After a rigorous three-day inspection, MTE Hair & Barbering in Poole, Dorset, has achieved an OUTSTANDING rating across all five areas of effectiveness in their OFSTED report. These areas include quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and apprenticeships.
MTE is an independent learning provider with a strong track record of high-quality apprenticeship training. In 2022, the business was awarded a direct contract to offer apprenticeships. OFSTED inspections are conducted with only a few days’ notice, and this was MTE’s first independent assessment.
Over the course of three days, three inspectors meticulously examined every aspect of the business structure, the educational offering, and apprentice and employer satisfaction levels. The inspectors observed teaching sessions, met with employers, apprentices, educators, and management, and conducted a detailed review of learners’ portfolios.
Key Highlights from the Inspection Report
The OFSTED report includes a standout highlight: “Leaders and educators work closely with employers to identify the precise skills and knowledge that apprentices need for successful careers. They ensure that courses include a full range of techniques, such as wet and dry shaving in barbering and balayage (free-hand colouring) in hairdressing. As a result, apprentices are equipped with the skills they need to perform a wide range of services.”
OFSTED offers independent oversight on the quality of education provided to learners, helping employers, students, and parents in selecting a reputable learning provider. Achieving a good or outstanding rating ensures that educators are joining a provider with high standards.
A Commitment to Excellence
Mike and Emily Taylor, the founders and owners of MTE Hair & Barbering, are deeply committed to providing hairdressing and barbering training that produces work-ready professionals.
Emily Taylor shares her excitement: “We are absolutely over the moon with our Outstanding grade and report given by OFSTED. This grade is a result of our incredible team’s passion and dedication to providing high-quality education to our learners. Our team works tirelessly to engage, motivate, and support our apprentices to achieve their full potential, which leads to their impressive outcomes. I would like to thank everyone involved in this outstanding result. It’s amazing that the team’s hard work has been recognised, and I feel really proud of what everyone has achieved.”
Fred Helouis is the driving force behind Vagaro, launching one of the longest standing scheduling software systems. Here, fred tells us about the triumphs of building a business from the ground up, and his commitment to empowering professionals with cutting-edge tech.
“I was born in Lebanon, and I came to the United States when I was 18 years old, fleeing the Lebanese Civil War,” Fred told us. “I went to school to learn computer programming, which was a skill I developed in my first job at a very small company. I found out that I had a real passion for it, finding the quick results you could create very rewarding.”
Fred’s idea for Vagaro originated over 20 years ago, and although it didn’t happen right away, the spark for his innovation never quite died. During one of many work trips to Korea for a computer company, Fred thought to himself, “Man, I really need a haircut when I get home.” But in order to get one on the books, he was going to need to spend $3.00 a minute to make a call to the shop – and even if he did, the time difference meant he would have to make the call in the middle of the night. That’s when he thought, “I wish I could just do it online…”
Early days
Once that seed was planted, Fred had the idea of creating a scheduling software for salons and barbershops in the back of his mind for years.
“I got a job at a new company, and I was trying to focus at the job at hand, even though I had this great idea,” he explained. “Anyway, my background was in programming robotics, not website programming. I was just like, ‘How do you even start a company? How do you get money to start a company?’ I had no idea how to do any of that.”
“When I started to investigate other businesses, everything had an E in front of it, so initially I called the business eappointment.com and bought the domain for that website. Every time I would mention this to one of my friends at work, they’d laugh,” Fred told us. “It took 10 years until I fully launched the business. I had been laid off during the 2008 recession and took that as a sign to dive in. That’s when I decided that to create my own company and decide my own destiny.”
“I went to Dubai and started working on a business plan. I had my sister and a couple friends invest in the business, so it’s nice knowing that the company was started by four Lebanese people. Two years after that, we were profitable. Now, 15 years later, we have become a household name in the industry – and it’s pretty cool that we were the first app of our kind on app stores.”
