The holiday season is a busy time for the beauty industry. Together with Zowie, the unmatched customer service platform, Booksy powers beauty and barbering businesses across the globe with platform features that allow beauty professionals to master scheduling, market to clients, minimize no-shows and reduce last minute cancellations during peak holiday seasons when providers see a surge in bookings.
Booksy is being featured in a Zowie digital billboard campaign showcasing how the two brands power beauty across borders and both platforms help business owners run and streamline day-to-day business operations with ease.
The campaign will be supported digitally on @Booksybiz’s Instagram in partnership with Booksy’s top US and Global ambassadors and via the website. Stay tuned to social and digital platforms for exclusive content.
Manage Your Time, Money and Clients with Booksy
Online booking has transformed the beauty and barbering industry, Booksy has been ahead of the game since the beginning. We’re the global leader in business management for nail techs, hairstylists, barbers, etc. helping you speed up scheduling, increase revenue, and grow your business.
No more back and forths on DMs trying to book a client, only for them to cancel on you at the last minute. It’s simple – Booksy makes it easy for you to get organized and run your business so you can focus on what you do best and get paid your worth. Get to know the fastest-growing scheduling app for beauty and barber salons. Take appointments, market your business, protect your bottom line, and build your brand.
Stay booked, without the back and forth
Keep your calendar full and build a loyal clientele with 24/7 easy online booking, automated marketing tools, and more visibility for your business.
Full Calendar Control: Set your schedule and control how clients book.
Fewer DMs & Calls: Let clients book, reschedule or cancel their own appts 24/7.
Break free from busywork, focus on your clients
Keep total control of what’s important, but don’t sweat the small stuff. Streamline the admin and focus on creating an unforgettable experience for your clients.
Your Time, Protected: Require deposits to reduce last minute cancellations and no-shows.
Build a business you’re proud of
Bring in more money and save time as you level up your business. Our platform meets you where you are – and adapts to where you’re going.
As the last issue of 2024, and the first issue of 2025 – this edition is looking to the future, with a sense of optimism and, of course, innovation. Pulling together a collection of exclusive content from our esteemed columnists and industry titans – and the best barbers in the biz’ – we’re helping you to kick off your year right! With Brosh in the spotlight on our front cover… this issue is set to be the one that gives edge. Featuring everything from Winter and New Year Styling, Business, and Tech, to Interiors, Advanced Techniques and Hygiene – we’re bringing the heat this season! With all of this… and even more, this issue is one to remember!
In this issue, we have the iconic Brosh Educator and Ambassador, and Mr Brothers Cut Club Founder Tomoya Nishimori taking the cover with Brosh. The Japanese brand is renowned for their uniquely Japanese take on Americana-style barbering. Combining classic iconography, with contemporary quality – Brosh are blowing up the barbering scene. In the cover piece we delve into our Barber of the Edition, Tomoya Nishimori’s story. Discussing his journey to become a celebrated figure in the global barbering community. In this piece, we also look into his pivotal role as Ambassador and Educator for Asia’s No.1 grooming brand – Brosh.
WINTER
Welcoming us into winter, we have San Diego barber, Ro Silva, talking trends that have evolved into staples. We also have the ultimate festive gift guide from 18.21 Man Made – thanks to the brilliant barbershop Scissors & Scotch. Our esteemed columnists, Tyler Kelbert and Byrd Mena also join us, talking winter wellness and goal setting. We also take a look back over American Crew’s 2024, with our columnist Phoenix Thomson.
RISING STAR
Chico Boom, as always, is bringing the BOOM! And in this edition, he’s also us bringing our Rising Star’s. Talking mentorship, building a career with longevity – and always paving a path for those yet to come, Chico’s column this month is one radiating positivity. He also takes the time to introduce us to our rising stars, Cherry the Barber and DJ Cut It.
BUSINESS
Kicking off business, we have Rob Hopper joining us from his bustling barbershop, The Commodore. With four locations, Rob Hopper is a great example of a great example for BarberEVO readers to boost their business. Also featured are Floyd’s 99, who take a look back at their year; V’s Barbershop, who are celebrating 25 years; and Rolda Ambassador, Jorge Massas. We also sat down with the inspirational Fred Helou, CEO and Founder of Vagaro, to learn more about his story to world-renowned businessman. Don’t forget – we also have all the latest in the world of tech!
