BLOG SPOT with Jimmy Rod

Traditional into the modern day Barbershop

In the world of barbering today the landscapes have changed. Big time.

Compared to 20 years ago when Traditional barbering was making a comeback, Traditional values are being lost. For example, applying for a job. These days sending a message through an Instagram DM and requesting $40 an hour without showing your skill is a joke. With the industry being so short staffed and people are getting the opportunity to take advantage of employers, it comes down to respectfully going for a job.

If you find someone advertising on seek or any other hiring site and you send a message asking what the pay rate is, please at least have the common courtesy to call that person to enquire. Introducing yourself shows that you have a personality and that is something that we cannot teach. Sending your resume and including references really helps the employer to check and make sure that you are the right fit for the company.

I had a barber message me last week, no introduction and immediately asked for the rate of pay. This can be quite confronting as I’ve never met this person and have no idea who they are. They could be worth for $40 but I will never know now. Happy to pay people what they are worth but don’t tell me... Show me. People talk a big game. It’s easy to do a $1000 per chair now. So, wages should be 35%

When applying for a job, pick up the phone and talk to the person. Be nice, respectful and remember that this person may be your employer. In my barbershops, we treat people like family so treat people with respect and you’ll get respect. If you’re making demands straight away, does that person want to work with you? I guarantee you it’s a no. Let’s get a little bit of respect back in the industry.

When I first started 25 years ago, everyone was proud to be a barber and tradition was everything. These days there’s so many different types of barber shops. And we don’t want to forget the tradition of the barbering industry, respect!

How’s the hunt for staff going? Did you put a 1st year on last year? Are they running their own chair now? Are they building a clientele? Is it time to put on another 1st year? Last year we had an amazing apprenticeship drive which now they are moving into 2nd year. So, it’s time to look for some new 1st years. Rinse and repeat. This is built into our business model that works for us.

Live fast, look sharp.

@jimmyrods