WE’VE ALL BEEN WISHING AWAY 2020, AND WE CAN ONLY HOPE THAT 2021 BRINGS ALL THE THINGS WE MISSED OUT ON LAST YEAR. WE NEED STABILITY, THE RETURN OF CLIENTS TO THE BARBER’S CHAIR, AND UNITY WITHIN THE INDUSTRY.

We are delighted to welcome an esteemed barber to our list of columnists, Robert Rix of The Company of Master Barbers in Southport. Robert comes to us with a wealth of experience, and he will forever stick in my mind from an event I attended when BarberEVO was in its infancy. Surrounded by the young, the flashy and the talented, all eyes were drawn to Robert and his traditional values, his outstanding techniques, and his insight into the business. We are honoured to welcome him to the BarberEVO family. 

In this issue we have pulled together a really strong array of opinions on hair trends for 2021. It seems that longer hair is on the way back and the lockdown has forced prolonged hair growth that is here to stay. 

We were all saddened to hear of the death of our friend Sam Wall, and we felt it only right to update our readers on the outstanding response that Sam’s friends pulled out the bag in honour of a much-loved guy. Team Sam Wall have been pounding the streets racking up the miles and raising more than £15,000 for charity. We salute you! 

We would also like to mark the passing of the legend, Tony Roberts of Just Gents, in Milton Keynes, a grand master barber, and a wonderful character, we send our thoughts to his family and friends. 

Back to the content in this issue and we take a look at the benefits of investing in studio time when it comes to putting together a collection. Kevin Luchmun tells us why opening his own studio has been a game changer. We are also able to bring you exclusive behind the scenes coverage of a fantastic day of shooting by Liam Oakes.

Finally, we catch up with Luka Chitty about his ongoing Together Create project which encourages you to think local when sourcing a venue for your next shoot. 

Enjoy the read, as always, we’ve enjoyed pulling the issue together and we hope you enjoy it too. 

You can purchase a hard copy here.

Unfortunately, due to the increased levels of transmission of Covid-19 throughout England, more areas have been placed into Tier 4 restrictions, meaning that more barbershops have unfortunately been forced to close as we welcome the new year.

In an announcement made on 30th December, the UK Government Health Secretary Matt Hancock advised that the entire South-East, large parts of the Midlands, North-East and South West would move into the higher Tier, thus forcing closure of all close contact service businesses.

The full list of locations in Tier 4 can be located here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/full-list-of-local-restriction-tiers-by-area

We hope everyone in the affected areas stays safe and hopefully can successfully return to work and reopen their businesses as soon as possible.

Following a year like no other, Schedulicity have continued to adapt and support the hair and beauty industry. CEO Jerry Nettuno has outlined plans to further support the sector with an incredibly generous pledge for 2021 in a personal letter which can be read below.

We salute Jerry and his incredible team for their relentless support of hair and beauty professionals.

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We often say that successful businesses are a sum of their parts. 

You know this well. You built your business one client at a time, grew your revenue with every appointment, and proved your passion each and every time you fit someone in last-minute or after-hours. 

Schedulicity is a business built on hard work and passion, too. We owe our success to people like you — stylists, barbers, personal trainers, massage therapists, estheticians, yoga instructors, reiki healers, music teachers, chiropractors, nail artists, and every other service provider who’s trusted to simplify their days. You are our community. 

Some Thoughts on 2020

None of us could have predicted what came our way last spring, but if there’s one thing we all learned during these unprecedented times, it’s that community means everything. This year, we learned how to ask for help from the people around us and — as important —  how to offer it.

That’s why, as soon as we realized that shutdowns were going to profoundly affect our businesses, we knew we needed to throw our resources into supporting you in any way that we could. We waived all our fees through the height of the pandemic (and expanded that period for California businesses). We built our Tip Jar feature to allow clients, family, and friends to tip you even when they couldn’t see you. 

We also launched our Town Hall webinar series with industry experts, wrote dozens of articles on how to navigate COVID-19 regulations and shut-downs, and expanded our small business grant program,Schedulicity Cares, to give multiple businesses support every week. 

We tried to find every chance we could to support our community, to sense when you needed us most, and to be there in whatever way we could. All told, in 2020, we gave service providers $250,000 in aid. 

2021: The Year of Service

We’re not done. It’s now my pleasure to end an incredibly difficult year on a high note:

In 2021, we’re pledging to award $250,000 more support to service providers everywhere. 

As the world reopens over the next few months, each one of us will have the chance to lift up our communities in countless ways, big and small. Let’s take them. Let’s take them all.

