Golden Boot winner Erling Haaland has traded his statement golden locks for a short back and sides, stunning fans on social media before heading to the pitch to face AFC Bournemouth.

The Man City striker posted a series of shots to social media, showing the moment the clippers buzzed off his flowing hair to leave behind a short cropped style, commenting on his new look with a simple “Short hair, don’t care.”

Short hair don’t care 😅✂️ pic.twitter.com/tPzQVFoUIL

— Erling Haaland (@Erling) August 23, 2026

Commenting on Haaland’s new streamlined look, Bailey Snowden from Snowden Hair said: “I am a huge fan of the new look, Haaland is taking it right back to his roots with a style that he rocked when he was a young player.

“I think that it was about time that he freshened up his look and I can really get behind the buzz cut. It currently looks very natural; however, I think he would really benefit from a skin fade or a taper to finish. This would give the style a touch of premium edge, but overall its 10/10 and I rate the new look.”

Santana & Co had already rewritten the rules of scalp micropigmentation in Texas. The new challenge was bigger: put barbering, SMP, tattooing, permanent makeup, and education under one roof.

Three weeks after opening their new 5,500-square-foot space in Fort Worth, it was clear this wasn’t just another barbershop expansion. It was an experiment in what a modern grooming hub could look like.

“I’ve been in the industry going on 14 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Sam Garcia, the brains behind Santana & Co.

“I’ve traveled all over the country, and I’ve never seen a space that has tattooing, permanent makeup, scalp micropigmentation, barbering, and education all together.”

One roof, many careers

Around 20 professionals work inside the Santana & Co space, and the energy is of a shared ecosystem rather than a row of competing chairs. A client might walk in for a haircut and walk out with a new tattoo consultation booked, or come in for SMP and end up planning a full sleeve.

“Somebody will come in for a haircut, then realize they want a tattoo as well,” Sam explained. “It just all complements each other. Everyone’s clientele is one big community.”

From a barber’s perspective, that meant built-in cross-promotion without the pressure of fighting for the same fades and beard trims as the person at the next station.

“It’s not like you’re fighting for clients. You can come to me, go to him, go to them, do it all at once.”

In simple math: nine barbers cutting five to ten people a day means roughly 200 clients a week walking past tattooers and SMP artists. Each tattoo artist then brings their own clients back into the barbering and education side.

Designed for work, not Instagram

Visually, the space was built to feel open and communal, while still hitting strict sanitation and licensing standards. It took about a year just to secure the licenses.

“The space has to be big enough to do all this for sanitation,” he explained. “You can’t cram everything in. Our space is 5,500 square feet, all sectioned out perfectly.”

The fit-out was another story of risk and instinct. Santana met with manufacturers a year before the space was approved, and started designing custom stations, lighting, and furniture down to the last detail.

They skipped traditional tattoo chairs and installed remote-control dental beds instead, making long SMP and tattoo sessions more ergonomic for both artist and client.

The gamble came when he put down around $50,000 on equipment before the city had even voted on his licensing.

“If they didn’t vote it in, then I wouldn’t have a building, but I’d still have 30 crates of equipment arriving. That’s the risk you take in business.”

On January 7, the council voted in his favor. The bet paid off.

Education at the core

For Santana & Co, the space was more than just a flashy buildout. It functioned as an education center for barbers, tattoo artists, SMP specialists, and PMU professionals.

They bring in one to two high-level educators each month, focusing on quality over social media numbers. SMP remains Sam’s “bread and butter,” but all the education arms carry equal weight in the new space.

The vision did not stop at one location. Santana talked openly about franchising the concept globally within the next year and hinted at serious interest from major partners. Aftercare giant H2Ocean also came on board as a sponsor, underlining how seriously other segments of the industry were taking the experiment.

What barbers should take from this

For working barbers, Santana & Co’s new space wasn’t just a cool build; it was a signal of where the profession could go:

A barber no longer has to stay in a single-lane career for life. In a space like this, they could cut hair, learn SMP, explore tattoo or PMU education, and plug into a wider creative culture without leaving a shop environment. The idea was not to abandon barbering, but to expand it.

