Fatboy, the hair care brand built for high-performance styling, wasn’t created in a lab or a boardroom, it
was born on the road, in the thick of touring life, where music and hairstyling were equally a part of Tyson Kennedy’s world.

As the lead singer of Grammy-nominated band Steriogram, he spent years performing high-energy shows, sweating through every set, only to find that no styling product could keep up. Hair would fall flat, lose shape or just not hold the way he wanted. So, he started making his own products. Before each tour, he’d mix batches of styling putty on his stovetop, testing and tweaking until he had something that could survive the chaos.

When Steriogram went on hiatus, Tyson took that same passion into New York’s salon scene, refining his formula and selling it to local stylists. Word spread fast, and what began as a home fix became a cult favorite. That original formula became the iconic Perfect Putty, the product that sparked it all. Seeing its growing demand, Tyson took Fatboy from a side project to a full-fledged brand built on performance, creativity and the belief that hairstyling should be expressive.

Fatboy has never been confined by gender; it’s for anyone who wants to own their style. Now, Fatboy is carving out its place as the authority in short
hair styling. Their mission is to reinvent and set trends for short hair styles like mohawks, pixies and shags. Designed to simplify, inspire and push the boundaries of what hairstyling products can do, Fatboy is more than just a brand, it’s a haircare movement.

“I am thrilled to share our unwavering drive for crafting exceptional hair care products tailored towards short hair styling…

…We believe that every individual deserves to express their unique style with confidence, and our mission is to provide the perfect tools to elevate that experience. With Fatboy, short hair has never looked so good.”

Tyson Kennedy, founder of Fatboy.

Fatboy’s haircare range is designed for both stylists
and everyday users.

The line-up includes…

• Perfect Putty (2.6 oz/ $21): The award-winning, industry-disrupting styling staple that started it all. A matte-finish putty with flexible hold for that perfect lived-in texture, finished with subtle notes of green tea for a fresh, clean scent.
• Spray Putty (3.5 oz/ $24): Perfect Putty-in-a-can, now in an easy-to- use spray for simple, weightless application. This award-winning innovative product is perfect for adding that second-day gritty texture.
• Sea Salt Pomade (2.6 oz/ $21): A hybrid formula that fuses pomade with sea salt for a soft, tousled finish with just the right amount of texture. Styling Cream (2.8 oz. / $21): A lightweight, medium-hold styler that adds volume without flaking. Often used as a blow-dry base, it thickens, protects against heat and UV damage, and works on all hair types – free of nasties like sulfates, parabens and anything that doesn’t belong in great hair.
• Volumizing Shampoo (10 oz. / $24) & Volumizing Conditioner (10 oz /$24): A lightweight, clean duo designed to boost volume and nourish without buildup. Infused with rice protein for strength, plus coconut and avocado oils for hydration and shine, it keeps hair fresh and full with every wash. Finished with a serene fragrance of sage and bergamot, complemented by soft floral undertones for a fresh, uplifting scent.

With a line-up that delivers revolutionary styling, and a brand ethos rooted in music, creativity and individuality, Fatboy is redefining what it means to have great hair. Whether you’re a stylist, a performer or
just someone who wants their hair to look as good at 2 AM as it did at 8 AM, Fatboy has you covered. No fluff. No filler. Just game- changing products that work.

To learn more about Fatboy, please visit www.fatboyhair.com/

Dense Hair Experts, the award-winning leader in personalised hair loss treatments, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Stephanie Mason as its new Global Business Consultant. With a stellar track record in business strategy and brand development, Mason will spearhead Dense’s expansion into global distribution, professional salon growth, and cutting-edge educational initiatives.

Stephanie joins at a pivotal moment for Dense, which has already made waves in the haircare industry, trusted by A-list celebrities, elite athletes, and thousands of men and women worldwide. Fresh from winning Gold at Europe’s Transform Awards in the health and wellness category, as well as being named Best Medical-Led Hair Loss Solutions Provider UK 2024, Dense is cementing its position as the market leader in clinically backed, results-driven hair growth solutions.