The beautiful thing about service providers is that you support your communities simply by doing what you do. We need you. And that’s why, for Schedulicity, our Year of Service means finding new ways to help you do better work. We’re going to be right there with you as you rebuild, recover, and grow.

Until we’re able to gather together again over dinner tables, at holiday parties, and in our favorite salon waiting rooms, I’m wishing you and yours all my best from Bozeman, Montana. It’s a new year coming, and we’re looking forward to spending more of it with you.

Happy holidays, friends. 
Jerry

A barber from Giffnock, Scotland, went above and beyond for his clients, by opening his shop on Christmas Day.

Tony Mann’s Barber Shop opened up on December 25th, in order to provide clients the opportunity to get a haircut, prior to the impending Scotland-wide lockdown, which meant that all barbershops would require to close as of Boxing Day.

Owner Tony Mann commented, “I wanted to ensure all my loyal customers looked sharp for the next three weeks,” he said. “They have been good to us since we reopened earlier this year, so it’s one way for me to give back. Christmas Day was really the last day that they can get a haircut. We had a lot of people coming in – those who celebrate Christmas and those who don’t. It was humbling to see them before we shut.”

All barbershops in Scotland have now closed due to the ongoing Covid restrictions, with a minimum closure period of three weeks, subject to review in due course.

Ivan Zoot has published his new book, The Professional Haircutter’s Pricing Playbook.

How much should you charge for your haircuts?

When should you raise your haircut price?

How do you raise your haircut price?

In this new book, Ivan provides clear and actionable answers to these and other haircut pricing questions.

This unique workbook format lets you plug-and-play your pricing numbers, creating custom data and planning that is specific to your business. It is like having your own personal coaching session every time you pick up the book.

You can refer back to the book time and time again. Plugging in updated statistics lets you make the next round of pricing decisions with accuracy and confidence. The book grows with you as you build business.

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What people are saying about Ivan’s pricing coaching and support:

“Ivan’s coaching on pricing is always spot-on. I have made a lot more money by taking his pricing advice.”   – KW, Illinois

“Pricing issues scare me. Ivan makes the process of setting and increasing haircut prices logical and comfortable. I feel way better about it.”    – TB, North Carolina

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Books are available on the ivanzoot.com website or at amazon.com.

Copies for media inspection (digital pdf) are available upon request.

For more information contact Ivan Zoot at ivanzoot@yahoo.com or call 224.234.4987.

Following a recent spike in Covid-19 infection rates, the Prime Minister has announced a new ‘Tier 4’ for London and parts of the South East and the East of England.

This will come into force from Sunday 20th December.

Barbershops, salons and beauty parlours can continue to stay open in all Tiers 1-3 elsewhere in England.

In Northern Ireland, all close contact businesses must close on Boxing Day – for what will be a 6-week long lockdown, subject to a review after 4-weeks.

In Wales, all close contact businesses will shut on December 19th as part of a level 4 lockdown which will be reviewed in three weeks.

In Scotland, all beauty salons, hairdressers and barbers must close for three weeks from Boxing Day.

These are concerning times for all barbershops and beauty salons throughout the UK, our thoughts are with each and every one of you at this difficult and challenging time.

Wahl Clipper Corporation is joining forces with Disney and Pixar to celebrate the new movie, “Soul,” streaming on Disney+ starting on December 25th. The movie highlights the importance of finding oneself and discovering what makes you, you.  Through Joe Gardner’s journey to find the spark of life, he winds up leaning on his community to feel connected. In one pivotal scene, Joe visits his trusted barber to get the encouragement he needs and realizes the barbershop community–which serves as the backbone of the neighborhood—may not just be a place to get your hair cut, but it’s also a place of gathering, learning and a home-away-from-home.

“Soul” introduces Joe Gardner (voice of Jamie Foxx) – a middle-school band teacher who gets the chance of a lifetime to play at the best jazz club in town. But one small misstep takes him from the streets of New York City to The Great Before – a fantastical place where new souls get their personalities, quirks, and interests before they go to Earth. Determined to return to his life, Joe teams up with a precocious soul, 22 (voice of Tina Fey), who has never understood the appeal of the human experience. As Joe desperately tries to show 22 what’s great about living, he may just discover the answers to some of life’s most important questions.

Wahl Professional has created a limited-edition clipper with a commemorative “Soul”-branded design and package. The clipper will be available on Wahlpro.com starting December 17^th. The tool is one of the clipper manufacturer’s iconic models – the Cordless Senior – which is equipped with a metal taper lever and switch, three premium cutting guides, and a fade blade designed for precision cutting. The clipper is priced at $159.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate the launch of “Soul” with Disney and Pixar. The movie’s themes of community, caring, and finding one’s spark will resonate with hair professionals, who consider their profession as a way to make a difference in someone’s life, not just a way to make a living,” says Lance Wahl, global vice president of professional products.  “Barbers and stylists are at the heart of their communities, and at Wahl Clipper Corporation we’ve made it our life’s work to support them as well as the next generation of aspiring barbers and stylists.”

