YEAR 7 ISSUE 4
Smarter, more powerful choices
SAVE THE DATE
2019 HAIRBIZ FORUM AND AHIA
HAIR BIZ Forum 2019
pm
10 am – 4.30
FAST PACED UN LIKE ANYTHING ELSE ON THE HAIRDR ESSING CALEND AR SSIONS!!
SE ONE DAY, 18
OVER 40 HAIR A RTISTS AND SPEAKERS OW BAG
DELEGATE SH
ONE ALL INCLUSIVE TICKET $249.00 Fully Catered with Lunch and Afternoon Tea Apprentice Price Available Discounted Early Bird Tickets Available from 1/11/18 – 31/12/18
FULL LINE UP ANNOUNCED SOON! International and National Line Up!
TICKETS ON SALE 1/11/18
www.hairbizforum.com.au
28TH APRIL 2019
THE STAR MARQUEE AND EVENT CENTRE, STAR CASINO, GOLD COAST QUEENSLAND
2019 AUSTRALIAN HAIR INDUSTRY AWARDS
OPEN FOR ONLINE ENTRY NOW!!
CATEGORIES Australian Salon Business of the Year Awarded to the best of the State Winners
VOTED AWARDS
State and National Wholesalers of the Year
NEW TO 2019
PLUS Care, Treat & Style Product Awards THE CATEGORIES
CARE
NOMINATED AWARDS
Salon Design has been split into 2 Categories
Best Shampoo and Conditioner pair
STATE SALON BUSINESS’ OF THE YEAR
Best Salon Design Award Extensive – Investment of over $200,000
Best Cream Treatment
Vidal Sassoon Humanitarian Award Hall of Fame
NSW/ACT Salon Business of the Year VIC/TAS Salon Business of the Year QLD Salon Business of the Year SA Salon Business of the Year WA/NT Salon Business of the Year
Best Salon Design Award Boutique – Investment of under $200,000
Salon Business Newcomer of the Year
Independent Educator of the Year
Best Barber Business of the Year
Best Business Performance of the Year (non-salon)
Best Customer Care Best Marketing Business Director/Owner of the Year Salon Manager of the Year Salon Stylist of the Year Apprentice of the Year Best Salon Team of the Year Best Salon Training Best Franchised Salon
Best Barber of the Year
TREAT STYLE
Best Ladies Styling Product. Entries can include: Styling Oil, Styling Cream/Paste or Texturiser and Best Men’s Styling Wax or Cream Entry Deadline: December 2018
ENTRY DEADLINE: 4TH FEBRUARY 2019 FINALISTS ANNOUNCED: 11TH MARCH 2019 GALA AWARDS DINNER: 28TH APRIL 2019
www.australianhairindustryawards.com.au
CONTENTS M&U Imports www.muimports.com.au
ON THE COVER
16 Your One-Stop-Shop for Men’s Grooming – M&U Imports
REGULARS
06 Editors Letter 54-56 Snippets
FEATURE
08 A Chance for Change 10 The Health of a Barber By Rawiri Douglas
PROFILE
12 Paragon Studio By Tim Rennie 14 Mobile Barber Shop Depot 22 A Family Affair 38 Garage Barber Shop & Milkman Grooming Co.
COVER
BARBER PROFILE
18 Lights, Camera, Scissors with Cal Rein 20 My Fathers Barber 24 Traditions of a Barber By Sheridan Trend 34 From Humble Beginnings to an Industry Icon By Sheridan Trend
14
EDUCATION
26 Education is Key By Bronson Cheong 30 Rubbing Shoulders with UK’s Finest By Lance Liufau 32 100 Barber Project By Vea Fonua
MEN’S HEALTH
36 The New Fountain of Youth By Simone Lee
20
COLLECTION
42-43 Same Same But Different By Nathan Yip 44-45 The Modern Classic Collection By Rex Silver 46-47 Shawn Odendaal & Stoffel
BUSINESS
48 Seven Do’s and Don’ts Awards Submissions By Leanne Cutler 50 Your Business is a Jigsaw By Simon Murray 52 Your Digital Presence By Estelle Oliveri
BLOG SPOT
54 The Habit: An Unexpected Journey By Paul Frasca
30 44
THE ESSENTIAL GROOMING RANGE FOR THE MODERN MAN. WITH BOTANICAL INGREDIENTS TO BENEFIT THE HAIR & SKIN
AUSTRALIAN MADE | CRUELTY FREE | CERTIFIED VEGAN HAIRCARE
BARBER SHOP PUBLISHER
Linda Woodhead linda@mochapublishing.com.au
EDITOR
Lance Liufau lance@mochapublishing.com.au
ADVERTISING MANAGER Nina Barbara nina@mochapublishing.com.au
ART DIRECTOR
Kellie Woodhead kellie@mochapublishing.com.au
editors letter
ADMINISTRATION
Jess Richmond jess@mochapublishing.com.au
CONTRIBUTORS Lance Liufau Rawiri Douglas Tim Rennie Sheridan Trend Bronson Cheong Vea Fonua Simone Lee Nathan Yip Rex Silver Leanne Cutler Simon Murray Estelle Oliveri Paul Frasca
OFFICE
PO BOX 252 Helensvale Plaza Qld 4212 P: 07 5580 5155 F: 07 5580 5166 mail@mochapublishing.com.au www.mochapublishing.com.au
DISTRIBUTION
Australia Post - Print Post 100005498
PRINTING APN
PUBLISHED BY mocha publishing
PUBLISHERS OF
HAIR BIZ, Beauty Biz, Australain Image & Barber Shop
Barber Shop is published four times a year by mocha publishing ABN 65 091 846 189 No Part of the publication may be reproduced in any manner or form without written permission. Barber Shop does not accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies, original artwork or other material. The views expressed in Barber Shop are not necessarily those of the publisher. No responsibility will be accepted if the publication is delayed or prevented by factors beyong the control of the publisher. No responsibility will be accepted for errors in copy, or for any loss arising from the failure of an advertisement or any part thereof to appear. © 2018 mocha publishing All rights reserved.
The end of the year is near and time isn’t slowing up for anyone it seems, as we enter the busiest time of the year. With that said we must make sure that we are taking care of ourselves physically, mentally and emotionally. In this issue we cover a few of those bases, with articles on the importance of eating well and staying healthy to maximise productivity while you work on the floor. As well as some pieces on great education sessions that many of us have had the privilege of experiencing. One of the most important articles that I feel that you must read in this edition is an article about an organisation that have a main target audience, which are those that suffer from Mental Health issues. Being barbers, it is not only our duty to help someone look their best but we also have the duty to help someone feel confident within themselves, both physically and mentally. With statistics that will blow you away, I highly recommend taking a look at some of those numbers and really have a think about how we can help the cause from behind the chair, while your client is sitting with you in each-others personal space for a solid 20-30 minutes. I hope you enjoy your read of our last issue of the year 2018, if you are travelling during the holiday season please be safe. The Barbershop Magazine team wish you all Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Yours Sincerely,
Lance Liufau
Lance Liufau Editor – Barbershop Magazine
Instagram: @lance_topshelfbarber
A Chance For Change Man Up, Manning Up, Harden Up, Toughen Up - what if they all meant something else? What if when these words were spoken it meant Speak Up, Reach Out, Get Help, don’t do it alone? Well that’s exactly what we at ACFC (A Chance for Change) and the Stigma Cutz Barber shop are changing.
You see, it is in our opinion that it’s not the phrase “man up” or “manning up” itself that is destructive or damaging to a man, but instead the connotations of masculinity that accompany it. We as a society have, over time, engraved in the minds of men that in order to be a man, he must be strong, tough, rough and supress his emotions, inadvertently painting a target on the heads of men across the globe and this , we believe…is an absolute crock of SH!T The terms “man up” and “manning up” will never leave societies status quo and the best chance of saving lives and reducing suicides here in Australia is to reeducate and re-invent the wheel and that’s why ACFC was born. Having nearly become a statistic to suicide myself and having lost many mates to suicide I just knew that I was sick to death of sitting on the sidelines while I watched the ones I loved, fall victim to the black dog. Something needed to change so a change was what I was going make. ACFC is here to positively disrupt the mental health sector by bringing the fight to men’s mental health out in the open. ACFC offers a raw, insightful, inspirational, authentic, real life lived unconventional grassroots approach to the prevention of depression and suicide and we know by breaking through the barriers of social connection, social stigma and social Stereotype we will reform the current misconceptions of what it means to be a man in modern day society and we will empower men with the knowledge and self-confidence to stop the black dog before it strikes. So why Stigma Cutz? Well Barber shops have traditionally been establishments of discrete congregation for men, somewhere they can go to get a fresh shave, facial groom, haircut and style. Places of social interaction and one of few places where a man may engage in conversation and seek honest, caring but unbiased advice on things going on in his life! In some instances, barbershops are also locations for open debates, voicing public concerns, and engaging other patrons in discussions on social issues etc. There is something about a barber shop that makes men drop their walls and speak openly and this is the foundation we are building on! With Statistics like these; -3 OUT OF 4 SUICIDES ARE MEN -2866 SUICIDES IN 2016, 2151 WERE MEN -3128 SUICIDES IN 2017, 2348 WERE MEN -200 AUSSIES ATTEMPT SUICIDE EVERYDAY -OVER 62000 SUICIDE ATTEMPTS EVERY YEAR -SUICIDE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR MEN UNDER THE AGE OF 54 -1 IN 8 MEN WILL HAVE DEPRESSION -1 IN 5 MEN WILL SUFFER ANXIETY -EVERY 2 DAYS A CONSTRUCTION WORKER KILLS HIMSELF -ONLY 13% OF MEN AGED 16-24 WILL SEEK HELP FOR A MENTAL HEALTH DIFFICULTY It is without doubt that by creating a comfortable, judgement free zone where the STIGMA attached to men, mental health and suicide doesn’t exist, will allow blokes to feel more comfortable to Speak Up, either to their Mental Health First Aid Certified Barber or any friendly face in the shop for that matter! Stigma Cutz is a place you can go to, to get your fresh cuts and fresh shaves all while kicking back relaxing, mingling and having a good time, plus the added bonus of being able to unload the day to day things that generally get bottled up and can leave men feeling weighed down. Stigma Cutz is so much more than a non-for-profit Barber Shop, Stigma Cutz is “Change” with a comb, cutthroat and scissors. NO Stigma, NO Judgement, NO Bullsh!t, Just Fresh Cuts, Shaves, Good Chats and Good times. ACFC and Stigma Cutz will continue to fight, we WILL continue to breakdown the stigma and Stereotypes associated with men, mental health, suicide and misconceptions of what it means to be a man. The time for change is now. Society has caused this problem, but society can also fix it, don’t refrain or hide from using the words “man up” or “manning up” instead we need to embrace a new era for change and associate these words in a light of empowerment, positivity, acceptance and equality for all men. I guess at the end of the day SPEAKING UP REALLY IS MANNING UP! Ivan www.achanceforchange.org.au | www.stigmacutz.org.au Facebook: /acfcofficial2015 | Instagram: @acfcofficial Facebook: /stigmacutzofficial | Instagram @StigmaCutz 9 Barber Shop Year 7 Issue 4
The HeaLth of a Barber BY RAWIRI DOUGLAS
As a young maori graduate, even at the age of 16, I always had the habit of looking a certain way with my hairstyle, which was inspired of course by a very close friend of mine. He who styled and waxed my hair in such a, shall we say “skuxx� way, as it was called in that era of teenaged fashion, made me become obsessed with hair, and so I began to go to a trusted hairdresser to cut in a precise, textured and layered way.
