for seven years which was his foundation before starting Cali Coast Barbershop. 

Steven’s cousin and pastor inspired him in different ways when it comes to his passion, but his wife gave him the extra push he needed to break out of his comfort zone. “She really motivated and pushed me to get me where I am now,” he said.  He is the first in his family to own a business and very proud that this is something he can give to his children. 

Being Black and owning your own business is very important to Steven. He wants to show that if one Black person can successfully do this, it’s not impossible for others to do it too. It’s important to him to set a foundation for others within the Black community. He also believes that everyone in the Black community should have an interest in something that can be put into our communities and help one another. Along with Cali Coast Barbershop, Steven created a barber apprenticeship and youth program, which he plans to focus on more as time goes on. 

To Steven, Black barbershops play a huge role in Black men’s confidence. “Men sometimes come in looking down, but when they get a fresh cut it changes,” he said. It’s more than just cutting hair for Steven and his barbers; he wants his clients to feel good. So conversation, engaging with them, and building a relationship with his shop’s clients is also important. 

Steven is a strong supporter of Black businesses. He believes in hiring Black barbers and supports other Black-owned businesses. However, for his business, he also believes in diversity and wants to appeal to a variety of people. “If you want to stay in business, it’s good to have a mix of everybody,” he said. Barbershops can also be known for hiring only male barbers, but Steven has opened his business to female barbers as well. “I believe in equality gender-wise,” he said. 

When it comes to barbering, Steven gets some of his creativity from YouTube and social media, but he also gets it from his fellow barbers. His team learns from one another, and they help each other grow. “We have, like, superpowers and we all have our own sets of powers we bring to this barbershop,” he said. 

Steven is leading the way for others, so he wants people to view Cali Coast Barbershop as a family-friendly environment. “We’re a shop that anyone can come to and not leave feeling offended. We are professional and all about business. We make sure to keep our environment clean and friendly,” he said.