THE METHOD TO HIS MADNESS!

By Rex A.C Silver

Social Media juggernaut, businessman, employer, educator, mentor, and loving partner to his beautiful Moni! (happy recent birthday from us by the way) Kayne Thomas aka Clipper Kayne, is by far the most animated and out-there personality in our industry today. His upbeat and always turned up-to-100 disposition. is totally infectious, and he lifts the mood of any room as soon as he enters.

He seems break loose and out of control but look deeper and there is a method to his madness. I recently observed Kayne interacting with a client, he was finishing off the cut and glanced into the mirror at his work and at his client and he casually says: ‘Oh yeah! I’m back baby!’ The client repeats Kayne’s mantra and pretty soon he and the client were screaming at the top of their lungs while starring in the mirror “I’m back Baby!!” over and over.

You can physically see the clients self esteem grow inside him. Fresh haircut, and from out of nowhere, an impromptu motivational exercise…personalised I bet, from Kayne’s assessment of this guy’s mental health when he walked in. Insane and inspirational! This act speaks volumes about him.

This is how he starts a show too, big, improvised entrance sweeping the audience off their feet and relaxing them with a shock and a belly laugh and then it’s down to business and boy, does he know the business of barbering. He talks the talk AND walks the walk….

Who is Kayne Thomas?

I was born in Tokoroa, New Zealand Hometown Mangakino is my hometown and called home until we moved to Auckland. As a kid, I was always full of imagination and curiosity, always eager to explore and understand the world around me. Mum “Misty Joseph” and the 5 of us moved to the Gold Coast which has its own unique beauty and culture, and I have been living in Australia since I was 12.

As a young boy, I was drawn towards the arts - drawing and painting I loved to create and express myself through these mediums. I also had a sense of humour which I always carried with me. Growing up in NZ and Aus being exposed to different cultures has greatly shaped who I am today. It has allowed me to learn from a diverse set of people, cultures, and experiences, which in turn has made me more open-minded, adaptable, and curious. These traits have stayed with me to this day and have been fundamental in my personal and professional growth.

How and when did you discover hair and know this was your calling?

My early exposure to the barbering industry through my parents, the influence of mentors and friends in shaping my career. As a young teenager growing up in a barber shop, I was immersed in the world of hair from an early age. With both parents working as barbers, I was exposed to the industry’s ins and outs learning about different styles and techniques from an early age.

As I grew older, I realized that I was drawn to the art of barbering and knew it was my calling. At the age of 15, I began honing my skills by practicing on friends and family. It wasn’t until I visited Culture Kings in Southport back in November 2010 for a haircut that I found my first mentor in Robbie. Rest in peace Robbie Alma Seumali. We hit it off, and I began learning under him.

Through my time at Culture Kings, I learned a great deal about fades and designs, and the importance of building relationships with clients. However, it was my inspiration from Mr Lance Liufau Top Shelf himself that truly helped shape my style and approach to barbering. Lance’s attention to detail, and his ability to create insane designs “hair art” really resonated with me and had played a huge part in the barber I am today.

Tell us now about your shop and staff and the amazing business you have grown…

Clipper Kayne & Co is more than just a barber shop, it’s a vision my fiancé “Monique Hamilton” and I had during Covid, and we are proud to say that we have brought it to life. Our goal was to create a space that uplifted our community, where people could have a good laugh, share some banter, and get the best fades in town.

We believe that we have succeeded in doing just that. At Clipper Kayne & Co we have a talented team of barbers it makes me proud to work with such a team. My brother “Gaje Thomas” is one of the four barbers who work at our shop, and together we have created an environment that is welcoming and inviting to all.

Our team is dedicated to providing our clients with the best service possible, and we take great pride in our work. One of our barbers Isaiah Brooking-McGill, has a cool story that I’d like to share. He came in to say hello while on holiday from New Zealand, and by the end of the day, he walked out with a job. It’s amazing how things work out sometimes, and we couldn’t be happier to have him on our team.

Another one of our barbers, Billz Herewini, was a customer of ours for years. I had always wished for him to work alongside me and this year, that wish came true. It’s an honour to have him on our team, and

his talent and dedication to his craft are a gift to us and to our clients. Overall, Clipper Kayne & Co is a business that has grown from a simple vision to a thriving community space. As we continue to grow and evolve, we will always remain dedicated to our clients and to our community. We are optimistic about our future and look forward to what lies ahead for our shop and our team.

What have been the biggest challenges of running a small business?

When it comes to running a small business, I’ve found that one of the biggest challenges is promising people jobs when there isn’t enough work to go around. It’s important to be transparent with employees and not overcommit to tasks that can’t be completed. This is a difficult balance to strike, but it’s vital for the success of the business.

Let’s talk about hair in more technical sense… Tell us what tools you love to use and why..