INTERIORS
Our Barbershop of the Edition is the stunning Low Ear Barbershop in NYC, led by Mari De Monte. The beautiful shop is inspired by the Japanese Hi-Fi aesthetic and is the culmination of Mari’s purposeful career. We also stop by the barbershops, Mane Studio and Symmetry to chat with Shah the Barber and Kenna Taylor about their subsequent styles… and how Keller helped them along the way. We also learned about RR Head Labs, who don’t only have a pretty face (thanks to Collins) – but also a powerful story, where founder James Repenning ensures that his barbers are creating art with a purpose.
ADVANCED TECHNIQUES
Next up, we have L3VEL3 bringing color craziness to our Advanced Technique feature. The brand talked all things color, design, and the all-important products that you need to bring your vision to life. We also sat down with Igor Sadurskii, who revealed all his secrets when it comes to using his coveted Heiniger clippers. Also in this section, we touch upon SMP and perming.
HYGIENE AND SANITATION
Closing out this edition, we have Andis’ Angie Perino talking clipper hygiene in the barbershop. We also have Wellness Pro delivering their top tips for how you can keep your entire barbershop sparkling clean – and WHY you need to. UK-based celebrity barber, Mark Maciver, [JP1] also offered his advice, taking from his own personal experience in the barbershop.
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.”
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
In the dynamic and ever-evolving world of fashion and grooming, technology has become a vital tool for professionals looking to streamline their operations and expand their reach. This issue, we speak to award winning barber, and fashion world high-flyer, Thaddeus, about how he uses industry technology like Fresha to build relationships and run his business seamlessly.
Fresha is an easy-to-use software designed for barbershops and other beauty and wellness businesses. It helps barbers manage appointments, customer info, and payments all in one place. With Fresha, barbers can let clients book online anytime, track client history and preferences, and handle payments smoothly. This means less time on admin tasks and more time cutting hair.
Fresha also helps barbers find new clients through its marketplace and keep existing ones with automated reminders and promotions. Using Fresha makes running a barbershop easier and more efficient, allowing barbers to focus on what they do best.
To find out more about how tech is being used in the barbering industry, Thaddeus, an award-winning barber, went over for the Louis Vuitton and Ami show at Paris Fashion Week with Fresha to see the importance of tech in the barbering industry.
Over the years, Thaddeus has perfected his craft and begun traveling and teaching around the world. He’s even had the privilege to personally cut some celebrities, such as Drake, J Balvin, Big Sean, and DVSN.
In 2017, Thaddeus became the National Men’s Ambassador-Educator for L’Oréal. In 2019, Thaddeus moved to the UK to attend Vidal Sassoon and merge the gap between barbering and hairdressing. He’s now back in North America running GRADIENT, ‘A platform for hair architecture and design. The fusion of knowledge, tools, and exploration.’
So, what about tech in the industry? Thaddeus says it’s all about building relationships and making your work and the ability to book as accessible as possible.
“I have all these models now connecting and booking with me through the Fresha app. It’s important to have a booking system connected to your profile on social media just because it stops any friction between you and your potential clients looking at your amazing work,” he explained.
This seamless connection allows potential clients to view Thad’s work and book appointments without any hassle, improving that experience for the client, and boosting business.
“For example, we’ve been able to grow our social media following, our fan base, and our community, as well as travel the world. I was just in Barcelona teaching an amazing class at a big show, which connected me to some amazing barbers. And this is all through connecting with the right people. Technology has definitely helped the barbering industry. These opportunities to teach and collaborate are a testament to how technology can open doors and facilitate meaningful connections in the industry.”
Thaddeus is particularly impressed with the Fresha app, highlighting its simplicity and aesthetic appeal. “What I like about Fresha is that their booking app is so simple, pleasing to the eye, and very minimal. I think it would match any branding, so if you’re looking for a booking app, Fresha is the way to go,” he said.
This endorsement speaks volumes about the importance of user-friendly technology in enhancing the client experience and supporting business growth. The integration of technology in the barbering industry is not just a trend but a necessity for modern professionals.