Wahl Professional is proud to celebrate “Soul” and encourage everyone find their spark. To purchase the limited-edition “Soul” clipper click here. Disney and Pixar’s “Soul” streams on Disney+ starting on December 25^th. To learn more about Wahl Clipper Corporation visit their website at Wahlpro.com or follow them on Instagram at @wahlpro.

Without question one of our most random news stories in 2020, is that McDonald’s in Sweden have opened a barbershop offering one specific cut, the 90’s inspired ‘Golden M’ haircut.

We know it’s a bit of an advertising stunt with a difference, as the so called ‘Golden M’ haircut is essentially a center part, or ‘curtains’ as our team knew from the 90’s… but McDonald’s Sweden allege that the cut is similar to the fast food chain’s famous Golden Arches logo. Who are we to disagree?

Influencer hairstylist Adam Lukacs provided virtual haircut lessons to those fortunate enough to book in digital appointments. Ensuring that ‘clients’ can confirm that they do indeed have the ‘Golden M’ haircut perfected.

Those who took a virtual session, were not only treated to some 90’s inspired haircut lessons, but also, and perhaps most importantly, were treated to a complimentary Big Mac – should their haircuts pass the McDonald’s Golden M Detector digital app.

Good fun ensued!

The Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) have appointed a new Chair and Vice-Chair for their board of trustees.

Jenny Sworder is the new Chair, following 7 years as a trustee on the board and also previously being the Vice-Chair. Jenny has extensive experience in the Beauty and Retail Industry (over 20 years) with the likes of Fenwick’s stores, the Fragrance Foundation UK and the Cosmetics Executive Women UK.

She takes over from Professor Dr Chris Laws, who is retiring after 10 dedicated years of voluntary service as both a trustee and Chair to VTCT.

On taking up the new role, Jenny said, “I am delighted to take forward the great work that Chris has done for VTCT, over the past ten years. During this time he has helped to steer VTCT to being the wonderful organisation it is today. I look forward to further building upon this and tackling the new challenges within vocational and technical education, ensuring that learners remain at the heart of what we do as a modern and progressive Awarding Organisation.”

Jenny will be joined by Isabel Sutcliffe, the new Vice-Chair of VTCT. We wish them both the very best of luck in the new roles!

Two words a man never wants to hear – “ Thinning. Receding .” Hair loss (and how to prevent it) remains the number one hair concern for men when it comes to good grooming. While maintaining healthy hair and scalp is known to be an effective way to help prevent irritation and premature hair loss, there are some underlying factors, including genetics, that may need a little boost to overcome.

One such factor related to premature hair loss is 5-Alpha Reductase , a natural enzyme found in the scalp. Testosterone , a hormone naturally produced by the body, reacts with this 5-Alpha Reductase and creates DHT , a hormone proven to contribute to hair loss. DHT suffocates the hair follicle and prevents it from receiving vital nutrients for healthy hair growth.

To combat the production of DHT , Eufora HERO for Men™ (HERO) utilizes their ProAmino Peptide Complex™ , a proprietary blend of antioxidants, oils, acids and fruit extracts. This powerhouse complex effectively creates a barrier wall between the 5-Alpha Reductase enzyme and Testosterone , preventing DHT production. ProAmino Peptide Complex™ also stimulates circulation, helping the hair follicle maintain its health. The end result is a
thicker root sheath, better anchoring the hair bulb to the scalp to slow follicle aging and help prevent hair loss.

For men concerned about hair loss and looking to upgrade their cleansing game, HERO Brand Manager Doug Smith recommends Complete Shampoo , Revitalizing Treatment and Scalp Rescue™ , all of which contain the ProAmino Peptide Complex™ . The trio is definitely a gift worth investing in if hair loss is of concern, and Eufora makes it easy with their pre-packed HERO Holiday Gift Set that includes all 3 full size products, plus a shave sample, packaged in a beautiful birchwood box…and at a 40% savings to boot! The gift set is available exclusively in Eufora salons or at www.eufora.net , and only while supplies last.

Fortify the benefits of this HERO cleansing routine by choosing a HERO styling product (all styling products contain the “complex” for added wear-in benefits), and the best defense against hair loss is complete. Even if there is no actual “cure” for thinning, getting or gifting the right Eufora HERO for Men™ products can help every well-groomed guy slow the effects of DHT , scalp irritation and hair loss. And, as we all know, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!