As a BaByliss ambassador, I am a firm believer in the quality and effectiveness of their products. The BaByliss Lo pro FX clippers and trimmers have been my go-to tools for their precision and ease of use. Additionally, the BaByliss Pro GoldFX lithium Trimmer has become a staple in my kit for its powerful yet gentle trimming capabilities. Overall, I believe that investing in high-quality tools is crucial for achieving professional results in hair styling.

What hair care and styling products to you choose to use and recommend to your guests? Why…

As an ambassador for LVL3, I cannot recommend their hair care and styling products enough. Being a product developed in the US, LVL3 has quickly established itself as a go-to for those who want to achieve professional-looking hairstyles at home.

One of my favourite LVL3 products is their perfume range, which has been perfected to the point where it leaves a subtle and pleasant fragrance that lingers throughout the day. Even better, the perfume range doesn’t clash with any other perfumes or scented products you might use, making it a versatile addition to your styling collection.

Another LVL3 product that I can’t live without is their sea salt spray, which adds volume and texture to the hair for a beachy, relaxed look.

It’s great for casual styles or adding a bit of edge to a more formal look. And for even more texture, I love using the LVL3 texture powder, which adds volume and thickness without weighing any hair down. When it comes to my styling techniques, I like to experiment with different looks for different occasions.

For formal events, I tend to go for a sleek and polished look, using LVL3’s hair styling cream to create a smooth and manageable base. For more casual events, I like to use LVL3’s sea salt spray and texture powder to create a tousled, effortless look. Overall, as an ambassador for LVL3, I can confidently say that their hair care and styling products are some of the best on the market.

When did you first get approached to educate and what does it mean to you to share your passion and knowledge on to others?

I was first approached to deliver some education back in 2016. I had just competed in a National Barber Competition and placed 1st overall which enabled the opportunity to share what I love and am so passionate about.

Tanya Howell and Randy Howell at Creative edge Training approached me which I then started delivering some smaller classes of education. In 2019 I was then approached from fellow barber and educator Fraser Forsey, whom I worked with at Culture Kings. From this moment forward the rest is history, I have delivered some incredible showcases, look and learns, hands on workshops and even intensive bootcamps alongside Fraser & Barber Education Australia.

I immediately was titled National Educator for BEA which soon lead to being placed on the National Education team of BaByliss which was a dream true working with a team of incredible Educators and Barbers including my friends and even Lance one of my mentors. A crazy accomplishment through this journey with BEA was my partnership and the announcement of Global Ambassador of LEVEL 3 and now on a team with some of the greatest educators in the world.

The reason I love what I do so much isn’t just the amazing people and opportunities you encounter! It is being able to feel the flame or spark in my chest when sharing my love and passion for this beautiful craft knowing I can help people to reach their potential! Secondly to make myself proud of who I’ve become, make my partner, family, and children proud of the man I’m continuing to inspire to be.

Tell us all about upcoming tours and shows

I have been so privileged to deliver education across AUS & NZ with BEA and our partnered brands and even have my fellow team members with BaByliss heading to the USA to CT Barber Expo to showcase our skills with the US BaByliss team. Some of the cool workshops and shows we have coming up are as follows:

- BaByliss Showcase & Workshop Sunday 4th & Monday 5th June in Wollongong NSW

- BaByliss Showcase & Workshop Sunday 25th & 26th June in Melbourne VIC

- Norris Show & Workshop 31st July in Rockhampton QLD Education that will soon be announced for Perth, Adelaide, Tasmania, and Cairns!

Finally, any advice to give a newcomer to our industry?

Good attitude and consistency are key attributes that will help anyone thrive in this industry. It is essential to maintain a positive attitude, consistency ensuring that you stay on top of your game and deliver excellent results day in & day out. Another crucial thing to keep in mind is that you are not in competition with anyone else but yourself.

It is easy to get caught up in the comparison game and feel like you need to outdo your colleagues, this is counterproductive.

Instead, focus on your goals and how you can improve yourself. Being kind to people is also incredibly important, sometimes it can be underestimated.

Treating others how you would like to be treated goes a long way in building strong relationships, whether it be with colleagues or clients. Remember, we have two ears and one mouth for a reason listening is a critical skill that will help you understand the people around you better.

CLIPPER KANE 60 SEC SPEED DATE:

Fav destination in the world: Seattle. US

Fav food: Spaghetti bolognes

Fav movie: Avatar

What are you listening on your playlist right now?

Maoli - Journey

D’Angelo – Cruisin’

Frank Ocean - Pink + White

Design - Spontaneous

What are you binging on TV? 10 Pound Pom

On a Sunday you will find me: With all my family members

Follow @clipperkayne @barbereducationaustralia @babylissproau @lv3australianz @hairco to stay in the loop!