As a barber, one of the most important parts of your job is to ensure your clients feel comfortable in the chair – but have you ever stopped to think about how ensuring you’re comfortable within yourself could benefit your barbering business? We spoke to three barbers to find out more…
Bethan Brennan aka @witchfades, Barber at Iron Born Barbershop
“I have found that creating a place for my clients to be themselves has allowed me to do the same. For years I have felt like an outsider looking in, never really fitting in and never feeling fully like myself. But I have found myself bonding with and feeling accepted by the very people I have created a space for.
“I have dedicated years to create an inclusive chair and pride myself on being a safe space for anyone and everyone. I advocate for my clients and do all I can to aid people in being their true authentic self – all of which has slowly but surely led to me to advocating for myself.
“By helping my clients look how they want to look, be exactly who they are meant to be, and love who they want to, has helped me to do exactly the same thing. I can’t thank my amazing clients, colleagues and close friends and family enough for allowing me to be myself after years of feeling lost. Being my true self is not only a huge weight off my shoulders, it allows me to be the best version of myself and that means the best barber I can be. I am more present and more attentive than ever before to those that sit in my chair. My clients can see the change in me – and not just by how I look. My colleagues have noticed a difference in my attitude and quality of cuts. A comfortable, confident barber puts clients at ease.”
Carol Black, Owner of BLACK CREATIVE STUDIO and Co-Owner of Affirmation
“I have never opted for following the crowd, even from an early age. I was always outcasted for being different. This used to get to me, but the older I got the more I cared less about what other people thought of me. With a simple mindset switch, the energy I put into being myself was then perceived by others. From then on, I have only attracted people on a similar wavelength or I’ve been able to be a part in someone else’s growth to owning their own true self.
“This hasn’t only just been a positive impact on my personal life but also on my professional life. As a barber, it is my job is to help someone look and feel their best. It’s simple, you are not going to make someone feel their best when you can’t accept who you are, or if you are too scared to be who you are. The sooner you realise this the sooner you will feel fulfilled and attract the right people for you.”
Keri Blue, Short Hair Artist, Activist and Founder of Affirmation
“I would say taking pride in being my authentic self – being out as an openly trans barber – is the best thing I've ever done, and I have a lot of pride in it. Talking about it helps me because it means I can be my true self in my personal life, and by being my true self, I’m able to attract clientele that I want to work with in my professional life.
“Having open conversations with my clients about who I am makes me enjoy my job more, as I feel like I’m able to be more creative. I love providing gender affirming haircuts and giving clients a feeling of euphoria. Because people can see that I am being myself, they trust me completely.”