Five star culture
Customer relations are at the forefront of Vagaro, which prompted Fred to develop his five-star company culture. “The way I explain this is that if you go to a restaurant, you should receive excellent service – the water comes right away, and the waiter takes your order, and your food comes… but it’s stone cold,” Fred explained. “The whole time you were having this five-star experience, but one person on the team messed up.”
“It could be either the cook or someone else in the team, which brings your entire experience down to two-stars. So, at Vagaro, we work with this concept in mind that we are a team, and if one of us lets the customer down, then we all do,” he explained. “The entire team is committed to the five-star experience, and that’s not just about customers. Internally, I want everyone in the company to treat each other with respect.”
And how does Fred ensure that this ethos is met across all aspects of the business? It all starts before the customer has even signed up to Vagaro, he explained: “From a customer experience, we want our quality to shine through, right from the advertisements to our webpage. Then, when you get to the point of signing up, we want to ensure the customer still feels like they’re having the same experience. Sometimes, once you sign up for a software, it looks like you’re about to pay taxes on the government website,” Fred laughed.
“We want the experience to be always modern. When you call us for support or you want your information, our employees will treat you with respect and friendliness, while offering you support. We aim to answer the phone in less than two minutes. We offer 24/7 support so people can reach us, whether it’s by phone, chat, or email. We’re more than happy to talk to them, and we want to be relentless in our support. We’re not going to hang up the phone until the customer feels like their question is answered or their issue is solved.”
Fred hopes that this 5-star experience then reflects on the end user. As a barber, you might give 5-star service and haircuts all day long, but if your client’s booking experience was strenuous or frustrating, that could be as detrimental as cold soup during a nice meal.
Values
And a huge part of Vagaro, is the values and hope they instill in their customers – something Fred feels extremely passionate about. “Our ideal for business is that if our customers prosper, then we prosper with them,” he told us. “We’ve been profitable in business for the last 14 years doing what we are doing, and we just want to ensure we are the best value salon and barbershop software out there.”
“There’s nothing for free in this world, trust me. So many other companies will draw you in with an offer of something for free, but there will be hidden costs. Unfortunately, that’s just the hook to get people in the door. Whereas our aim is to be responsible, we want to support our customers throughout their business journeys, and be a steady, reliable constant, in this ever-changing world.”
How do you figure out which style of moustache to go for?
Choosing a moustache style depends on a few factors: your face shape, hair growth pattern, and personal style. For example, those with a rounder face might go for a longer, more structured style like the handlebar, giving the illusion of length to balance out the roundness of the face. While someone with a more angular face could suit a chevron or pencil moustache, as shorter and more defined styles can complement any sharp features. It’s all about experimenting and finding a style that complements your look.
How long will it take to grow? What do you do if it’s patchy?
Typically, it takes around 4-6 weeks to grow a solid moustache, however this will vary person to person and if you’re anything like me, as little as 2 weeks can be enough to have a pretty thick moustache. This can be both a blessing and a curse if you think about the required upkeep and maintenance of fast and thick growing facial hair.
If it’s a bit patchy, patience is key. Let it grow out and see how it fills in, as the hairs may cover sparse areas over time. If not, a touch of beard oil and a bit of light trimming can help create a fuller appearance.
What tools do you need?
A good quality narrow comb and small scissors are essential for trimming and shaping. An electric trimmer with adjustable guards is also handy, as it lets you maintain the desired length and avoid over-trimming, if short symmetry is what you’re looking for.
What products do you need?
A quality beard oil, such as OSMO Beard Complex, keeps the hair soft and nourished. Moustache wax is also useful for adding a bit of hold. Although my pro tip is that any hair wax, such as OSMO Matte Clay Extreme, can be equally, if not more effective than a moustache wax, especially if you’re styling a more structured look.
How do you keep it clean?
Keeping a moustache clean is easy with regular washing, ideally with a gentle beard shampoo. This helps remove any food particles or oils without drying out the hair or skin. Rinse thoroughly and follow up with beard oil to keep it hydrated.