“I’ve been on the streets before,” he said. “If it all fails, I’ve been there. What do I have to lose?”

At an event packed with world-class education, barber battles, and product launches, one of the most talked-about experiences on the CT Barber Expo show floor was happening at the BarberEVO booth: the wheel of Rolda!

In partnership with Rolda, BarberEVO launched the Wheel of Rolda, an interactive activation that gave attendees the opportunity to spin a custom wheel-of-fortune-style game and win exclusive prizes throughout the weekend.

The activation was a major success, generating more than 200 spins across the event and drawing a constant crowd eager to test their luck.

Participants spun the wheel to reveal their prize before receiving a custom poker chip, which they could then redeem at the Rolda booth. The activation created a fun, engaging journey across the show floor while encouraging attendees to connect with both brands.

Step Up, Step Up

Winners had the opportunity to walk away with Rolda Hair Gel, Texturizing Powder, branded Rolda hats, professional cutting combs, the latest issue of BarberEVO featuring the Rolda family on the cover, or even a one-year subscription to BarberEVO magazine.

“Here at Rolda, we are so excited to be celebrating our 35th year anniversary with BarberEVO – not just with our front cover edition, but also with this amazing activation at CT Barber Expo,” said Luis Di Girolamo, Head of Digital & Ecommerce at Rolda.

While the prizes generated excitement, the activation represented something bigger than giveaways.

As Rolda celebrates its anniversary, the family-owned company continues to champion the values that have helped shape its success within the barbering industry.

“Rolda has been in this industry for about 35 years,” explained Di Girolamo. “It’s a family-owned business, so we’re just like you guys. We’re Latinos. We came from another culture, another country. We’re coming here to make our dream happen, whether your dream is success, a legacy, or achieving what you never thought was possible.”

“Spinning this wheel not only lets you win a prize from the company, but it allows you to meet other people, meet our educators, and start to envision yourself in the future,” he said.

Barbers, students, educators, and industry professionals gathered around the wheel, celebrating wins and sharing conversations between spins. The activation became a natural meeting point where attendees could engage with the Rolda team, discover new products, and learn more about the company’s mission.

With countless winners and a constant buzz surrounding the booth, the Wheel of Rolda proved that sometimes the most memorable moments at an expo come from simply taking a chance and spinning the wheel.

At PBA’s 2026 North American Hairdressing Awards sponsored by JCPenney, the “3” in L3VEL3 became even more meaningful, as not only did the ambassador team garner three finalist spots for the Barber of the Year category, but they took home their third consecutive win, with Carlos Pagan – aka Drastic Barber earning his very own trophy.

BarberEVO was lucky enough to speak to Carlos and the rest of the L3VEL3 team after their win in the Winner’s Lounge sponsored by Goldwell, but also in the BarberEVO X L3VEL3 podcast booth the very next day. David Foster sat down with Jay Nouri as well as Carlos himself to get the team’s first reaction.

When Carlos heard his name announced as the 2026 NAHA Barber of the Year, he did not see it as a solo victory. He immediately framed the win as a collective achievement, saying it was not his moment, it was their moment, and that everyone had put so much energy into the journey and helped each other so much that he genuinely believed all of them were winners.

Standing under the lights in Orlando, Carlos was not just accepting an award. He was validating a culture of shared success.

From Rocky Roads to Red Carpets

Carlos’s NAHA moment was inseparable from a health battle that could easily have ended his run before it began. He recalled that in January 2025 he had been diagnosed with cancer and had fought it for four or five months.

Later that year, he received a call from Jay, who told him he wanted Carlos in for a September shoot. Carlos admitted he told Jay he was not ready, but Jay – in a loving push – decided otherwise and told him he would be coming to shoot the NAHA collection.

