Gaulien (Gee) Smith, owner of Gee’s Clippers and Hair Design talks to a few of the students at Community High School after his presentation. (photo by Barbara White)

Barber and businessman Gee Smith imparts his wisdom and experience to youth at Community High School

Recently, Gaulien (Gee) Smith, owner of Gee’s Clippers and Hair Design, spoke to students at Community High School. Community High School is housed inside Sarah Scott Middle School.

He was the guest speaker for Black History Month. His topic was business. I-Witness was invited by the school to tag along.

Soft-spoken and always smiling, Smith shared his very powerful personal story of his life with the students. He talked about he and his brother Corey Smith dropping out of school after their mother, Clara Smith, became ill and struggled for over two years to regain her health after suffering an aneurism and stroke. Clara had to relearn everything that we take for granted--walking, talking, etc. Talk about miracles.

Smith also shared how he and his brother were in a car accident that killed his best friend, Andre’ (Pokie) Bowie. It was Bowie’s death that Smith credits for changing his life.

Smith told the students that he often wonders if Pokie had done everything he could to be a better person and to live every day to the fullest before he died.

Deciding that he himself had not, Smith said he uses his friend’s life and death as inspiration to be the best person he could be and live life to the fullest.

Armed with the memory of his friend and determined to squeeze every ounce out of his life that he can, Smith decided to attend cosmetology school.

However, he soon hit a pothole in his journey--a big one. He could not attend cosmetology school without first having a high school diploma.

So Smith attended MATC, not to get a GED, but a high school diploma. He succeeded, getting As and Bs.

Completing cosmetology school, Smith received his barbering and cosmetology license and manager’s license in less than a three year period. Smith then proceeded to work hard to perfect his skills as a barber.

"It was then that I knew I needed to plan on opening my own shop," Smith said. It was then that the idea of Gee’s Clippers was born.

"You have to have a plan," Smith told the students."You have to know what you want to do in life then and plan out how you want it to happen, then make it happen. It’s hard work," he said.

The students listened attentively as Smith told them that for the next three to four years, they have an opportunity to create a plan on what they want to do with their lives after high school.

Smith then went on to talk about what it took to start a business and how to maintain it.

"I have 15 barbers and stylists who depend on me making it happen for them. So everything I do becomes very important to their livelihood.

With such an awesome responsibility in which your actions impact on others who depend on you for a livelihood, Smith said it is important that--as a businessperson--they conduct themselves properly in public and with their customers.

"At Gee’s Clippers, we meet monthly for breakfast to share ideas and to make sure we’re all on the same page in providing good quality and professional hair care and grooming services with a friendly ambiance.

"We also believe it’s important to be involved--financially and personally in our community," Smith added. I believe in the saying: "To whom much is given, much is expected. I live by that."

After his presentation, Smith answered the students’ questions, some of which were really good.

Smith offered the students free haircuts--for the young men, or salon services for young ladies, if they get straight As. "I know you can do it," Smith told them.

Said Smith: "As students, you must have an education to be able to seek the opportunities (you want). As students, you must have a plan and work hard to put it in action. You must learn how to manage money and you must have a self-code of conduct."

In closing, Smith noted that upon his arrival, a few of the students were acting in a manner their parents would not have approved of.

"You have to start acting accountable and respectful of yourself, as well as toward others."

The students and I-Witness were impressed with Smith’s presentation. Many of the students came up to him afterwards to chat and to ask him more questions.

Afterwards, I-Witness chatted with Gee to really see what makes him do the good things he does.

Men and women alike who have encountered or know Smith have nothing but positive things to say about him, even noting his Colgate smile and charming manner. They’re not afraid to tell me some of the good things he’s done to assist and empower them and others.

Smith credits his spiritual upbringing and grounding for allowing him to put his life back on track and inspiring him to do good things in the community.

"Spirituality plays a very important role in my life. It’s that connection my mama passed on to me that keeps me grounded.

During a one-on-one interview, I asked Smith some pertinent questions about his life, business and philosophy.

I-Witness: You do a lot of community service where you both volunteer and contribute to many things in this community, especially to children. Why?

Smith: It is true that "It takes a village to raise a child." Nowadays you have to be smart and proceed with caution. We can say all day long that it’s the children’s parents’ job to raise their children; and it is. But we know that our family structure is not the same as it was in the past and we all must take some responsibility to make a better child, thus making a better community. So that’s why I do what I do ’cause nowadays, it really does take all of us to raise a child.

I-Witness: What other things do you contribute to or volunteer doing in our community?

Smith: I serve on the Board of Directors of Parklawn YMCA and the board of the Barbershop Men’s Health Initiatives that works in conjunction with St. Michael’s Hospital. I’ve been in the jails of Milwaukee County speaking to first-time offenders. I speak at schools and group homes. I do what I can because I am blessed. And I sponsor and contribute to many good things in our community.

Smith added that he also wants to enhance the quality of life in the community on a spiritual, financial, emotional, and physical level.

"My ultimate goal is to open a youth center where the whole family can come. I want to develop a place where families can start over and reconnect, feel strong and feel empowered; becoming whole again. A wholistic family center.

Smith said his family is very close-knit. "Our family is very close. My mother Clara Smith and my father, Gaulien Smith had seven children in seven years, I have five brothers and one sister. We were all stair steppers. I was a knee child.

Of course, I-Witness did not know what that was, so Smith explained it to me. It’s when your mother is having one child and the other one is at her knees. Y’all know he laughed at me because I did not know that.

Smith credits his father for instilling in all his siblings a work ethic. Their spiritual side he credits his mother for nurturing.

Smith revealed that he is being considered for the board of directors of the Running Rebels and a few other organizations.

This barber and businessman has been featured in the "Milwaukee Community Journal’s" "I-Witness" column on several occasions, not only for the good things that he does, but also for the fun things that he hosts like the once-a-month social gathering for young professionals called "Gee’s One Friday" which is usually held at the Velvet Room downtown.

Smith recently received the McDonalds Community Service Award and a $500 check to give to a charity of his choice.

Smith said he plans to continue venturing further into his business while at the same time, exploring other endeavors, such as real estate investment.

"I want to do as much good as I can do and live every day to its fullest," Smith said. "I want to see strong families again like our families of the past and I’m going to do my part to help wherever I can to make that happen. I was blessed to be a blessing to other people."