CARLIE CARDLE An Absolute Vibe

BY COLLETTE SAUNDERS

Mama | Barber | Salon Director | Hair | Skin Care | Educator |Travel Agent

Ten years ago, I started my career. I had a fire in my belly and a point to be proven! If I could do it all again, I wouldn’t change a thing

When I first saw Carlie Cardle on Instagram in May of 2018, she was one of 8 special women who inspired me so much that I immediately opened and began a page which you all know as Australian Female Barbers.

Carlie is a recognised and valued artist and educator in her own right, as well as being one of the worldwide recognised RUGER family. Based in the Uk, at her heart, she is all about family and community in bringing hair and skin health, and mental health to the forefront through her business model and promotion of self-care.

She inspires with her perfect visual presentations and happy vibe.

Digging deeper you’ll find a driven, focused, and forward-thinking entrepreneurial side to this woman. Early in her career she saw a niche market for men’s skin care and services. She then positioned herself to make changes in her skillset and career path.

She was not one to sit and remain unmotivated. In making those strategic moves, came change like she had never anticipated. She partnered with UK’s best known global brand RUGER in opening a shop in her hometown of Lytham UK. She has built a successful career, married the love of her life, and had a gorgeous daughter.

More recently, noting that long term she would like another income stream, she signed up and studied once again. This time she has added the title Travel Agent, which she successfully integrates into her daily craft of barbering.

Our shop floors are a place where we constantly enjoy conversations about holidays had or holidays planned. Perfect idea much? I’m almost thinking I’ll go off and study myself!!

Travelling the world at 24, returning to the Spa environment and feeling unmotivated, she noticed that in a short 2-year span, there had been a shift in the numbers of men having services. More eyebrow shaping, wet shaves, skin care routines! Feeling there was a huge niche in the market for delivering these services, gave her a new lease of life … and in 2015, a pivotal moment.

She did a shave course at a local barber nearby and loved straight away what a change in environment the barbershop was. They could wear what they wanted, have their own style and was so much more casual than the clinical spa environment she was used to.

She was hooked. Transitioning from hairdressing to barbering she signed up at London School of Barbering with an intense short course and then stood 12 long hours a day at Pall Mall Barbers and WATCHED!!

Back at home she landed a job with the multi award winning Joe Cartmel. Feeding her obsession, Joe stripped back all she had learned and taught her the classical techniques and attention to detail that she still uses to this day. He pushed her to do competitions and importantly… how to execute styling. I spoke to him recently and he remembers her as an amazing barber right from the onset.

Continuing her training and 1-2-1 education with Alan and Reece Beak opened up an alliance, and saw the soldering of a relationship and an opportunity of a lifetime. Not only would she become one of RUGER’s impeccably talented crew, but she would also become friend, associate, and business partner. She and Alan spent endless hours planning and creating what would soon become Ruger Lytham.

A unique style of barbershop for her hometown Lytham and modelled on the Ruger Oldham salon. She has grown the Lytham business and structured it to operate allowing her to step back a little. This she has achieved through coaching and mentoring her own hand-picked team and delegating roles accordingly.

“Alan let me select my own team and managed me throughout, being the most incredible mentor. The RUGER Brand has always been about the people. Lytham is such a small town, we support local always, to feel like a family, a safe space for men, keeping community together inside and outside the shop.”

She has naturally embraced what is the core of RUGER. They are the “People’s barbers and the Barber’s barbers”. A family.

Carlie, you have amassed an incredible amount of skill over the years which you’ve shared through training your team and your own education program!

“Yes, our shop is super diverse. We have a family feel, so I’d say the team has to be able to do any style! We keep on trend by visiting events and we do in house and online training monthly… you can’t be complacent in this industry! Even after 10 years, I won’t ever sit back and think I know everything. I’ve loved courses with Ky Wilson, Tariq Howes, Charlie Gray and of course Alan Beak has continued to support me and the team.

We’ve managed to move the idea of introducing other treatments into barbershops with my skin care education program. This program I have delivered all across the UK and globally. I’ve worked alongside London Grooming, American Crew and recently moved over to Insight. Insight is a Vegan and Organic Certified, Cruelty Free and a Fully Sustainable range. It’s a new product range that I really believe in and is completely gender neutral.

I wanted to do men’s skincare, not just to treat the skin, but to allow men to relax and switch off. Men’s mental health is at an all-time high, and men do open up to their barbers in shop. However, when they have a facial, it is a completely different level. They literally close their eyes, switch off their phones and have half an hour to themselves! So many clients of mine say it’s the only time they have for them to not have to think about what’s going on at work, or in their lives.”