Expanding Global Reach & Female-Focused Hair Solutions

In her new role, Stephanie will focus on strengthening Dense’s international distribution network, ensuring accessibility to its bespoke, prescription-grade hair loss treatments across global markets. She will also lead Dense’s strategic move into professional salons, giving hairstylists and trichologists the tools to integrate Dense treatments seamlessly into their services.

One of Stephanie’s key priorities will be revolutionising female hair loss care. While Dense has already transformed male hair restoration, she will bring her expertise to address the growing and often-overlooked crisis of female hair thinning and loss. Through targeted consumer and professional outreach, Mason aims to bridge the gap between salon-quality treatments and effective at-home care, ensuring that women struggling with hair loss have access to real, science-backed solutions.

Elevating Education & Industry Expertise

Stephanie will also oversee the development of an advanced education platform, designed to train haircare professionals in Dense’s high-performance, personalised treatment plans. This initiative will equip stylists, dermatologists, and trichologists with the knowledge to deliver unparalleled results, reinforcing Dense’s position as the global leader in medical-led hair restoration.

A Word from the Leadership

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Stephanie to the Dense family,” said Ash Hashmi, Co-founder of Dense Hair Experts. “Her expertise in business strategy and brand development is exactly what we need as we take Dense to new heights. With Stephanie’s leadership, we’re confident in our ability to expand our global footprint and continue to set new standards in personalised haircare.”

Stephanie expressed her enthusiasm about joining Dense at such an exciting juncture:

“Dense’s commitment to high-performance, scientifically backed hair growth solutions is truly inspiring. The brand is redefining what it means to treat hair loss with precision and effectiveness, and I am excited to drive its expansion and impact across the globe.”

Why Dense? A Science-Backed, Award-Winning Brand

Dense Hair Experts is not just another haircare brand—it’s a movement. Backed by industry-leading dermatologists and trichologists, Dense’s bespoke hair growth solutions use pharmaceutical-grade actives, botanical and biotechnological extracts, and cutting-edge formulation techniques. Its clinically backed, pill-free approach has already helped over 20,000 men and women regain their hair confidence, and with Mason on board, the future looks even brighter.

For more information on Dense’s award-winning treatments, visit www.densehairexperts.com.

Follow us on Instagram:

📍 @densehairexperts

📍 @stephaniemason

Roger Molina, Sam Villa ArTeam and Master Stylist at Lunatic Fringe @rogermolinahair, has parlayed his famous duagrams (stop motion video and moving diagrams) into his live education. This teaching methodillustrates every step, angle and finish entailed in teaching a cut by projecting a video and visuals onto a screen for a fully immersive experience. See his Wolf Lob here.

“This method shows 3D imagery with aerial perspectives of all elevations and cut lines, so it eliminates guesswork for sectioning and technical approach. Students see every step of the new technique broken down into bite size experiences, before they try it themselves, so it takes a lot of the guess work out of the equation,” says Molina whose is focusing on the “wolf lob” in upcoming classes and shows.

The wolf cut has become a household name in most salons, as well as the lob. The wolf lob is a simple and salon friendly way of creating the elements of both shapes together. “There is a high demand for nongender haircuts…styles that work for whoever wants to wear them and this one sits at a perfect length and style for any face shape and type of client,” adds Moina.

Technical Breakdown for the Wolf Lob

Fringe: Elevate 45° to the opposite side of the nose. Using a diagonal finger angle, cut from chin to lip length with a Sam Villa Classic Series Dry Cutting Shear.

Face Frame: Using guide from corner of fringe, elevate diagonal and forward with diagonal finger angle, and cut inside fingers like a razor while using a scissor.

Top: Elevate triangle sections to 90° vertical and cut with a diagonal angle leaving volume to front. Over direction is to center. Stationary guide.

Crown: Using guide from previous section, elevate diagonal to stationary center guide. Finger angle matches head form and point cut short to long.

Nape (internal graduation): Take vertical finger width section, elevate diagonal and remove bulk in bits where it’s thick. Gradually pivot to diagonal elevation and continue technique until the back of ear.