He described that outcome as proof that God was amazing, that God allowed struggle to test how a person handled life, then surprised them with something like this on the other side. For Carlos, the award signaled that there was another chapter waiting, one in which God had more in store than he had imagined.

Carlos described the moment his name was called with disarming honesty. He said, “I heard ‘Carlos,’ I thought it was former winner and teammate, Carlos Estrella (Los Cut It.) I will be honest; I totally forgot about myself.”

Sitting in a category with people he called “so, so unbelievable,” including: “Papi Blendzz,” “Los, the goat himself,” and “Arod, the most well-known barber in the world,” he said he simply thought, “Los’s got it.” The reality hit when he heard “Pagan.” From there, the night became a blur of hugs and gratitude.

“When they called my name, I could not believe it, not even for a second. It took me so long just to make it to the stage, because everybody was just hugging me and hugging me and hugging me, and I did not want to let nobody go either.”

“You Are the Captain of Your Life”

In his final words as NAHA’s 2026 Barber of the Year, Carlos turned his story into a directive for others.

He told barbers and creatives: “Do not let nobody tell you what is going to be the destiny of your life. You are actually the captain of your life.” He urged: “Take decisions, put one foot in front of the other, and remember that with God, everything is possible, and there is always a brighter day tomorrow. No matter how big the storm looks today.”

For Carlos “Drastic Barber” Pagan, the NAHA win was not just a personal milestone. It was living proof that faith, family style teamwork, and a refusal to let ego lead could turn a cancer diagnosis, a first-time collection, and a stacked category into a moment that belonged to an entire community.

Creating three individual looks that feel distinct while still working together as a cohesive story has never been easier, thanks to the versatility of STMNT Grooming Goods. For the Camp Rock 3 Premiere, Celebrity groomer Marissa Machado styled The Jonas Brothers. Each look was designed around the individual texture and personality of the hair, using strategic styling techniques to create effortless, camera ready finishes.

Kevin

For Kevin’s look, I start by blow drying the hair smooth, then flattening it out to emphasize length and texture. Once I’ve achieved the desired shape, I work STMNT Fiber Pomade through the hair, really focusing on the roots to create structure and control.

From there, I pull out individual pieces throughout the hair, creating separation and movement. The goal is a messy-but-put-together finish that feels effortless rather than overly styled.

Joe

For Joe’s look, I begin with the hair quite damp and apply STMNT Curl Cream throughout. As I work the product through the hair, I scrunch the ends back upward, encouraging and enhancing his natural curl pattern.

I then use a dryer on a low heat, medium speed setting to gently shape the curls while maintaining their natural movement. Once the hair is dry, I go back in with a dime sized amount of STMNT Curl Cream, working it through individual pieces to add definition and polish. I continue refining the curls until I get that perfect piece of hair falling forward.

Nick

For Nick’s look, I started with  STMNT Fiber Pomade worked through damp hair, using a generous amount to accommodate his thicker texture. I then blow dry the hair low and slow, taking it to about 95% dry while creating the desired shape.

Once the overall silhouette is established, I go back in with the STMNT Fiber Pomade, working through each individual curl to enhance its shape, bounce, and shine. The result is a defined finish that still has movement and personality, allowing the natural texture of the hair to be part of the look.

Premiere San Antonio Presented by SalonCentric returns for its fourth edition August 30-31 at the Henry B. González Convention Center, delivering its biggest and boldest event to date. Through a groundbreaking collaboration with SalonCentric, this year’s show will offer expanded education, enhanced programming, and exciting new experiences, making it the go-to destination for beauty professionals and students across the Southwest.

More than just a beauty show, Premiere San Antonio is a cornerstone industry event uniting attendees with over 115 exhibiting brands across hair, nails, barbering, spa & wellness, brows, lashes, and makeup for two days of education, shopping, and networking. Beauty professionals and students will discover new products and trends, build skills, strengthen relationships, and engage with the industry’s top brands and most influential educators.