To order OSMO for your salon contact your local OSMO wholesaler at www.osmo.uk.com
The latest issue of BarberEVO UK is OUT NOW! As the cooler months settle in, it’s time to elevate your barbershop game and keep the buzz alive. Our latest issue of BarberEVO is packed with insights, trends, and expert advice to help you navigate the season ahead. Whether you’re focusing on client satisfaction or levelling up your services, we’ve got you covered.
We went behind the scenes with American Crew for their BarberEVO cover shoot with some of the biggest and brightest in the industry. Gracing the cover, we have Ian Harrold, Bobby Gordon, Tommy Winding, Chris O’Riordan Nicholas Taylor, Rob Wood, Aurelija Norvaišiene. We hear about their inspiration, product choice, how they created and styled their look; plus much more inside!
EVENTS
From the biggest barbering expos to community-driven pop-ups, we dive into the latest industry events that brought professionals together. This edition, we kick things off revisiting the Scottish Hair and Beauty Awards (SHABA), before reminiscing on the epic event that was EVO On The Road. Columnist Hayden Cassidy shares her experience celebrating Barbers Day in Brazil, and we have a look towards the Fellowship Luncheon.
BARBER OF THE EDITION
Get to know our featured Barber of the Edition, a true trailblazer pushing boundaries in the industry. Marie Rainsford is a soon-to-be superstar in the barbering world, as the Ireland-based barber is the new lead educator for OP45 Barberschool. Education and empowerment are at the forefront of Marie’s journey, so in this issue, we learn about her journey, approach to the craft, and how she stands apart.
BUSINESS
We break down key business strategies to help you thrive during the busy season. From effective marketing techniques to maximising retail opportunities, this feature begins with Barry Stephens sharing his business insights for readers. We hear from Kevin Vorley about how Morgan’s Pomade can boost your retail options, and Snip London share the ethos behind their retail selection and how they encourage sales.
TECHNOLOGY
Technology is transforming the way barbershops operate. Discover the latest innovations, including booking systems as we speak to three different barbershops about how they manage their schedules in the festive season. Kaye Sotomi, founder of Chop Chop London, shares how Fresha revolutionised his genderless salon.
INTERIORS
In this issue, we showcase jaw-dropping barbershop interiors that combine style with functionality. Explore how thoughtful design choices can create a welcoming atmosphere for clients while optimizing your workspace for maximum efficiency. We take a deep dive into Lieanne Buckley’s studio in Chester and share the ethos of DAPR – our barbershop abroad – based in Philadelphia, USA. Goodfellas Barbershop in St Albans share how Takara Belmont was the only choice for them, while The Daylight Company transforms three barbershops.
HYGIENE AND SANITATION
With hygiene standards at the forefront of modern barbering, we take a deep dive into the importance sanitation practices. Columnist Mark Maciver, owner of Slider Cuts in London, shares how he maintains hygiene in the barbershop to ensure client satisfaction. Emma Curd, Co-Owner and Director at Matakki Scissors, shares her recent appointment as a Habia ambassador, while we highlight some of the most important ways barbers can maintain the highest level of cleanliness and professionalism.
The first Labour Budget since taking office was presented today, 30 October 2024, by the first female Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, in the Commons.
Responding to the Budget statement, Caroline Larissey, Chief Executive of the National Hair & Beauty Federation said:
‘We asked the government for support for employers to counteract rising wages so we’re pleased that they have listened and responded with a rise in the Employment Allowance which will benefit some sector businesses, despite the rises to employers National Insurance contributions.
However, with 16%+ rises in the youth wage rates there was nothing on interim support for businesses training young people. The only ‘youth guarantee’ for our sector will be that small and micro employers won’t be able to afford to take on apprentices. This makes it even more vital that Skills England is responsive to the needs of our sector and the new Growth & Skills levy channels major support to incentivise small and micro businesses training apprentices.
