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.”

Generation Barber is set to return to Bournemouth on May 20th, 2024. Following the success of the 2023 show, Generation Barber will return bigger and better than before.

Aimed specifically for barbering students, Generation Barber, sponsored by Denman International brings together barbers, students and educators from across the UK for a day filled with education, inspiration and networking.

With education from leading barbering educators and influencers including the Great British Barbering Academy Team, Afro Hair Champion Grim Barber, Andis UK Education Team Lead, Baldy, and the organiser himself, Mike Taylor, this year’s schedule has it all.

For the first time, Generation Barber will also include demonstrations from barbers who started their own businesses in their 20’s. Dubbed the ‘Young Guns’, this performance is the perfect opportunity to inspire the new generation of barbers into thinking not only about their practical skills but also the whole package of what it takes to be a successful barber.

Alongside the incredible line-up, Generation Barber also allows students and barbers to get up close and personal with leading professionals in the Help and Advice Centres, situated in the main hall throughout the day. From advice on how to maintain your clippers to help on how to get that crispy fade, if you have any specific questions that need a more 1:2:1 response, the educators will be there throughout the day to help.

Due to the huge success from last year the Student Competition will also be returning. This is an incredible opportunity for learners currently working towards a formally accredited level 2 or 3 qualification to have a platform to showcase their skills.

There are two categories to choose from; either Classic or Creative, and the first round is judged by photographic entry. Get through to the final and you will see your work showcased around the Generation Barber Hall and on the big screen on stage. However, there can only be one lucky winner from each category who will go on to win a selection of goodies from Generation Barber Student Competition sponsor, Denman International and show supporter, Andis.

International Creative Director, Mark Hayes, will be leading the iconic Sassoon team at exciting new hair festival, HairCon which is taking place between the 22^nd and 24^th of June in the iconic O2 Victoria Warehouse in Manchester.

For over 40 years, Mark Hayes has been inspiring hairdressers at Sassoon with his passionate approach to hair and his technical expertise. Mark’s signature pared-down style, which reflects his love of modernist art and architecture, puts him at the forefront of global hair design. His role as International Creative Director takes him all over the world coaching, teaching and inspiring.

Beginning his 40-plus-year love affair with hair as an apprentice at the busy Sassoon Salon on South Molton Street, London in 1977, Mark’s yearly schedule now revolves around developing the seasonal collections and leading the worldwide demand for Sassoon Hair Design. He remains as excited today, as he was on his first day in 1977.  He said: “I take great pride in continuing the Sassoon legacy and now actively help to mould the company. I have the opportunity to create an energy and passion for hair in those around me.  My goal is to give more people more creative opportunities, more of the time.  It has been an incredible journey so far”.

 Mark and Sassoon will join an extraordinary line-up including Richard Ashforth’s Noise, Saco, Jack & the Wolfe, Heffy, SLK Bleach, Sally & Jamie Brooks, Desmond Murray and Errol Douglas along with the legendary barber heroes Alan Beak and Cal Newsome to name but a few. Prepare for your perceptions of both the industry and your business to be completely transformed by a spectacular line-up of global icons and immersive stage sessions, which will in equal parts inspire and revitalise your passion.

The event is a collision of artistry, aimed at igniting genuine connections within the hair industry. For hair professionals from across the globe, it’s time to get ready for a game-changing experience where you can immerse yourselves in a world of creativity, inspiration, and innovation. Whether you’re a salon, home salon or barbershop owner, a stylist and apprentice or a colourist (and everyone in between); you can expect HairCon to offer you the opportunity to challenge the equilibrium. 

HairCon is supported by an epic collaboration of industry titans including the Fellowship for British Hairdressing, Great Lengths, yuv ®, Diva Pro, Vagaro, DENSE, Design Essentials.Collaborators include Olaplex, Phorest, Ergo, Calligraphy Cut, Blonde Solutions, Tondeo, Novo Cabelo, Zen, K18, Comfortel and Glowwa.

Join Mark and more at HairCon 2024 for the best in global artistry and connection. Be inspired, get connected and join HairCon in leading the way into the future of the industry. 

For more information, please visit www.haircon.co.uk to find out how you can get involved.

The new clipper offers professionals unparalleled versatility, with optional cordless freedom and a powerful performance.

The leading manufacturer of handheld barbering goods, Andis Company, has announced the launch of their new, heavy-duty eMERGE™ Clipper for barbers. The new tool by Andis, who also deliver powerful education for professionals, features a powerful motor to cut all hair types and a detachable blade system compatible with all Andis ultraEDGE® and ceramicEDGE® blades – designed to deliver the ultimate clipping versatility to create precision cuts.