Thaddeus’ experience illustrates how tools like Fresha can significantly impact a barber’s ability to manage their business, connect with clients, and expand their reach. As technology continues to advance, it will undoubtedly play an even more significant role in shaping the future of the barbering industry.
By using innovative tools like the Fresha app, Thaddeus has streamlined his operations, built a global community, and showcased his talents on an international stage. His story is an inspiration to other professionals in the industry, highlighting the transformative power of technology in achieving success and making meaningful connections.
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).
BarberEVO UK columnist and industry icon Alan Beak has been appointed as the new Global Ambassador for Booksy, marking a significant milestone for both the platform and the barbering community.
Known for his precision, creativity, and passion for education, Alan’s partnership with Booksy positions him as a driving force in promoting innovation and digital solutions within the industry.
As Director and Co-Founder of RUGER., Alan has always been at the forefront of cutting-edge barbering techniques. His new role with Booksy will see him championing the integration of technology into barbershops worldwide.
Through this collaboration, Alan will play a pivotal role in showcasing how digital tools can streamline operations, enhance client experiences, and help barbers elevate their businesses to new heights.
“The impact that Booksy had on RUGER. was phenomenal because we were the only people in our area that were taking our bookings,” Alan explained. “Now your time is your money, and our time is our money, and we would have people come to the shop at 8 a.m. on a Saturday and sit there for 4 or 5 hours waiting. Now, we’ve respected their time, and they’ve respected ours just waited anyway. But having that streamline of clients knowing full well who you have in the chair all day made us much more professional.”
As Booksy expands globally, Alan Beak’s influence will undoubtedly strengthen its presence in the barbering industry, inspiring professionals to embrace modern solutions that maximize efficiency and customer engagement. His ambassadorship signals a bright future where artistry meets innovation, setting a new standard for the industry.
Wahl Professional, the leading and trusted brand in professional grooming and styling, announced today the launch of its latest innovation, the 5-Star Vapor™ featuring the New F32 Fadeout™ Blade, the industry’s first adjustable balding blade. Offering rapid precision and a powerful cut, the Vapor™ is designed for barbers to achieve picture perfect bald fades by comfortably transitioning from bald to fade around the scalp area.
The Vapor will be a part of Wahl’s 5-Star line of products, which includes the two of the highest selling clippers globally, the 5-Star Magic Clip® and the 5-Star Senior®. These tools and cordless counterparts have become the most trusted, dependable clippers on a barber’s station, and the addition of the Vapor™ will further solidify Wahl Pro as the global leader in barbering.
“The Vapor is the culmination of Wahl Pro’s world-class innovation and engineering. Vapor offers a unique solution to the tedious processes of cutting to scalp and blending bald fades,” said Lance Wahl, Global SVP of Sales & Marketing for Wahl Professional.
“Aside from sharper precision and improved control through new designs, The Vapor’s revolutionary adjusting balding blade will simplify and create a more comfortable experience for those in the chair and behind it.”
The F32 Fadeout™ Blade has deeper, finer, and 50% more ball-pointed teeth that are six grams lighter than Wahl Pro’s standard blade, so it can move quickly and smoothly over pores, preventing nicks and scrapes. The high-carbon steel blades with PVD chrome and black DLC coatings keep the blades cool, are ultra-strong, rust resistant, and remain sharp up to four times longer compared to standard steel blades. For the closest cut, the F32 Fadeout™ Blade can be adjusted for zero gap.
In addition to the new blade, the Vapor™ has more power without the weight. Its high-speed brushless motor with Adaptive Speed Control provides consistent power of 8000 RPMs through all hair types and textures, while only weighing 275g, for a lighter hold.
For more control, the Vapor™ has a rubberized no-slip grip material, and the new metal taper lever and housing are shaped to align with natural hand and finger placement for unmatched comfort.
The Wahl Pro 5-Star Vapor™ is available for $199.99 on Wahl Pro’s official website. For more information, visit Wahlpro.com and follow @Wahlpro on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
Rascals’ Owner and Founder, Sam Bentham, has just been announced as the newest Fresha Ambassador. The #1 Salon Software for booking, analytics, payments and more, has supported Sam through his journey from barber apprentice, to barbershop owner and entrepreneur. Sam spoke to BarberEVO about why he is Fresha’s #1 fan.