We will engage constructively with the consultation around business rates reform and the decision to keep at least some support through a 40% Retail business rates discount and freeze of the small business multiplier is welcome and important in the interim. The government was silent on VAT but we will continue to push for reform which is the sector’s number one issue
While the Employment Allowance increase offers some breathing room, the dramatic rise in apprentice wages threatens to disrupt the traditional pathway into our Sector. Without targeted intervention, we risk creating a skills gap that could take years to bridge. The government’s approach to retail business rates shows they’re listening, but more comprehensive support is needed to ensure the sustainability of apprenticeships in hair and beauty.”
The summary of the Budget:
Wage rates; 6.7% increase in National Living Wage, 16.3% increase in 18-20 rate, single adult rate ‘over time’
Freeze on fuel duty in 2025 for another year
Employers National Insurance contributions (NICs) increased by 1.2% to 15% from April 2025
Reduce NICs threshold from £9,000 to £5,000
Increase Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500
Business rates: 40% relief for Retail and hospitality in 2025/26 and small business multiplier freeze
Cap on corporation tax for the duration of this parliament
National Insurance thresholds: No extension to freeze on personal tax thresholds from 2028-29; will rise in line with inflation in the future
Largest real-term funding increase since devolution; £3.4 bn to Scotland through the Barnett formula, £1.7 bn to Welsh government and £1. 5bn to Northern Ireland in 2025/26
£1.3 billion investment into connectivity in regional transport
Wahl Professional announces the launch of the Vanquish Hairdryer in the popular T-shaped design for a more efficient and quieter drying experience for consumers and pros alike.
STERLING, Ill., Oct. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Wahl Professional, the leading and trusted brand in professional grooming and styling, announced today the launch of the Vanquish Hairdryer, a brushless digital motor dryer designed for a quieter, lighter, and more efficient drying experience.
For long sessions, the Vanquish Hairdryer’s slim and lightweight T-shaped design improves handling and reduces wrist fatigue.
“The introduction of the Vanquish Hairdryer underscores our ongoing commitment to innovation and quality, as it brings a new drying standard to consumers as well as professional barbers and stylists,” said Lance Wahl, global SVP of sales and marketing for Wahl Professional. “The Vanquish is truly raising the bar for the next generation brushless digital motor hairdryers and is a game changer for the industry. Its innovative features create a more comfortable and elevated experience regardless of styling skill level.”
The Vanquish Hairdryer prioritizes power, comfort, and efficiency. With FlowControl, it delivers direct airflow and efficient power for fast, even hair drying from root to tip. The SmoothTone™ motor system removes harsh frequencies and keeps the volume low, so professionals can continue to chat easily with clients as they dry. For long sessions, the slim and lightweight T-shaped design improves handling and reduces wrist fatigue.
The Vanquish offers an easy-to-read and easy-to-use LED screen that displays four heat and three speed settings, so the drying experience can be personalized to the most comfortable heat setting for different hair types and thickness, or desired hair style. With the memory function, it will lock in the settings preferences, so the user can achieve their look again and again with convenience. The Vanquish also conveniently has an auto-clean function, keeping the filter clear of debris, for easy maintenance and long-lasting performance.
Since its invention of the first practical electric hair clipper in 1919, Wahl Clipper Corporation has remained on the cutting edge of the professional and home grooming category and is the leading brand for barbers, groomers, and stylists around the world. The family-owned brand embraces traditions and legacy, with its headquarters still rooted in Sterling, Illinois where it was founded and its global manufacturing located in the U.S. Wahl believes that hair has a profound ability to connect those and the world around them. They are on a mission to support, educate, and inspire the future of grooming, resulting in the On-Demand barber education platform, free and accessible to professionals everywhere, and the first-of-its-kind, fully-accredited Wahl Barber Academy. As the creators behind the ground-breaking annual Future Makers™ platform and the trusted name for leaders in the industry and those who are transforming it, Wahl exists to unlock the power of connection – one haircut at a time. For more information on Wahl Clipper Corporation and its products, please visit www.wahlpro.com.