I bought wax products, hairspray, straighteners and more and in time during my last year of school I would have bros of mine come to visit and get their hair styled in a similar fashion to my own! Before the nights out to the parties and we would all thrive off how “skuxx” we would look during anime series and rats tails. After a while close to graduation, friends and even my dad suggested I should study hairdressing as a profession. Here I am thinking “… really? I kind of want to do carpentry instead!” But as my lifestyle habits show, I truly wanted to do hairdressing and play with hair day to day, some would say, my passion found me and my vanity showed me a path of favouring the fashion and service industry. In 2013, I began my first year of hairdressing, as I had 2 gap years to gain some life experience and really understand what it was I wanted to pursue. I also had amazing an experience learning about health, fitness and nutrition which gave me a much clearer state of mind during a time of teen growth. By the end of 2013 I graduated at the academy of House Elliot’s hairdressing training centre and in 2014 I attended and also graduated at the academy of Patricks hairdressing school for my second year, having much better scissor skills than my blow waving techniques. By the beginning of 2015 I stepped into the world of barbering at Wilsons Barbershop, Rotorua in my hometown, during which time I also thrived on my health and fitness and gained massive results growing with knowledge of a more streamline healthy mindset. Knowing about proper fluids, as I learnt the barbering side of the industry, helped me understand that barbers don’t necessarily NEED to run on coffee, of energy drinks and little food all day long. To eat and drink proper foods and fluids would increase a sense of clarity and even behaviour towards co-workers and clients. My ideal entrance to work is “a clear state of mind.” We don’t need alcohol and we don’t need energy drinks or fast foods which evidence can prove only enhances fatigue for us all. By 2016, I became part of Breethaz Barbershop, up until 2018, still thriving and gaining at the gym hitting mass gains, strength
in health and fitness and a more powerful determined mindset. I embraced looking into multiple motivational preachers, barber conferences, meeting face to face at ANALYSE Brisbane with Julius Caesar and Diego the barber, the barber expo BARBERCRAFT and also entered into a much wider variety of barbering competition. I gained higher skills in fading, shaving, patterns/designs, meeting a whole range of barbers across NZ and even Australia. By the beginning of 2018 I began to search for higher positions than mere reputation, but now also connectivity with teams of barbers and franchises, so here I am working under the Carve Barbershop umbrella which I am so grateful for in the position of MANAGING barber. I have still kept up with my gym growth, even having setbacks during this phase of my learning. This this year has most likely been my most challenging ever, moving many times around NZ teaching and learning in even more ways than I could imagine towards a much brighter team whom I get to help improve and evolve. 2019 onward no doubt will be filled with exciting challenges for me not only as a barber or gym junkie, but a person who believes in the condition of one’s spirit and soul. I am always looking to really improve my own selfrealization, self-creation and self-discovery, to show that no matter how many clients I style and serve, no matter how heavy I lift, no matter how well I eat to help my physical vanity and health, it would all mean nothing if I’m not ALSO guiding clients and co-workers into a more beneficial lifestyle to help them in THEIR journey. As barbers, we cater to the clients that step into our business, gaining trust, connection, good vibes, crack some yarns and laughs. We are here for them all in the big man cave to give that company and/or therapy for the most relaxing experience. In many ways I like to think that in the greater scheme of things, everyone has vanity, everyone wants to look good, so lets’ make a business out of it and let’s bring professionalism to the barbering game! Instagram: @progressive_barber
SPOTLIGHT ON
Paragon Studio BY TIM RENNIE
I started my apprenticeship at the age of 18 after finishing high school. My mum, who is a hairdresser by trade, told me to apply for it! I used to sweep the floor in her salon when I was younger and loathed it, so with much hesitation I applied for it and got taken on by a awesome team. I worked hard and watched every one of my mentors so I could hone my skills. Being an 18 year old that had recently moved out to Melbourne for the first time has its vices though, so it had its ups and downs along the journey. 18 months in I got to the end of my apprenticeship, and I honestly think I learnt more in the next 4 years cutting on the floor than I did in my apprenticeship. After doing several stage shows and education classes around the country I decided to go overseas to take a break and when I got back that’s when I decided I wanted to open Paragon Studio. Paragon Studio has just reached the one-year mark. I started off with just myself and one other and now we have a tight little team of 5. The journey has been wild with how it has all just evolved. When It came to the interior of Paragon, I wanted something minimal yet clean, and something that was modern and forward thinking. I took a lot of ideas and inspiration from around Melbourne, from restaurants, cafes and modern nurseries. I think bringing the monochrome in with the greenery of all our plants has done exactly that and allows us to execute our work, which I would say is precision barbering with contemporary men’s hairdressing. The name came from wanting something that didn’t just have to be known as one thing, but could be used for multiple reasons. The team is a super creative force, some work regularly on editorial shoots, some doing workshops and classes and others traveling within industry based events. It is an amazing team to have alongside you, especially if you are one who always wants to progress. What I have learnt over the last 12 months is this: To do something like open your own shop is all about just needing to bite the bullet and commit 100% to it working and with hard work and perseverance it will all come together. Just have a solid support group like friends and family! Instagram: @paragon.studio
13 Barber Shop Year 7 Issue 4
Mobile Barber Shop
DEPOT
14 Barber Shop Year 7 Issue 4
Joey and Nicoletta
Luigi & Sons Barber Shop was established back in 1961 by Luigi D’Adderio in Surfers Paradise. In 1988 his sons Lino and Joey started their apprenticeship with him, and began adapting their skills from not only a traditional barbers but one who had won many Australian and International Awards. “We couldn’t have learned from anyone better” says Joey, “Luigi is and always will be the godfather of Barbering in Australia.” Following in their father’s footsteps, both Lino and Joey won extensive awards for Master Barbering from 1988 through to 2001 and have since we stepped back so to speak to give others a chance to win! Modest and yet so true. We caught up with Joey to talk about his more recent love, the Mobile Barbershop Depot. MOBILE BARBERSHOP DEPOT BREAKS AWAY FROM THE TRADITIONAL BARBER SET UP. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT?
So, MOBILE BARBER SHOP DEPOT represents another concept which my wife Nicoletta and I created back in 2016. It is a 1962 caravan, decked out as a two chair Barber Shop on wheels. This beast needed a home so we came up with an idea to open up in an old warehouse here in the middle of the beautiful Gold Coast, Bundall. We have wanted to change the game as so many Barber Shops were doing the same thing, popping up on every corner trying to make out that they have been around for a long time. We have history which can only be written by a few but will always be copied by many. The DEPOT is an eclectic massive Barber Shop with antique furniture, 128 year old pool table, ping pong table, pin ball machines, 3rd generation piano, art, cafe, dam…n it even has food truck visit. Nicoletta now runs events and functions from our new establishment giving people the opportunity to enjoy what we have created for the very own wedding or function.
WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE TO PARTNER WITH DEPOT?
My choice to partner up with Depot came about from the professionalism from our rep Sarah Jane who didn’t push them onto me. I really like to get a good feel about a product and make sure that the full range is something that can be offered to a wide variety of clients. I believe Depot does exactly that. The packaging is great, sleek yet simple. Scents masculine and fresh. Contents smooth and easy. The Italians seem to keep things simple and effective, kind of like a margarita pizza!
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 FAV DEPOT PRODUCTS? My 3 top Depot products would have to be the: ≠ soothing shaving soap cream 404 ≠ matt paste 301 and ≠ moisturising & clarifying beard shampoo 501
WHAT DO YOU PREDICT ARE THE FUTURE TRENDS OF MENS GROOMING? Depot is the future in mens grooming!
BEARDS HERE TO STAY OR GONE TOMORROW?
I have just recently grown my first beard, I think they are here to stay and so is the moustache. Girls are really starting to enjoy a man who resembles exactly that, a man.
ANY INTERESTING STORIES FROM THE CHAIR?
There are always interesting stories in the chair many of which I’ve made a promise to never tell. Clients really confide in their Barber.
FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE INDUSTRY?
Favourite thing about my industry would have to be that I get to hang out in an environment created by Nicoletta and I and give to each and every client the skill adapted from my father Luigi, and witness their contentment at the completion of every service.
FAVOURITE PLACE TO TAKE TIME OUT?
When you come home to a beautiful wife, two gorgeous boys and a hot meal, what better place is there in the world. OK maybe a secluded island in the middle of nowhere with a handful of women falling at my feet would be pretty cool to!
WE’VE BOOKED A TABLE FOR DINNER, YOU CAN BRING ANYONE LIVING OR DEAD. WHO’S JOINING US? Johnny Depp and Emrata
COVER STORY
Your one-stop-shop for men’s grooming
When it comes to the clippers, trimmers and styling products you choose for your shop or salon, American Barber and Panasonic gives you smarter, more powerful choices.
AMERICAN BARBER
With the full range of American Barber Styling Products, you are guaranteed to be able to offer your clients a complete and professional style in the salon/shop and at home. Every man wants to be able to feel 100% confident in how he looks and male grooming is about cutting things down to the essentials. The American Barber range is concise and covers all your client’s needs. This perfect range consists of four tailored designed products to suit all hair needs. The 100ml products make it easy to create and control your desired style with no flakes, easy application and water soluble - so easy to wash out. Also available in Duo packs & Display stand. American Barber Styling Paste Dry Matt Finish Low Sheen Hold Factor - Strong & Pliable
American Barber Hard Mud Gritty Matt Finish Low Sheen Hold Factor - Extra Strong & Pliable
Panasonic applies state-of-the art blade technology o the Panasonic Profession ERGP81 clipper. The result is precision blades of extraordinary strength and performance, providing the edge professionals demand in durable, lightweight, reliable clippers. The X-taper Blade shape catches hair and cuts it without letting go. Designed for Comfort and Convenience - this slim, lightweight ER-GP81 clipper provides you with ergonomic comfort for extended use. The clipper can be used both cord or cordless for maximum time management. A quick adjust height control dial supplies five 0.3mm steps without the comb attachments, plus a convenient charging stand and six cutting length combs snap into place to personalize your cutting & trimming. Stay ahead of the trends with the Panasonic Professional ER-GP81 Hair Clipper and American Barber imported exclusively by M&U Imports.
American Barber Clay Styler Low - Medium Shine Hold Factor - Strong & Pliable
American Barber Deluxe Pomade Medium - High Shine Hold Factor - Strong & Pliable
PANASONIC ER-GP81 PROFESSIONAL HAIR CLIPPER
Derived from Panasonic’s renowned and awardwinning series, the ER-GP81 Cordless Clipper is designed for stylist comfort, agility and control. A Revolutionary High Power Linear Motor provides precise & smooth cutting, helping to create the individual look and style every client is after - ensuring repeat business for all. Advancing the Japanese art of crafting exceptionally sharp and durable swords, 16 Barber Shop Year 7 Issue 4
M&U Imports was established as a family business in 1975, servicing all hairdressing, barbering and beauty wholesalers throughout Australia and New Zealand. M&U Imports sources products from various countries including Italy, Germany, America, China and the U.K and in turn supply’s Australia with innovative and premium quality products. To find stockists please contact www.muimports.com.au
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LIGHTS, CAMERA, SCISSORS! Cal Rein is a highly self-motivated, dynamic and dedicated professional in men’s hair styling and barbering.He has over 30 years of local, national and International experience and has styled and cut the hair of many celebrities including Mathew Perry and Frank Stallone. Graduating with a diploma of Hairdressing from the Pivot Point Hair Academy in Melbourne in 1987, in the early years, Cal worked in a variety of Melbourne barbershops namely, David Jones Men’s Hairdressing, Georges and the Wentworth Hotel Hair Salon on Collins Street, cutting hair for high-powered executive clients, politicians and lawyers.
Barbershop spoke to Cal about his illustrious career so far and what advice he could give to those starting out in the industry today.
In 1989 he opened his first hair salon Wings Mens Hairdressing in South Yarra and operated that successfully for 5 years before selling to pursue a career in acting with roles in Neighbours, Stingers, Mission Impossible, Shark Bay and Blue Heelers to name a few.
Unless it’s my imagination, there seems to be more hairstyles for men than women for the moment. Men are more accepting of changing their hairstyle more often, and balding men will just shave their head rather than try and cover-up with the comb-over Men’s hair care has evolved in the market place - guys now show interest in looking after their hair, seeking advice and adhering to product recommendations to suit their needs. The biggest change has been the use of the internet. This has made it easier to put your brand out to a larger customer base and for customers to find you and convey what your brand is all about. Also there has been an increase in women with short hair wanting to get their haircut in a barbershop, and why not if it is a short hairstyle – something cool like Ruby Rose and Jessica Rowe’s hair styles. I have no problem with that and am more than happy to offer my services.