“The fusion of modern and classic haircuts may be the future of haircut progression. The classic will always ground and inspire, but evolution and progression are required to thrive in the salon world today. As a wise chef once said, “a truly modern dish is classic one served with the slightest necessary twist,” concludes Molina.

Molina will be at America’s Beauty Show teaching 1 hour classes, filter by Classroom #14 to view the full schedule here.

Saturday April 5th

11:00am On-Point Cutting and Styling Textures (with Jesse Linares, Teresa Romero and Roger Molina)

3:30pm Gender-Free Haircutting: Creating for All (with Roger Molina, Jamie DiGrazia and Manda Ziegelman)

Sunday April 6th

12:30pm Always Chic: Cutting with Purpose Meets Lived-In Styling (with Jesse Linares, Roger Molina and Justin Michael Parra)

2:00pm Short to Long Haircutting and Finishes (with Jesse Linares, Teresa Romero and Roger Molina)

Monday April 7th

1:00pm Textur & Haircutting: Enhance, Control and Create (with Jesse Linares, Roger Molina and Evie Rivera)

2:30pm Today’s Essentials: Interactive Session (with Jesse Linares, Sam Villa and Roger Molina)

To learn more about Molina or book an in-salon class with him, see here.

Aura Salonware is pleased to announce its first annual Aura BeautySphere Connect event, which will take place at The Standard Spa in Miami Beach, Florida, on May 5, 2025.

This intimate one-day retreat for salon owners is an opportunity to connect, learn, and recharge. Participants will gain insights from industry innovators and experience salon leadership educational sessions and workshops.

Speakers include Cyd Charisse and David Bosscher of Destroy the Hairdresser, Sarai Speer, known as the Platinum Giraffe, Alicia Soulier from Salon Scale, Benjamin Camagna from Currie Hair Skin and Nails, Keri Davis of Keri Davis Consulting, and more.

In addition, Aura’s official networking lunch and experiential cocktail reception allows salon owners to connect with fellow beauty entrepreneurs.
“Aura promises to infuse new energy to salon businesses by providing an industry event that brings together like-minded beauty professionals,” mentioned Aura Salonware Co-founder Jonathan Levine. ”We invite salon owners to come get inspired, share their experiences and best practices, and discover ways to grow their businesses while taking a little time to breathe in the beauty and vibrance of Miami.”

To learn more about Aura BeautySphere Connect or purchase tickets, visit http://aurasalonware.com/beautysphereconnect.

About Aura Salonware
Aura Salonware is the all-in-one salon operations software that modernizes, automates, and innovates the entire salon management experience. With intuitive and dynamic features, this data-driven, cloud-based platform helps salons provide an elevated client experience to increase retention, satisfaction, and revenue.

For more information about
Aura, visit aurasalonware.com.

As March is Women’s History Month, BarberEVO decided to team up with Wahl Professional to show our appreciation of some of the top female barbers in the industry, and how they have overcome adversity in a male-dominated industry.

Featuring: Kristi Faulkner, Wahl Education Team, International Platform Artist & Educator

From a very early age, I loved everything about cutting hair – I always cut all my Barbie dolls’ hair and did all my friends’ hair in school. After high school, I went to college and cosmetology school at the same time and got my cosmetology license. Shortly after, I got married and moved to a military town – that’s really where my passion for barbering started. Even though I had just graduated from cosmetology school, I had never picked up a pair of clippers ever. I found a barbershop to work at, and the owner gave me a Wahl Professional Designer clipper and a Wahl Professional Peanut. The rest is history.

At the beginning, it was extremely hard to even have anyone sit in my chair. Not many female barbers cut hair for those of all different races and with all textures, but I was young and eager to learn, so I learned learning to cut men’s hair and all different textures. The owner, Miss Ann, was a Korean female barber who taught me everything I know. I’m so grateful for the opportunity she gave me. At that time, it was $4.00 a haircut and I made 40% of that. I definitely had to learn fast and cut fast. That is where my love of barbering came from and my speed.