The Professional Beauty Association (PBA), whose mission is to advocate and fight for the rights and professionalism of the beauty industry, is urgently seeking donations for the Disaster Relief Fund as thousands of industry professionals are impacted by the devastating destruction of Hurricane Milton directly on the heels of Hurricane Helene.
The PBA Disaster Relief Fund provides emergency relief to beauty industry professionals to pay for essential items such as clothing, food, bills and supplies during times of natural disaster. The fund is supported by generous donations from industry professionals and businesses and has distributed more than $2.5 million to help industry professionals get back on their feet following catastrophic disaster. 100% of donations go directly to those in need. All licensed industry professionals are eligible to apply, and PBA members may receive up to twice the regular amount of emergency relief funding.
“In the wake of Hurricanes Milton and Helene we are completely overwhelmed with applications for emergency assistance,” shares Rachel Molepske, PBA Director of Leadership Operations & Charitable Programs. “Our industry professionals are suffering and we must help. We are making an urgent plea for donations to help those affected.”
DRF applicants continue to share heartbreaking stories of how Hurricanes Milton and Helene have impacted their livelihood:
“Everything in the salon is damaged. It is catastrophic. Everything I have worked hard for has been destroyed in the blink of an eye.”
“Most roads were completely washed away, power is expected to be out for weeks, and my income has gone to nothing at this point.”
“I don’t have a place to live at the moment and there are estimates of not having water restored for several weeks to several months from now.”
Please help beauty industry professionals get the support they desperately need! Please DONATE and spread the word.
PBA would like to thank the generous sponsors who have already committed significant contributions to DRF:
● Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation/Paul Mitchell Schools – $25,000
● K18 – $25,000
● L’Oreal – $15,000
● SalonCentric – $15,000
● JPMS – $10,000
● MY SALON Suite – $10,000
● Henkel – $10,000
Donations of any size are appreciated and needed. For more information, or to apply
The latest issue of BarberEVO NA is OUT NOW! This issue is set to make waves in the industry… bringing you exclusive content from the best barbers in the biz’. BarberEVO has brought together a collection of content from our esteemed columnists and industry leaders, whilst also highlighting those rising stars of the industry – and we have Rey Scott, the leading entrepreneur and founder of My Supply Guy, taking centre stage on our front cover. In our second-last issue of 2024, we are feature everything from interiors and business to hair loss, client comfort and colour. With all of this…and even more – this issue is one to remember!
IN THIS ISSUE:
REY SCOTT FOR MY SUPPLY GUY
In every issue of BarberEVO, our cover star, Rey Scott, AKA My Supply Guy, guides us to three booming barber businesses. Always on the lookout for fresh industry talent to shine a spotlight on – Rey not only supplies the barbering industry with their products and tools, but he also bolsters the heart of the industry… the people that fill it. In this issue, we wanted to do something a little bit different. We wanted to shine that spotlight onto Rey, to let you get to know the man behind it all a little bit better.
L3VEL3
Kicking off this edition, we have L3VEL3™ – who are, indeed, taking things to the next level. The brand have always showed up in style, but now they are arriving in color. We caught up with the L3VEL3™, Chrystofer Benson, and the Director of Events & Artists, Hannah Benson, who played instrumental roles in the development of their new color line. Sitting down with the pair, we talked all about how the barbering color game is going to see a major shift in the coming months.
EVENTS
Events the last few weeks have been popping off. With Rise of Hair bringing the heat in St Petersburg, FL, in August; the LV Barber Expo hitting the jackpot; and JRL heading to China, alongside their ambassador Squeak the Barber. And we can’t forget the STMNT Summit in our event roundup! Held in the beautiful, bustling city of Barcelona – beacons of contemporary barbering got together in a convergence of creativity, culture and community.
BARBER OF THE EDITION
As this editions Barber of Edition, we have John Carmona AKA Titan Barber. Known for striking cuts and colors that challenge conformity and encourage individuality, all whilst running his incredibly successful barbershops – Barber Theory – and being a Wahl Future Maker and a STMNT Social Media Ambassador.