Fitted with an Andis ceramicEdge size 000 Blade, the eMERGE™ Clipper’s detachable blade provides users with the flexibility to change to optional blades in seconds, so barbers can achieve the correct cut length for the desired style. The clipper additionally offers a blade lock feature for added blade security. 

“Designed for busy barbers, our new eMERGE™ Detachable Blade Clipper delivers the power, speed and ergonomics to make high-volume clipper cutting easier,” said Matt K. Andis, Co-CEO of Andis® Company. “Its powerful rotary motor glides effortlessly through every hair type – wet or dry. Plus, its cord/cordless flexibility means the eMERGE™ is always ready behind the chair.”

The innovative design, which gives you the ability to go cordless, means you can keep on clipping even if you forget to charge the battery. This is in part due to the clipper’s high-speed, high-torque motor which runs at 3,800 strokes per minute. The motor is powered by a lithium-ion battery for up to 1.5-hours of run time and includes an LED battery indicator that lets you know when to charge. The ergonomic design that offers a contoured shape with finger grooves, provides barbers with a comfortable and manageable experience.

The eMERGE™ Detachable Blade Clipper features a one-year warranty and includes:

• ceramicEDGE® Size 000 Blade
• Power Supply Adapter & Cord
• Blade Brush
• ¼ Oz Oil Tube
• Replacement Quad Drive

SRP: $305.99 USD

To purchase the eMERGE™ Clipper, visit www.andis.com and authorized Andis dealers. For more information on Andis® Company, follow them on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

STMNT Grooming Goods have proudly introduced their latest innovative addition to the grooming industry: the Dual-Sided Hair & Beard Comb.

Set to become a staple for grooming afficionados globally, the birchwood tool was designed with both barbers and clients in mind. The tool was created with the goal of revolutionising styling routines and enhancing the retail experience.

The tool, which STMNT have dubbed the “dual-sided wonder”, has both hair and beard grooming capabilities: streamlining the styling process, for the convenience of both barbers and clients alike. Made from sustainable birchwood, the comb is also notably sturdy. 

Designed with every barber in mind, the ergonomic design ensures a comfortable grip and a “pleasure” to use for extended periods of time. Barbers can also use the tool to relieve fatigue and tension from the scalp, whilst promoting healthy blood circulation. The tool has also been designed with every hair type in mind, the combe caters to a diverse range of styling needs. 

In a bid to support barbers in elevating their retail offerings, the grooming company is encouraging barbers to offer the Dual-Sided Hair & Beard Comb as a complimentary gift.

Barbers can now provide added value to their customers by offering this £12.99 retail-priced comb for free with the purchase of other STMNT Grooming Goods products, creating a great incentive for clients to make in an in-shop purchase after their service.

Award-winning barber, Yasemin Hassan has announced the launch of Talking Textures. A groundbreaking exhibition which set to illuminate London’s Ugly Duck Venue with its launch on April 12th, 2024. Curated by Yasemin Hassan and captured through the lens of photographer Yeliz Zaifoglu, the photo series dives deep into the intricate relationship between beauty, cultural identity, and the resilient nature of hair, especially within the Southwest Asian & North African (SWANA) communities.

Talking Textures is more than just an exhibition; it’s a movement. Spanning across a series of 26 compelling photographs, a poignant short video, and an engaging panel discussion, the project aims to celebrate, educate, and redefine the cultural significance of textured hair. This initiative seeks to bring to light the challenges, beauty rituals, and the profound connection between hair and cultural identity in SWANA regions.

Yasemin Hassan, an award-winning hairdresser, has emerged as a pivotal figure for individuals with textured hair in London, particularly within the SWANA community. Her extensive experience on high-end fashion shoots and London Fashion Week 2023, coupled with personal conversations within her community, inspired the creation of Talking Textures. Yasemin’s mission is to decolonize perceptions of hair and address the underrepresentation of SWANA identities in the hair industry.

Working closely with Dania Arafeh, founder of 3EIB – a SWANA fashion platform reclaiming the Arabic word 3Eib, meaning ‘shame’ – this project is a reaction to the underlying shame that SWANA individuals often experience from others within their own cultures, as well as what we are taught in the mainstream media about beauty.

The exhibition runs from 12th April at Ugly Duck London, 49 Tanner St, London SE1 3PL.

For more information please visit www.instagram.com/talking_textures_

The latest issue of BarberEVO UK & Ireland is OUT NOW.    Get your copy here! 

Step into Spring

The latest issue of BarberEVO UK & Ireland is OUT NOW! Our second issue of 2024 is one you won’t want to miss. Inside, you’ll find exclusive interviews and features focusing on creativity, sustainability, business and retail tips as well as our brand-new column with Hairgound’s Live podcaster Simon Butcher. We showcase the best up-and-coming barbershops in London, as well as a stunning EVO abroad location in Tennessee; and much more inside.  

