How to Become a Barber

You’re finally ready to take the plunge into your career. You’ve saved up for a few years, gotten your cosmetology license and are now interested in becoming a barber today. What should you expect when taking this new step? How much does it really cost to become a licensed barber? How do you find work as an apprentice or journeyman after graduation? All of these questions can be answered by reading through this guide on how to become a hairdresser and what’s involved with that process!

If you are interested in becoming a barber, there are many schools around the world that can teach you how to cut hair. Some of these schools even offer online courses.

Man sitting in danburry barber shop.

We’re back with another installment of our So You Want My Job series, in which we speak with guys who work in coveted positions and ask them about the realities of their employment as well as tips on how men might achieve their goals.

I can’t believe it’s taken us this long to interview a barber for our So You Want My Job series, given our passion for barbershops. But it’s better to be late than never. We are grateful to a barber who came forward and offered to address our queries. He’s an excellent choice for this installment’s interview topic. Drew Danburry used to be a traveling musician before deciding to become a barber. He just finished barber college and launched his own business, the Danburry Barber Shop, in Provo, Utah, as a younger man in a graying profession. And he’s a man who’s attempting to bring back the old-school barbershop experience, complete with fantastic haircuts, a stylish store, and, of course, good ol’ straight razor shaves.

I’ve always wanted to be a barber for my second act. And this interview only served to solidify that belief. What a fantastic job you did.

If you’re in the Provo area, stop by and tell Drew Brett sent you!

1. Tell us a bit about yourself (e.g., where do you come from?). What is your age? Describe your job, including how long you’ve been doing it, and so on.

Drew Danburry is my name. I was born and raised in Huntington Beach, California. I’m 31 years old and have worked as a barber for approximately 6 months. I just established an old-fashioned barbershop in downtown Provo, Utah, and I’m loving it.

2. What inspired you to pursue a career as a barber? When did you realize you wanted to do it?

I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy it, to be honest. But I wanted to attempt to find a job that I didn’t despise. Something with which I could sustain a family and not feel trapped in my life choices. I thought I’d like it after a few months. It’s the finest thing ever since I provide things that no one else in the region offers, plus I get to spend all day with my pals. I cut hair and style people’s hair, and I get to meet new individuals on a regular basis. It’s enjoyable and creative, and I like feeling fulfilled with my accomplishments. I’m quite excellent at it, and I like being able to provide something that makes other people happy.

3. What steps does a guy take to become a barber? You decided to attend barber school rather than cosmetology school. What prompted you to make that decision?

Short answer: I went to barber school because I wanted to receive the sort of training and expertise that would allow me to cut the types of hair that were cut in the past and present. People who have been cutting hair for over 50 years and went to barber school when they were my age taught me (and younger). I was particularly interested in learning the fading skill of traditional barbering. When I was in school, I cut and shaved over 1,000 customers, and I can cut any kind of haircut someone desires. Male or female, it doesn’t matter.

 

Long answer: Barbers’ popularity plummeted in the 1960s as a result of the Beatles’ and hippie movement’s enormous effect on males growing their hair long rather than military short. Barbering and cosmetology used to be two separate licenses. Instead of perming and coloring lengthy hair, barbers concentrated on trimming men’s hair and performing hot lather shaves for businesses. However, by the 1970s, barbers and their technique of haircutting had fallen out of favor to the point that most state licensing boards chose to merge the two distinct licenses. Also, since barbers were less popular and many people wanted to learn how to colour and perm hair, fewer individuals attended barber schools and instead enrolled in cosmetology school. It wasn’t until recently in Utah that the licenses were separated once again, and a barber school was established to teach the art of barbering. It’s done the old-fashioned manner. How to style a man’s hair. Using a straight blade to shave.

Because I never attended cosmetology school, it’s difficult for me to describe all of the distinctions, although they seem to be vast. Girls that went to cosmetology school have a completely different approach to hair cutting than I do.

Certain cosmetology schools teach some barbering procedures, such as the straight razor shave, however the majority of cosmetology students and teachers have never actually shaved someone, and if they have, it is not on a regular basis. Not only were the professors at the barber school I attended skilled, but we also got lots of practice shaving and trimming hair. One thing I do to remain in shape is shave myself with a straight razor on a regular basis, which is a lot tougher than shaving someone else, and then follow up each haircut with a straight blade shave of the neck.

Man applying shaving cream on his face in the barber shop.

