Julie Ellis: Proving What Women Can Do

The talk around town in 1993 was, “Oh, I don’t know about a woman buying this business. Afterall, this is mostly for men.” That’s when Julie Ellis and husband Gary bought Grandview Barber Shop. Julie has proved it was a very good move not only for her but also for her customers.

Born at Ft. Bragg, Julie was a “military brat” as a young child. Eventually she stopped moving around and at about age thirteen moved to Belton, Missouri with her mom and stepdad. This chipper, high energy woman has had a life filled with ups and downs that she has learned to ride very well.

By nineteen, Julie had two young children and was on welfare. Her stepdad supported her being on welfare with one caveat: “The objective of being on welfare is to get off welfare.” She didn’t blame anyone but herself for needing to support three on an income of $280/month.  She found a way to change that.  Though she never had an interest in doing hair, when a friend started at the old Grandview Beauty College on Main Street and invited her to attend, she thought,  “Why not?”  Julie was surprised that she enjoyed doing men’s cuts, which she had a knack for.

Grandview Plaza Barber shop was one of the first businesses to open at Grandview Plaza in 1971.  It was owned by Tommy Compton, who has since passed. Tommy hired the first woman to work there, Julie. It’s the only place she’s ever done hair.

In the early years it was not easy being a woman in a man’s working world. She recalls when John Brownfield, now a retired barber, had a customer come in with his son.  John said, “Well, Julie can cut your son’s hair.” “Oh, no,” the customer replied and twice repeated,  “A man’s gotta do it.” Julie burst into tears and ran out of the shop.

Husband Gary was a barber at the shop.  They bought the business in October 1993 and were married the following year. Gary now does all the shop’s accounting. Julie cannot stop talking about what a great husband Gary is and how she owes much of her success in life and business to him. Gary is older than Julie. As she says, “I’m young enough to keep him from being too ‘codgy’ and he’s old enough to keep my feet on the ground.”

As the old shopping center slowed down, she moved the business to Main Street. For two reasons Julie is fortunate that barbers Roy and Frank, with the shop since 1973 and 1978 respectively, are still with her today.  She can leave the shop for a day and fully trust them and all the customers know them. Today many of Grandview Barber Shop’s adult customers are the children of original customers.

When Julie is not cutting hair, she is spending time with their three adult children who live nearby and her five year old grandson, the cherry on the top of her life whom she lovingly calls buggerhead.  And when she’s not involved with them, she’s active with the Midwest Chapter of the Young Marines Unit or sewing blankets for friends, family or charity.  Her biggest sewing project was thirty-five blankets for the VA Hospital. She loves to make them as much as give them away because, as she says, “I’m a giver.”

Reflecting on her life and her journey as a business owner, Julie comments,  “It’s been long, hard and great. I’m the eternal optimist. I don’t carry things around.  And I’m fortunate to buy a well established business with a good reputation.” Her advice to people, “Don’t give up. Try hard. Life can always be worse. I’ve had some rough times but I can’t complain.”

When you need your next haircut, head over to see Julie, Roy and Frank at 713 Main Street in Grandview, Missouri from 8 to 6 Tuesdays through Fridays, 8 to 3 Saturdays.  You’ll likely know why generation after generation continues to do business with them.