Hello, stranger! Long time, no-see.
Since we saw you last, the industry has welcomed plenty of changes and made the most of the comeback, different though it may be. And here at BarberEVO, there have been some changes, too.
Behind the keyboard at the moment is Jenna Robertson, your new Editor. I’m thrilled to join the team at BarberEVO โ my incredible predecessor Amy has left some big shoes to fill, but has also left me with a very exciting role to take on. Iโm so looking forward to getting to know our community of readers and contributors (who really are the rock stars of the barbering world), and continuing to bring you fresh, inspiring content.
And what a time to join! Our North American comeback issue is as exciting as they come. Our cover star is none other than Layrite legend Donnie Hawley, who shares some pearls of wisdom from his 25 years in the business and tells us the origin of the famous Layrite Deluxe Pomade.
We also take a look back at our incredible EVOLive series, sharing some of our favorite quotes and insights from barbers, brands and industry leaders, and we find out how other countries are coping post-lockdown, from the UK to the UAE.
We talk to Director of Education at Barbicide, Leslie Roste, on what the team have been doing during quarantine to support the industry, our columnist and SCurl Ambassador brings us a thought- provoking piece on the Black Lives Matter movement, and a host of leading barbers share their thoughts and advice on how to fix those pesky DIY home haircuts that I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of over the past few weeks!
Our columnist Kenny Duncan delivers a thought-provoking piece on the Black Lives Matter movement, and why it’s more important than ever for people across the globe to educate themselves on racial injustice.
We’re also looking out for you – while protecting yourselves and your clients is of the utmost importance, it is just as important to look after your own wellbeing, in both body and mind, so we’ve put together advice on how to prioritize your mental and physical wellbeing in these crazy times.
We also delve into retail โ an important resource for barbershops keen to claw back some of that lost revenue. You’ll find invaluable advice from Elliott Chester, Sosa and Bona Fide Pomade, who continue to use retail to their advantage.
It feels great to be on Team EVO, cheering on an industry that is so dynamic and fighting so hard to push through these uncertain times. I hope you enjoy our comeback issue, but in the meantime, stay safe, stay positive, and look forward to brighter days ahead.