5 minute read
A FAMILY KEPT SECRET!
By Frank Ciccone
This one’s emotional! Let me share the story of how an unforgettable moment unfolded in the weeks leading up to the Modern Barber Awards.
My wife, Helen, calls me one day and says, “Why don’t you take Mia (our daughter) to the Barber Awards? She finishes her exams on Friday and the awards are on Sunday in Brisbane. You could celebrate her exams with a weekend getaway.”
I thought, “Sure, what a great idea!”
Little did I know, Helen and our eldest daughter, Isabella, were already part of a grand plan. Linda Woodhead and the Mocha Group had secretly been messaging them about my induction into the Hall of Fame. Yes, my beautiful family kept this huge secret from me.
Fast forward to awards day, Mia and I fly to Brisbane, check into the hotel and get ready. We meet up for pre-drinks with the Heiniger team: Creative Director Rex Silver, GM Gary Lyons, and Brian & Clare from Vitaman Global. I’m still completely oblivious.
The awards were incredible seeing friends nominated and celebrating winners. But something was off. Mia was nervously drinking water every five minutes, and refusing to leave her seat, worried she’d miss something.
Then, Kellie Woodhead and the legend Jules Tognini began introducing the Hall of Fame award. Kellie talked about a barber who’d looked after celebrities and sports stars. I still didn’t catch on. Then Kellie dropped a name: “Australian Socceroo legend, Tim Cahill...” And suddenly, THE PENNY DROPPED! I turned to Mia, “S**T! That’s me!” She just smiled, phone in hand, recording everything.
Someone must’ve been cutting onions in that room... The tears came as I watched a five-minute video of my work, clips that my daughter Isabella had secretly sent back and forth with Linda. Then, Kellie announced: “The 2024 Modern Barber Hall of Fame recipient is Frank Ciccone!”
I was numb. As I walked to the stage, I saw my face on the big screen and a standing ovation. The hugs from Jarred, Louise, and Linda meant everything. Kellie handed me the award, and it was surreal.
After my speech, I asked Mia, “Did I thank everyone?” She laughed, “Dad, I think you thanked the whole room!”
“Oh Jesus, I just saw 20 years of my life flash by on the big screen. Here is a recap of my speech on the night, that my daughter Mia transcribed, I wanted to add it here in the article, as some of those mentioned were not at the AMBA’s.
I was thinking about names just off the top of my head, and apologies if I don’t mention you. I spoke to Matt Clark and the Esquire grooming team; what you guys have done for yourselves and also putting a firecracker up everyone else’s bums, and even everyone in the room seeing what you guys do, just inspires us barbers. The collaborations are getting bigger and bigger in this industry. For example, Gareth Philpott, Fraser from Expo 4 Barbers, and the Alessi boys doing what they’re doing in Melbourne.
There’s a whole bunch of you guys that are doing things in this industry for the good that you don’t even know that you’re doing it. I’ve been in the industry for so long that it felt like there had been a bit of a lull. And as I said last year, when the Mocha Group came into the system, they actually supported small businesses, not just a 20-man or woman salon. They supported the one-man band as well.
Mocha Group has basically resurrected the barber industry and the hair industry as well. I was at the hair awards recently and even there, the collaborations were getting bigger and bigger in this industry, where a lot of people were like poker players keeping their cards to their chests. And now, everyone is saying, “Here you go, I’ve laid out the cards on the table, let’s share ideas.”
Mocha Group, Linda, Jarred, Louise, Kellie, and the whole team; thank you very much. To the Heiniger Team, Rex, Gary, Dale, Sam and Lyndall, and the logistics and PR team; thank you as well.
As I said, I really want to reiterate; that we’ve got to stick together more and more with the collaborations and just help each other out. And for the younger barbers, I get a whole bunch of messages every day asking questions on my Barbers of Australia page. I’m grateful they ask me these questions, but they can ask within their own salons because there are people now ready to support them.
I’ve had a great career, and I just want to give back to all these young kids. I really appreciate everyone who’s been a part of my life and the new batch of barbers coming up now.
I met a kid tonight Jordan from King’s Domain, and he was rapt to win. These kids who are giving it a crack and making it a career and not just a job anymore. It’s up to you young kids to continue what Mocha has created and what the likes of Fraser have created with Expo 4 Barbers.
Thank you so much to my family: my daughter Mia and my daughter Isabella, who is home with my wife Helen. Helen actually taught me how to cut hair. I was Hair by Ciccone’s first-ever apprentice. So, my Mrs has been my boss for 28 years at work and at home. I sleep with my Mrs who’s also my boss and I don’t even get a f****ing pay rise!
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all. Seriously, I can’t thank you all enough.”
As this is the final issue of 2024, I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year and I hope you all SMASH IT in 2025
Cheers,
Frank Ciccone