“I mean, I’ve been using Fresha before it was called Fresha,” chuckled Sam Bentham. “It just feels pretty full circle to be a Fresha Ambassador now.”
Sam is the owner and founder of the Newcastle barbershops Rascals, haircare line of the same name – and the newly announced Fresha Ambassador. Sam set up his urban city-scape style barbershop in Newcastle in 2018 and Rascals’ second location at the end of 2023 – Sam feels like his career has catapulted. Whilst this type of constant career evolution would bring some people a certain degree of stress, Sam told us he “loves it.”
Smiling, Sam said: “It’s funny, Fresha has been with me throughout my career. When I was just starting out, I got involved with Fresha because it was free, at the time. I’ve stuck with it for the entire time I’ve owned Rascals because it’s just so user-friendly. For me, it’s the perfect application – having two locations; with any other service, I would have to have two subscriptions. With Fresha, I’m able to integrate both stores into the one app. Having access to information about everything going on in my barbershops – from my stock levels to my staff’s commission – on one app, it’s made everything go so much smoother.”
The barber and entrepreneur, who is originally from North Tyneside in Newcastle, spoke to us whilst in the middle of a move to Manchester. While telling us about his plans to leave his barbershops in a managerial capacity, to set up a studio in the Rainy City and focus on creating digital barbering content, he noted that this is where Fresha comes in handy.
He said: “I have an amazing team at both Rascals stores, but I know that because they are such busy stores, the load will sometimes get overwhelming. It’s great to know that even if I’ll be away from the stores, I’ll be able to take on some of that weight. One of my favourite features on Fresha, is the add-on called Team Pay. I’m able to monitor the attendance and hours worked with the clocking in and out time sheets. I can track their commission, wages and tips – and pay it out. All from the app – wherever I am. Before Team Pay was developed, I used to have to sit on a Saturday afternoon and work everything out myself. So, it’s really allowed me to maximise my time and focus on different branches of my career.”
“I mean, there’s a greater benefit to it too, for owners. Before this feature came out, I used to have all of this money paid into my business account and send it out from there, which meant I was taxed on it all. With Fresha, because it’s all paid out via them and the business wallet feature, I’ve ended up saving nearly half my VAT bill, which I can then reinvest into my business,” Sam said.
The young creative, whilst “always having a business mindset,” didn’t always have the barbering bug – but it seemed there was always something trying to reel him in. When he was a child, Sam’s mum worked in a hairdresser – where Sam admittedly “loved the sound of the hair being cut.” After leaving high school, Sam studied Aerospace Engineering at college. Only lasting a year, he dropped out with no clear plan. With more free time on his hands, Sam began modelling hairstyles for his friend, who was undertaking a hairdresser apprenticeship. Fascinated by the colors and styles, Sam decided to make the move into the barbering world.
Sam said: “As soon as I figured out that I was going to give barbering a go, I knew I wanted to have my own shop. I’m someone who likes to do it my own way. When I was working for other barbers, I would always observe their space and visualise what I’d do with it. It’s the same with Rascals hair products. I’d be styling people’s hair and thinking about what ingredient could enhance the formula – even how I could make the packaging look better. So, I knew I had to start it up.”
The entrepreneur notes that launching the Rascals range in the summer of 2023 is one of two “real career highlights,” which reminds him of “just how far” he has come. Opening his second location of Rascals soon after the launch of his product line also gave the budding businessman a huge boost.
“It was so exciting opening the second Rascals. It lets me know I’m doing something right,” Sam nodded, before continuing. “I’m trying to do something different at Rascals. I’m trying to create something that is in between a barbershop and a salon. So, I use a lot of scissor work with a super in-depth consultation. I don’t want it to be your typical barbershop.”
Sam acknowledges that for some clients, this new-wave style of barbershop can feel intimidating. At Rascals, he makes it a priority to have his clients feel comfortable from the get-go.
“It’s about being greeted with a smile,” he said. “It’s about making the effort to give your client that good quality advice, to ensure your client feels listened to. I believe that’s one of the reasons we have such great customer retention rates. We’re able to focus on the service and really engage – a lot of that is because we have Fresha to deal with those important, but honestly, time-consuming tasks. We’re able to create that service that keeps our customers coming back.”
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).