Cover Star: Charles Gray 

Founder of Hair in Motion and barbering legend Charles Gray needs no introduction, but in this issue, we highlight his career from young apprentice to heavyweight educator and entrepreneur. Charles reflects on starting his apprenticeship aged 18, to now being expert educator with Hair in Motion, co-founder of Leaf Signature Styling, and creative director at Leaf Scissors. We discuss all this and more with Charles in the latest unmissable issue.

Staying Creative      

In this issue, we are focusing on the best ways to stay creative as a barber, speaking to experts in the industry and highlighting the tools and skills necessary. We speak to creative expert and educator Alessandro Barca about his best tips, and tools he recommends for barbers to stay on the pulse of trends. While highlighting collections and advice on embracing individual techniques and finding a creative niche from Hayden Cassidy, Fede Damiani, Darren Heywood Kenny, Ex The Barber and Charlie Cullen. 

Sustainability   

With Earth Day 2024 approaching, we want to shine a light on the barbers, businesses and brands doing their bit to protect the environment. We speak to Brighton-based duo Ally Papworth and Dan Hall at The Tin Can Barbershop on their sustainable shop built in a shipping container, as well as columnist Carlie Cardle sharing sustainable insight to fellow business owners.  

Product Focus: Aftercare 

In this industry, barbers are spoiled for choice with the best and most exciting aftercare products for clients. We showcase speak to Matakki director Emma Curd about how their scissor brand has a unique function helping barbers avoid repetitive straining, as well as focusing on new releases like; Artero’s latest clipper, The Brooklyn; Wahl Professional’s Hi-Viz Trimmer, 5 Star Cordless Detailer Li, and the latest A-Lign Trimmer.  

Business   

Looking for the next way to expand your business? Focus on retail. Teaming up with Morgan’s Pomade, Kevin Vorley tells us about his tour to improve retail offerings in barbershops. While columnist Mark Maciver from SliderCuts Studio shares his advice to business owners and self-employed barbers about all thing’s insurance, with helpful tips about everything you need to know.  

We hope you enjoy this issue! You can order your print copy here. 

 

SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR CRISP LINE-UPS, THE GTX-S BLADE WAS BUILT WITH FEEDBACK FROM BARBERS. 

Andis® Company, a leading manufacturer of handheld grooming tools and education for professional barbers, has launched the GTX-S Blade, the sharpest blade to date in its product line. Designed specifically for crisp line-ups, this deep-tooth, carbon-steel T-blade fits the company’s popular GTX-EXO trimmer and features a sharper, flatter tooth profile for next-level precision in the barbershop. The new GTX-S Blade is available now for professionals to purchase from Andis.com and authorized Andis distributors.

• WHO: Andis Company and Interested Professionals. 
• WHAT: Launch of GTX-S Blade, Andis Company’s sharpest blade yet.  
• WHEN: Available now. 
• WHERE: Purchase today from the Andis website and authorized Andis distributors.

For more information visit www.andis.com. For more information on Andis® Company, follow them on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Kicking off the new year at the ‘24 winter x games where the barbers are just as extreme as the competitors, andis company partners with barber authority to give athletes and vips gold medal looks.

Andis® Company, a leading manufacturer of handheld grooming tools and education for professional barbers took its expertise to new heights in January, literally. Sitting at nearly 10,000 feet above sea level, Buttermilk Mountain played host to the 2024 Winter X Games, as well as Andis Company’s partnership with Barber Authority. Joining forces to offer barbering services in the Athlete’s Lounge, Andis Ambassadors were tapped to style the athletes with fresh haircuts and beard trims to show off at the games, plus at-home tools to keep up the looks.

Teaming up with Barber Authority, a barbering collective founded by celebrity barber Steve Vilot in Lynchburg Tennessee, Andis sent Andis Ambassadors Jose Perez Zamora (@flashy_faded), Julien Howard (@thevelobarber), and Jorge Saldana (goalku_) to demonstrate their own skills on the mountain. Equipped with fresh, custom-engraved Master Cordless Clippers and all new Andis tools including trimmers, shavers and more, these barbers brought expert talent to the competition known for taking things to the next level.

These X-treme styles included many athletes walking away with the X Games official logo shaved into their fades. Snowboarder Pat Fava left the games with a mustache trim by Jose Perez Zamora as well. While the Winter X Games are often synonymous with the long hair that many of the athletes would refer to as “flow,” the Athlete’s Lounge was packed with athletes and other VIPs waiting for their shot at a new, Andis-perfected look. Fades, sculpted mullets, and crew cuts transformed the style of the games.