“There’s something special about the beauty community across the Southwest, and we’re honored to be coming back to San Antonio,” said Erin McDonald, Event Director, Premiere Shows. “This isn’t just another show—it’s where top artists, educators, and brands who make this industry thrive come to share their expertise, and where professionals, students, and entrepreneurs gain unparalleled access to education, connections, and opportunities that move careers forward. We’ve lined up incredible brands, inspiring experiences, and real ways to elevate your craft and build your business. Show up ready to learn, make genuine connections, and leave energized about what’s possible.”

Exhibit Floor Experience – New Activations 

Premiere San Antonio continues to evolve with exciting new activations designed to deliver immersive education and hands-on experiences.

The SalonCentric Pavilion, will feature brand partners including Bumble and bumble, Color Wow, Framar, House of Foils, Redken, and more, offering product discovery, education, and interactive experiences. Attendees can stop by the SalonCentric booth to participate in the Gamified Experience for a chance to win exclusive custom swag and future education opportunities. Those ready to grow their expertise can also enroll in SalonCentric’s Dry Head Spa Certification, gaining specialized training in one of the beauty industry’s fastest-growing service categories.

“SalonCentric is proud to bring an exceptional lineup of our brand partners and the latest product innovations to Premiere San Antonio,” said LeAnn Bobitt, SVP Brand Strategy at SalonCentric. “We’re committed to providing Southwest beauty professionals with access to the tools, trends, and education they need to stay ahead in this ever-evolving industry. From hands-on demonstrations to expert-led sessions with the educators and brands shaping professional beauty, we’re here to empower attendees with the resources and inspiration that translate directly into salon success.”  

For the first time ever, the Demo Stage will spotlight live demonstrations across spa & wellness, nails, makeup, lashes, and brows, giving attendees an intimate look at emerging techniques and trends from brands and educators such as LeChat Nail Products, Lashbomb and IAMA Artistry LLC. 

Exhibit Floor Experience – Returning Favorites 

Inside the Premiere Lounge, Ulta Beauty will offer ear piercing and brow services alongside exciting interactive activations like Instagram-worthy photo opportunities, and The Premiere Charm Bar by OUTCHARMED, where you can design a custom charm bracelet.

The Color Stage returns with live demonstrations from leading color brands and educators showcasing advanced techniques, emerging trends, and creative inspiration. 

Attendees can explore the expansive show floor to shop and discover cutting-edge innovations and trends from more than 100 exhibitors, including industry leaders such as CHI by Farouk, Kokoist, T3 Micro, Panasonic, and Procell Therapies, offering the latest products, tools, and technologies to elevate their businesses.

The popular Value Center also returns, offering exclusive show-only deals and deep discounts on professional tools and products giving attendees the chance to stock their salons, spas and barbershops.

Education – Unparalleled Learning Opportunities

Education remains at the heart of the Premiere experience, with more than 180 complimentary classes included with every show registration. From hands-on workshops to live demonstrations, attendees will gain practical skills they can immediately bring to their salons, spas, barbershops, and businesses.

This year’s educational lineup features industry-leading talent including educators such as SalonCentric, Rachel Bynum, Presley Poe, Leysa Carrillo, Nicck Townsend, Kirsty Meakin, Savannah Hicks, Olivia Thompson, Wayne Tuggle, and many more.

Texas beauty professionals may also complete state cosmetology continuing education requirements through approved onsite CE classes. Representatives from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for Barbering and Cosmetology will be available to assist with licensing questions.

The Main Stage and Barber Stage programming will feature high-energy demonstrations and presentations from some of the industry’s most recognized artists and educators, including Bumble and bumble, David Lopez for Ulta Beauty, Anna Cantu for CHI by Farouk, Byrd Mena, Ivan Ross for WAHL, Matty Conrad, Danny Amorim, and more.

Competition, Community & Connection 

Throughout the weekend, attendees will connect with peers, educators, brands, and industry leaders while engaging in competitions and live programming.

