By Chaney Ferguson
Many people in the lake area who go to Jimmy's Hair We Are may not know they are getting their hair cut by an award-winning stylist.
Jimmy Fontenot has won thirty-five trophies in different competitions around the country in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Just to name a few.
“Every show would send me literature, and I would work and I would practice for that show,” says Fontenot.
Fontenot began working as a barber when he was 18 in Beaumont, TX. In 1968, he worked at Rodrigue’s on Kirkman Street. The owner saw talent in Fontenot and decided to groom him for competition.
“I didn’t know what he was talking about,” says Fontenot. “Rodrigue was traveling throughout the United States judging so he knew what it took to win.”
According to Fontenot, he and Rodrigue picked out male models and Fontenot would work with them every day.
“We would color their hair black, put them in tuxes, and make them look perfect,” said Fontenot. “You would compete against forty guys in the competitions.”
Participants in the hair competitions would begin cutting hair at the same time. When the time was up five judges would make a decision based on how the haircuts looked, if there was any loose hair around, and the overall perfection of the style.
“I competed for four years before I became a judge,” said Fontenot. “Judging wasn’t as much fun, but it was the next step.”
In 1972, after gaining experience from working at Rodrigue’s, Fontenot decided to open his own barber shop on Prien Lake Road. He was there for twenty years before moving to his current location near McNeese.
“Everybody likes to have their own business, run their own shop,” shares Fontenot. “I’m an aggressive person. I like to be up front and make things happen.”
Fontenot feels like the competitions prepared him for his future in running his own business.
“It helped me get a lot of publicity with customers coming in. There was exposure,” says Fontenot. “TV 7 would come to the shop every time I won and it helped me out with business.”
When Fontenot first got started in the business he attended shows, read magazines, and did his homework on the new hairstyles.
“As you get older it comes natural; you work on older people and you don’t need to go to shows,” says Fontenot. “The people that come in now have their standard way of getting a haircut.”
Years ago, women represented 60% of Fontenot’s client base. He had to keep up with all the latest styles, but now with the older men he says it is much easier.
“You don’t need much talent to cut them old men’s hair, just a lot of patience,” teases Fontenot.
Ten years ago Fontenot stopped going to the hair shows. He says he doesn’t miss having to keep up with the latest styles.From
(L to R: Delton Bertrand, Jimmy Fontenot, Fred Benoit, and the woman is Jeanette Webster)
“I’ve been cutting hair for forty-six years. Once you get to this point it is time to slow it down,” says Fontenot.
Fontenot is a huge McNeese fan. He used to be president of the Cowboy Club, and still maintains a relationship with the Club, helping them raise money. Plaques cover the shop’s walls as evidence of his love and support.
“I attend all the men and women’s basketball games, as well as the football games,” said Fontenot.
He moved to his current location hoping to gain business from the university.
“When we moved we had a lot of people start coming over from McNeese. That’s why we got that pretty lady back there because the young guys come in and get their hair cut by her,” said Fontenot.
Jimmy’s Hair We Are currently employs four workers with 157 years of combined haircutting experience. Three men, including Fontenot, and one woman provide Jimmy’s with a friendly atmosphere where men can gather and shoot the bull.
“Each one had their own shop and they got tired of running it themselves,” says Fontenot. “The men are all getting to the age when they want to slow down and retire so they sell and work with someone else.”
Fontenot and his colleagues create a warm inviting environment for their customers. The morning begins with Fontenot arriving at eight a.m. He does the bookwork and makes coffee.
“Customers come in early and drink coffee with us and talk,” said Fontenot. “Don’t come in feeling sorry for yourself because we will pick with you.”
Jimmy’s has a jovial mood because of the characters who work there. They like to talk about what’s going on the world and make jokes.
“We’ve been fortunate. Since I’ve been in Lake Charles the business has been very steady. We haven’t been affected by competition especially since we’ve been older. We have more business than we know what to do with,” said Fontenot. “Customers just walk-in, nobody calls and we like it that way.”
If you are looking for a good haircut, jokes, and interesting conversation check out Jimmy’s Hair We Are at 112 W. McNeese St. For more information call Jimmy’s at (337) 477-7932.
