Philosophy of the Barber
One on one conversations with barbers about their journey to and in the profession. Bree covers present day topics affecting the industry with cohost Cassy , as well as personal struggles and growth made possible by being a barber.
5 Secrets They Don't Teach You in Barber School
5 Barber Secrets They Don't Teach You in Barber School
As a barber, you're not just cutting hair - you're building a business and a reputation. In this video, I'm sharing the 5 crucial secrets that barber school won't teach you but can make or break your career in this industry.
🔍 In this video, we'll cover:
Why competition isn't what you think
How consistency beats occasional excellence
The importance of sitting in your own barber chair
Why pride is a double-edged sword
How showing your authentic self attracts the right clients
The...
The Conversation Every Barber Dreads (But Needs to Master)
🔥 Every barber has been there - that moment when a conversation with a client takes an unexpected turn. Whether it's a complaint about their cut, questions about your prices, or crossing boundaries, how you handle these moments can make or break your business.
In this no-BS guide, I'm breaking down the real strategies I've developed over years behind the chair to navigate the toughest conversations with clients while maintaining your professionalism and sanity.
🎯 KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• The #1 mistake most barbers make when receiving complaints
• Scripts for handling price discussions without losing clients
• How to set bound...
How Hair Pros Build A Clientele That Sticks
Building Your Client Base: Marketing Strategies for New & Established Professionals
SECTION 1: THE FOUNDATIONÂ
Why marketing matters for hair professionals
The difference between passive and active client acquisition
Understanding your target client: who are you trying to attract?
The importance of defining your unique value proposition
Setting realistic expectations: timeline for building a solid client base
SECTION 2: STRATEGIES FOR NEW PROFESSIONALSÂ
Leveraging your existing network (friends, family, social connections)
The power of model calls and portfolio building
Building relationships with other professionals in your space
Creating an ir...
Cutting Through Differences: Barber Culture vs. Cosmetology Industry
In this video, we're exploring the fascinating divide between barbering and cosmetology cultures - two sides of the same industry coin that often operate in completely different worlds. Understanding these differences can unlock new opportunities for growth, networking, and professional development.
What We'll Cover:
Cultural Divide:
• The independent spirit of barbering vs. the collaborative nature of cosmetology
• How historical context shaped these different professional identities
• The impact of gender dynamics on industry culture and business practices
Networking Potential:
• Why hairstylists often build stronger professional networks
• The power of industry associatio...
Beyond the Barbershop: The Rise of Private Suites
Bree discusses key points of why hair professionals may gravitate toward a private suite over a conventional barbershop or salon.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and statements expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not reflect, represent, or express the official position, policy, or viewpoint of any individual, organization, institution, or governmental entity. The author is solely responsible for the content of their statements, and no inference should be drawn that any third party endorses, approves, or agrees with the expressed opinions. This disclaimer serves to clarify that the statements made are personal in nature...
Mastering Time Management in Barbering: Boost Productivity and Client Satisfaction
Unlock the secrets to becoming a master of time management in the barbering world, where every second translates to enhanced productivity and increased earnings. Join us as we share personal stories from our journey through barber school and the bustling shop environment, revealing how you can streamline your workflow without sacrificing quality. Discover practical tips for organizing your workstation for maximum efficiency, tackling the challenges of new regulations, and ensuring that each tool serves its purpose effortlessly. This episode is your guide to optimizing your time behind the chair, turning those minutes into money.
Ever found yourself...
The Barber's Chair as an Educational Hub
Ever thought your barber could double as a hair care guru? That's exactly what we're exploring in this episode of "Philosophy of the Barber." We promise you'll walk away with a fresh perspective on the role barbers play in client education, debunking common hair care myths while weaving in science and humor. From the necessity of using separate shampoo and conditioner bottles to understanding pH balance, we tackle misconceptions head-on. Let's not forget those marketing myths that have confused us all—consider them busted as we bring clarity with relatable analogies and anecdotes.
Imagine the barber's chair as...
The Fine Line: Discrimination and Personal Choice in Hair Care
Bree and Cassy discuss possible and historic prejudices in the hair industry, and the difference between that and a clients individual preferences, along with many other points.
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Cutting and Connecting: The Social Side of Barbering
Bree and Cassy discuss how they converse with so many people on a daily basis, what opportunities that provides, and how connecting with their clients is one of the highlights of the profession.
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The Complex World of Hair: Education, Style, and Mental Health
Bree and Cassy discuss the importance of multiple perspectives, the differences in education, style, and background of professionals, and many anxieties one can experience in our profession, among many other side tangents.
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Beyond Today's Trim: Long-Term Financial Success for Barbers
Bree and Cassy discuss the importance of financial planning from insurance to retirement plans. Things new barbers should think about and plan for the future.
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Tip-Top or Tip-Flop? Unpacking Gratuity
Bree and Cassy discuss the practice of tipping in various professions, and touch on some shaving tips along the way.
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The Ripple Effect: How Appreciation Transforms the Barber Experience
Bree and Cassy discuss ways to express appreciation from barber to customer, customer to barber, and barber to barber.Â
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Beyond the Basics: Advanced Training in Hair Professions
Bree and Cassy discuss education opportunities available in the profession, differences in philosophies of various institutions, and the differences between seeking knowledge in barbering vs cosmetology and ways it could improve.
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Hair of the Dog: Pros and Cons of Canine Companions at Work
Cassy and Bree discuss their experience with shop dogs and the pros and cons of having their own.