Cal Rein Mens Hair was opened in 2002 on Toorak Road, South Yarra and he quickly became known as the Celebrity Hairdresser to the Stars. Making front page news in the Leader Newspaper, alongside Molly Meldrum, he has also been featured in GQ and Men’s Health Magazine as well as a number of industry salon publications. Cal also made a television appearance on a Channel Ten Lifestyle Show performing a hair make-over. Acting and the USA was calling and hence the salon sold and Cal move to Los Angeles in 2006, working alongside the likes of Tom Hanks, Keifer Sutherland and Jean-Claude Van Damme to name a few! He was then featured in the iconic magazine Los Angeles, a monthly publication depicting Southern California’s people, fashion and lifestyle. 2017 has seen the opening of a new barbershop in Queensland called Cool Man® Hair in Kenmore, a retro inspired shop with a modern twist where the walls display portraits of Australian actors who have made it big in Hollywood. Cool Man® Hair was featured front page in the Westside News and featured on Channel Seven’s lifestyle show The Great Day Out.
HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THE MEN’S HAIRDRESSING AND BARBERING INDUSTRY CHANGE OVER YOUR 30 YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY?
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER?
I’d say opening my first men’s hair salon at the age of 19, but I must say there have been many memorable moments in my career such as being part of the IHS (International Hairstylists Society) Hair Show Parades which were held on the first Monday of every month in the 1980’s at The Palace in St Kilda. Also 2006, I was honourably invited as guest speaker at the Pivot Point Hair College Graduation Dinner - it was 20 years since graduating from the college, and it was
indeed a pleasure and a privilege to speak to the graduates entering the hairdressing industry.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR CAREER?
For me it’s been an adaptable trade. It’s a very creative, artistic industry even expressive so to speak, whereby you can venture into other creative artistic fields as I did with my acting, broadcasting and hosting live events. I’m always open to new ventures.
WHAT AREAS DO YOU FEEL NEED ATTENTION IN THE INDUSTRY?
Education and training. In the late 1990’s, Hairdressing in Victoria became a deregulated trade ie., without the recognition of a Tradesmen Certificate and the other States followed. I received my Tradesmen Certificate in Victoria in 1989, this was two years after completing a one-year full-time intensive hair college course and two years full time working in a salon. That being said, pretty much anyone can pick up a pair of scissors and start cutting. The fallout here is that an unsuspecting person whom seeks to enter the industry as a barber or hairstylist maybe trained by someone that has not had the proper training themselves in barbering or hairdressing, which not only includes the technical aspect of the profession but the educational awareness of health, safety and disease control. For example, in the 90’s it was deemed unsanitary to use a straight razor to shave, even though you can use disposables razor. So most part barbershops stopped shaving until the year 2000 when it was said that ‘single use’ blades on each customer
was safe and sanitary. That said, even today, there are barbershops that are still using the old school straight razor and leather strop to be hip, contrary to one’s perception, this is not the right way of thinking. I believe a customer’s health should not be compromised. Even using the same disposable razor on more than one customer is alarming. Legislation does state the changing of disposable razors for each customer is mandatory. Also I do not believe barbers should be using straight razors on children as this promotes rapid hair regrowth. Again this all may be due to either the individual’s lack of awareness, training or education within the industry or even barbershop’s culture.
DO YOU THINK ENTERING HAIR COMPETITIONS HELPED YOU IN YOUR CAREER?
Competitions can boost your self-confidence. I think early in your career one should enter competitions as they are not only fun to participate in, but a great way to meet others in your profession, networking, employment opportunities and growth. Entering competitions can also offer encouragement and steer you in the right direction. At one of these events I was offered a salon position by a Judge. Nowadays competitions can be product driven and associated with the brands used in hair salons and barbershops. There are so many but just choose the best that suits you.
WHAT MADE YOU MOVE TO AMERICA AND HOW DID THINGS DIFFER THERE TO HERE?
I won a USA Green Card and there was an opportunity to move to Los Angeles. First day in LA I walked into The Shave of Beverly Hills and they offered me employment on the spot. It was an awesome experience to say the least. Not only haircuts but I was doing mostly facial shaves, as this was their core business. It proved to be exhausting and was not good for my lower back. I earned a full time wage plus tips which was above the minimum wage in US. Most barbers are employed on tips only or a Rent-A-Chair arrangement. I found that barbers in Los Angeles are extremely proud and respectful of their trade. They bring to work their own tools in a travel case on wheels. It was almost like they were heading to the airport, under lock and key. They don’t share their tools which I found was a good thing. How many times have you loaned out your clippers or scissors and they come back sounding or cutting differently? If I may add, barbers stand a good metre away when greeting a customer and or to each other. Many times I was told by a colleague “Man ... you need to give a man some space!” We Aussies are close talkers!
WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE TO OTHER MEN’S HAIRDRESSERS AND
BARBERS WHEN IT COMES TO BUSINESS ACUMEN AND MARKETING?
• No Beer! For some reason the trend in barbershops is to give a free beer to a customer, firstly it’s not free! It’s an expense that is passed onto the client. In addition, I don’t believe alcohol is the answer to getting customers in the chair and to keep them. Remember there are also children that visit the barbershop too and this should not be the message or example a barbershop should display. I’ve seen a photo online showing a child smiling for the camera sporting a proud haircut and behind him is a guy sculling a beer in a barbershop. Remember, your customer may still be in working hours, and as far as I know you cannot drink on the job. • I believe in good open conversation and attention to detail in the hair service you perform and word of mouth will eventually get you the attention you need in the market place. Promote in your local area and stick to a solid service plan. Make sure you’re honest with your price structure and to not sell yourself short. Then go up from there. Don’t take shortcuts and lowering your standards or price as this may compromise your business. • Social media are great tools to get you started, join local group pages online, monitor and review content for continued growth. Build a simple website. Make sure you can do some simple updates when you need too. Some barbershops are posting photos of their customers haircuts and faces on the internet. If you are going to exploit your customers to promote your work, then it’s only fair to give them a free haircut. I’ve seen some great online pages which display the haircut only and not the face which I believe is respectful to the paying customer. Believe me, in years to come that customer won’t be too happy if their image of their haircut became a permanent image online that they can no longer delete. Better to do a proper photoshoot with hair models. They could still be your customers as long as they are compensated for their time to promote your brand. Most clients will feel better about writing a review than be asked to be photographed. Clients put on the spot when asked to be photographed may feel obligated to do so – but not comfortable in the same instance. • Never talk bad or trash another barbershop to a customer, even if they bring it up due to an experience. Just say something to the effect, that it’s disappointing to hear that they weren’t happy with the service. • Be honest about your skills. If someone walks-in and you believe you’re not sure how to proceed? Hand it to a colleague who is proficient and watch and learn. Don’t practice on a paying customer, not matter how good you may disguise it as they will know you’re not confident in the service. In turn they will feel ripped off and complain if it doesn’t turn out right. 19 Barber Shop Year 7 Issue 4
It’s better to discuss the service with the customer and offer a discounted price for the trial, the customer may agree. However this doesn’t only apply to apprentice barbers. Train to cut a traditional haircut. I know a lot of barbers who can only cut with clippers. • Believe in the products you sell and use in salon. Some barbershops stock all the leading brands and there are a lot in the market place. The problem with stocking too many brands is when a customer asks for advice and your recommendation, the barber may put it back onto the customer and simply asks them what they like. Supermarket shelf style product displays are good but only if all staff understand what each product can offer on different hairstyles. • Don’t copy another barbershop or brand. Try step out of the box when it comes to design concept. Make up a business name that means something to you, then if not taken, Trade Mark it. I have heard many times, “All the good barbershop names are taken”? I don’t believe this is so, if you believe in yourself, why not use your own name, I did. I came up with the name Cool Man® whilst in LA. Most Americans use the word in a normal conversation “That’s cool man” I heard it everywhere. So I then searched online to see if anyone was using it around the world and to my surprise, no it wasn’t. So Registered Cool Man® as my Trade Mark.The biggest mistake some people do is completely rip-off the same concept as their previous employer’s business model. This is negative energy for a start. Where you have worked in the past should inspire you to do something creative and new. Also opening down the road, across the street or even around the corner – it’s not on! This I have seen so many times. It’s a small world and Kama’s a bitch as they say. I’ve stayed friends with all my previous employers and always left on good terms. The world is smaller than you think!
FINALLY, HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A GOOD WORK LIFE BALANCE?
You need time out and I’ll take it when I can. Stick to a work schedule and if I feel like I’m burning out, I take a break. I’m still active in the film Industry which gives me a break from cutting. I did a film called “Full Love” directed by Jean-Claude Van Damme which was great. Two months in Thailand to me was like a holiday even though I had to be up early mornings and work long filming schedules. The said movie is set to be released in early 2019. Family is key to my success and happiness. Coming home after a big day in barbershop to my family makes it all worthwhile. coolmanhair.com calrein.com Photos by Michael Arenson @1MDesignLab Thank you Adrian Carr, tallordersproductions.com
My Fathers Barber
Matt Brown was living in Aranui, a pretty rough neighbourhood on the Eastside of Christchurch, NZ, when he decided he wanted to be a barber, so he set up a garden shed with a very basic station and started teaching himself on YouTube. He told his best friend Sarah, at the time, (who became his wife) and she asked her Dad who worked in the hair industry in Auckland if he could come and learn in one of his barbershops from a third generation Turkish barber Ati. Matt went and sat in the corner of this central city reputable barbershop and watched Ati for a few weeks cut countless men in suits. “Turkish Barbers are well known for their servicing and I carry what he taught me in my own service now.”, says Matt. We spoke to him about his career so far…
YOU BECAME WELL KNOWN PRETTY QUICKLY. HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?
I was still cutting in my shed in the hood when it all blew up. I honestly couldn’t have orchestrated it better myself, but it was my love for art which has always been a passion since I was young that really made me interested in hair art which is what grew my barbering career. I followed the work of Jeremy Knott closely, to me he was the original Godfather of hair art because he did it all with hair- no colour and with such precision. So I started attempting portraits. One day I cut up one of my boys with a portrait of Tupac Shakur. I uploaded the picture on Facebook and it went instantly viral. The Tupac official page in America shared it and it got over a million likes. Because I was the only one doing this down under at the time. It meant really good exposure for my business. Prime time TV shows started approaching me to do stints on air and from then on I was completely booked out starting from early morning till late at night.
YOU HAVE BUILT A GOOD FOLLOWING ON SOCIAL MEDIA; DO YOU THINK THAT GIVES YOU AN ADVANTAGE?
Yes for sure. I think it was a mixture of timing as barbering was a dying craft in New Zealand when I came on the scene, being different from the norm and the benefits of social media. Back then I could never afford the traditional marketing mediums. The fact that instantly what I did could be broadcast around the world for free was a huge plus for me because literally I started with Remington clippers in a shed with no capital. My advice to any barbers starting out is to start with what you have, where you are because humble beginnings are where we learn the most.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO TEACHING?
Funnily enough I wanted to be a music teacher since high school. I enjoy teaching whatever I have learnt and agree with the words of the late Maya Angelou; ‘When you learn, teach. When you get, give.’ It kind of all happened because I was getting countless requests online from barbers and
20 Barber Shop Year 7 Issue 4
hairdressers from all over the world to come learn off me. I was still in my basic garden shed in the hood so I was thinking ‘how would I even do that logistically?’ Sarah came up with the idea to teach classes. Her background is event management and marketing so she took care of all the details thankfully. My first four look and learn classes were in Christchurch; we booked a venue and put a flyer up online. The classes all sold out within ten minutes of posting. I was literally gobsmacked that people were flying in just to learn from me. After that she booked an entire tour all over Australia. I had never been there so was even more surprised that people in Aussie had even heard of me, the boy cutting from a garden shed. The tour sold out within days too. We literally did two classes a day and flew city to city. It was exhausting but at the end of two weeks we had enough money to open the barbershop I have now. That’s how I started.