After time and A LOT of practice I began to really start a great clientele on the military. Unfortunately, I ended up moving home and that’s when I really had a reality check. I was a white woman that cut all different textured hair, but mainly ethnic hair because it was my favorite to cut. When I looked for a job, I got turned away over and over again. I finally found a barbershop that gave me a chance, but still, no one wanted me to cut their hair. They thought I was an undercover cop or something like that. It took a lot of time and patience, but once I had a few people sit in my chair, I proved my skill.

Eventually I had to leave the barbershop, and I saved all the money I earned to open the first multi-cultural shop in my area. I have been licensed for 32 years now and with Wahl Professional clippers going on 17 years.

I’ve always found joy in continuing my barber education, so I went to all the hair shows I could. I was very fortunate that when I was at the Bronner Bros. Beauty Show, the largest ethnic show in the country, the head of education for Wahl clippers at the time, Isadore Adams, was there working the booth. He gave me the chance of a lifetime – I went on stage at the show and cut a head as a demonstration. I was so nervous to be up there, but when I turned on my Wahl Pro clippers, I instantly relaxed and showed off my skills that I had worked so on for over the years. I would never have thought a pair of Wahl Pro clippers would take me all over the world. I have done international shows and classes, all throughout the U.S. as well. Even working for the most trusted barbering tools company in the world, I still faced doubters who challenged my skillset. I worked even harder to know my Wahl tool knowledge better than anyone else, and I never gave up, which only made me better.

I’ve been so blessed to be a part of the Wahl family. They have supported me and encouraged me throughout my career. Now, I’m a part of the product and development team as well. I absolutely love anything and everything that has to do with Wahl – from the actual products, like my current favorites the 5-Star Vapor™ and the 5 Star A•LIGN Trimmer, to learning how to use them to create new looks and cuts.

This industry is ready for new upcoming female barbers. We have a few new female barbers on our Wahl Education team that are phenomenal. I love to share my story with other aspiring women in the industry, and I always encourage all female barbers to be fearless. Don’t give up! We have an incomparable skillset and presence. I always tell other female barbers the road might not be easy, but it’s so worth it. Every single disappointment will make you stronger and better. The future is bright for female barbers, and I’m so blessed I was able to help pave a little of the way.

The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) is thrilled to announce the 36th annual North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) finalists. NAHA is the most prestigious professional beauty competition in North America and honors the salon industry’s top artists who push the boundaries of skill and creativity.

The 2025 NAHA finalists represent the best of the best in the beauty industry, showcasing their exceptional talent and dedication to their craft. These artists have defied expectation, creating collections that captivate and inspire.

To win a coveted NAHA award, artists submit their collections in their choice of fourteen categories which include hair, makeup, and educational excellence. Development of these collections often takes months of envisioning, planning, and shooting.

Collections are judged anonymously by a panel of esteemed experts in hairdressing and makeup artistry. The submissions are scored based on technical skill, cohesiveness, and creativity.

The NAHA 2025 Finalists are:

Avant Garde:

• Rusty Phillips @rustyphillips13 – nominated for 2 categories
• Chrystofer Benson @cbensonhair – nominated for 2 categories
• Julia Clayton @jujuwiththegoodhair
• Jaimee Harris Smith @Hairbyjsmith – nominated for 2 categories
• Ruth Roche @ruthroche – nominated for 3 categories

Barber of the Year:

• Joel Tenser @JoelThair
• Carlos Estrella @Los_cut_it
• A-Rod @arod23pr
• Nieves Almaraz @howtofadehair
• Jamie DiGrazia @jamiedigrazia

Editorial Stylist of the Year:

• Maggie Semaan @maggiesemaan
• Lukas Press @Lukaspress_ – nominated for 2 categories
• Rusty Phillips @rustyphillips13 – nominated for 2 categories
• Vernon Francois @vernonfrancois – nominated for 3 categories
• Ruth Roche @ruthroche – nominated for 3 categories

Educator of the Year:

• Nina Tulio @ninatulio
• Adrienne Dara @adriennedara
• Chrystofer Benson @cbensonhair – nominated for 2 categories
• Candy Shaw @thebalaylama
• Bryant Murphy @dezignedbyb

Haircolor:

