Every time I think about how we landed at THREAD128 I’m still amazed. We opened for business on December 4, 2017. Prior to opening, I was employed by Saginaw County Mental Health, planning for retirement and working on my post retirement plans. Like I had done for many years, I stopped into my current location to buy a Detroit Tiger hat and t-shirt from the then owner. During that visit we started to talk about everything and nothing at the same time. As I was leaving she asked if I knew anyone that was interested in a business, out of courtesy I asked what kind of business and she said the store. At that moment all my other plans became a memory because that possibility felt so right. I asked for a few days as I might know of someone who may be interested. I left there not even remembering where I was headed. I went to my Moms house, found a quiet space and prayed. After that I called my wife to be Tamara, my daughter Chalonde, and my brother William and told them what had happened and the vision the Lord put in my spirit. At that time they couldn’t see it, but trusted and supported what I saw and felt.
I knew we wanted to sell more than haircuts and clothes; we wanted to sell hopes and dreams and inspire those who came to support THREAD128.
– Greg Carter
Business wasn’t foreign to me.
As a child my father James Carter worked at Gray Iron and poured concrete sidewalks and driveways as his side business. My uncles, Hoover Carter and Herbert Williams also were business owners. I also had an older brother, cousins and their friends who were sharp and smart guys who I watched and emulated as I kid. My thought was “if they could do it, so could I”. At that point my wife and I worked out the details with the owner while learning all we could about the retail business. In my vision I also saw a barber shop, so I had to learn as much as I could about how that worked and how we were going to combine the two under one roof. With God’s help and providence we were able to do so. With that done a name was needed. As mentioned my brother, older cousins and their friends were smart and sharp guys. Back in the day they referred to their clothes as threads or vines, I knew that would be a part of the name. The number 128 is my wife’s birthday, which she loved and we felt that THREAD128 was it and reflected our unique combination of services. Once we had a name we secured all the necessary licenses, made sure all accounts were in order, found a great tax/accounting firm and started to reconstruct the space. While this was happening we knew there had to be more. The idea of starting this business was attractive because it’s in the neighborhood I grew up in and it was important that people had access to a unique combination of services. We also wanted to project a positive business image that the community would embrace while building a competitive advantage for future growth. I knew we wanted to sell more than haircuts and clothes; we wanted to sell hopes and dreams and inspire those who came to support THREAD128. I knew Saginaw had produced outstanding athletes so I secured as many of their photos as I could to hang on the walls because their stories are important and their journeys all required the same things, “focus, hard work and determination” and I wanted to share that with the young people that came to the shop. It worked and also started a lot of “you remember when conversations” which is great. Along with the pro athletes, I also wanted our young people to see the college educated professionals who also grew up in the same neighborhoods as them, and that their journey required the same elements as their athletic counterparts “focus, hard work and determination” and that goal was more possible because we all can’t be professional athletes, but we can go to college, learn a trade or start a business. Mission accomplished as they ask who they are, and I love sharing with our young people.
Now mind you this all came together in a matter of weeks. During this time my wife Tamara and family totally supported me because it was a heavy lift. From the short learning curve, the “why you doing this crowd”, to following the strict State and City processes/procedures and my own doubts it was nuts, BUT GOD! Thank you Jesus! So we’re almost ready, we have a store full of “grab and go urban wear and a full service barber shop but no barbers. Talk about leaning into your faith and your prayers being answered, the next day there’s a knock on the door. In walks a young man, a fully licensed barber, Fabrian “Fab” Thomas. I really love this kid, I tell him all the time. So my wife, Fabrian and I opened the doors to THREAD128 on December 4, 2017. Since then we’ve added two more outstanding and fully licensed barbers, Demetrius “Blend Master” Pruiett and Kendrick “Stacks” Archibald. I’m bragging a bit, but I think THREAD128 has the best crew in the city because they’re true professionals and understand how important and vital it is to be role models to our young customer base.
Since opening, the learning continues and we have a great time together. THREAD128 is a continuation of what I love doing. In my career I’ve worked as a Probation Officer, a Mental Health Administrator and served in local politics for fourteen years. All those things have allowed me to engage with people in my city. I’m a “Saginaw Guy” from top to bottom. I was born and raised here, attended Saginaw Public schools. Left to attend Jackson State University (Bachelors, Criminal Justice) and came back. I completed a Masters Program at Saginaw Valley State University (Organizational Leadership and Administration) and now I’m a retired “new old guy”. I’ve never wanted to go anywhere else, I love my city.
THREAD128 is located at 2473 E. Remington St., Saginaw MI 48601
