Fraser Forsey

WITH REX A. C. SILVER

Life throws us a few perplexities now and then, like how can this guy have just turned 30 when it seems he’s been around for so long. Simple, he has been around for ages!

He started barbering at 13 and was qualified by the time most of us are still in school. Already a 17-year career veteran, this guy is just getting going. He owned an inner-city salon in his early 20’s and has carved himself a niche as one of Australia’s most sort after educators in the Barber and Men’s Hairdressing sector.

While most of us were navigating our businesses, lives, and families through Covid these last 2 years, this guy was navigating himself around the country juggling flights and entry conditions to different cities, towns, and states to deliver educational presentations to over 150 salons.

His hard work has earned him Winner of the coveted 2021 Australian Modern Barber Awards Best Educator of The Year, he is Tommy Guns national inhouse educator, founder of Barber Education Australia and a Director of the newly launched Barber Temple. We are going to follow him over the next 3 issues, but I will admit now, it’s going to be hard work keeping up with Fraser Forsey

Let’s start with when you started barbering and why?

I am one of 9 kids (7 boys and 2 girls), so by the time I got to high school the teachers were already not so fond of me or my surname! I really struggled through grade 8 with becoming a teenager and I always felt so out of place. At this time, it was my dream to become a doctor, but I soon realised the sight of blood or wounds made me feel sick, so I knew this wasn’t the ideal career path for me. It was about 4 days before grade 8 finished that I was expelled and ask to find another school to go to.

At this point I was so over school, so I reached out to my Barber at the time, Rory Marheine, who owned one of the most popular Barbershops in Redcliffe called “The Barbers Den”. I always thought Rory was so cool being covered in tattoos and he did amazing haircuts, so I figured this was my ‘out’ from school. I begged and pestered Rory for an apprenticeship. He finally gave me an opportunity, and 3 months later I was on the floor cutting and absolutely loved every moment of it. I was the first at the shop cleaning and setting up all the senior barbers’ stations and the last to leave with Rory at night. It was my life, and I was obsessed. I qualified after 2 years at the age of 16 and Rory pushed me to get my hairdressing qualification. I then worked and was trained by some amazing hairdressers, but my main inspiration was Emma who taught me a huge amount about women’s hair.

I qualified cert 3 in Hairdressing at the age of 17 and was then approached by Culture Kings Brisbane to kick off their Barbershop. I was the first Barber employed with Culture Kings. Culture Kings barbershop grew to be one of the most sought-after barbershops. It was an incredible experience, and I had the opportunity to work in a unique environment with huge exposure, cutting celebrities hair and working with a great team from the ground up. I became the National Barber Manager of Culture Kings at 19, running their 6 shops with about 70 barbers working within them. After 4.5 years I realised my dream of opening my very own barbershop.

In 2013, at the age of 21, I opened Fraser’s Barbershop on the corner of Albert and Mary Street in Brisbane City with my business partner and brother-in-law, Grayson. 2013 and 2014 were massive years of growth for the business. At Fraser’s we prided ourselves on appointment-based services and focused on delivering a great experience.

It was incredible to be able to realise my dream at such a young age, and I’m so thankful to Rory, and the owners of Culture Kings, Tah-nee and Simon who shared their amazing knowledge which I drew upon to reach that position. Back then, In the barbering world social media was only just starting to become a thing so there wasn’t much awareness or profile around some of the big names in the industry. Locally, Steve Purcell, Owner and Founder of Uppercut was a good friend and inspiration for me with his very busy and popular shop, Barebones.

Also, the Barbers I worked with over the years all had a positive impact of inspiration and motivation for me. Too many to name here, but they know who they are!

You started educating early, tell us about that.

I was approached by a college in Woolloongabba in 2014. The student coordinator came into my shop and asked me “Do you ever do guest education workshops?” My reply was “What’s that??!!”. It really wasn’t something I had ever considered before, but after looking into it I figured it might be a good opportunity so that was the birth of what was to become Barber Education Australia. My very first workshop had 35 attendees, and I was blown away. Over the years following I worked with TAFE Qld, salons, and barbershops all over the country to deliver education. It was an incredible opportunity to share my knowledge and experience with some amazing people and give back to the industry I love.

Watching your career progress over the years you really have carved your own niche in the education sector. Can you tell us more about that.

I sometimes must pinch myself. I’m aware of how lucky I’ve been to work with some amazing people, but that’s also come off the back of 17 years of hard work and dedication! It’s in my blood, I’m still excited and I’m still hungry and I’ve always tried to remain humble and open to new ideas, new products, and new opportunities. I’ve been so fortunate to have so many opportunities as an educator and barber.

Working with the Tommy Gun’s crew has been incredible, and the whole team now feels like part of my family. Managing the education for a network of that size and balancing this with my other education commitments has been a challenge, but my view is when you love it, it doesn’t feel like hard work. Brands like Delorenzo, The Bearded Chap, Norris, Andis, Modern Pirate and more have also provided me with some amazing partnerships and connections. I’ve travelled around Australia and the world doing what I love!

You must have honed your format well; you just took out Educator of the Year at the inaugural 2021 AMBA. How was that for you?

I was blown away to be honest. I never expected it, and it’s not something that was even on my radar. To be competing against some incredible educators and academies around the country was enough for me, but to win was just incredible! It really did feel like the stars had aligned, particularly as it coincided with the launch of Barber Temple. To win that award right before opening one of Australia’s largest Education Academies is a moment in my life I will never forget, it was a pinnacle!

Can you tell us more about Barber Temple.

For years I’ve dreamt of a space that would be a true destination for Barbers and reflect the amazing industry I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of. For too long, Barbering has taken a back seat to hairdressing, whether in education, product supply or just industry connections and career pathways. Again, the stars aligned and with our amazing partners we had the opportunity to make the dream a reality! It’s genuinely a destination for Barbers. We have some incredible educators on board, a full barber academy, a supply shop with the biggest range of tools and equipment… and an event space we can use to have some fun and express our creativity.

I’ve also been blown away by the support from our suppliers like Wahl, iCandy, Andis, Uppercut and more. They’ve gone above and beyond to help us make the supply space in particular, a reality, and I hope the results speak for themselves! It’s been the biggest challenge of my life but also the most rewarding thing I’ve been a part of, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone!

60 SECOND SPEED DATE WITH FRASER FORSEY

Favourite Food: Love a good steak or authentic Italian

Favourite Movie: One of my favourites as too many to choose from The Pursuit of Happiness

Favourite destination: New York was incredible

What are you reading right now? An oldy but a goldy Barefoot Investor

What are you listening to? My son watching Fortnite on YouTube lol

What are you watching? Just finished OZARK on Netflix…. amazing

@barbereducationbyfraser @barbertempleaus

Upcoming Education and events at Barber Temple include: Fades & Shades Workshop 22nd March (men’s colour and fade workshop) Mark Rabone Shape & Structure Workshop 14th March UPPERCUT look and learn Education Event March Melbourne Barber SHOWCASE in Melbourne CBD ApriL