WERE YOU NERVOUS?
Yes. I’m a perfectionist by nature and the stakes are even higher for me when people are investing so much of their time and money into learning from me. But I decided early on that I would keep it real and just be myself so I start every class I do with a bit about who I am and where I come from. It’s not an easy tell as I grew up as a Polynesian boy in a state house with parents earning minimum wage with eight siblings. Domestic violence and sexual abuse were a huge part of my childhood, which of course affected me. Now though, I have come to understand that owning my story is a powerful way to connect with others.
WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES YOU AND YOUR STYLE?
I love travelling with my wife. Whenever we travel to new cities I’ll roam around and go sit in barbershops. My wife is very good about this and the favour is returned when she drags me around shops! You learn a lot about the culture and people from just observing. I’ve sat in such diverse barbershops all over. From an old school one on the strip in Las Vegas, the typical ‘black barbershop’ in Harlem, New York, a flash white boy one in North London, a really modern funky one in Bangkok, a traditional one in Rome, a blinging one in Dubai and one right in the heart of a favela in Rio de Janeiro. No matter where you are cutting from, the craft and service are still all about people. That never gets old for me. I’m hugely inspired artistically by the work of renaissance artists like Michaelangelo and South American street artists like Kobra. I do believe that you can learn from anyone at anytime so I take something from everything. Design wise I love the vibrant aesthetic of Versace. I think most people don’t realise but everything fashion wise stems from what the big fashion houses design. What they dictate, affects even how we cut hair.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS?
For me truly it’s the moment you know a man trusts you. As someone who hasn’t always trusted easily, I see my job as an honour. For some men in my chair I’m the only one that really hears him or even physically touches him. Over the years I’ve had some good laughs with clients but I’ve also been trusted with their tears and that truly is the gift of this profession.
HOW DID YOU GET THE NAME ‘MY FATHERS BARBER’?
I actually started in my shed as ‘Brown’s Barbers’. I even had
that on my Facebook page. It just didn’t stick though. One day I just knew my name. My Fathers Barber is really a credit to my faith and a credit to God for saving my life the way he did. I was suicidal as a teenager and I the name represents God, my Father and I, his barber. In that way I try to represent him the best way I know how to every person who sits in my chair.
BIGGEST LESSONS RUNNING A BARBERSHOP?
(Laughs) Where do I start? Honestly when you are in the business of people there are lessons galore. I think it’s hard for anyone when you personally invest into staff only for them to leave to do their own thing. Not everyone has the insight or integrity to do this the right way either which can be hurtful. I hear this complaint often from fellow business owners. I personally have had to learn to see a bigger picture. One that shows me that I’m only ever part of their journey so I just try to be faithful in teaching them what I can while they are with me. When I take any staff on it’s never because of talent. Unfortunately in this industry talent can also be associated with ego. There’s no room for that in my shop. The heart of my business is service and connection. Often I’m taking on young guys with no barbering skills and very few life skills too. I tell them right at the start that if you work for My Fathers Barbers and I take you on to teach you this trade, I will also be challenging you on aspects of your character too, because genuinely I want to see them be the best version of themselves possible.
WHERE TO NOW FOR YOU?
Barbering has only ever been a vehicle for me to do what I’m really passionate about which is to connect with men and better our communities for our children. I do love the creative aspect of barbering, and naturally as an artist push myself to be the best I can be. Staying teachable by constantly learning from other barbers all over the world so that every one of my clients gets the best experience possible is important to me. But because of the upbringing I come from, I just know we need more barbers who are good at listening and really hearing the men in our chairs. In that sense barbering is a way for me to live out my desire to create violence free communities. Currently my team and I are working on a project very close to my heart with a government department that is launching next year and I will continue to be a passionate advocate and ambassador here in New Zealand for organisations like White Ribbon and Women’s refuge. I really feel barbering has opened so many doors for me into the heart of my wider community which I am so thankful for.
ANY ADVICE FOR YOUNG BARBERS STARTING OUT IN THE INDUSTRY?
Remain reachable always. Anyone can teach you something if you understand that every person on the planet has something to offer. If you ever get to the point of knowing everything then you should retire! Also don’t worry yourself on competition because I truly believe there is none. We all bring something completely unique to the table and when you understand this, you are free to just fully appreciate what others in the industry also bring to the table. There is room for everyone so compete only with the person you were yesterday. Instagram: @myfathersbarber
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A Family Affair
Our Family Barber is one of the new kids on the block opening in January of 2018 on the Gold Coast, catering to the local market and offering unique opening hours from 2-10pm Mon-Fri and 10am-6pm on a Saturday. The decision to market the shop as being a latenight barbershop with both walk ins and online bookings has certainly paid off and so we asked Director/Barbers Shelford Tahapehi and Jordan Mclaughlin to share their story.
SHELFORD TAHAPEHI
I’ve had the pleasure of Barbering for the past 4 years, it is something that I enjoy and something that I take pride in. I began cutting as a teen from home at the age of 15, and I knew then and there that this is what I wanted to do as a career. I procrastinated for years until at the age of 22 when I finally did something about it and enrolled myself into a Barbers course. I completed that and then went into a shop for 3 years where I learnt a lot of the trade and I also met/worked alongside my now business partner Jordan.
The plan was to create something no one had seen before in the Australian barber industry. ‘The only late-night barber’. The 2pm - 10pm trade was scary because it had never been done before but we realised there, was a gap in the barber world we wanted to fill.
Jordan and I opened Our Family Barber in January 2018, with a different approach in mind regarding our trading hours. “OFB” is marketed as being a late-night Barber Shop in which we open from 2pm till 10pm Mon - Fri, focusing in on capturing the working-class crowd. This has been our niche’ that has really set us apart from many other Barbershops and has brought a lot of attention and success through our doors. Our late-night hours coupled with the option to make a booking has helped our business to grow and in return has given many of our clients/customer base more flexibility when it comes to getting a haircut. The partnership between Jordan and myself has also been good as we are both young fathers who strive to provide a better lifestyle for our families and are working towards similar goals.
We are grateful to be associated with a lot of great people who are constantly offering their cost-free help and professional services from those who drop off late night dinner to the boys in shop on the odd occasion all the way up to our accountant and merchandise suppliers, this wide range of people we are thankful to call friends.
September this year marked another milestone and chapter in our journey with the addition of a second store at the World Gym Coomera. We had always planned to expand but this was to be dependent on how the market took to our model. We never anticipated for it to happen after 9 months of opening Helensvale. John and the team at World Gym love the concept and culture we have and we are grateful to link arms with this world-class brand, looking forward to the growth we’ll experience with them. Gazing forward, I envision “Our Family Barber” being a household name for families. I’d like for us to have an association with all families around Australia and for them to know that they can visit any of our locations and receive the same warm welcome and high level of service regardless of what store they’re at. I’d love to give back to the current employees and provide them with constant up skilling and the ongoing training they require. Lastly, we have desires to invest in training-up the next generation of Barbers and have a system in place where we can pass on our knowledge and equip them with all the right tools in order to give them the best head start in the industry.
JORDAN MCLAUGHLIN
Family. Our reason for everything we do. With both Shelford and I soon to have 8 Children between us, building from the ground up is not for the faint hearted. Early mornings and late nights have been the norm for the last 10 months now, but as they say, “all good things take time”. It all started with an idea around the middle of 2017. We both had jobs as barbers and we often spoke casually about wanting to do something more!! To not only progress in barbering but to have something for our families to call theirs. In the lead up of this we would once or twice a week straight after work would hold meetings with our business advisors that did not finish till 10 or 11pm.
We had an awesome team, which helped us get over the line and make our dream shop become a reality. “Team work really does make the dream work”
We live in a time now where the entrepreneurial world is increasing with record breaking growth, We are excited to collaborate with our local businesses and people who are on that journey to something better. To name a couple:• King Brown Pomade in Burleigh that stock our premium product range, Daen Brown and the Team from KB have supported us from Day 1 • Deep Fitted apparel, a new and upcoming niche brand to the Hat and apparel world. • Former Australian Boxing and Current Qld Boxing Champion Will Wild Bill Nasio, A humble but fierce young father on his hustle to the top. • Jarreau Chan Boon from JCB videography and Marketing who has a Leading-edge Niche, you can find him on Instagram for all things social media @ Jahro. From food, clothing, athletes to new ideas, Our family barber is willing to explore the possibilities exposing our team of Barbers to this world and providing our customers with great service, online content and amazing products. We understand how important something as simple as a haircut can be, the single Mum who works and doesn’t have that time to take her boys for a cut can come and see us with a booking. The young worker who finishes after 5 everyday but wants a little bit of self-pride to match his hard work ethic can come see us. The job interview on that next step in the career whilst trying to keep bread on the table, we’ll be open. The father who wants that moment with his Sons after his long day grinding for the family can create a tradition his Sons will remember. We get this feedback constantly and it is what makes the long nights, meetings and daily hustle all worth it. Those in this industry can attest to the fact that a lot of stories, reflection and healing occur in the seat of a barber. We are grateful to have a team who are sensitive to our customers that come through and are overwhelmed by the ongoing support. Our family Barber really is a family affair.
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Traditions of a Barber BY SHERIDAN TREND
As the owner of Aldo’s Barbershop in Brisbane. I have been a barber for 41 years and I can tell you I have barely worked a day in my life. I love it as much now as I always did.
I started out as a ladies hairdresser and didn’t like it at all, but lucky for me circumstances led me to applying for a barbering apprenticeship. I got the job and have not lost any of my passion for it to this day. At the moment as men’s hairdressing is booming, I thought it important to point out a few things that can get missed. When we are so busy, sometimes the small but important things can be overlooked. We have so many really good new barbers coming along at the moment who are doing some amazing haircuts, but I think there are a few really important things not being taught. The first one is the tradition of the barber and paying homage to those who forged the path before us, like my mentor Jeff Stewart and his mentor before him Alan Mills. The other is, I think in these days of social media and showing everybody how skilled we are and what brilliant haircuts we are producing, the most important thing is being overlooked i.e.; the customer, because at the end of the day they are the most important person. Our job is to make sure they are happy and the 20mins or so they spend in our chair, they should feel is the best part of their day. You need to engage with them and how they are travelling. How they would like their hair to look, what suits them, not what we think they should have. Because although we are on a high at the moment, there is always going to be a low and when that comes, the thing that is going to keep the doors open is your regular customer. The ones who feel you genuinely care about them. They will stay loyal. The other thing that I believe we are not doing is using other barber’s skills as much as we should, because none of us is brilliant at every style or technique. Although short styles are big at the moment, what about when longer styles return, or flat tops, or god forbid the “mullet”? How many new barbers can do a full scissor cut that covers the ears with the right amount of weight and layering? Do the new barbers have those skills? If not, why not go and talk to other barbers who have seen the different styles and who would love to pass on those skills. As a barber who has trained over 20 apprentices I encourage all my new apprentices to go and talk to other barbers, simply ask them if you could spend an hour or two with them. Remember a candle looses nothing by lighting another candle. Watch, ask questions and get better because to be a great barber you never stop learning. I think we have lost a little of the barber brotherhood. Because whenever I can, I visit other barbershops. I have met some great people and amazing barbers, and have learned so much from them. Disappointingly I am not always met with such enthusiasm though, more from the younger barbers, who I believe I can learn so much from. I always think, “maybe for them it’s a job not a career” or “maybe they haven’t been shown they are part of a wonderful family”. We should all look to help each other and learn from one another.
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Contemporary style for every modern man HAIR CLEANSERS (5) HAIR TREATMENTS (2) HAIRSTYLING (6) SHAVE (12) BEARD & MOUSTACHE (4) SCENTS (8)
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Education is Key
BY BRONSON CHEONG
My journey as a barber started when I was in Year 10. My mum had always cut my hair since I was a child until one day I asked her whether I could take over. I wanted a more edgy look and also add a little creativity to my hair. Ever since then I have been doing my own hair, experimented with lines and designs too. SELF CUTS started to become my thing.
