Meet Ray Schufford

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ray Schufford. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ray, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

You know, I’ve been “the only one in the room” more times than I can count. Whether in the firehouse, in business rooms, and even in some community spaces, it can lonely standing alone. But what I’ve learned is that effectiveness doesn’t come from blending in; it comes from standing firm in who you are.

I remind myself that I’m not in the room by accident. I’m there on purpose, for purpose. So instead of shrinking, I show up prepared, professional, and confident. I’m not just representing myself, but representing those who’ll come after me.

Being “the only one” taught me how to listen differently, communicate clearly, and build bridges across differences. It made me a better leader because I learned to connect with people through shared values, not just shared backgrounds.

And truthfully, my strength comes from knowing who I am before I walk in the room. My faith grounds me, my first responder training keeps me steady under pressure, and my experience as a barber taught me how to talk to anybody. When you combine all that, you realize that you don’t need to look like everyone else to make an impact. You just need to be the impact.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My journey has always centered around a life of service, whether I was behind the barber chair, on the front lines as a first responder, or now in front of leaders helping them rediscover their purpose. Each of those experiences shaped how I see people, pressure, and purpose.

Today, I’m the founder of V. Ray Schufford LLC Consulting, where I coach first responders, leaders, and entrepreneurs to move beyond survival mode and thrive mentally, spiritually, and professionally. My mission is to help people shift from burnout to balance, from reacting to leading, from showing up for others to learning how to show up for themselves.

One of the projects I’m most excited about is “2 The Next Shift University,” an ongoing learning platform built around my book “So, You Really Want to Be a First Responder.” It’s designed to guide individuals through every stage of their career journey, from start to finish.

I also express my passion through storytelling. My project “If My Clippers Could Speak” follows a young lady named Joyce Spencer who turns her barbershop business into a safe haven for her community. This is a reflection of my late mother’s story about purpose, faith, and perseverance which gives me my confidence.

What’s special about my brand is that it’s not just about business — it’s about impact. Everything I do is built around faith, authenticity, and transformation. My goal is simple: to make people think, laugh, and grow, one shift at a time.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the three qualities that shaped my journey most are resilience, emotional intelligence, and communication.

Resilience taught me to recover and keep moving when things didn’t go as planned, something I learned early as both a first responder and entrepreneur. Don’t run from hard moments; let them build your strength.

Emotional intelligence helped me connect with people on a deeper level. Whether behind the chair or on a call, I realized leadership isn’t just about talking , it’s about understanding. Listen more than you speak; that’s how you earn trust.

And communication has been the bridge to every opportunity. If you can speak with purpose and clarity, you can lead anywhere.

For anyone just starting out, build yourself before you build anything else. Master your mindset, guard your values, and grow your character. When your foundation is solid, your success can stand on it.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

A book that really shaped my development is The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton. What stood out to me was how simple and practical the wisdom was. It was real, everyday advice you can actually use.

The biggest lesson I took from it is that wealth isn’t about how much you make; it’s about how consistently you manage what you have. Paying yourself first and staying disciplined over time creates real freedom.

Another powerful nugget was that financial freedom brings peace of mind. When you control your money, you control your stress and that hits home for me as a first responder and entrepreneur.

The Wealthy Barber taught me to think long-term, stay consistent, and make my money align with my values — lessons that have carried into every part of my life and business.

Contact Info:

• Website: raySchufford.com. & 2thenextshift.org
• Instagram: SHOEPERMAN1906 & TheNiceLookBarber & 2 The Next Shift
• Facebook: 2 The Next Shift & Ray Schufford
• Linkedin: Ray Schufford
• Twitter: The Nice Look Barber @nicelookbarber

Image Credits

Jeremy Anderson Photography