Professional and Student Barber Battles, powered by L3VEL3 and sponsored by JRL, will provide emerging and established talent with an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and gain industry recognition.

The celebration continues Sunday, August 30th at 5PM with the official Premiere San Antonio After Party at Howdy Sore Loser, featuring line dancing, live DJ sets, happy hour specials, and exclusive merch giveaways—bringing the beauty community together for networking and celebration in true San Antonio style.

Early Bird pricing for Premiere San Antonio is now available, purchase show passes on or before August 6th to save $40. Beauty professional, student and instructor bundles can be purchased online or in person at a local SalonCentric or State | RDA stores. For registration and additional event information visit premieresanantonioshow.com

Award-winning British gentleman’s grooming company Captain Fawcett proudly introduces the Maharajah Hair Growth Ritual. Created for gentlemen seeking targeted support for thinning or fine hair, the new Hair Growth & Scalp Stimulating Shampoo and Stimulating Hair Serum unite clinically recognised actives with the luxurious Maharajah Signature Series fragrance, bringing modern follicle science to one of the Captain’s most celebrated collections.

The Hair Growth & Scalp Stimulating Shampoo combines Adenosine, Caffeine, Keraveg™ and Castor Oil to create the foundation of the ritual, helping invigorate the scalp and strengthen hair fibres, promoting growth and the appearance of stronger, fuller-looking hair. Complementing it, the precision daily Stimulating Hair Serum pairs Capixyl™, Capilia Longa™, Pro-Vitamin B5 and Betaine in a fast-absorbing leave-in formulation that provides daily support for a healthy scalp environment and denser, healthier-looking hair.

Specifically formulated to work together, whilst also performing exceptionally in their own right, these two additions open a distinguished new chapter for Captain Fawcett, bringing together advanced formulation with the craftsmanship, fragrance and storytelling for which the brand has become renowned worldwide.

For founder Richard Finney MBE, modern formulation is a natural evolvement in the Captain Fawcett story.

“Captain Peabody Fawcett was first and foremost an explorer, botanist and inveterate plant hunter,” says Richie. “He was forever pressing on, voyaging across the globe in search of curious specimens and extraordinary discoveries, meticulously keeping journals to record each new wonder seen. He belonged to a glorious age when adventure, scientific enquiry and botanical discovery were all part of the same remarkable journey. I’d wager the Captain would have been hugely fascinated by the latest advances.”

Created in close collaboration with Viraj Singh of The Jodhpur Company, the Maharajah Signature Series honours India’s rich traditions of gentlemanly grooming, fine fragrance, generations of botanical wisdom and the unhurried ceremony that turns everyday grooming into a savoured moment of sanctuary.

Inspired by the tale of an ancient elixir entrusted to Captain Fawcett by a Maharajah famed for his magnificent mane, the new Hair Growth Ritual brings that legendary exchange into the modern age.

“The Captain Fawcett gentleman has always been a fellow of curiosity,” says Richie. “He enjoys the theatre of fine grooming as much as anyone, but also wants to understand what’s inside the bottle and why it’s there. Frankly, I expect nothing less. The Captain’s esteemed barbering partners stake their hard-earned reputations on every recommendation they make, so he owes it to them to create products every bit as impressive in performance as they are in presentation. I trust the Maharajah Hair Growth Ritual will prove a most worthy addition to Captain Fawcett’s arsenal of simply ‘First Class Gentleman’s Grooming Requisites’.”

Renowned international session stylist, Richard Phillipart chooses sustainable styling brand to create 48 unique looks celebrating natural texture and individuality

Mane Origin officially announced its arrival on the global grooming stage by making its backstage debut at visionary designer Colm Dillane’s highly anticipated KidSuper Spring/Summer 2027 runway show in Miami, staged as part of the FIFA World Cup celebrations.

Richard Phillipart, hair lead, selected Mane Origin’s styling collection to create 48 completely individual looks that embraced each model’s natural texture while delivering a fresh, lived-in finish worthy of both the runway and the football pitch.