I’ve always enjoyed cutting hair but having strict asian parents meant I had to go to University. So, I did 2 years of a Bachelors in Industrial Design. I really love sketching and I’ve always had a very creative background. I was about half way through my course before I decided to put it on hold as I had lost interest and motivation. Then for about a year I just continued to work at Woolworths Supermarket and alongside that was also cutting hair at home as a hobby. After a year I had to make a choice to either going back to my design course or start something new. The close individuals around me asked why I wouldn’t just do a barbering course since I was good at it, so I began researching and had noticed Certificate III in Barbering had just been released in Australia. I enrolled myself into BIBA Academy and loved every single day of it. It was by far the best decision I had made towards shaping my career. I was truly motivated to finish off fundamentals so I could begin the practical unit (cutting the mannequin). It was when I got into cutting, I had realised there’s more to hair than just clipper on the side and trim on the top. I loved how I had the opportunity to experience this realisation. This continues to motivate me everyday and reminds me that no matter how good I think I am, that there is always room for improvement. As a part of fashion, hair is always evolving, so the moment when we stand still, we actually fall behind. Half way into the course I had been offered a job as a barber in FLEET ST Barbers. Shortly after that, BIBA released a COMPETITION known as ‘BIBA Next Level’ with 4 categories. The prize was a trip to London for a one week course with flights and accommodation covered. I saw this as a great opportunity to showcase my work and to be inspired by those that contributed to the competition. Being my first competition ever, I was truly humbled to be able to take home 1st place in the barbering category! The thought of me being in London learning from Menspire really excited me and I knew that this was going to be a life changing experience. MENSPIRE was definitely worth the 28 hour flight travel from Melbourne Australia. It was a short week but the knowledge and experience I gained will last a lifetime. Just meeting the people you follow on social media and being able to learn under them is truly incredible. Students from all around the world packed into one room, the atmosphere in that class was not like any other. It’s amazing to be in a room filled with positivity and students, all with a burning desire to learn and do better. Whether you go to have your skills refined, whether it is clarification that you’re looking for or whether you want to change your habits, whatever questions you bring in, you will find the answers to. What you seek, you will find. So, for those that are looking for a short course in barbering or men’s hair, I encourage you to really consider the Menspire One Week Course or any learning opportunity that you may come across. My plan for the near FUTURE is education. I’ve always enjoyed sharing my techniques and tricks to others around me. I don’t believe in secrets, I believe in sharing and building each other up. Knowledge is key and you can never stop learning so stay tuned!
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Rubbing Shoulders with UK’s finest
Alan Beak of Ruger BY LANCE LIUFAU
30 Barber Shop Year 7 Issue 4
On the 20th August 2018 Brisbane had the privilege of having one of the UK’s finest barbers, Alan Beak from Ruger, touch down on our shores here in Australia. It just so happened that while he was here attending a family event, he was able to make time to share some of his knowledge on the latest trends and techniques that are circulating throughout Europe in a very special workshop. Held at the amazingly stunning venue, Jimmy Rods Shave Saloon in Brisbane’s CBD, the event was at full capacity. With barbers having travelled from all over Brisbane, it was bound to be a great night of learning and networking with like-minded people. That is exactly what Alan Beak delivered; he took us through his creative process on how he examines his canvas, what steps he takes to achieve the desired look, right through to his styling tips to complete his work with the end result being one that is both satisfactory to the client and also to Alan’s standards. Alan’s overall knowledge surrounding the barbering industry and having run his own business along side his brother Reece was definitely helpful to both business owners and employees of barbershops. He shared many experiences that were relatable to all barbers and connected with his audience on a personal level. The atmosphere that was set by Alan’s personal demeanour, one that instils a relaxed environment which made the entire workshop comfortable with attendees willing to interact by asking questions, making the educational experience that much more enjoyable. Alan Beaks education sessions are a highly recommended workshop to attend if you ever get the chance. You will not be disappointed, and I can assure you that you will leave feeling more confident in what you are already doing as well as leaving with more knowledge about the craft of barbering than where you began. Special thanks to our local Brisbane barber Xavier aka @ hotsoyce who made the effort to get in contact with Alan to arrange for us to talk to him while he was here. Instagram: @alan_beak @ruger_barber @hotsoyce
The 100
Barber Project BY VEA FONUA
“Absorb and explore new environments; Apply concepts and creativity with intent; Elevate industry and community with purpose.” 5The 100 Barber Project is a concept established by Vea Fonua to visit 100 Barbers both here in Australia and NZ and do a ‘guest spot’! It’s a great story and worth following @veafonua “This concept evolved from an idea of mimicking a guest spot like the US and UK barbers do. I only really wanted to visit one store (Maloney’s) at the start to be honest. Then I started making a list of all the shops I like, and the list got big real quick. So why not do 100? Through NZ & Australia... Right? Why not make it my project, The Barber Project.” Says Vea. Curious on how barbers process and approach their craft, Vea decided that this project would be the most organic way to understand or observe an individual or team. “With my guest visits now, my peripheral has expanded to not just the Talent (Barber) but to the integrity of service (not in terms of $, but what makes it unique or stand out), manifestation of ideals (shop layout and decor), community (patrons) and culture (energy or vibe generated by the collection of the above).” “Quite simply, I wanted to experience the industry and have a discussion with as many people in it. So, I made it into a project so I can share my experiences with everyone. Hopefully one day I can package it and deliver it from different platforms.” To be continued... Instagram: @veafonua
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“I wanted to experience the industry and have a discussion with as many people in it.”
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FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO AN INDUSTRY ICON BY SHERIDAN TREND
It was a sad day for Australian barbering, with the passing of legendary Brisbane barber, Aldo Tumini, who passed on the 6th of October. Aldo migrated from Italy in the 1960’s to make a better life for him and in doing so also made a better life for thousands of other people. When Aldo first arrived in Brisbane, his lack of English meant the jobs were limited but he found work as a builder’s labourer & then cutting cane by hand in North Queensland. He had bought with him from Italy his strong work ethic that remained with him all his life. As a boy he started working on the family farm as soon as he could walk. Growing up he had always dreamed of being an Engineer who built bridges, but after his mother passed away he had to give up school to help the family on their farm In 1962 with the skills he had learned from his brother-in-law in Italy, he decided to open a barbershop in Mt Gravatt. Some of the customers who frequented his first shop still get their haircuts with us at Aldo’s to this day. From there he moved into the city, but when the building his shop was in was to be demolished he was lucky enough to be offered a shop in a new shopping centre which was being built in the North/West Brisbane suburb of Mitchelton Aldo’s barbershop opened on the 7th September 1971, the day the Brookside Shopping Centre opened. His shop, occupying only 1 x 3sqm, was in the back of the newsagent as were a lot of
barbershops at that time. After a slow start, word got around about this little Italian barber with the big smile. Business continued to grow and eventually he had to move to a bigger shop inside the shopping centre. He was very worried because it was so much bigger and he wasn’t sure if he would have enough customers to fill it. Well he needn’t have worried because before long he had to move into a bigger shop again. When the shopping centre expanded in 1985 Aldo moved into our current location. Every year he would add another chair as business grew until there were 10 chairs working. All this growth came about through Aldo’s simple philosophy of good haircuts at good prices for the whole family & of course his famous warm & genuine smile. So a man, who wanted to build bridges, ended up building relationships with his customers that would last a lifetime. In 2006 Aldo retired & passed the shop onto me and I am proud to be the owner of such an iconic local institution. We have been very lucky over the years since Aldo retired that he would still come in and work for us part time, and it was like working with a rock star such was the amount of people who would just want to come in to catch up with their dear friend Aldo. The staff including all our apprentices cherished those days working with the legend. Aldo would always find a way to make 34 Barber Shop Year 7 Issue 4
the apprentices feel special and valued, and in turn this inspired them to become better barbers. We now have 11 chairs working full time and are continually building on the great legacy Aldo left us - his valued customers. We still get many customers that have been coming to have haircuts at Aldo’s since 1971. There are now 3rd & 4th generations of the same families still having their haircuts with us. It always feels so good when you give a young one their first haircut and their dad recalls having his first haircut by Aldo himself. Aldo was a simple man who hated being the centre of attention and would always be more interested in how you and your family were, which in turn made you part of the Aldo’s barbershop family. Testimony to the relationship he had with his customers over the years was the turn out for his funeral, which grew to over a thousand and overflowed outside the church. The ironic thing is Aldo would not have liked being fussed over. He was a humble man who would have given everyone one of his trademark smiles and thanked them for being there. Well those thousand and probably thousands more, would like to say “Thank you Aldo” for being the barber generations of families could go to, feel welcome and a part of your extended family.
The New Fountain Of Youth BY SIMONE LEE
Move Over Cosmetic Clinics The New Fountain Of Youth In The Fight Against Hair and Skin Ageing, Could Be A Trip To Your Local Hair Salon or Barbershop! After turining 40 this year, I thought I had managed to dodge having a “middle age crisis”. I began to think what’s all the fuss about … 40 is not so bad, I don’t think I look or feel any different to turning 30. As 2018 has swiftly progressed, I have however noticed a huge change in not
only what I deem to be my best physical feature, my beloved hair, but also the fine lines in the skin of my face! Studying hair and skin science for nearly two decades I have discovered a great deal about the ageing process of the human hair and scalp, and yet I never really thought about my own hair getting old, thinning or my scalp becoming extremly sensitive when I have my hair coloured, cosmetic product allergies, not to mention how painful it can feel when 36 Barber Shop Year 7 Issue 4
brushes or combs with strong bristles are used to style my hair. I can sadly say that I am not alone, as I am now experiencing what the bulk of most of my salon guests are also facing and the widest part of the hairdressing industries, the battle of hair and scalp ageing.
SCALP SKIN CHANGES THAT OCCUR WITH AGE
Ageing is a process, influenced by internal, physiological and chronological genetic factors, as well as many
external causes including environmental elements also refered to as photoageing such as smoking, ultra violet radiation and nutrition. Both the ageing of hair and the scalp occur in conjunction with one another
IS YOUR SCALP THE CAUSE OF YOUR FACIAL WRINKLES?
The human scalp is one of the fastest ageing part of body. According to a recent online article*, “the scalp ages12 times faster than the rest of your body skin, and approximately six times faster than facial skin”. One of the most ground breaking theories I have come across and have spent a great deal of time researching as a practicing trichologist and as a celebrity international makeup artist is the link between the ageing scalp and the level of wrinkles present on the face! A publication recently crafted by BNT News** mentions that:“Skin experts claim that 70% of face wrinkles are due to scalp aging. If the elasticity of the scalp is weakened, it will have adverse effects not only to the hair but also to the facial skin. Hair experts are also backing up these claims. Since the starting point of facial skin is the scalp, when the scalp, that provides the elasticity to your face weakens, your facial skin will begin to sag as well”.
OXIDATIVE STRESS
Recent studies predict that with age the production of free radicals increases. Free radicals are reactive oxidative species that have been linked to damage of cellular structure, membranes, proteins DNA and lipids. The body produces anti-oxidants to fight free radicals, as a first line of defense however as we age, the increasing levels of free radicals and decreasing levels of anti-oxidents causes an imbalance. Recent scientific evidence suggests this may be a causative factor in the ageing phenotype. According to an article published by the International Journal of Trichology, “there is circumstacial evidence that oxidative stress may be a pivitol mechanism contributing to greying of hair and hair loss”. Future strategies for the prevention of the ageing scalp greying hair and could arrise through further investigation of oxidative stress. Signs & Symptoms Of Scalp Ageing Hair Density and Loss One of the most common signs of hair and scalp ageing is hair loss and nearly every one will experience some hair loss as they age. Androgenic Alopecia (genetic hair loss) is the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women. The shrinking of terminal hairs on the scalp occurs because of factors such as genetics, age and hormones. • Terminal hair is replaced by fine vellus hair and hair loss may start at any age from puberty to later adult hood. Approximately, women make up 40% of hair loss sufferers • Most women experience signs of hair loss by age 40 • By the age of 35, two-thirds of men
will experience some degree of appreciable hair loss • By the age of 50 approximately 85% of men have significantly thinning hair • forty percent of men and women will present with some form of hair loss by the age of 35.
