From the depths of childhood bullying to the heights of entrepreneurial success, Marrico Simpson’s remarkable journey is a testament to the power of resilience, innovation, and the ability to transform adversity into opportunity.
Growing up in the small town of State Line, Mississippi, Simpson faced relentless taunting and social isolation due to his severe stutter – a challenge that deeply impacted his self-esteem and confidence. “It was extremely difficult, and it affected me greatly,” Simpson recalls. “I was embarrassed to speak up and became withdrawn.” However, it was his unwavering faith that provided him with the strength to persevere through those difficult times.
Amidst the bullying, Simpson found solace in an unexpected passion – cutting hair. At just 11 years old, he developed a profound interest in barbering, honing his skills by practicing on family and friends. This newfound love not only offered an escape from the taunts but also provided a creative outlet for self-expression.
With determination and hard work, Simpson gradually overcame his stutter throughout his youth. While the impediment initially hindered his verbal communication, it forced him to cultivate invaluable traits – resilience, patience, empathy, and keen listening skills. “I learned the value of perseverance and determination,” Simpson shares. “I had to work harder than most kids, but it taught me to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.” This formative experience laid the foundation for Simpson’s mental fortitude and resilience – qualities that would prove instrumental in his future endeavors.
After high school, Simpson enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving for a decade before being medically retired due to kidney damage and a subsequent chronic kidney disease diagnosis. However, Simpson’s resilient spirit remained unbroken. During his service, he had already set his sights on pursuing his passion for barbering, obtaining his barber and cosmetologist licenses, followed by instructor licenses in both fields. With unwavering determination, Simpson opened his own barber shop, “Cut N’ Shears,” and a Barber and Cosmetology School, “4MAS Barber Academy,” in Suffolk, Virginia.
Rather than being deterred by his health condition, Simpson viewed it as a motivating factor – a driving force to create solutions for others facing similar struggles. “The kidney disease was difficult to process, especially after overcoming my speech issues as a kid,” he admits. “But those early challenges taught me resilience. I saw this as an opportunity to create solutions for people struggling with similar circumstances.”
One such solution was the genesis of Simpson’s groundbreaking business idea, sparked while teaching a student at his Barber Academy. “I was teaching my student how to groom his hair, and he was struggling to understand the direction to cut it. So, I taught him the principle – you cut your hair the same way you brush it.” This eureka moment birthed the concept of the CutBrush, a revolutionary grooming tool that would transform the industry.
Combining his design skills and entrepreneurial spirit, Simpson pioneered the CutBrush – the world’s first combination clipper and brush tool. With its innovative bristles, the CutBrush allows barbers to efficiently cut and brush hair simultaneously, streamlining the grooming process and eliminating the need for separate tools.
However, Simpson’s path to success was not without its share of obstacles and valuable lessons learned. The initial CutBrush production run experienced quality control issues, with some comb attachments failing to stay in place, resulting in uneven haircuts and negative customer reviews. But failure was not a new concept for the former bullied child turned tenacious entrepreneur. “Dealing with childhood bullying and speech therapy taught me resilience early on,” Simpson remarks. “With the CutBrush issues, I had to embrace that same grit and persevere.”
Leveraging customer feedback, Simpson and his team at the Black-owned 4MAS Grooming Inc. worked tirelessly to refine the CutBrush design and enhance quality control processes. The revamped version exceeded expectations, earning rave reviews and driving sales through the roof. In just a couple of years, 4MAS grew a staggering 7000%, earning a spot on the prestigious Inc 5000 list as one of America’s fastest-growing companies in 2022. Today, the brand offers a comprehensive line of clippers, trimmers, and accessories tailored to simplify grooming for people of color.
For Simpson, this remarkable success symbolizes the life lessons born from his childhood struggles – lessons of resilience, perseverance, and the transformative power of embracing obstacles as opportunities. “Having that speech impediment shaped me in ways I couldn’t appreciate at the time,” he reflects. “It forced me to build resilience and see challenges as opportunities – keys to any entrepreneurial journey.”
The 4MAS founder hopes to inspire others by proving that adversity can be transformed into achievement. A portion of all profits goes towards kidney disease research and youth speech therapy initiatives, reflecting Simpson’s commitment to giving back and supporting causes close to his heart. Simpson’s wife, co-founder, and VP, Shash Ann Simpson, along with his mother, Pamela Causey, played crucial roles in driving 4MAS’ business operations. Corey Ellis, the co-founder, VP of Operations, and head of the 4MAS Team, also contributed tremendously to the company’s exponential success.
Looking ahead, Marrico Simpson plans to rapidly expand 4MAS’ innovative grooming solutions while amplifying philanthropic efforts. His unique ability to persevere in the face of adversity remains a guiding force. “True success means lifting others up and never losing faith, even in the darkest times,” Simpson states firmly. “My early struggles taught me that embracing adversity opens doors that could never be opened otherwise. I’m walking through those doors with a fresh perspective on transforming obstacles into opportunities.”
No matter what challenges arise, Marrico Simpson’s incredible rise proves he’ll face them head-on with the same resilience that has defined his journey. From a bullied child to a barrier-breaking entrepreneur, Simpson’s story illustrates that with courage and resolve, anyone can pioneer solutions – even to problems that once seemed insurmountable. Marrico Simpson’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of resilience, innovation, and the ability to turn taunts into triumph.
Check out Marrico Simpson and the innovative 4MAS Grooming brand:
IG: @4mas_grooming
FB: @4MASGrooming
TikTok: @4mas_grooming