Rising Star Award

JOHNSON CITY (April 12, 2018) – The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at East Tennessee State University has selected Craig Charles, owner of Crown Cutz Academy, to receive the 2017 Rising Star Award.

The Rising Star Award is given annually to a company that best exemplifies not only business success, but also an outstanding working relationship with the TSBDC and use of its services.

Charles founded Crown Cutz Academy in 2017. Located in downtown Johnson City, the focus of the academy is to provide a high-quality barber education in the Tri-Cities region. Currently, Crowns Cutz is the only barber academy located within a 90-mile radius. The business is in its first year of operation and has five full-time employees.

Charles came to the TSBDC to discuss his vision for the academy and began developing the action steps necessary to make his vision a reality. He owned and operated his barbershop, Craig’s Crown Cutz, for over a decade before pursuing his own academy. Charles is a graduate of ETSU and played football for the Bucs.

The TSBDC provided startup assistance, business plan development and guidance throughout the process.

“The TSBC helped me see my vision through a different lens, which helped me accomplish my goal of opening my barber academy,” Charles said.

For more information about the TSBDC, visit www.etsu.edu/cbat/tsbdc or contact Mark Bays at 423-439-8505 or mbays@etsu.edu. For more information on Crown Cutz Academy, visit www.crowncutzacademy.com.