• Tina Casciato @tinacasciato
• Janelle Eyre @jeyre.hair
• Sean Godard @seangodard
• Breanne Gershon @glam.breanne – nominated for 2 categories
• Danielle Waterman @daniwatermanhair – nominated for 2 categories

Haircutting:

• Gilad Goldstein @myguiltycrown
• Austin Eric Lopez @AustinEricLopez
• Evie Johnson @contactevie
• Daniel Benoit @benoit4955
• Manda Ziegelman @mandaziegelman

Hairstylist of the Year:

• Dana Lyseng @danalysenghair
• James Abu-Ulba @method_education
• Nicole Pede @nmpede
• Allen Ruiz @allenruizstyle – nominated for 2 categories
• David Barron @barronslondonsalon – nominated for 2 categories

Inspiring Salon of the Year:

• Freddie Dean @carousel.tattoo.barber
• Leah Tressler @salonboutiqueacademy
• Amber & Chet Pope @salon27az
• Martino Cartier @martinocartier @martinocartiersalon @wigsandwishes
• Vee Vargas @beherewithvee

Makeup Artist of the Year:

• Erin Hensley @erinhensleycolor
• Angela Balbon @mzbartistry
• Natalia Farahmand @desideriobeauty
• Nohemi Capetillo @noamyphotographer
• Ericka Brannon @erickabrannon

Master Hairstylist of the Year:

• Allen Ruiz @allenruizstyle – nominated for 2 categories
• Cassie Carey @cassiecarey.hair
• David Barron @barronslondonsalon – nominated for 2 categories
• Anna Pacitto @Anna_pacitto_pure
• Matthew Morris @matthewmorriscode

Student Hairstylist of the Year:

• Abby Bruneel @hair_byabbyy
• Zion Schwartz @zschwartz.artistry
• Dexter @cauldron_of_color
• Genevieve Holdeman @turquoisetouch_
• Imelda Mercer @maneimelda

Styling and Finishing:

• Galyna Poczciwinski @ufirami
• Danielle Waterman @daniwatermanhair – nominated for 2 categories
• Vernon Francois@vernonfrancois – nominated for 3 categories
• Breanne Gershon @glam.breanne – nominated for 2 categories
• Veronika Shurunova @shurveronika

Team of The Year:

• Cult Salon @cult.salon.co – Vanessa Whitmarsh, Lindsey Hutchings, Gia Segundo, Cheri Cooke
• Valentinis @derrick_rutherford @juliocolor – Derrick Rutherford & Julio RodriguezEunoia Collection – Danielle Keasling, Pekela Riley, Anthony Negron, Bianca Donahue, Gilad Goldstein, Justin Tove s-Vincilione, Reva Haga
• JCPenney Salon @hairbyjsmith @beautiesbybee – Jaimee Harris Smith*, Brittany Brown, Charly Williams* nominated for 2 categories
• PHOTON @ruthroche – Ruth Roche*, Jill Leitz, Erica Wright, Wendy Belanger, Jackie Litscher *nominated for 3 categories

Texture:

The 36th annual North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) winners will be unveiled during

a glamorous awards ceremony on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at Premiere Orlando. This highly anticipated event will unite industry professionals, influencers, and beauty enthusiasts to celebrate the exceptional talent and groundbreaking work of these standout artists.

“The Professional Beauty Association is thrilled to honor the 2025 NAHA finalists, who represent the pinnacle of creativity and skill within the beauty industry,” shared Leslie Perry,

PBA Executive Director. “These artists showcase extraordinary vision, passion, and innovation that inspire their peers and elevate the industry.”

The winners for each category will be announced during Premiere Orlando on June 1, 2025. You can purchase your tickets to be part of the excitement by visiting probeauty.org/naha.

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.

JIM SHAW, DIRECTOR OF TONI&GUY BILLERICAY AND MULTI AWARD WINNING MEN’S HAIRDRESSER

All year round male clients should be looking after their hair, providing it with TLC and locking in moisture with good quality moisturising products, but particularly in summer when the sun can zap away moisture from their hair. Below are some of my top tips to advise male clients on to keep their hair looking its best during the summer season and information on the must have products they should be investing in!