GREYING OF HAIR
The term used to describe grey hair is known as Canities. Hair colour is due to pigment called melanin, and it is the natural loss of melanin pigment from the hair, which causes hair to grey. Canities is either congenital of acquired or both forms are inherited disorders. It is recognized as one of the first visible signs of ageing and occurs in various degrees in people largely determined by your genes. Greying often begins in the 30s, and usually commences around the temple area first. Change In Hair Texture • Hair can become more brittle and fragile due to lower levels of keratin protein present in the hair as we age. This will also leave the hair weaker and less elastic. • The thickness of individual hair strands can decline especially after the age of 40, and even though the white or grey hair can feel a little coarser, the over all desisty of the hair declines. • The loss of melanin pigment and the reduction in keratin protein can make make the hair reflect poorly appear duller in light • The hair growth rate also slows after the age of 40. This means that each hair spends less time in the growth phase of the hair growth cyle and more time in the resting phase and therefore the hair is unable to grow as long or as fast as it once was able to. Ageing Scalp Skin • As the scalp ages, the epidermis (outer skin layer) layer of the scalp becomes thinner. • Loss of elasticity and potential sagging scalp skin. • Fewer blood vessels present. • Puritis, dry skin and scalp itch. • Microbial scalp imbalances which may cause unwanted skin cellular turn over and other skin conditions to occur. • Scalp sensitivity and greater potential skin absorption of chemicals due to thinning epidermis. What You Can Do Its incredible to think that consumers spend so much money on preventative measures for ageing of facial skin, but do not consider the problems that can be caused by an ageing scalp ( especially scalp skin sagging). Some top tips for combating hair and scalp ageing are: • Invest in hair science education, digital trichoscopy techniques and practical application for hairdressers (great seminars are availble through the Australian Institute of Trichology • Encourage your salon guest to have a scalp and hair analysis examination, which will determine if there are any visible signs of scalp ageing present . • Recommend your guests a 37 Barber Shop Year 7 Issue 4
personalized scalp care regime, based on accurate hair and scalp analysis. Some of the best topical products work towards reducing free radicals present on the scalp which may contain anti oxidants, reduce skin cellular turn over should dandruff, or puritis be present and balance scalp micro – bacteria which helps reduce skin irritation and dryness. • Provide hair thinning solution offerings and analysis for your salon guests. • Take the time to research anti – ageing hair cosmetic ingredients (collagen and hyaluronic acid are a couple of great ingredients to look out for). More and more cosmetic brands are using skin care technology in their hair care product formulations. • Investigate scalp massage therapy solutions for your salon guests. Scalp massage, aids blood circulation in the scalp, which slows with ageing, hindering the ability of vital nutrients necessary for a healthy scalp environment. • Recommend appropriate nutritional and dietary therapies that help fight the ageing process. Collaborating with Naturopaths, Dieticians and Nutritionists can offer a holistic approach to hair and skin health.
COULD YOUR SALON BE THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH FOR YOUR GUESTS? Writing this article and sharing my research on the topic of scalp ageing has sent my mind into overdrive for new business ideas and innovations.
The marketing aspects for salons that investigate the link between scalp ageing and facial wrinkles are potentially HUGE. Aside from providing services that endeavor to make aged hair look and feel younger again, salons have the opportunity to help turn back the facial ageing clock for their guests. Understanding more about the science of hair and scalp ageing, the signs and symptoms to look out for, and the ability to offer appropriate anti - ageing scalp and hair care services for salon guests is a good starting point in the anti - ageing hair and scalp battle. For a long time, my salon has been practicing anti - ageing scalp therapies such as scalp hydrotherapy, using augmented technology and trichoscopy to monitor and measure our guests hair and scalp improvements, determine product workability and personalized suitability. Not only do our salon guests constantly remark about how fabulous their hair feels, but they also regularly mention how friends and family tell them how great they are looking! For more information contact Simone Lee www.australianinstituteoftrichology.org www.tylerreidhair.com References * www.jonssonprotein.com.sg **www.msn.com/en-my/lifestyle/ lifestylegeneral/the-main-cause-of-facialwrinkles-scalp-aging-is-the-culprit/ar-AAzjX7K
Garage Barber Shop & Milkman Grooming Co. Collaboration With Barber Rex Silver, Barberette Jess Smoothy and videographer/editor Ben De Campo
Rex Silver has been in the barbering industry for a long time. Since starting in the 80’s Rex has seen it all, from the wildest trends, fads and styles over the years. With this experience comes more than just great technical skills. Rex also knows how to run a business. After a long stint running his salon in Sydney, he has since gone back to his regional roots and with two smashingly successful barbershops in Gladstone and Bundaberg; with awards coming out the wahzoo, The Garage Barber Shop chain is a hit amongst the locals! Jess Smoothy manages the Bundaberg location. She is a talented barberette who takes pride in her work and is dedicated to her trade. Her close attention to detail means each client is blown away with the end result. Earlier this year, Milkman Grooming Co. invited Rex and Jess to join the Milkman Grooming Co. team to produce a series of educational barbering videos. A handful of highly talented barbers have already taken part since the YouTube series started last year. Ben is charged with capturing the action and has a clear objective in mind. “Milkman’s barber series focuses on barbers working with facial hair grooming and styling rather than hair cuts. The aim is to demonstrate how much a guy can change his look, just by working with a good barber on his facial hair style”, he said. The videos can be seen on Milkman Grooming Co.’s YouTube channel.
“it’s important to work with what nature has given the customer and to make the most of what they have got” 39 Barber Shop Year 7 Issue 4
Each episode is different and includes everyday men with all different face shapes, sizes and facial hair styles. Rex and Jess took turns trimming, grooming, shaving and re-styling a dozen guys over two days. Each client was stoked with the finished look and countless selfies were taken afterwards showing off the results of their time with the barber. In the first episode, Rex works on Todd who has a shorter beard with a small patch of hair missing from one cheek. Patches are common with bearded men and can be a result of scarring, genetics or even alopecia. Rex suggests a solution for this problem by growing out the hair adjacent to this area to cover it up and create a symmetrical look on both sides. Rex begins by outlining Todd’s beard with berets and then goes back with a cutthroat razor for clean straight lines later on. With a light hand, Rex tapers the beard from the cont’d on page 40
cont’d from page 39
“The aim is to demonstrate how much a guy can change his look, just by working with a good barber on his facial hair style” longest part of Todd’s chin, back towards his neck. By doing this, Rex says it prevents ‘flaring out’, meaning it gives the face a more structured appearance and is great for those with a round face shape. Rex demonstrates how to create high contrast beard lines with the razor, and finishes the trim with products that nourish, soften & style the beard. Rex told us “it’s important to work with what nature has given the customer and to make the most of what they have got, rather than trying for a style that just isn’t going to work”. As a long time user & stockist of Milkman’s facial hair products Rex shared a lot of knowledge about how to use them as part of the overall service to the customer. “We all have our favourite tools, such as clippers, scissors & trimmers. Wet products are no different. Our customers expect them to work so we only choose brands like Milkman that we love to use and trust to deliver,” he said. In the next episode it’s Jess’s turn to shine. She turns a scruffy looking Jules into a dude fit for the red carpet. His preference was for a beard that elongated his face so with some crafty line ups & tapering with the clippers, Jess created a beard style that made Jules feel like Adonis. When you compare the before and after pictures, it’s easy to see just how drastically a good beard style can enhance someone’s look. Jess is no stranger to transforming her customers. In Bundaberg she regularly tunes up beards of all shapes and sizes. “It’s so important to have the right tools for the job and shaping the beard is only one piece of the puzzle. Great beard products make the facial hair look healthy & nourished. Once customers see the results they can get with these products, they want to buy them. I regularly tell my customers that essentials like a beard cleanser & beard oil or balm are key to a beard that looks & feels good all the time. It’s an easy sell with Milkman products,” she said. Episodes will be released over the coming months from their time in Sydney, Rex and Jess share facial hair styling tips for not only barbers to learn from, but for everyday people to follow at home. Follow Rex on Insta: @rex.a.c.silver
Follow Jess on Insta: @smoothjess_thegaragebarbershop
Follow Milkman Grooming Co on Insta: @milkmanaustralia
See Rex & Jess dropping knowledge on Youtube: https://bit.ly/2Gb72Pu
BEFORE
AFTER
Same Same but Different
This year Nathan Yip’s entry for Men’s Hairdresser of the year was a little different to say the least! Titled “same same - but different”, it was inspired by life events happening around him. “My objective was to create a collection of images that were beautiful and real. Challenge and explore gender constructs and challenge conservative judging criteria, making the images about hair and overall look and not model, “ says Nathan. “Since moving to Brisbane I have been introduced to levels of gender fluidity that I hadn’t experienced in Sydney or at any time in my life. While looking for models for a show I was introduced to one of my models Uda who is Non- Binary. This was the first time I had come across this concept, it intrigued me and in turn planted a seed in my mind.” Non-binary, is a catch-all category for gender identities that are not exclusively masculine or feminine. People may express a combination of masculinity and femininity, or neither. This seed eventually inspired Nathan to challenge not only himself and gender constructs in society but also the conventions of what is a “Men’s haircut or style” or even conservative judging criteria in awards. “It re-affirmed to me more that hair cutting is all about technique and in fact the same techniques, no matter what you are doing. The only thing that changes with gender is personality and face/head shapes!! The more classes I do, I hear more and more hairdressers are scared of men’s hair…then I simply explain its’ still the same tools and techniques… just different shapes.” Hair: Nathan Yip Photographer: Tyler Alberti - Bunker Creative Make up artist: Mequa McNeill 43 Barber Shop Year 7 Issue 4
THE Modern Classic COLLECTION HAIR BY REX SILVER AND THE GARAGE BARBER SHOP COLLECTIVE. MAKE-UP & STYLING REX SILVER PHOTOGRAPHY NINA K
SHAWN ODENDAAL
African Fashion Warrior - Men’s Hair: Shawn Odendaal of Paul James for Intercoiffure South Africa Photographer: Coert Wiechers Make Up Artist: Ryno Mulder Stylist: Jenny Andrew & Stoffel Van Wyk
Hair: Stoffel at Foil Styling for Intercoiffure South Africa Photographer: Coert Wiechers Make Up Artist: Ryno Mulder Stylist: Jenny Andrew & Stoffel Van Wyk
STOFFEL
African Fashion Warrior - Men’s
Seven Do’s and Don’ts When Preparing Awards SubmissionS BY LEANNE CUTLER, SIREN MARKETING
Preparing for awards submissions can be a tedious task in the timelines set, if preliminary preparation is not done sooner rather than later. Now 10 years in business, submission consultant and awards judge Leanne Cutler of Siren Marketing gives her tips and tricks on how to stay on top of the task to make your submission the best it can possibly be, in the most organized way possible. 1. DO - BE PREPARED EARLY
Get a copy of last year’s questions and make a plan. Set up folders for each question, then save information and images as activities and achievements occur.
DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE
The time allocated to get your submission just right varies between awards. If all of your information and images are collated early, the preparation time can be used for crafting the submission, not chasing up essential material. Irrespective of whether you are named a finalist or not, you still have an excellent summary of business activity in the past 12 months to analyze and this is integral to future planning.
2. DO ASSESS YOUR NEEDS
Can you do the writing and editing yourself? Or should you get help with the task? If writing is not your thing, then look for the right person to help you now. Ask someone who works in the
field of writing to help. It could be a teacher, a journalist, a student or a PR professional.
commit to be part of the process for information, passion and to give the work ‘soul’.
DON’T DECIDE THAT YOU NEED HELP WHEN IT’S TOO LATE
DON’T THINK THAT HIRING A SUBMISSION PROFESSIONAL MEANS THAT THEY CAN JUMP INSIDE YOUR HEAD, WAVE A MAGIC WAND AND DO IT ALL FOR YOU.
