IT’S ON!

Are you coming to BarberSociety Live too?

Sunday 23 April marks the 6th edition of BarberSociety Live! In these tough economic times with high event costs, it has not been easy to pull it off financially and I have had some sleepless nights. But fortunately, the men’s trade brands showed their love for the industry and we were able to make a decision and give you another unforgettable day! So I am incredibly grateful that with the support of sponsors like American Crew, Re.solve skincare and the Dutch Hairdressers Association, this 2023 edition can take place. But I am also grateful to the brands that booked a stand. Now that Covid measures are hopefully gone for good, I also expect more international visitors allowing cultural exchange to take place like before. In short: I can’t wait for THE annual barber meeting and to speak to everyone with a heart for the barber/men’s hairstyling profession! Can I also count on your support so that together we can make it a blast of a 6th edition? Hope to see you there!

Online vs Offline

During our event, the focus will be on the live meeting. But generally, barbers interact a lot online. Besides YouTube and Instagram, TikTok is widely accessed for education and professional information. This is why we talked to Dutch TikTok influencer @ Reboir, who wants to use his videos to inspire young people to become barbers too. Be sure to read his tips if you want to gain more followers on social media!

In contrast, Irish barber Paddy Corrigan warns us in his interview that social media can also destroy you if you don’t use it in the right way for your business. Above all, show reality and don’t sugarcoat it. Spanish barber Ivan Rodriguez, who has worked for Rotterdam’s master barber Robert Lagerman and tells his beautiful story in this edition, also makes the same point: develop your own skills and don’t copy the hairstyles you see on social media. Tori Gill combines online and offline opportunities; named Australian Men’s Hairdresser of the Year in 2017, she now criss-crosses Australia to provide education but she has also developed an online course. In addition, she is a mother of a one-and-a-half-year-old son but that does not stop her from all these activities.

Barber Tech

Online features contribute to a great offline barbershop experience for your customers. Software can take your barbershop to the next level. Chris Foster gives some excellent useful tips in this edition; from Messenger bots, booking apps, to a CRM system.

New columnist!

In this edition, you can further read the first column by business coach Dennis van Lierop.

I often bump into Dennis at European barber events and he is knowledgeable in many areas such as brand management, employee activation and business management. I am happy that, alongside Chris Foster, he is willing to share his knowledge with us in his columns. Take advantage of it!

Paris

Earlier this year, I was invited by American Crew to their brand-new Academy in Paris. There, ‘private shoots’ were held, photographed by none other than American Crew founder David Raccuglia. I got the chance to engage with him there. That made for an interesting story. Inspired and motivated, I returned from Paris. Especially after I also visited some amazing barbershops. Check them out in ‘Barbers & the City Paris’!

Continue reading the poignant story of Barber B who performed on our BarberSociety live stage in 2019 and has been stricken with a brain tumour. His autobiographical theatre show will also premiere in Amsterdam.

Finally, in this Spring edition you will find cool collections again, a great lifestyle story, the latest product news and a photo report from my visit to the International Barber Convention in Rome. Take advantage of it!

Hope to see you on Sunday 23 April!

Marc van de Hare

Owner of Van de Hare Amsterdam Barbers

Founder BarberSociety

PS BSL tickets are on sale at www.barbersocietylive.com. Should you not be able to attend, a report on BarberSociety Live will of course follow in the Summer edition!