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Productive Lulls: Making the Most of Your Client Gaps
Cassy and Bree discuss the importance of having things to do between clients, the difference between being engaged with something vs being on your phone, and how reading can improve your life in so many ways.
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From Bad Fits to Boundary Breakers: Reasons to Turn Away Clients
Bree and Cassy discuss the variety of circumstances when a professional may turn away a client, good bad or indifferent, along with some side tangent thoughts.
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Resilience in the Salon: Courtney Buch on Apprenticeship & Industry Shifts
Bree and Cassy discuss apprenticeship with special guest Courtney Buch, licensed cosmetologist, who became licensed through and apprenticeship. They talk about state board testing prep, the tests, and pre vs post covid profession.Â
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Picture Perfect vs. Practical Reality: Industry Marketing & Client Views
Bree and Cassy discuss the various perspectives of the industry and what professionals put out to the public, and what customers might expect because of it.
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From Hair-Free to Hazard-Free: Practical Dressing for Barbers
Bree and Cassy discuss what to and what not to wear while cutting hair, from head to toe.Â
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The Ideal Client, The Ideal Barber: A Two-Way Street
This week Bree and Cassy discuss expectations barbers have of clients, what clients should expect from their barber, and what professionals should expect from the industry.Â
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Cultivating Connections: The Power of Strong Client Relationships
Bree and Cassy discuss the importance of establishing and cultivating relationships with clients, identifying and defending boundaries, and important things to keep in mind when becoming friends outside of the barbershop setting.
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What is a Barber?
Bree talks about what it means to be a barber from several perspectives and in a variety of capacities.
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The Grind and the Glory: Barbershop Ownership Unfiltered
Bree and Cassandra discuss their experiences building and opening barbershops, the struggles, tips, questions, and resources available, and some of reasoning behind their business decisions.Â
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How You Measure Success - Bree Neal & Cassy Lovering
Bree and Cassy discuss how they measure success in their life, other ways people may measure it themselves, and other philosophies and business choices.
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Women in Barbershops - Bree Neal & Cassy Lovering
Bree and Cassy discuss what it's like being a woman in barbering, working with women, giving services to women, and more.
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History of Barbering - Part 3 (Quack Edition)
Going over some lesser known publications for the hair profession, from drugstore beauty tips to more reputable looking material... this will be FUN!
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Deregulation...?
A short chat about a recent topic raised by hair professionals in California
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History of Barbering - Part 2
Continuing on with the second installment of this series, we pick up in the 1930s and discuss business practices, barber ethics, and the "dark ages" of barbering in the US. Come take a journey with me.... back in TIME!Â
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History of Barbering - Part 1
This is a new series of episodes where we will dive into the oldest barbering textbooks and publications available (to me) and find some nuggets of knowledge within their pages, as well as some seriously out of date information. Let's take a journey together... back in TIME!!!
Let's start with good ole A.B. Moler...Â
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"A touching talk with Tooky" - Traci Pettengill
A conversation with industry veteran Traci, owner of Tooky Village Barbershop. Talking about her journey from coast to coast, in cosmetology then to barbering. Discussing complacency, ways to run a shop, community ties, and more.
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A "Keene" Sense of Style - Jed Calhoun
A conversation with owner of Jed's Barbershop in Keene, NH. Talking about his journey into barbering from a recent high school graduate jumping right back into the learning environment, to finding his way to shop ownership.Â
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"To Form a More Perfect Union..." - Hannah Coleman
A conversation with a cosmetologist turned Master Barber about how her journey took her toward barbering, to owning a shop, and how it sets her up to best grow new members of the profession. Join me as I talk with Hannah Coleman of Union Barber Co.
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"You had me at Hello" - Jen Ford
A conversation with a 22yr veteran of the hair industry, and co-owner of Hello Hair Co. Jen Ford. We discuss her journey into hair, hopping from place to place in search of what fulfills her as a stylist, and her partnership in business with her partner in life. Join us for our engaging conversation!
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"Tired in a Tiny Town" - Andrew Levasseur
A laid back conversation with fellow barber Andrew Levasseur, owner of The Alton Barbershop in Alton, NH. We enjoy a chill, "thirsty Thursday" style dialog catching up on where life has taken him since becoming a barber. Listen in, and join the conversation.
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"It's Been a Riot" - Stephanie Lawrence
A conversation with Pulp Riot educator and Blank Canvas Salon owner, Stephanie Lawrence. Talking about her journey into the profession, and the complications of being an owner, and manager of many humans! Listen to our engaging discussion.Â
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A Rambling Man - Andrew Maki
A conversation with a shop owner in the north country of New Hampshire, exploring his journey into barbering, opening two shops, and settling down in a close knit community. Listen to me talk with Andrew Maki.
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The Barber Next Door - Cody Walker Jr.
A conversation with my fellow Main Street shop owner, and business neighbor. We discuss his journey to barbering and New Hampshire from his native Florida. We discuss our intertwined journeys as business owners. We touch on the complications of working in a shop, the unforeseen perks from the lockdown and reopening, and the unique situations shop owners face. Listen to my conversation with Cody Walker Jr.
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Will Work for School - Eric Stevens
A conversation with a man who found himself jobless, with a wife and kids to support, at the age of 42. He found a barber school willing to offer him a path to provide for his family. Listen to my talk with Eric Stevens.
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To Honor Father & Friends - Chris Clarino
An authentic and wide spread conversation about conviction, loss, growth, and happiness. A barber born out of Vermont finding his strength and place in Newmarket, NH. Listen to my conversation with Chris Clarino.
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