My family has been in the barbershop business since 1972. For three generations we’ve had barbers work for our family shop until retirement, while others grew with us and branched out to open their own spot. A few were not a good fit for the job, and in some cases it was because they didn’t follow my grandfather’s model for success.
My grandfather taught my dad and me three core principles to succeed in this competitive field. They're pretty simple — nothing crazy, backbreaking, or outstanding. Yet, they are the foundation for a successful career as a barber. These principles have kept our family barbershop thriving for more than 50 years.
I live by them to this day, and I pass them along in every barbering class I teach. Let’s dive in:
1. Show Up on Time.
Always, always, always be available when you say you will.
If you work for a barbershop, show up when you’re supposed to and not a minute later. If you are a true independent contractor, set your own hours — then hold yourself as accountable as you would any employee you hire. If those hours don’t work for you, change them. What is important is that you stick to them.
You don’t have to take appointments, but if you do, don’t be late. Respect your time and your client’s and never keep anyone waiting.
This includes how long it takes you to do the service. For example, if a person books with you from 12-12:45, this means you are not only starting by 12, but that client needs to be complete and out of your chair when the clock strikes 12:45.
Being punctual takes self-discipline on and off the job. It takes planning and thinking ahead. It requires making your job a main priority in your life — right up there with family.
Because the reality is, shop owners and clients don’t put up with excuses for long. They’ll just find another barber who will respect their time.
2. Deliver a Professional Service.
Barbers are competitive by nature. We all want our clients to give us the compliment that we’re “the best barber they ever had.” We strive to make our edge up a little straighter, our blends a little blurrier.
We want to make every cut our best cut, but really the goal should be to accentuate the good and minimize the bad within the time frame the client booked. Keep it moving and do a solid job. That is a professional service.
Realize that the goal for most clients when they sit in our chair is not to get the best cut we've ever done. The majority simply want to look better when they leave compared to when they arrived, and for it to be done in a timely manner.
Delivering a professional service requires practicing on models and mannequins to improve your skills in your off hours. It means being willing to learn new techniques so you get better and faster. It requires knowing how to do proper client consultations so you always understand what they want, and can plan for how you will achieve it.
Delivering a professional service means sacrificing some of your free time (especially in the beginning of your career) to gain the confidence and skills that make clients happy to pay for time in your chair, and to keep on booking with you.
3. Say "Please" and "Thank You."
Pretty basic, right? The truth is, what they taught you in kindergarten is still one of the most important lessons you can bring to your career. If you want a client, co-worker, or boss to do something, say “please.” If they do it — or anything else you appreciate — say “thank you.” Every time!
Your clients need to know you value them for more than just a dollar, and this is an essential way to show them. Not just when they give you a big tip, refer someone to you, or buy products from you — but even when they do small, expected things like sit down, drop their chin, or pay for their service.
When you extend this courtesy to people you work with, it makes them appreciate you as well. That goes a long way in the workplace.
In our shop we have the “Carpet Rule:” every barber there must acknowledge every client walking in before they step off the welcome mat. It’s a common courtesy that does so much. It takes out the awkward feeling and makes people feel comfortable right off the bat. There are no strangers here; just people we haven’t cut yet.
Making clients feel welcome and valued is almost as important as the service itself. Getting used to saying “please” and “thank you” is a crucial part of that.
As a barber, you can do many things to improve your craft like investing in tools, signing up for classes, or staying up-to-date on trends. But do not slide on the core three: Be Punctual; Be Professional; and Be Appreciative.
Thanks for reading and as always: Happy Studying, People!
Thomas “Mr. Stateboard” James is an Air Force Intelligence veteran, a dual licensed educator in cosmetology and barbering, and a continuing education trainer for industry instructors. He specializes in bridging the gap between teaching and learning for beauty and barber students. James is the author of The Blueprint: Your Shortcut to Passing the State Board Exam.