Scalp Scrub – healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp and clients should use a scalp scrub every week/couple of weeks to ensure their scalp stays in the best condition, free from dryness and flakiness! Using a scalp scrub will also get rid of buildup on their hair and give it a deeper cleanse.

Conditioner – many men miss this step in their haircare routine and if there’s a time to add a conditioner it’s during the summer when we want to retain moisture in our hair. We should encourage our male clients to apply a small amount of conditioner after they shampoo to ensure their hair is kept nourished. If your male clients are heading on holiday, advise them it’s a good idea to invest in a leave in conditioner that they can spray through their hair throughout the day for extra nourishment.

Hair Mask – for added TLC during the summer male clients should use a hair mask on their hair every week/second week. This will prevent  hair from becoming brittle and damaged and instead, keep it soft, shiny and healthy. Recommend to your male clients that they only use the hair mask on their mid-lengths and ends avoiding the roots so as to avoid the hair becoming oily and/or weighed down.

Heat Protection Spray – if your male clients are to invest in any product during the summer, it should be a heat protection spray to ensure their hair is protected from the harsh UV rays!

When it comes to styling your hair in the summer months, less is more. The sun is already causing damage to the hair, and therefore it’s a great time for clients to take a step away from the heated styling tools to avoid further damage being done and instead, embrace natural and effortless hair looks that are so on trend for the season.

Beach/textured waves are a great look for men in the summer, particularly if they already have naturally wavy/curly hair and want to enhance it further. A salt spray can simply be spritzed through damp or dry hair and scrunched in for a ‘just off the beach’ inspired look.

Sleek styles are also incredibly on trend at the minute and as well as creating a more polished look, the products used to create these hairstyles can also give hair an added dose of moisture and hydration. Hair oils, serums and shine sprays are three products that are great for creating sleek styles and these can be distributed with a comb, slicking the hair back off the face or to one side to create a sophisticated and well-groomed finish.

For men with longer hair, ponytails, half updos and buns often make a comeback during the summer season, and they can look incredibly stylish. We are also seeing a more contemporary way to wear this trend with men teaming their man bun/ponytail with a haircut that’s short at the sides and the length kept longer on top. With this look, using a gel/pomade with a soft shine to it will help bring all of the hair out of the face whilst keeping it free from frizz and flyaways for a slick, smooth and shiny finish.

One Man. Two Wheels. Over 10,000 miles across 24 countries… 

On 7^th May Richie Finney, who heads Norfolk-based, multi award-winning gentleman’s grooming company Captain Fawcett, set off on a Great Expedition, an epic solo motorcycle adventure, visiting barbershops across Europe.

Taking place in three sections between May and October 2023, The Great Expedition will see host barbershops inviting customers to a local event showcasing the hugely popular Captain Fawcett brand. As the company founder, Richie Finney, who is known as the Captain’s ‘Right Hand Man’, will highlight the best of British Gentleman’s Grooming expertise in his distinctive anecdotal style. Giving attendees the chance to meet the man behind the business, he’ll share inspirational personal stories about how a humble kitchen experiment became an iconic global brand.

The road trip aims to connect with barbers, clients, distributors and stockists, who in turn will gain local, national and international exposure though Captain Fawcett’s social media, newsletters and special features on the Captain Fawcett website, where a dedicated Great Expedition page will follow the Right Hand Man and his barbershop destinations using a live tracker.

Richie Finney says: “From somewhat humble beginnings in 2010, Captain Fawcett has become an international lifestyle brand, exported to 38 countries with distribution agreements in over 27. As well as winning multiple global awards, we have affiliations with some of the industry’s most celebrated global brand ambassadors. In fact, for four years running, Captain Fawcett has been recognised as a DBT British Export Champion. I have always been a great believer in the importance of real life connection, enormously curious about the world and its people. Which is fortunate because I’ve learned that in-country knowledge is really crucial when building relationships in overseas markets. 