“Andis tools have powered Steve and Barber Authority for 10 years at the X Games. This year, we were excited to also provide barbers for the event,” said Bruce Bock, Sr. Corporate Communications Manager at Andis. “Jose, Julien and Jorge are extremely talented barbers and everyone who walked into the tent walked out with a perfect haircut.”

“I have always been an Andis-only barber and after years of using their precision tools in my barbershops and on tour, it has been awesome working with the team here at the Winter X Games,” said Vilot. The level of talent and the quality of tools is obvious looking at every haircut that left the tent. We are very excited to continue partnering with Andis, especially this summer at Lollapalooza.”

As 2024 is already shaping up to be a big year for tight, structured haircuts, Andis and Barber Authority have secured themselves as the trendsetters in the world of extreme sports. Sharing the incredible talent of the Andis Ambassadors and the precision of the Andis tool lineup on a stage this large is set to forecast a wave of new styles in the world of barbering.

For more information visit www.andis.com and barberauthority.com. To keep up with all things Andis® Company, follow them on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

We are ecstatic to welcome the one and only Chico Boom as a BarberEVO columnist for 2024. He’s been on the cover and now he’ll be on the pages for every issue. This globally celebrated barber and motivation speaker is also an author, educator, presenter, and go-to guy for Rolda, JRL, and Squire. His first column tells you how to design your personal brand. 

“Once you define your goals, you can build relationships that fuel your personal brand and take you into the rooms, onto the stages, and even into the boardrooms that you want to be.”

You want to build your personal brand in 2024? Let’s get into it…

Find your niche: Specialize in a specific industry niche.

Look introspectively to define your goals. Who do you want to be? What do you want people to come to you for? Once you define your goals, you can build relationships that fuel your personal brand and take you into the rooms, onto the stages, and even into the boardrooms that you want to be.

When I started, I didn’t want to just be a barber, I wanted to be a motivational speaker and educator. So, I designed my personal brand around that. You can design your brand around the clients you want to serve – maybe you want the creative, younger people in your chair, so start posting content online that reflects that ideal candidate.

Want to be known as a top tier barber? Create some guru content – utilize your social media to share advice and facts, maybe promote a couple brands. The internet is yours to play with.

Network: Go to tradeshows and events like the CT Barber Expo, which is by far the number-one show out there for barbers in North America. It is here that you find the brand contacts that you need to get a foot in the door with the biggest names in the industry – or even just to find likeminded people who might want to create with you, whether that’s online content, collections, or academies.

I am always at events scouting talent and education opportunities for JRL. If you come speak to me and you’re articulate, well-presented, and attentive then I’ll give you the chance – I’ll hear you out. Being put together is a huge part of professionalism and of boosting that personal brand.

Maximize social media: In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is essential for developing a personal brand. 

We can all agree that a barber can leverage social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube to showcase their work. This is your direct line to clients and your direct selling platform – selling your work and selling your personal brand. 

By creating eye-catching content and consistently posting updates – which, honestly, is something that I need to work on too – that showcase your craft builds you a following and attract new clients. Once you master that, you’re opening yourself to not just new clients, but new opportunities with brands and even getting featured in magazines like BarberEVO.

Don’t forget about websites, too. You want people to find you everywhere – they shouldn’t have to investigate the internet to find you. You must maintain a professional website that features information about your service pricing and contact details to further enhance your credibility and visibility online.

Get headshots and a résumé: Identify who you are and capture that in a headshot. I wanted to present myself as a public speaker, so I wore a suit.

Also create a bio about yourself; something short and snappy that says what you’re about. Also write out a résumé and always have it on hand, so when opportunities do present themselves for work, presenting gigs, or someone contracts you for something, you have a resume to submit that shows all your qualifications. 

To summarize: a bio is just a short description of your accomplishments and things like that, but the resume goes more extensive into the work field. Make sure to put your website and social handles on there so they know where to see your practical skills.

Learn how to talk: this is essential if you want to be a platform artist/educator, which I think is the ultimate goal for most ambitious barbers.

I won’t take people seriously who come to events and tradeshows who aren’t well presented in their clothing, or who talk casually. I want you to be eloquent, driven, and professional – not too many ‘uum’ or ‘you know what I’m saying’. 

To be successful in the professional field, communication needs to be mastered. You do that by taking speaking courses.

I recommend Toastmasters International. They’re a public speaking and communication skills educator that teach all over the globe. This is where you learn how to develop your communication skills and gain coping mechanisms that help you manage nerves or anxieties about speaking on stage.