Your plan needs to include who is going to be part of your team and have them ready from the start. For instance, who is going to screen snap relevant social media posts? Who is going to tally achievements e.g. the number of publications your collection has received across how many countries or how many people attended your seminars or how many clients gave you positive feedback etc? Who is going to write? Who is going to proof read? Who will layout any visuals required? Who is going to edit the copy to the word count? Who is going to post and format the submission online?
3. DO PUT TIME ASIDE TO GET THE JOB DONE
If you get in professional help, you must fully 48 Barber Shop Year 7 Issue 4
You must be involved to give the submission guts and integrity. It’s amazing that many think that ‘paying someone else to do it’ will remove the need for involvement. This is absolutely incorrect. The entrant must to be involved ‘boots and all’ to make the submission unique, meaty with facts and have personality. In my experience, an organised entrant with full information at their fingertips can have their submission created in about 10 hours. Those who need guidance on how to answer questions and when to find evidence can have a consultant spend up to 30 hours on the task.
4. DO BACK UP ALL CLAIMS WITH EVIDENCE
Use statistics, images, social media posts, survey results or other endorsements to back up what you have achieved. This should show that you work from a solid business plan and that you have a complete handle on your business and photo shoots.
DON’T BE VAGUE
The more specific your answers, the better. Add substantial facts, express your business’s uniqueness and provide interest and entertainment. Here is a fictional example: “We were really successful this year in getting loads more regular colour clients” is not as good as saying: “We increased our colour business by 12% by targeting local business with a dual targeted social media and letter box drop campaign in the month of August. Over the four-week period it attracted 92 enquiries with 63% booking for an initial appointment within 6 weeks. Of that, 48 became new ongoing clients. Their average spend was $134 and they booked six times in the year. We consequently turned over an additional $38,592.”
5. DO MAKE THE WRITTEN WORDS SOUND LIKE YOU.
One way of doing this is to speak your answers and record it, then write it down. If you are engaging a submission consultant, spend time talking so that your speech style can be understood. You might have particular turns of phrase and way of expressing yourself, so use it.
DON’T MAKE THE SUBMISSION SOUND COPY-WRITTEN LIKE A BROCHURE, PROSPECTUS OR SOME OTHER CORPORATE DOCUMENT.
This may seem inauthentic, despite being clever. You need to sound like the unique personality that you are talking to the judges. The judges don’t want to be ‘sold’ to, they want it to be more like one side of a conversation.
6. DO WATCH YOUR WORD COUNT
This is where it gets tricky. Once it sounds like you, the answers have to fit the word count (if the submission is online and this is a requirement). Editing and keeping personality and professionalism takes skill. Engaging an experienced editor often helps to keep the answers genuine but concise.
DON’T WRITE TOO MUCH.
The online submission forms usually cut the text off at the exact word count. Use dot points to hit the judges between the eyes with your achievements and facts.
7. DO USE ALL FORMATTING TOOLS ALLOWED BY THE RULES.
If it’s an online form, make sure you space out the lines of text. Make each sentence a new paragraph. Bold key words. Use headings and subheadings to highlight important sections and to break up blocks of text.
DON’T ONLY CUT AND PASTE TEXT INTO AN ONLINE SUBMISSION FORM.
Dumping cut and pasted text into an online awards form is a big ‘no-no’. This will appear as a large block of greyness to the judges. After hours of reading submissions, their eyes will physically tire if all they are doing is reading big blocks of grey. The trick is to format, format, format. It’s so much better for the judges to work with and it appears professional too. If you don’t know how to format the online submission form, ask a friend for help. Someone who knows how to do this will probably 49 Barber Shop Year 7 Issue 4
only take about an hour to get it right. All in all, the way to present a strong submission is to load it with facts in dot point format. Leadership in business and innovation in creativity play a big part in selecting the winners. If you’ve done a solid amount of work in your salon/shop, industry and community, and communicate this really well, you are in with a chance. Good luck with the 2019 round of submissions! Leanne Cutler is a Business Communications professional specialising in award and grant submissions, integrated marketing in hairdressing and education and international hairdressing PR through the Hair Shots 2 The World brand. She is regularly asked to judge hairdressing awards including judged the NAHAs (USA), Contessas (Canada), Behind the Chair (USA), AHIA & ABIAs (Australia). For more information, please contact Leanne Cutler on 03 9583 2001 or leanne@sirenmarketing.com.au
Your Business is a Jigsaw: Do you have all the pieces? BY SIMON MURRAY
There is no doubt that owning and running a successful business requires focus on a multitude of areas. Are we technically good at what we do? Do we relate well with our clients and with each other? Do we sell the best possible products for our client’s needs? How much do we order and how often? What about our décor and layout? Does it reflect who we are and create a warm, inviting feeling for our clients while still being functional? Then there is marketing, social media, measuring and improving our staff’s performance in service delivery and sales. How many of their clients do they rebook? How do I communicate with them so as to motivate and inspire them to greater success? How should I pay them in a fair and exciting way? We have all these questions and many more to deal with before we even consider, are we making any money? Are we paying our bills? How will we ever catch up on our debt to the ATO??? There was a point, in the past, in our own salon businesses where we realized that between myself, my business partner, our bookkeeper and our accountant, we all had a piece of the jigsaw, but not one of us had the whole picture. Without the whole picture we didn’t know what changes to make to keep more money staying in our bank account. Was it that we needed to keep a tighter rein on our spending or were there performance issues that needed to be addressed? Or was it both? This is a dangerous place to be. It is just as dangerous to hide away from failure and disappointment as it is to live in a false sense of security. You cannot complete a jigsaw unless you have all the pieces It is not until you lean into the problem, gather your accountant, your bookkeeper, your business coach, your manager and any other key people who can contribute their pieces that you finally get to see the whole picture, no matter how pretty or how ugly it may look. Only then do you stand a chance of finding a complete solution to your businesses problems. This is an exercise that is becoming more and more important for our clients. In one particular example, the accountant was able to contribute the full financial position of their business; the debts, the assets, the weekly break even figure and a transparent report of expenditure. I was able to contribute an assessment of the key revenue drivers - staff performance. This included both positive and negative skill sets and attitudes, individual employees wage to sales ratios and opportunities for growth. This allowed us to create a plan between all of us that was not just about how to cut back and rationalize but also how we could drive and develop their business.
We are now maniacs on a mission with all of us working together to create the necessary changes for success. Not only are there spending budgets in place, but everyone knows what is expected of them with increased accountability. New staff have been employed and we are well on our way to meeting our goals within a specific timeframe. If you are checking your bank account week in and week out only to find that there are not enough funds to pay the bills, or even yourself for that matter, you are not alone. Many salon and barbershop owners across Australia face exactly the same painful dilemma but know that there are strategies to switch from a passive to an active management approach that will enable you to take charge of your situation and get it headed in the right direction. For starters, here are some must do’s and must never do’s for you to consider: DON’T: - Bury your head in the sand and hope it will all go away - Never play victim, no matter what or who has caused this predicament for you. That is energy that you need to apply to finding and actioning solutions - Never transfer your stress to your staff; you need them to be stress free and optimistic so that they can succeed. You need them to perform at their best for you DO: - Discuss with your accountant how much it would cost to have regular P & L’s created for the two of you to assess your expenditure, if not bi-monthly, at least quarterly. Annually is too slow and totally historic. It is too late to make any spending adjustments by then. - Identify who your dream support team are and get them working more effectively for you. Whether it is your accountant, bookkeeper, lawyer, HR resource, business coach, management team or spouse, pull them together, armed and prepared with all the 50 Barber Shop Year 7 Issue 4
necessary financial and staff performance information. Have them work with you to not only clarify the truth of where your business is at, but actively create a plan for getting out of that situation, setting accountability for all in the process - Stay focused on growth. Do not take your eyes off client care, targets and incentives - Shield your team and your clients from your strain. That’s what you have a business coach for. Keep your team having focused fun that leads them to combined growth If this is something that you would like some help with right now, we are ready to be of assistance, simply contact Simon Murray at simon@frogcoaching.com for a complimentary consultation today.
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Your Digital Presence Why we bypass one business and walk into another.
BY ESTELLE OLIVERI
Imagine it’s Tuesday afternoon, you’re out with a friend and you’re actively looking for somewhere to share an unplanned bite to eat and drink. The restaurants and bars on your chosen street have not long opened and are ready for their busy night ahead. However, there are not a lot of people around, all the restaurants and bars are empty at this time of the afternoon except for one. One super vibrant restaurant. The energy is heaving and patrons seem to be really enjoying their meals. Naturally you gravitate to where the energy is. You want to be part of the music, the laughter and excitement. You and your friend choose this busy restaurant to be part of the atmosphere whilst the restaurants down the road continue to wait for new customers who will eventually be turned away from the busy restaurant at full capacity. The quality of the food at these other restaurants is just as good, they just don’t have the same energy and momentum as the busy restaurant. We respond to the energy and momentum of a hair salon or barbershop, in a similar way to restaurants on a street. Furthermore, we respond and react to a business’ digital presence in the same way. When we are actively seeking services that we currently don’t have a recommendation for from a friend, three critical factors determine whether that new client will make an appointment at your place of business … or elsewhere. These include - validation from strangers, energy, activity and engagement from the business and imagery of reassurance.
1. VALIDATION FROM STRANGERS
Quantity and quality of online reviews are the first thing the eye scans for online. Google Search is your “street” so you need to make sure your business stands out from the competition. Once someone searches for a service in a specific area, it is the Google business listings and their respective google reviews that determines if a business is trustworthy and worth further investigation. Whilst many shops have acquired a high quantity of quality reviews on Facebook, Facebook is
not the “street” individuals are initially seeking services on. Google Reviews can be difficult to acquire. Only those who own a Gmail account can write reviews on Google for your business. Out of 10 existing clients at least one client will own a Gmail account. Aim to acquire one Google review for every 10 clients you have in the salon. To really stand out on Google your salon should aim for a minimum of 40 reviews on this platform. If the latest review on Google is over 2 months old, then you need to get another one. Keep the energy and vibrancy fresh!
2. ENERGY, ACTIVITY & ENGAGEMENT FROM BUSINESS
Once someone finds on Google a business with quality reviews, their next move is to delve further and investigate the business website (if you have one) and social media pages. If the website looks old and non-mobile friendly, chances are that the viewer will hit the “back button” and search for a business with a stronger online presence. If the Facebook Page and Instagram page show inconsistent and old, sporadic posts and offers, the business does not convey that it is approachable, communicative, or engaging with fans. Your next potential client is out there and actively looking to see if “the lights are on”. If you are silent digitally, your existing clients can’t engage with you and show new potential customers the great relationships you have established with them. 52 Barber Shop Year 7 Issue 4
Your existing clients won’t always engage with your posts either. It’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling deflated with your social media efforts, but by not posting at all, you lose the opportunity to show potential clients looking for your service that you are open for business and are approachable.
3. IMAGERY OF REASSURANCE
The reassurance we all seek digitally for a business is visually imagery – which depicts confidence, happiness and satisfaction of existing clients, quality of service and professionalism of business. When it comes to choosing a salon or barbershop, this is ultimately what will determine an individual’s choice to walk through your door. If you or your team can’t take a great photo, it is worth investing in a short iPhone or photography course. Your viewer is making a subconscious critical assessment of the imagery uploaded to your digital platforms. If they aren’t “on point”, they will search for another business who portrays the quality and experience they’re looking for. It’s as simple as that. Estelle Oliveri, is the director of HAIRPIN DIGITAL – Affordable, effective social media solutions for businesses focused in Hair and Beauty. Join Hairpin Digital’s Facebook Group – SALON SOCIAL MEDIA GROUP and keep up with the latest with every social media for salons. Hairpin Digital is aligned with Geoffrey Herberg Education.