TEXTURE
Textured hair is hair of diversity – with curls, coils and waves – and it’s more than just a style. It’s a statement of identity and heritage. For barbers, mastering the art of cutting and styling textured hair is essential. Requiring a unique skillset, tools and understanding, we spoke to industry experts to find out more. With words from Lauren The Legend, Zeke Peters, 360 Jeezy and more, we talk everything from braiding, to trimming, to hair care.
INTERIORS
Your surroundings have more of an influence on you than you think… call it the placebo effect, or simply good taste! But what you can never do is underestimate the power of a great barbershop, especially with a great interior. Kicking off our interiors section, we have Josh DeMarco of DAPR who believes that true craftmanship is the key to the most elevated experiences. Then we head over to The Gents Place, who’s Collins furniture helps clients coming back, again and again. Heading across the pond to London, we visited Time barbershop – who talk us through why they believe that taking time to curate an experience is what will take you to the next level. Find all this and more I our interiors section…
BUSINESS
Kicking off business, we have Sly Huncho – who sits down to discuss why social media is the boost you need in business. Next up we have our esteemed columnists, Tyler Kelbert and Brandi Lashay, who reveal their secrets to a flourishing barbering business. Fresha also popped by the BarberEVO pages with their friend Thaddeus, discussing how to balance different avenues of your career. Following on, we have many more chats about cash flow, tech, recruitment and, of course, retention – with our columnists, such as, Chico Boom and Angie Perino sharing all the insider secrets.
BEARDS & ‘TACHE
Last up, we enter the world of beards and mustaches. Transcending their status as mere facial hair trends, they’ve become powerful symbols of personal style and self-expression. From sleek, sculpted beards, to bold statement making ‘taches – today’s grooming landscape has evolved. In this edition we highlight those at the fore, including 18.21 Man Made, Cédric Johnson Jr. from V’s, grooming expert Michael Ryder, and so much more. Our friends at Wellness Pro even popped by to give their top tips to dealing with those pesky nicks (and, of course, how to avoid them).
The latest issue of BarberEVO UK is OUT NOW! This issue is set to shake things up as we say goodbye to Summer, and get ready for Autumn, while bringing you exclusive content from the best barbers and brands in the business. In this issue, we hear from our expert columnists and esteemed industry leaders on a variety of topics, from textured hair to beard and moustache care, as well as the latest product drops you need to be aware of; all this and more inside.
IN THIS ISSUE:
HEINIGER
Our September-October cover stars are the Heiniger team! Here, we get the insights from Matt Clarke, Artistic Director Robert Braid, and Creative Director, Rex Silver on why Heiniger should be the tool brand every barber has in their kit. We hear from Robert and Matt how they got involved with the Swiss tool brand and became part of the Heiniger family, and why you should too.
EVENTS
It’s been an exciting but busy few months for the entire EVO team during event season, and there’s no sign of it slowing down just yet. We kick off the events feature by looking back the debut HairCon, with industry icons like Simon Shaw, Alan Beak, and Josh Lamonaca it’s hard not to think back fondly. We also here from Richie Finney and Xavier Berrell at BarbersRide, Rob Wood from his official Novo Cabelo launch, and look forward to the Scottish Hair and Beauty Awards.
TEXTURE
Kicking off the texture feature, we hear from the superstar BaByliss PRO ambassadors Tariq Howes, Ky Wilson, and Lauraine Bailey. BarberEVO gets the inside scoop from the team about their go-to tips and tools for all things texture. We hear from Luke Burgon at SOMEPEOPLE on how he uses Byrd products to embrace his client’s natural texture, while columnist Hayden Cassidy shares her scissor cutting techniques. Columinst, Mark Maciver gives readers a step-by-step for his iconic fade, and STMNT ambassadors Charles Rose and Luke Hartley talk us through their recent collection.