Presented at Nu Stadium, in association with FIFA, the show, titled Resenha, took its name from the Brazilian expression describing the conversations, stories, friendships and moments of connection that happen around football rather than the match itself. Bringing together fashion, football, music and creativity, the show celebrated the spirit of international unity, with each of the 48 looks representing one of the competing nations while showcasing the diversity, culture and individuality that make the global game so powerful.

Setting the tone for the evening, Austin Millz opened the show with a live pre-show performance before guests experienced one of the season’s most talked-about runways. Walking in the show was UK DJ Barry Can’t Swim, followed by a highly anticipated closing set from Sean Paul.

Rather than creating a uniform look, Phillipart celebrated individuality, ensuring every hairstyle reflected the personality, movement and identity of the wearer while remaining connected through a single creative vision. He said:

“For the looks at this season’s KidSuper show I was inspired by the collection’s vision to include the 48 countries of the World Cup. With each look representing a country, I wanted to echo this in the hair looks.

“Each of the 48 models had separate hair looks that celebrated and featured the natural movement and texture of their hair. Embracing the idea that each model had just played football, showered and then walked out to the pitch wearing their country’s look, I purposely gave each model’s hair a ‘damp’ effect without allowing the hair to appear wet or flat.

“Looks included shaved heads, daring mullets and long flowing hair alongside intricate braiding and locs. No two looks matched, but they were all perfectly in tune with each other.”

The backstage debut introduced Mane Origin to the international fashion industry through one of the season’s most talked-about shows while demonstrating that high-performance styling and environmental responsibility can work hand in hand.

Founded by Beth Gowland and James Taylor, Mane Origin was created for those who refuse to compromise between exceptional styling performance and protecting the planet. Built around premium formulations and sustainable innovation, every product has been developed to deliver professional results while reducing environmental impact.

Launching with a curated collection of essential styling products, the range includes Matte Clay, Matte Hair Spray, Deluxe Hair Pomade and Sea Salt Spray. Each formula is sulphate-free, paraben-free and cruelty-free, while every product is packaged without a single trace of plastic.

Sustainability sits at the heart of the brand. Through its partnership with Treeapp, Mane Origin plants one tree for every ten products sold, while the forthcoming Mane Origin Foundation will support environmental initiatives alongside projects focused on men’s mental health and wellbeing.

Following its runway debut in Miami, the complete Mane Origin styling collection is now available from £18.99/$26.00, offering professional-quality styling solutions for every hair type and finish without compromising on sustainability.

For more information visit www.maneorigin.com

Instagram: @mane.origin

Thoughtfully built, designed specifically with hairdressers and barbers in mind, the newly launched ChairPro offers a more intentional approach to booking. 

What Happens Between Appointments

A client finishes their service. You send an invoice by text as they’re checking the mirror. Payment is completed from their phone before they even leave the chair.

At the end of the week, you want to boost bookings for an upcoming slow period. Instead of scrolling through hundreds of client records, you pull a list of top spenders, frequent visitors, and clients who haven’t booked recently, then send each group a tailored text message in minutes.

The next day, a client cancels an appointment. Rather than manually reaching out and hoping to fill the opening, the appointment is automatically offered by text to clients on your waitlist. Before you’ve had time to think about the lost revenue, the schedule is full again.

The modern professional is no longer just managing appointments. They’re building a brand, cultivating client relationships, and creating a business designed to grow. The most successful professionals are leveraging technology that works quietly in the background while they focus on delivering exceptional service.

That’s the philosophy behind ChairPro Studio. Beyond online booking, the platform combines waitlist automation, integrated payments, client segmentation, targeted marketing tools, and a beautiful online presence for your brand—all included in a single platform designed to help professionals grow their income and deepen client relationships.

ChairPro arrives at a moment when many beauty professionals are beginning to expect more from the tools they use every day. Across the industry, there’s a noticeable shift away from generic booking systems toward platforms that better reflect the identity, professionalism, and operational needs of modern salons and barbershops.