Recently you have become Travel Agent. This fits perfectly with our barbering environments where we always chat about our holidays!

I’ve had the shop now for 7 years and since having my little girl my priorities have changed. I put in as much as I can at the shop but have trained my staff on how to run the business without me. It’s been a hard few years of building and coaching to get there but my team are completely killing it. This enables me to step back and spend more time with my daughter.

I recently came across a lady on Instagram who had a home travel agency that she works around her full-time job. I thought, as a barber, we talk about holidays all day long.

I’ve qualified now as an independent travel agent. I research and book holidays in my evenings when my daughter is asleep, so that we have a second income stream to allow us to travel more. I honestly could not think of two better jobs to complement each other.

I’m not only cutting their hair, but I can also book them a trip away as well as give my client a pamper! Men want a one stop shop where they can get everything done in one go, and booking holidays is definitely up there on the priority list for them, as well as a great hair style, beard, and facial services.

You mentioned your TIER Pricing System at the Barbershop. Can you tell us how that works for you and your staff?

Yes, we use a tier system at RUGER. I feel that it works so well alongside our booking system with Booksy, and allows clients to always have access to have their haircut. We all as barbers, are at different phases of our barbering careers and the pricing compliments this. It always drives our newest barbers to push to work towards bettering themselves and for our clients to grow with us.

You have featured in Barberevo UK with your RUGER Sisters who stand strong behind the chair. What has your experience as a woman in barbering been like?

As a woman in this male dominated industry, I’ve never felt out of place if I’m honest. If anything, it’s spurred me on, to prove I deserve a place to be there. I’ve only ever had a few occasions when someone has questioned my ability but it’s the results that prove that women can do just as good! I love working around the boys! They really are what make my salon if I’m honest. RUGER Lytham is an absolute vibe and I’ve never felt like I shouldn’t be here. If anything, I feel I am neutral in the environment. We want everyone to feel welcome in our shop. Man/woman if you’re 5 years old or 75! The shop door is always open and a super safe place to feel yourself.

We recently featured in BarberEvo allowing us to shout about our beliefs at RUGER, that barbers and clients should all be treated exactly the same, regardless of age, gender, race, or societal position.

You recently had a family holiday in Australia. What did you notice about the Industry here?

We’ve recently got back from our 3 weeks in Australia and just love your country so very much! The standard has changed since last time I was around! Barbering has really stepped up Downunder, with styles and educational platforms. I visited Jacob at Tate & Lyle, Sydney. He’s always been a big supporter of mine and a London boy. His shop is an absolute vibe in the city centre!

I also adore Suzi O’Brien’s “The Studio X” in Maroubra, Sydney. Suzi and Steph are absolutely killing it for the girls, and I couldn’t be prouder of the range and quality of services Suzi has created there.

Any current favourite brands for you?

My favourite tools are definitely BaByliss this year! I’ve always trialed many different brands over the years, but I feel Babyliss are durable, lightweight and salon friendly. It’s important to take opportunity to try new things on the market.

In sharing Carlie’s story my hope is that she will inspire all who would have a desire to seek outside of the constraints of the day-to-day grind. Carlie is a perfect example of what can happen when you take that spark of an idea and do the work to bring about the change you desire. Catalysts exist every day in our lives.

We just need to recognise them and take hold of them as they appear. Take every opportunity to embrace and appreciate the good and like-minded people who come our way and build strong lasting alliances. It can carry you to places you were meant to be.

I thought I would give the final word to Alan Beak, Director & Cofounder of RUGER

Alan can you give us your own words to quote in describing Carlie?

When we first met Carlie, she was a timid, shy, eager, enthusiastic keen barber. She asked loads of questions and was ultra-keen. A beautiful girl and we knew full well she was the kind of person we wanted involved in our brand. We chatted, spoke, and looked to open a salon close to where she was based and one, we found was literally a stone’s throw from her house.

Our relationship grew and so did her online presence, her experience and skill. She has become, not only one of the best female barbers I have met, but she is also the nicest girl you will ever meet in your life. She is so focused on progressing and becoming bigger and better. I could not have asked for a better friend and business partner. She inspires me constantly with her drive and ambition. I love her to pieces.

Carlie Cardle: @carliecardle_

Ruger Barber Lytham: @ruger_barber_lytham

Registered Agent for InteleTravel enquiries @luxefamilyescape_

Collette Saunder@collettesaundershair

Founder @australianfemalebarbers @afb_recruit