There are millions of hairstylists and barbers worldwide. Being a barber is not hard, but being a good barber generally takes years to achieve. Barbers make as much money as they want to make; the more work, effort, and research they put in, the more they will get out of it. They need to stay focused. Be diligent.
It takes between 10 months and 2 years to become a barber, depending on whether you do a full or part-time course. But after that, it will take at least another year to build a reasonable client base. Here are a few guidelines to follow to be a good barber:
- Learn every hairstyle and haircut. Although this seems like a big task, you must know what you’re doing when a client asks you for a certain style or cut.
- Read your client’s body language. Many people do not like confrontation and will not tell you how they feel about the work you have done if they do not like it. By knowing how to read body language, you will be able to tell how they feel about their fresh trim.
- Know when to speak and when to cut hair without engaging in conversation. Some clients prefer to relax in silence when they have their hair done; if you can tell when this needs to be done, a range of clients will appreciate you. But don’t forget, so many clients love a good therapy session with their barber.
- You will fail, and you will succeed. Not every client is going to like your work, so be prepared. But you will also have clients that love your work, so focus on the positive and manage the negatives as constructive criticism. Trust your craft and talent.
- Respect everyone. Although you may have your own business, that does not give you the right to disrespect people. You want to be remembered as ‘the nice barber.’
- Manage your time. You have no one to hold your hand. Work smart.
- Learn all the tools and supplies. Someone working in construction does not build a house without knowing his tool, and the same goes for barbering. You can not build a successful business and clientele without knowing everything you possibly can about the industry.
Barbering takes a while to master but is a gratifying job due to the clients that leave feeling fresh and confident. But what about those clients suffering from hair loss?
Many barbers find it upsetting seeing their clients distressed over hair loss, especially as conditions such as pattern hair loss are so common. Luckily the scalp micropigmentation world is taking the hair industry by storm!
Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) has so much business potential! Currently recorded as the world’s leading hair loss solution, SMP is changing lives one scalp at a time. Microdots of pigment are implanted into the scalp to give the illusion of hair follicles. The microdots mimic the follicles giving the scalp the illusion of a full head of very short, shaved hair, better known as a buzzcut. Although this does not give you long flowing hair, it can make people suffering from hair loss feel much more confident.
It doesn’t take too long to learn; it just may take some time to perfect. How incredible is it for a barber to be able to give their clients the look of hair even when they do not have any?!
“Being a barber is about taking care of people.” – Anthony Hamilton
What better way to do that than learning a way to help your clients restore their hair?!
SMP Trendsetters and On Point Permanent Cosmetics are both artists who have joined the world of SMP.