INTERIORS
Having beautiful interiors are just some of the ways you can make your barbershop stand out, which is what our Barbershop of the Edition, time., has done. Elsewhere, we look inside Beardy Beardy in Glasgow to showcase their personalised REM chairs and take a deep dive at Kesman Male Grooming as they highlight their custom Takara Belmont chairs. We also take a trip down under and hear from COMMON Barbershop in Brisbane, Australia, to look at their stunning set-up.
BUSINESS
Starting the business feature, we hear from columnist Vikki Harrison Smith as she talks us through her days as a top-class educator and academy owner. BarberEVO also hears from three completely different barbershops – UNDERFOUND, Beardy Beardy, and MR. Barbers – about how they operate their businesses, and ask barbershop owners the important questions of tipping, deposits, and selling retail.
TECHNOLOGY
Discussing all things artificial intelligence, we have Barry Stephens weighing up the pros and cons about whether AI systems will kill off conversation in the barbershop. With more and more automated systems out there claiming to make your life easier as a barbershop owner, Barry evaluates whether that is right. Meanwhile, celebrity barber and educator Thaddeus highlights the importance using technology to your advantage and having a booking system that works for you.
MOUSTACHE AND BEARD CARE
Showing us how we can all elevate our grooming services, we speak to Ben Goakes, owner of Well Groomed London. Sharing how he goes the extra mile to create a lavish experience in his Shoreditch shop, Ben shares how his experience in luxury services translated to his barbershops. Elsewhere, we hear from Anthony Berriola about bringing traditional Italian beard and moustache grooming to the US, and Morgan’s Pomade identify three iconic styles you can create and maintain with their products.
PRODUCTS
This issue, our Product of the Edition is The Shorty, just the latest expert grooming tool from the brains of Gamma+. BarberEVO sat down with expert barber and educator Phil Jarman at HairCon to hear everything about their latest powerhouse tool. Elsewhere, hear from Artero founders Alex and Edu Artero, and Eric Way Lovemore to discuss the premium scissor brand, and highlight the different offerings available with Leaf, Yoi and Tondeo; to ensure you find the right tool brand.
One individual more than deserving of this award was 2024 Barber of the Year, A-Rod (Yadiel Alberto Rodriguez). The elite barber, Co-Founder and CMO of L3VEL 3 Pro, CEO of AROD LLC, and Global Ambassador for BaBylissPRO and Booksy, created a show stopping collection, photographed by Chrystofer Benson, taking home the coveted trophy.
A-ROD’s career in barbering began in Puerto Rico over two decades ago after serving in the military. In his acceptance speech, he said: “I took a chance. I started going to shows, driving for 12 hours, begging brands to educate on their stages so I could be seen. And today, I get to be part of a brand that is leading the men’s grooming industry.”
A-ROD gave a shout out to the wonderful CBC Team for organising the shoot, as well as to Jay Nouri, Co-Founder and CEO of L3VEL3.
A-ROD said: “L3VEL 3 is a brand by the artist, for the artist, and we are doing some amazing things. Barbering is growing so fast, partially because we have spent a lot of time focusing on the barbers and elevating the education available for barbers in this industry.
“This award is very special to me, and I want to thank the Pro Beauty Association for allowing barbers to show the industry what we are capable of!”
“Barbering is not just about having a good time, if you implement a system that works, you educate yourself about the opportunities that are out there, I am proof that it pays off. Now, we are running every show, every main stage, and we are up here getting awards. So, don’t give up!”
In an Instagram post following the NAHA ceremony, A-ROD said: “This NAHA Award Win Goes to Puerto Rico. This award means everything to me and the barbering community. From $3 haircuts in Puerto Rico to this stage, it’s been an incredible journey.
“Never give up on your dreams. The sacrifices, the long nights, and the hard work all pay off. Let’s keep pushing boundaries and lifting each other up. Thank you all for the support!”
A-ROD is no stranger to BarberEVO either, being one of the few barbers to have appeared on the cover of both BarberEVO’s North American and UK& Ireland titles. In-fact, he featured on the second-ever edition of BarberEVO North America. We can’t wait to see what A-ROD achieves next!
