What attracts people to barbering as a career path? Some might say it’s not merely a trade, but a passion, a calling. Most experienced barbers will tell you there is something special that happens in the barber’s chair, where you’re helping them look and feel their best.
Old school barbershops aren’t merely a place where men go to get a haircut, they are places where men can have a conversation, find social interaction, and find common ground. Modern barbering has evolved to add an entirely new layer of creativity and self-expression, giving the client a renewed sense of self-confidence. Barbers are artists of hair and grooming, and in their hands, clippers, shears, and straight razors become tools of artistry.
The Modern Barbershop
Over the last several years, people have found a renewed interest in barbering as a profession and a craft. Many men, unsatisfied with the strip mall salons, long for the ambience and attention-to-detail in the classic barbershop. There is a growing demand for personalized service, cutting edge techniques, and distinct timeless looks. Many newer barbershops have an identity, an atmosphere, and their barbers create sophisticated, modern looks while providing a refreshing customer experience.
Art and Technique of the Barber
Barbering is an art and requires skill and practice to perfect. The professional barber needs to have an understanding of facial structure, hair textures, and how a man’s hair and facial hair complements and enhances his appearance. The barber listens to their client’s vision and figures out how to turn it into a reality. With experience, the barber can more intuitively and naturally fulfill client requests and create a work of art with their haircut and facial hair, making them look their best. As a barber learns their craft, the mental models of fading, shaving, tapering, blending, and texturizing become muscle memory. With each haircut, the barber hones their skills and perfects their technique.
Keeping Up With Barbering Trends
Like other areas of personal aesthetics, barbering has its own trends and styles that go in and out of fashion. Keeping up with new, emerging trends and techniques is essential for the modern barber to be successful. Learning new techniques and hairstyles to add to your repertoire of classic haircuts and beard designs is an essential part of staying relevant as a contemporary barber. As haircuts and styles evolve, so does the professional barber, who makes time to study new styles and learn how to execute those techniques for their clients.
Customer Experience and Ambience
Going to the barbershop is more than a haircut, it is a complete immersive experience. Many men prefer the ambience and atmosphere of a traditional barbershop to that of a big-chain salon. A classic barbershop evokes an entire mood that is relaxing, and feels comforting and often nostalgic. Modern barbershops put some time and thought into designing and cultivating an experience that makes customers feel at home.
The décor in classic barbershops may vary, but these are often built with vintage barber chairs, decorative mirrors, wood paneling, and other decorations and memorabilia which fits the chosen aesthetic and vibe of the shop. Posters, knick knacks, photos, the waiting area and barber stations are all crafted to cultivate a vibe, a feeling, and a state of mind. A curated music playlist may be playing over the sound system to reinforce this experience. Everything in the barbershop is designed to create a mood, and transport the client to a familiar place where they can be themselves.
Community and Connection
Barbershops are not merely places where you go to get a haircut, they are places where men find connection and share stories, where they network and socialize. People in the neighborhood can bond over talking about sports or other light conversation. The barbershop is a place where strangers can find community and common connection in a shared experience.
Personal Style in Barbering
No matter what classic cuts and styles come and go, each barber will have their own personal style. Whether it’s a high fade, crew cut, or textured crop, every barber has their own distinct style. The one thing that doesn’t change is how the barber interprets the style and performs their technique. Every barber is an artist, and some artists understand what their customers want, and are able to make them look their best. Like every artist has a style, so does every barber, including you.
Passion for the Art of Barbering
You can have all the talent and skill to be a great barber, but the secret ingredient is passion. Since most barbers create their own success and cultivate their own clientele, phoning it in is not an option. When you have a genuine love and passion for a creative career, like barbering, it helps you push to do the things you need to do to improve. Part of that is improving your technique, getting better at cuts and fades, and being a perfectionist. Another part of that is thinking about the business aspect. A vital component of barbering is continuing to invest time and energy into learning. When you love what you do, and the art of barbering, it seems inevitable that you’ll improve your skills and your business.
The Art of Business in Barbering
Barbering and cosmetology, and any other client-based service, requires a lot of business savvy to succeed. The technical skills are one part of success, marketing and business development are another important part of growing your clientele. For barbers, showing your work on social media like Instagram is a big key to attracting new clients. Whenever you do a great looking haircut, or style a beard just right, be sure to show that off so other people can see your artistic gifts. If you plan on opening your own barbershop, you’ll need to make a marketing and finance plan for your barbershop, so you can focus on growing your business.
Always Keep Learning
Barbering is an art, a craft, a skill that you should always keep improving. Learning new hair styles, new techniques, investing in the tools of your trade, these all help you level up your barbering career. Stay passionate about your craft, keep learning and staying sharp. Clients love coming back when they know you are constantly working on improving, no matter how long you’ve been a barber.
Barbering is an art form, a tradition, a trade, a craft, a community. When clients sit in your barber chair, they know they are going to look their best and feel welcome. There’s power in what you do as a barber, keep doing your best for yourself, your clients, and your community.
Learn the Craft of Barbering at Campus Sacramento
If barbering is something you feel passionate about and you want to start a career, you can learn from elite industry pros at Paul Mitchell the School at Campus Sacramento. We have a comprehensive barbering program that will help you learn the skills and techniques it takes to start your barbering career, and get certified by the State Board. If you have questions about start dates, flexible class schedules, student kits, or financial aid, contact our friendly Admissions team or call 888-675-2460.