4 minute read
GUEST EDITOR Frank Ciccone
Barbershop set a light in me and inspired me to revisit how I look at the hair industry…. True story!
When I won the Social Media, Hair & Beauty Awards (SMHBA) International Barber of the Year award in 2021, Mocha Group owner Linda and former editor Rex were the first ones to reach out and cover the story with a two-page article in Barbershop magazine. I will never forget their generosity and support.
When the new head editor-in-chief Louise May asked if I would like to be part of this amazing magazine as a guest editor, I didn’t hesitate. Who wouldn’t want to be a guest editor? It was such a huge honour.
The way the team supports barbers from all parts of the country is what I love about Mocha. They encourage new barbers, inspire old ones, and are here to support everyone. They provide recognition by celebrating the achievements of barbers everywhere and this is the reason why I wanted to be a guest editor.
Now, a little about me…
I thank my beautiful wife and my two gorgeous girls for where I am at in my career. The confidence and support they gave me in every decision I made helped me get myself out there. They still continue to support and guide me, and I don’t know where I would be without them.
I have had a great career: I’ve run a very successful business (Hair by Ciccone) for 28 years, won a few awards along the way and I have looked after some of the biggest profiles in the world. I didn’t think things could get better.
I am a proud ambassador of Heiniger and Excellent Edges, and to top it all off, after 10 years of selling our product SMASH IT to a few barber shops and via our salon and online store, we were recently named and voted as the 2023 AMBA Best Men’s Styling Product of the Year. To be nominated for this award was an absolute honour, but to win, was a career highlight for my family, my team and me.
So, for this edition, I was asked by Louise May to write an article about a person of interest. I decided to go with high-profile AFL player Tom De Koning as I wanted to pick his brain about his career and professionalism, specifically to understand the comparison and similarities between us barbers and a person constantly in the limelight.
I was also tasked with writing a barber profile, which was so difficult to do as there are so many incredible and inspirational barbers within our local communities and our industry. I wanted to follow the principles that are similar to the Mocha group, as they support all barbers, so I decided to profile someone who just went out on his own recently and who is also a supporter of the Mocha Barber family.
I met Benny Hogan via the Barbers of Australia Instagram page that I run. Benny has supported the page from day one and I wanted to show him my support in return.
Lastly, I was given the opportunity to write a blog detailing my thoughts in relation to the topic of brand ambassadorship, a topic which is becoming a major part of the barbering industry. Within this blog, I provide my own advice and tips when it comes to ambassadorship.
A new year always brings with it new opportunities, new ideas, new adventures, and new connections. I’m glad and grateful that Barbershop reached out to me to connect when I won International Barber of the Year and I’m so honoured to consider them family.
I hope you enjoy this first issue of Barbershop Magazine 2024, and I can’t wait to see you all at the next Australian Modern Barber Awards. Remember to apply and celebrate your nominations.
Cheers, Frank
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