Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

Shape Up: Todd Phillips seeks to influence local youth while giving a cut

Todd Phillips

With the buzz of hair clippers in the background, in between appointments, Todd Phillips told me about some of his favorite childhood memories.

He pointed out black-and-white pictures that hang on his barbershop’s red walls, pictures of his “grandmom” and mother, both who have passed away. Phillips told me about his Uncle Charles, who used to take him to the basketball court or to the store for candy.

“Just that little bit of time that he spent with me, it made a big impact on my life, and I didn’t even realize,” Phillips said. “It showed me that he loved me.”

Growing up, Phillips’ life wasn’t always easy, but the adults that invested in him, like Uncle Charles, made all the difference. Now Phillips aspires to have that same impact on other youth.

In October, Phillips won the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC. The Chamber recognized him for his business and for his dedication to mentoring youth.

True Legends Barbershop is where both of these meet. Phillips opened the Jonestown Road shop in 2017, bringing years of experience with cutting hair. After working at another barbershop for a while, he was ready to have his own place where he could control the environment.

“I wanted an atmosphere that is family-oriented,” Phillips said. “When I was a little boy, I remember how much the behaviors and how people acted, the men especially, had an effect on me.”

He hopes that he and other barbers at True Legends set a positive example for the kids that come in.

Trim & Therapy

Phillips began cutting hair when he was young, although not well, he admitted. He practiced on his mom and three brothers. One time, in third grade, he gave himself such a bad haircut that his dad had to pick him up from school because kids were making fun of him.

“I still never stopped, and I kept doing it because it was something I wanted to keep doing until I got it right,” he said. “It was a passion since I was younger.”

Phillips often went to church with his grandmom. He enjoyed being around her; she was kind, non-judgmental and loving. One day at church, the pastor’s wife came up to Phillips, crying and laying her hands on him. She said, “God just told me you’re going to be doing something that touches a lot of people.”

That was in sixth grade, but Phillips’ grandmom always reminded him of it.

“I know now that this is it,” he said. “I feel like my calling is to mentor people.”

In October 2019, Phillips hosted an anti-bullying event at his shop and invited youth to come share their experiences and adults to give advice.

“A lot of kids don’t have someone at home to listen to them,” he said. “It’s our job to set an example for the youth.”

Nicole Prator has taken her 14-year-old son Amir to True Legends since the year it opened. A mom of two boys, one now an adult, Prator has seen an array of barbershops over the years.

When she found True Legends, she knew she discovered something different. The shop wasn’t loud and noisy like some other shops, which was a big deal for Amir, who is on the autism spectrum. Amir also tends to be quiet, but Prator said that he feels comfortable talking with Phillips and even looks forward to getting his hair cut.

“I like that the shop has a family-type feel,” Prator said. “It’s the most comfortable shop I’ve ever attended.”

Interactions with clients, Phillips said, are often a two-way street.

“I hear all types of things about families and marriages,” he said. “Barbers are like therapists, but sometimes our clients are like therapists, too.”

When he isn’t giving someone a shape up in the barber chair, Phillips is acting or producing music—two of his other passions.

But at the end of the day, he can’t see himself giving up cutting hair.

“Barbering is always going to be in me,” he said.

True Legends Barbershop is located at 3964 Jonestown Rd., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/beatruelegend.  

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