In the world of barbering, you have to be smart, reliable, and profitable. There are a few things that each barber must take into consideration in order to get their shop up and running. You should do some research before jumping into it. This article is going to briefly touch on some of the most important information that you need to know about your first time behind the chair.
Get the Right Barber Tools
A beginning barber should always go for the best tools. There are many brands that all have advantages and disadvantages, but overall you'll want to stick with tools that will not tarnish easily or dull out too quickly. When they say "you get what you pay for" in barbering, it's absolutely true!
Your Barber Chair
You should always invest in a decent barber chair. You'll spend most of your time sitting in this chair, so it's important to choose something that will be comfortable for you and your clients. If budget is an issue, there are plenty of ways around buying the top-of-the-line model. Just make sure it's ergonomic and won't break down if someone sits in it with 400lbs! (you never know). Make sure you take into consideration room space as well! You don't want a barber chair taking up half the shop!
Find a Barber Shop Where You Fit In
Another important part of your first time behind the chair is finding a shop where you fit in. Sometimes walking into an overly populated barbershop can be too overwhelming for some new barbers. I recommend finding a small barbering family that will take you under their wing and allows you to grow with them (or on your own).
This will give you the chance to take things slow and really learn the business of barbering. If you're trying to grow your own shop at this time, that's ok too. Just be sure to take it slow and do what you can to earn some money while starting out. You'll need it!
If you have a love for barbering, then find a shop that will match your passion!
Get The Proper Education/Training
Make sure you sign up for an accredited barber program early on in your career. Sometimes programs are only offered at certain times per year or they may fill up quickly due to their competitive nature. Getting into these classes is not easy either, so make sure your game is tight before trying out! A short online course won't cut it- especially if you plan on opening your own shop soon after.
Don't be afraid to go back to school! There are many barber colleges that will allow you to complete your coursework at night/online, so check with the schools in your area.
Learn The Barbering Business
Once you've taken care of all the necessary tools and information for opening a legitimate barbershop, it's time for you to learn the business of barbering. Find out what styles work best for your location (fashion trends) and which ones don't. Identify things like price-points, haircut types, etc. This is critical information that most new barbers fail to do before getting started. It's also important to know which products sell most effectively too (why). Don't expect people to know what your shop is about without any direction.
Don't Fear Failure
If you've done everything right and still fail, don't lose hope! Sometimes a new barber is fated to fail from the beginning- no matter how hard they try or how much they want it. It's important to remember that everyone fails at something in their life. Every successful person has been faced with failure before making it big. Don't be afraid of failing because others will see that fear as a sign of weakness. Instead, learn from your mistakes and keep going!
When all is said and done you'll want to come out on top. Chances are if you follow these guidelines closely enough, then you'll be on the road to success in no time at all! So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start working on your career today!