5. What is a barber’s next step after obtaining the requisite education and credentials? Is it feasible to create your own barbershop soon after graduation, or do most barbers start by renting a chair in someone else’s?

The majority of individuals spend their time hiring chairs from other people’s shops. But I had a strong desire to create my own store, so I did. It takes a lot of labor and money, but if you want your own place and don’t have to deal with a boss, this is the way to go. There are a lot of rules and health codes to be aware of; however, the school I attended had all of the answers to my concerns, so by the time I graduated, I had already completed my state examinations and was busy getting the business set up. It might be more annoying to hire a chair in someone’s store since you’re under someone else’s roof and subject to their restrictions. You can establish a clientele while still saving money, and having your own store is more of a risk, but it all comes down to what a person wants and is prepared to risk.

 

6. How difficult is it to start your own business? What does a guy need and what does he need to know in order to achieve it?

Opening a barbershop is similar to starting any other company. To trim hair and shave faces, you need a barber license, insurance, and to be legally covered. You must know what you’re doing in terms of hair cutting, you must know how to spread the word, and I believe you must be patient. Because you do a lot of sitting when you initially open. Any leisure time I have is usually spent marketing online or ensuring that the barbershop has an online presence. That its presence is noted by Google and Yelp. I provide a lot of free services to folks who have never had a barber shave or haircut. Every guy should have this experience, and if they haven’t, I want them to know what they’re losing out on. Almost everyone who has sat in my chair has expressed a strong desire to return.

Simply said, treat people the way you want to be treated. Provide the type of high-quality haircut and service that consumers demand. Let the remainder be taken care of through word of mouth.

A pole of Danburry barbershop.

7. What is the most enjoyable aspect of your job?

Spending time with wonderful people. Listening to music and chatting with friends are two of my favorite pastimes. It’s like spending the whole day with your buddies. The only difference is that I’m cutting their hair at the same time we’re talking. Which is great because when I give a customer a haircut they like, both the client and I are ecstatic.

8. What is the most difficult aspect of your job?

I’m not sure yet… The beautiful thing about providing excellent service is that if someone does not respect what you are providing, they will not return. I give everyone an excellent haircut and treat everyone as if they were a friend since I value everyone’s business. It is what allows me to exist. If someone walks in and refuses to pay the fee I’m asking, they will be asked to leave. They don’t come back if they sit in my chair and don’t think my services are worth the money. I like my store because I don’t pander to the cheapskate who only spend $5 on an unpleasant haircut that they’ll eventually complain about. I provide a high-quality service at a fair price, and I believe that everyone gets what they desire. Plus, I’m my own boss and can do anything I want, so the worst element of my work is still a mystery to me.

9. How do you strike a balance between job, family, and personal life?

Simply said, I’m open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. If folks need haircuts, I stay late, but generally I have Mondays and Sundays free to spend with my wife. It’s a healthy way of life. Every evening, I go home and unwind, and I never set an alarm. It’s fantastic.

 

10. What is the most common misunderstanding about your job?

I’m not sure what anyone’s assumptions are…. I don’t know many highly wealthy barbers. I’m a one-man operation. I’m going to keep doing it since it pays well and I don’t want to deal with staff. It is neither a very wealthy nor a very poor source of income. I’d want to live comfortably and worry-free, but I don’t need any further things beyond my skateboard and guitar. I already have them. It’s a straightforward way to live and support a family.

 

 

 

Watch This Video-

The “how to become a barber in california” is an article that will provide you with the steps on how to become a barber. It also includes information about what it takes to become a licensed barber as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money can you make as a barber?

A: I dont know how to answer this question.

Is becoming a barber worth it?

A: Becoming a barber is not always worth it because the job requires many different tasks that are difficult to carry out. For example, you have to decide which hairstyle would suit your client best and whether or not they need highlights put in their hair. You also have to know about various shampoos and hair products so as not to make mistakes when cutting their hair.

What are the steps of becoming a barber?

A: As a barber, you must complete an apprenticeship under another licensed professional before acquiring your license. Youll need to take courses in subjects such as cosmetology and aesthetics, study up on the techniques of cutting hair with clippers or scissors, learn how to administer basic grooming tasks like clipping nails and bathing clients faces. Once youve completed all the necessary requirements for licensing from your states board of Cosmetology/Barbershop Administration (CABA), youre ready to roll!

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