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SNIPPITS
BOX HILL INSTITUTE OFFERS NEW INTERNATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS IN BARBERING Box Hill Institute is proud to be the first TAFE institute to be affiliated with the International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC), which will allow its students to gain international qualifications. In an exciting new initiative, graduating Barbering students can be assessed by ITEC to gain international recognition of their qualification in 33 countries in including Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the UK. Head of Hair and Beauty, Ruth Browne announced that Box Hill Institute had become an ITEC Centre, where an international ITEC examiner would visit to assess candidates’ theoretical knowledge and practical skills. “ITEC will ensure that applicants meet the international standards of registered countries,” she said. “We are extremely pleased that Box Hill Institute is the first TAFE in Australia to become an ITEC Centre. “Having an ITEC qualification is impressive on a CV and of course, opens opportunities for graduating students to work overseas,” Ruth said. As the largest international examination board in Hairdressing and Beauty, ITEC’s diplomas are widely considered to be the highest professional standing that hairdresser or beauty therapist can hold. For more information about Beauty and Aesthetics, Make Up, Hairdressing and Barbering courses paired with the ITEC Diploma, please call (03) 9286 9606 or email ruth.browne@ boxhill.edu.au.
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Murrays has been around for 90 years offering great pomades that condition and hold - HairGlo & Excellento are two popular pomades that do just that. Hair-Glo by using Coconut Oil and Lanolin is a soft dressing for all hair types, the no wax formula was invented in the 1920’s for superior shine and ability to slick back hair. Excellento also known as the AXE has both Lanolin and Olive Oil in its formula to help protect and condition the hair but the AXE still keeps your hair “in control”.
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54 Barber Shop Year 7 Issue 4
HEADCARE MEN’S RANGE BY OMIT HEADCARE
SNIPPITS
With Rosebay, Black Oats and Saw Palmetto, Headcare shampoo is a plant based shampoo expertly formulated to support the growth of healthy hair by rebalancing the scalp’s ecosystem. Omit Headcare Shampoo works by stimulating the hair at the roots, decreasing excess oils and reducing the appearance of dry flaky scalps, leaving your head feeling soothed and refreshed. Headcare Conditioner with guar, avocado oil & horsetail leaves your head feeling soothed, refreshed and hair feeling soft and manageable. Omit Head Scrub with Australian ivory clay, coconut & rosebay, is a unique formula to exfoliate the scalp removing dead skin cells and product build-up creating a pathway for new healthy hair to support a clean, balanced, and healthy scalp. Omit Head Powder, containing bamboo, silica & sandalwood is a lightweight styling is formulated with natural active agents to add structure, lift and reinforcement to every strand. Head Spray, by Omit is a pre-styling treatment enriched with natural extracts to support hair growth and thicken the look of hair, whilst supporting the scalp’s microbiome. Saw Palmetto and Burdock Root support the growth of healthy hair, whilst natural hair thickeners make your hair look fuller and increase style manageability. www.omitheadcare.com
THEORIE CHARCOAL BAMBOO DETOXIFYING HAIR CARE COLLECTION PURIFY AND CLARIFY WITH CHARCOAL
The Theorie Charcoal Bamboo Detoxifying Hair Care Collection is created to purify and restore all hair types with a dual botanical blend of Charcoal and Bamboo Extract to cleanse and refresh hair. Each strand is cleared of debris to feel fresh and rejuvenated, nourished and full of shine. The hero ingredient, Granulated Charcoal, banishes impurities while releasing vital minerals. Bamboo Extract gently nourishes and restores beautiful shine. The addition of Keratin restores strength and vitality to damaged hair. The Theorie Charcoal Bamboo Detoxifying Hair Care Collection is formulated to be safe for colour and keratin treated hair, sulphate free and revives all hair types. The collection includes Shampoo and Conditioner, 400ml each, and a 193g hair mask to encompass all hair care needs. Theorie, meticulously developed by professionals who understand the nuanced balance between science, nature, beauty and style.
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MEET COMFORTEL’S CONDOR BARBERS CHAIR IN BLACK AND WHITE Driven by the sleek curves of a well-designed motorbike, this barbers chair is for the journeyman. Inspired by things that go fast, the design features a lean, nimble frame with black upholstery while the comfortable and supportive seat is firm and well supported. The adjustable height range is this barbers chair is perfect the tall and even short barber. Traditional styling is met with the highest grade of durability, finish and of course maximum comfort (nothing is more important). With a combination of matte and chrome finishing and white details, this barbers chair is a striking accent piece to any barbershop. 55 Barber Shop Year 7 Issue 4
Features: • 360º (lockable) rotation • Reclining backrest • Adjustable, integrated, removable headrest • Upholstered padded armrests • Recline lever • Upholstered and padded footrest • Raised leg support • Lockable hydraulic lift • Round white and chrome base Available from Comfortel www.comfortel.com.au
SNIPPITS WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A TOP BARBERING EDUCATOR After a long lull in barbershops since the 1960s (when unisex salons took over) education has only recently commenced for apprentices and full-time trainees, so who is doing the teaching? What qualifies someone to teach barbering at this early stage of a rebirthed industry?
Box Hill Institute barbering with their educators, Kate Feutrill-Finlay (front) and Sam Diab (far right).
The barbering educators at Box Hill Institute, Sam Diab and Kate Feutrill-Finlay, are both masters of their craft but are from vastly different training backgrounds. Sam has been a barber for over 25 years, starting at the age of 14 ½. Within three years he was well on his way to mastery. He said that he had come a long way since then; starting in his father’s barbershop in Lebanon during his early years, to today when he has two of his own barbershops – The Grooming Lounge Barber in Thornbury and Bundoora.
by clients flying from interstate for their haircuts and often cutting for new generations in the one family.
At 17, Sam moved from Lebanon to Melbourne where he worked at a couple of different barbershops before he opened his Thornbury shop which has been running since 1997.
Enormously keen on training new barbers, Kate said that as an employer, she had seen many gaps in the skill sets of qualified stylists so felt the need to get current teaching out into the industry.
“Twenty years ago, the barbering scene in Melbourne was not as popular as it is today and as a result many of those traditional barbers and their skills were lost to time,” Sam said.
“So many retail experiences have gone online, but you’ll never be able to get a hair cut or shave online!” she said. “We are an industry that is allowed to touch our client, connect with them.
Sam’s father taught him traditional barbering using the old ways which included the manual hand clippers, scissors and the cutthroat razor.
She said that in this day and age we cocoon everything and order from our bedrooms but barbers were blessed to have face to face experiences with humans.
“Barbering was more difficult without today’s technology leading to barbers with more diverse and adaptable skills,” he said.
“We are so lucky and I want to nurture this for our future, give clients a service that makes them want to come back.
In the last two years, Sam has trained at least 10 new barbers as well as entered the recent Barber Konnect competition (his first competition) where he qualified for the finals.
“I want to train barbers to keep that going and make barbering a unique and warming experience.”
“I want to pass my knowledge to the next generation like my father did, so a legacy lives on through my students”. Sam’s colleague at Box Hill Institute, Kate Feutrill-Finlay started out as a hairdresser and later trained in barbering in the UK about 20 years ago. Kate owns The Flair Lounge in Doreen outside of Melbourne, a salon that specialises in both men and women’s hairdressing, but her passion is biased towards barbering. “I really enjoy making men feel good about themselves, I love doing women’s hair too, but the edge is in barbering,” Kate said. She said that she would see female clients every five to eight weeks, but male clients visit more often from three to five weeks on average. “The conversation is very different. We can follow each other’s footy teams and we have so much more connection due to the greater frequency of their visits. It’s like catching up with a good mate every month.” Kate has established herself as an exceptional barber, proven
“The barbers I train will be present and be aware that they are holding a client’s very well-being in their hands and if they understand this and have what it takes, they will be great barbers. “It’s fun, exciting and every day is different.” Kate said that if barbering students took every part of the knowledge and expertise provided in training, and were prepared to live a journey with open ears, eyes and hearts, then they would become great barbers. “It’s not only about sick fades and the latest pomade!” Kate said. With a barber shortage in Australia, these are sage words as more opportunities open for trainee and established barbers. Box Hill Institute offers barbering training to apprentices and fulltime and part-time course options. Qualified hairdressers can complete only five subjects to gain a Certificate III in Barbering (SHB30516). For more information, visit https://www.boxhill.edu.au/ search/?course-name=barbering or call Ruth Browne on 03 9286 2057.
56 Barber Shop Year 7 Issue 4
SHARP barber chairs
detroit
phoenix
chicago *also available in black
legend grande
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PAUL FRASCA
BLOG SPOT.
THE HABIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY Ahh Australia… we make international headlines for some pretty weird reasons! Celebs cuddling koalas, a new species of mutant killer spider. But recently we hit the big time thanks to some angry citizens not liking the ban of single-use plastics in supermarkets. This is not a joke, it was ‘BAG RAGE’! With good intent to get rid of single-use plastics across New South Wales and Victoria, the big supermarkets boldly stripped them from checkouts and replaced them with reusable bags that cost 15 cents to buy. It’s pretty normal for all big social changes to come with naysayers, but the epidemic of unhappy Aussies escalated so much it was even given a name: ‘Bag Rage’. In fact, one man was reported to have put his hand around a supermarket worker’s throat because he had to pay for a bag. Bag rage or zombie apocalypse? I can’t tell. So where did it all go so wrong? Aussie consumers use about 3.92 billion plastic bags annually, so it’s easy to see that a change of this scale could have an incredibly positive impact for our planet… two thumbs up to the supermarkets! But it also comes with a mammoth change of what’s now been a decades-long ingrained habit. (Plastic grocery bags were first introduced in the US in 1976!). When it comes to sustainability, we need to introduce solutions in a way that empowers the population to be part of something positive and provides the feel-good factor so that it will eventually just become the new ‘normal’. Think about it like this – getting into that gym routine is hard because most of us try to abruptly
ditch something we’re comfortable with (extra sleep, after-work drinks, chilling on the couch) and replace it with something that takes effort and probably doesn’t come naturally! So, why would remembering to take your bag to the supermarket every time be any easier? I have a hunch that the plastic bag ban went belly-up because the big guys didn’t identify a few major factors that help us change habits for the better! At Sustainable Salons we have an action plan of how to get sustainability right for our salons and their clients, and it all begins with knowledge – humans are wired to want to know the ‘why’ behind everything we do! When we started, we knew this was going to be the most powerful asset for real change so we made it our mission to educate at every step. Hence, why I’m sitting here writing to you!
foils provides a quarter of a meal to someone in need via OzHarvest… true story!), provides jobs for people with a disability and reduces landfill (our network has diverted more than 200,000kg of valuable resources so far), people can now see their actions are making a measurable difference! But at the end of the day, nothing gets us motivated like a reward… a sweet, sweet incentive! We believe people should be rewarded for doing the right thing, so we started our Rewards Shop for salon members, where you earn points every week to spend on sustainably-minded goods and services… from the salon necessities like foil and biodegradable gloves that save your bottom line AND improve your eco-credentials, to the fun stuff like cool reusable coffee cups and fancy electric scooters! It’s a win for you, a win for your business, a win for the community, and a win for the planet. Whoa!
Knowledge is power; once your client knows the environmental impact of their hair service, it’s hard for them to forget! Like attracts like – we’ve seen clients leave their long-time salon when they realised their salon waste didn’t have to go to landfill! One client called her salon and asked them to join Sustainable Salons, saying she’d only return once they did… and guess what? They did! Just one person who couldn’t forget about her impact made enough noise to save an entire salon of waste going into landfill, forever!
See, once we create the habit and come to realise how good this kind of action feels, sustainability will become the norm rather than being an optional extra for people who ‘care about that kind of thing’.
The next step we believe helps change habits is to empower. By showing our salons and their clients how their simple efforts in recycling actually feeds the homeless (a full head of
Keen to join the movement? Register your salon details at www.sustainablesalons.org!
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Saving Mama Earth won’t happen overnight, but we shouldn’t feel like it has to happen now or it won’t happen at all. It is a work in progress – as long as we’re all working towards one goal then we’ll get there. And hopefully we don’t come across any more zombies in the process!
WHISTLER
SWIFT
CONDOR
RAVEN II
Barbers Chair
Barbers Chair
Barbers Chair
Barbers Chair