Spotlight on Benny Hogan

FĒNIKS Barber Studio

BY GUEST EDITOR, FRANK CICCONE

In Melbourne, on Sunday 5th of November 2023. I was sitting in the foyer of a hotel across the road from the Australian Modern Barber Awards. This guy walks in and introduces himself to me. He calls out “Frank Ciccone”, I put my hand out to shake his hand, and he reaches out and gives me the biggest bear hug.

“It’s me, Benny Hogan!... I feel like I’ve known ya for ages”

The day earlier, Benny reached out to me via the Barbers of Australia Instagram page that I run, saying that he wanted to meet me and pick my brain about the industry.

Never met this bloke before.

Now fast forward about 3 months and he’s just opened his own shop, Fēniks Barber Studio. This puts a massive smile on my face.

I had a great chat with Benny about the industry and what he’s up to.

Here is Benny’s story!

How did you get into barbering?

After working as a teacher’s aide in a special education school for 5 years, I wanted a change and I had always loved the experience of going to a good barbershop. I decided to quit my secure government job and start my qualification in barbering, and I’ve never looked back.

Tell me, what is life like outside of barbering?

My time outside of the studio is spent with my family. 1-year-old daughter; Olive, my wife; Ashleigh and our Labrador; Cali. My girls are everything to me. We always have music playing at home and most days I’ll play guitar for Olive while she sings and dances along.

Who inspired you back in the day when you were first starting out, and which barbers or industry peers inspire you now?

I started out looking up to the Schorem Barbers, Leen & Bertus as I loved their classic cuts. I studied their work religiously. The deeper I went into the rabbit hole of barbering the more people I came across that inspired me.

At the moment I’m watching a lot of Josh O.P. and Alexandr Cherepovich, and their ultramodern styles of cutting.

Realistically I think almost every barber I’ve met or worked alongside of, has inspired me in one way or another.

You recently opened your new barbershop shop. Can you give some advice and tips to people thinking of going out on their own and opening their own shop?

It was a massive jump to take, becoming my own boss, but I can genuinely say that it has been the greatest thing I’ve ever done. The best advice I can give, would be to have an open mind, lean on other industry professionals and collaborate!

You don’t have to do it alone, surround yourself with like-minded professionals and build your support network and you will know when you’re ready.

How do you believe this industry can continue to thrive and what other assistance can be provided by other members of the industry?

We really need to continue to support each other no matter what our role in the industry is, from apprentices to master’s and from barbers to stylists, we each have an opportunity to do something amazing every day and I think it’s important that we always acknowledge the success of the people around us.

I’m also very passionate about supporting the next generation of barbers, we need to continue to pass on our knowledge to the next sets of hands.

Describe the path you will be taking in 2024: Will it be awards-based, have a heavier focus on marketing, utilise both, or will you incorporate another business concept?

2024 for me is going to be a massive focus on my shop Fēniks Barber Studio and giving my clients the best experience humanely possible. In saying that, I had an amazing time at the AMBA Awards last year and I just might throw my hat in the ring again this year!

Benny Hogan, Townsville QLD @bennyhbarber @feniksbarberstudio