Son’s college sports career helps launch family business, build sense of community

There’s a new barbershop in west Charlotte, offering everything from haircuts to a deep dive into the city’s basketball history.

It’s owner, Brian Mack hopes to build a stronger sense of community within its walls.

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Channel 9′s DaShawn Brown spoke with Mack, of The House of Hoops Barbershop, and his son B.J., a former USC Gamecocks hoops star.

Last season, B.J. Mack approached his father about purchasing the shop, then used money he earned through Name, Image, Likeness deals while playing basketball at South Carolina.

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“When he came to me with the idea, at first I was like ‘no,’ Brian Mack said.

“Then he sat down and was like, ‘Dad, not only do I want to do it because I know this is something you wanted to do, I want to do it so I can learn the principles of business.”

“To talk about (NIL) now, it’s insane,” BJ Mack said.

“That was unheard of for college students, having that type of money to be able to give back to your community and your family,” he said.

“It’s only going to build generational wealth.”

He added, “It’s also a downside to that because now you have kids just going, now they just see college as a way to make money.”

The father and son recalled stories of their mutual love for basketball, along with their trials and triumphs — navigating the competitive landscape.

It’s something they hope to share with the local community.

“I want the community to have a place to where, if they want to know anything about basketball, the good, the bad, the ugly, if you’re coming to Charlotte, come to The House of Hoops,” said Brian Mack.

Its walls resemble a classroom blackboard, with newspaper clippings and jerseys peppered throughout, as an invitation to learn the stories behind them.

“Like Jeff McGinnis is on the wall. Patrick Williams from West Charlotte, Jaden Springer, BJ, all of these guys are very visible throughout the community,” Brian Mack said.

“Eventually, what we want to do is cover up all the empty black space here and eventually hang guys’ jerseys from here. We want kids, it to be tangible for them to be able to come see it. I don’t have to go downtown. I don’t have to go there. I can go right in my neighborhood and see greatness.”

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