5 minute read
NAU: BUILDING A LEGACY THROUGH STORIES
By Matt Clarke
The barbering industry never fails to inspire with its relentless drive and creativity. Two barbers making waves right now are Kalib Monaei (aka Moneycutz) and Jayden Waka, the minds behind NAU - Not About Us, a podcast and media company redefining the way barbers connect as a community.
Having known Kalib and Jayden for a few years, I’ve shared the stage with them at various hair shows and now proudly collaborate as part of the 4B family. Recently, I sat down with them at NAU’s Inaugural Podcast Session. The boys told me how they met only 2 years ago but immediately became best mates, bonding through their same interests, sense of humour and ultimately their drive and ambition. They both joined the 4B Education team last year, starting their journey into ‘doing more’ in the hair industry.
“One of the biggest lessons we’ve both learnt is from the man himself Mr Fraser Forsey. He once told us that there are 168 hours in a week most of us only work 38-42 hours out of that 168 so what are you doing for the other 126 hours?”, says Kalib. “The driving force for us is to be the change that we both wish to see within the world and our industry.”
As business owners out there can attest, the work everyone sees is only the tip of the iceberg of what goes into building something from the ground up. “NAU has honestly been two years in the making and has taken many forms throughout those two years, when we weren’t at work, we were either on FaceTime or meeting up in person brainstorming on what more we can do to make an impact within the industry.
A lot of people will never see the behind-the-scenes and how many late nights, road bumps, sacrifices and headaches we have both gone through just to get to where we are now, but all the sacrifices are worth it when you see the Finished Product!”
Ultimately the boys want to create a lasting impression and legacy within the men’s hair space comparable to Mocha Group, AHC and countless other brands out there making an impact, beginning with a podcast and then a planned Australian tour reaching out to regional barbershops.
The boys want to create a blog and a network to tell the stories of barbers within their communities, and how the humble barbershop is the cornerstone of so many communities out there.
But why ‘Not About Us’? For Kalib and Jayden, the answer is simple yet profound: “We give guys a voice.” As barbers, their focus extends beyond just cutting hair. They’re listeners, confidants, and cornerstones of their communities. Through NAU, they’re amplifying this role, using their platform to create a space for barbers to share their stories, not just their clients.
“We believe the industry needs a young voice, to tell its stories,” Says Jayden.
However, Kalib and Jayden say that NAU is so much bigger than a “Podcast” They created NAU on the premise of creating a platform on which people can feel heard, represented and acknowledged. Then reciprocated from peers within the hair industry.
When you hear Kalib and Jayden speak, their passion for connection and community shines through. “This project is about strengthening the bonds within our industry. It’s about giving a voice to the people who spend their lives listening to others.” NAU isn’t just a podcast— it’s a starting point for our platform and network, it’s a celebration of the people, stories, and culture that make barbering more than a profession.
It’s a movement that honours the storytelling tradition of their heritage while paving the way for future generations to find their own voices.
The debut season launching in January, features conversations with industry icons like Josh O’Meara-Patel and Doctor Tama, along with 4Barbers educators Lance Liufau, Lino D’Addario, Mark Rabone, and Simon Doyle.
Not sure how or why, but I too was invited to be a guest for season one. The NAU podcast feels like Moneycutz and Jayden hack to squeeze all of the industry secrets from their industry idols. With barber.josh.o.p giving insights into education, industry growth and developing his empire, Mark Rabone reveals his secrets to 20 years of being on the top of the barbershop totem pole with his shop Esquire, as well as other invaluable stories and secrets to barbering success from our industries brightest stars… and myself haha.
NAU is more than just a podcast—it’s a testament to the power of passion, purpose, and community. Kalib Monaei and Jayden Waka have taken the barbering industry’s storytelling tradition to new heights, crafting a platform that not only highlights the craft but also the people and culture that shape it.
With their drive, vision, and commitment to leaving a legacy, these two are proving that barbering is about far more than hair—it’s about connection, culture, and creating something bigger than themselves, one thing is clear: NAU is not just about barbers—it’s for them.
Tune in now to season one of the NAU podcast, available now on all major podcast platforms.
@notaboutusmedia @the_sophisticated_scumbag
