The Corn Coast Brand: A dream realized for a local Lincoln man

Celebrating Black-Owned businesses in Lincoln for Black History Month.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Khaleefa Muhammad, who goes by Hakim, always dreamed of being an entrepreneur since he was in kindergarten and in 2019 that dream was realized.

After leaving his father’s barbershop business, Hakim didn’t know his next move.  He said, “I was just kind of living life, was just going with the wind.  I figured out that cutting hair and opening up an establishment for that was going to be the best route for me.”  He opened “Corn Coast Cuts” off of Van Dorn and 9th streets, after realizing this was the path for him.

Because he opened up the business right before COVID-19 hit, he had to go through lots of uncertainty, but he finds positivity in that.  He said, “The experience has been amazing.  I’m grateful for all the trials and tribulations.  I didn’t see me being here five, six years ago.  I didn’t think here is where I would be.”

But, here he is, and not only does he have his original business, Corn Coast Cuts, he has other businesses under the Corn Coast brand.  He owns Coastal Clarity, the CBD Brand and Corn Coast Company, the clothing brand.

According to Hakim, the name “Corn Coast” came about years ago when he was younger.  He wanted to create a name to brand Nebraska.  He said, ” You know, you got your east coast, you got your west coast.  When you think of those establishments and demographics, you automatically think of certain cultures and I’m like, man, Nebraska don’t really got too much of that culture.”  So he took initiative and created the brand.

Hakim also had words of wisdom for the younger generation of entrepreneurs.  He said self discipline is key, but it’s also important to keep the young spirit.

Corn Coast Company and all of Hakim’s businesses are at one facility at 300 Speedway Cir #155, Lincoln, NE 68502.