The barbering industry has always been around, but in recent years, men pay more attention to their grooming than ever before.
Today, customers expect their barbers to have a highly developed set of hair cutting and hair styling skills, as well as top-notch facial hair grooming expertise.
Why are so many people becoming professional barbers? Is becoming a barber worth it? Many find the career rewarding, offering a blend of creative expression and personal interaction.
There are plenty of upsides and benefits to choosing this career. Is being a barber a good career? Many professionals in the field enjoy the blend of creativity, social interaction, and job flexibility. If you are considering becoming a licensed barber, these are some reasons you might pursue this career.
1. Express Your Creativity
Creative people are drawn to many different types of careers: art, music, design, and barbering. The barber uses their creative skill to make clients look handsome, stylish, and refined. The experienced barber can analyze the texture of someone’s hair, the shape of their face and facial hair, and using barbering techniques, create a professional look for their clients.
Men go to a barber to look good and improve their self-confidence. Asking whether becoming a barber is worth it can often be answered by the smiles and thanks of satisfied clients, highlighting the personal rewards of this career. Barbers use their client’s hair as their art canvas. Considering if a career in barbering is a good option? For many, the ability to transform a client’s appearance and boost their confidence answers this positively. Using their knowledge of haircuts and facial hair grooming skills, they create a unique look for each of their clients.
2. Great Career if You Are a People Person
Are you a people person or an extrovert? Barbers get to have conversations with people from different walks of life every day. Barbershops are known as places where men socialize and talk with their barber and other patrons. If you like good conversation and socializing with people, then becoming a barber might be a great career choice for you.
3. Active Workspace
Not only will you have the chance to express your creativity through hair styles and beard trimming, but you will avoid a sedentary desk job. Instead of sitting at a desk five days a week, as a barber, you’ll get to maintain an active lifestyle, keeping your body moving, in a relaxed but fun atmosphere.
4. Practical Learning
Some people want to work at a desk, or on a computer, and others want to work with their hands, using their skills to earn a living. Barbers learn practical skills, which allows them to hone their skills as they learn their profession and perfect their craft. However, prospective barbers should consider the cons of being a barber, such as the need for constant standing and the unpredictability of client tips.
5. Be Your Own Boss
There are many ways to become your own boss and set your own hours as a professional barber. You may opt for renting a chair at a salon and build up your client base. Or you might eventually open your own barbershop. The possibilities are there to become your own boss and run your own business. Many argue that being a barber is a good career choice due to the independence it offers and the ability to directly impact your earnings and work environment.
6. Flexible Work Schedule
Another reason many people are drawn to barbering or hairstyling careers is the flexibility they have with their schedule. Barbers can often choose if they want to work part-time, full-time, on weekends, or just day shift. These options are available when you are your own boss with your own shop.
7. Job Security
There is a need for barbers in every city in the world. If you want to move, you can be sure there will be a job waiting for you in another city. As long as you’re skilled at hair cutting and barbering, moving to another location is not a problem.
Men always need to get their hair cut, no matter what, so barbers will always be needed. With a renewed interest in male grooming, and focus on men’s hairstyles via social media, the interest in barbering is at an all-time high. While the job security is a significant advantage, some cons of being a barber, like physical strain and reliance on tips, must be acknowledged.
8. Opportunities / Decent Money
Barbers can make a decent living, especially if you consider tips on top of your regular salary. Top level barbers who are renowned at what they do can build a loyal client base and earn referral business. If you work in a salon, this can help you build a client base. If you open your own barber shop, you can potentially earn even more. Some barbers work exclusively on photoshoots, or in the entertainment industry, making sure celebrities always stay groomed and stylish.
Are There Downsides to Becoming a Barber?
What are some cons of being a barber? Despite the benefits, the physical demands and the need for patient client base building can be challenging. Barbers stand on their feet all day, so there are physical demands, clients can be high maintenance, and you rely a lot on tips, so pleasing clients so they become repeat customers is important. It takes time to build a client base, and many new barbers lack that patience. If you are aware of these hurdles, and work to overcome them, it's a rewarding line of work.
How Does the Barber Industry Foster Professional Growth?
Evaluating if becoming a barber is worth it involves weighing these required skills against the personal and financial rewards of the profession. Barbering is a career that requires entrepreneurial and interpersonal skills. If you can't network with people and grow a dedicated client base, you won't succeed, that's just the reality. Being a barber allows you to express your creativity and meet new people, but it also forces you to be a professional, developing customer service skills and working with other professional barbers and clients.
Get World-Class Barber Training from Paul Mitchell the School at Campus, in Sacramento
If you want to become a professional barber, and work in a barbershop or salon, or even open your own barbershop, Campus can help you reach that goal. We have a world-class barber training program at our Sacramento campus. To learn more about the Paul Mitchell the School at Campus training program, or ask questions about financial aid, contact our Admissions team today to schedule a virtual tour.