“Furthermore, whilst AI may well be fiendishly clever, it cannot replicate the sheer spontaneous joy of simply being human. By its very nature, the traditional barbershop experience is hands-on. As well as sprucing up one’s appearance, having a delightfully relaxing shave or haircut, the barbershop environment is all about having a chat, a laugh, a drink, a hug, a handshake. It’s about the sensual things – scent of perfume, a head massage, a luxurious close shave. These tangible moments of connection combat isolation and celebrate togetherness. They are the stuff of life! 

“We’ve created a fantastic itinerary of Barbershop gatherings, meeting highly esteemed colleagues old and new. I’m enormously excited to be out on the road again seeing chums face-to-face, in real life as it should be – Huzzah!” 

Use the Live Tracker to follow the Right Hand Man as he rides through Europe in real time! 

Tune into Fawcett’s Diary for regular updates from the road… photos, stories and up to the minute mayhem guaranteed!

https://www.captainfawcett.com/pages/the-great-expedition

PART TWO

JUNE/JULY 2023

Amsterdam, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Gdańsk, Berlin, Luxembourg & Antwerp.

PART THREE

SEP/OCT 2023

South Germany, Czech, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland & Paris. 

Barber of 20+ years, author, speaker and educator, Mark Maciver (AKA @SliderCuts) has just been announced as an official Fresha Brand Ambassador. Already a trailblazer in the industry, Mark has used Fresha’s state of the art and user-friendly platform to enhance his business and find even greater success in the industry. 

As someone who has built his own authentic brand and become a role model and leader in the barbering industry, Mark told us that he isn’t likely to partner or represent just any brand. He said: “I understand the influence that I have in the barber community so want to ensure that the brands I work with are genuine, authentic, and bring real value to barbers lives and businesses. For me, Fresha’s software passed that test. It has incredibly high standards and is a brand I’m happy to put my name behind, and to recommend to my community.” 

For Mark, the barbershop should be a pillar of its community, and he works to ensure that his shop helps his local community thrive and grow. One of the ways he does this is through a youth mentorship scheme. He explained: “We have a handful of local boys who come in every Saturday. We mentor them, pay them for their work, and offer helpful life skills, like teaching them how to do stock counts and counting the till. Giving them responsibility and accountability encourages a higher confidence, helps them think independently, and apply these skills to other aspects of life. We also teach them to cut hair and are here for any other help they need.”

Mark told us that one of the boys he mentors is currently going through his GCSEs, and was struggling in one subject in particular. So, Mark paid for a tutor to help support his mentee to get through this subject. He said: “Paying for the tutor for a few months might cost £700, but if that better grade can help his life forever, then of course it’s worth it. I want to show him that you don’t give up on something just because it’s difficult.” 

Mark believes that more barbershops should be engaging with their communities, giving back, and offering support. He said: “I can’t think of any other sector that has people from all walks of life working harmoniously. In the barbering world, there’s no cloth divide. One day, you could cut the hair of a heavyweight boxing champion, the next a judge, then a lawyer, an accountant, a tradesman, a troubled young kid… You name it! Why not use that diversity to uplift each other?”

So, what stood out to Mark about Fresha, and how does it differ from other platforms? He said: “I went to their office in London and liked that they had strong engineering and customer service teams in one place. It gave me that reassurance that if anything goes wrong, there is a team locally based, right there, ready to help you. Better than being outsourced to a call centre where you can wait hours to speak to someone.”

We asked Mark how he believes this partnership will lead to elevating the Fresha brand. He told us: “Meeting with Fresha’s owner showed me that my thoughts and input will be listened to and considered. He explained how much thought, consideration and testing goes into every feature and element of the Fresha platform, and how much they value the feedback from industry professionals. For me, a software platform like Fresha should be all about making life easier and taking work off barbers’ hands to make their work life easier and more efficient.” 

For Mark, the key to success and growth is being open to new opportunities that spark your creativity. We asked Mark – how can Fresha help unlock potential and allow barbers to take advantage of new opportunities? He said: “Not only does Fresha allow you to better organise your time – which is key to allow you explore new ventures, opportunities and creative ideas – but it also offers so many business resources for free to its users. This can be so inspiring and valuable when it comes to taking the next steps as a barber or business owner. Fresha is so much more than just a software.”