“Throughout the years I have listened to the frustrations with booking software for barbers and salons: hidden and surprise fees, clunky interfaces, unclear payment systems. And I thought… I want to do better for the professional,” said founder Robert Lawson. 

What Makes ChairPro Different?

The service is still the star of the show. ChairPro helps ensure every opportunity around it is captured. Here’s what makes this platform stand out from the rest. 

Elevated Booking Experience: ChairPro focuses on clean, modern, booking pages that reflect the quality of a professional’s work.

Waitlist Automation: Built-in waitlist functionality helps professionals fill cancellations automatically; turning lost time into booked revenue.

Built-In Marketing Channels

ChairPro includes:

• On-page announcements (free, for all visitors)
• Email campaigns
• SMS outreach

Direct Payment Ownership: Professionals connect their own Stripe account and receive payments directly; maintaining full control over their business and customer relationships. Built-in invoicing is included, allowing payments to be collected via QR code or to clients by text.

Ease of Use / Setup: Set-up is designed to be simple and fast. Professionals can be up and running in under 10 minutes, directly from their phone. 

“My business philosophy is providing a good services at a fair price, and that’s what I want to do at ChairPro,” Robert said. 

Learn more about Chair Pro Today 

On May 30, 2026, during Premiere Orlando, one of the beauty industry’s largest professional events, Booksy welcomed barbers, hairstylists, creators, educators, and industry leaders to its annual brand party, an evening dedicated to celebrating the people shaping the future of beauty and barbering.

Booksy’s Big Top Event hosted guests in a vibrant, circus-inspired venue with thoughtfully curated activations including custom fragrance experiences, a caviar bar, and photo booths. More than a party, the event brought together professionals from across the country for a night of connection, conversation, and community, while highlighting a growing industry shift. Today’s beauty and barber professionals are increasingly operating as entrepreneurs, educators, content creators, and personal brands, in addition to providing services behind the chair. While technology continues to transform business operations, beauty services and barbering remain fundamentally a human profession built on trust, creativity, confidence, and connection.

The event served as a platform to showcase how technology can support—not replace—the professionals driving the industry forward. In 2025 alone, Booksy powered more than 215 million appointments and helped providers save an estimated 7.7 million hours annually through automated scheduling, payments, marketing, and business management tools.

“At a time when AI and automation dominate conversations across industries, beauty and barbering continue to prove that human relationships remain at the center of exceptional experiences,” says Gus Murillo, Director, Global Creative & Community at Booksy. “Technology can simplify operations, but it can never replace the creativity, culture, and personal connections that professionals create with their clients every day.”

Beyond efficiency, attendees discussed how those time savings translate into opportunities for growth, education, creativity, and personal well-being.

The evening also highlighted the stories of several Booksy ambassadors whose careers reflect the changing landscape of modern beauty and barbering:

• Joel Torres, an internationally recognized hairstylist and educator, shared how simplifying business operations has allowed him to focus on traveling, teaching, and inspiring professionals around the world.
• Timmel Horne discussed his journey from managing appointments through direct messages and phone calls to building a business that extends beyond barbering into podcasting, education, and personal brand development.
• Lonnie Horne spoke about leveraging technology to create operational consistency, enabling him to pursue additional entrepreneurial ventures while continuing to grow his influence within the industry.
• Mr. Official, a respected figure in barber culture, reflected on the evolution of barbering from traditional shop management to modern entrepreneurship, while maintaining the strong sense of identity and community that has always defined the profession.

As the industry continues to evolve, Booksy remains focused on helping professionals spend less time managing administrative tasks and more time building businesses, careers, and communities.

“Behind every appointment is a real person, a real relationship, and a real story,” added Murillo. “The conversations throughout the evening reinforced that the future of beauty isn’t less human—it’s more intentional, more connected, and more empowering for the professionals who make this industry what it is.”

Download the Booksy Biz mobile app for free or visit booksy.info/learn-more to learn more.