When you’re setting up a barbershop, one of the biggest decisions you will have to make is what to name the business. Some people will decide to name the shop after themselves, while others will decide to create a brand identity separate from their own. Each approach has its pros and cons, but is one better than the other? Here’s what two barbershop owners had to say…
Pantelis Vrousai, owner of House of Selected
Pantelis says: “I chose not to include my name in my barbershop because I wanted the business to stand on its own. When a shop is named after the owner, clients expect them to always be present, which can limit growth. It can also make barbers feel like they’re working under someone rather than being part of something bigger, making them more likely to start their own shop rather than grow within the brand.
“With House of Selected, I wanted a name that reflects exclusivity and high standards. It creates a strong brand identity that the team feels connected to, rather than just representing one person. I explored several names before settling on House of Selected; I wanted something professional, timeless and appealing to both clients and barbers.
“A name tied to an owner can help with personal branding but can also limit scalability. A separate brand fosters community, allowing barbers to feel invested in something bigger rather than feeling the need to leave and start their own.”
Martyn Wood, owner of Martyn Wood Barber
Martyn says: “I live in a market town community where I was offering mobile haircuts in my own time outside of working full time in York city centre. People in town would recommend my services through word of mouth, telling others, ‘Speak to Martyn’ or ‘Get booked in with Martyn’ before I had my own premises. Given the community-based nature of Kirkbymoorside, it made sense to associate the shop with myself for community recognition.
“When it came to developing my business, my monochromatic approach to branding follows through my socials, website and into the shop itself. I wanted a timeless black and white approach, combined with a modern minimalist design style to help show that whether or not you want a modern or classic trim, then my shop is the place to go.
“Before setting up my own barbershop, I initially registered the name The York Barbering Company for a mobile wedding service that I set up, and it was my intention to use that name for my shop, too. But, given that I now live outside of York in the North York Moors, I felt like I would risk ostracising some of the local community by calling it this.”
Joe Steven, co-founder of OS Lifestyle with George Oakley
Joe says: The OS in our shop name stands for Oakley and Steven. When we started OS Lifestyle, we wanted a name that represented us while also allowing room for the brand to grow beyond just the two of us. It’s personal but not limiting. Instead of it being just about our names, OS represents our values – quality, creativity and community. I think the subtle nod to our names gives it authenticity, but because it’s not directly tied to a single person, it allows the brand to evolve and be bigger than just us.
“We went through quite a few barbershop name options, but none of them felt quite right. Some were too generic, while others felt too personal. OS Lifestyle struck the perfect balance – it felt unique but also adaptable to different aspects of the business, from barbershops to coffee and beyond.
“We wanted the brand to be personal but not about us. A name directly tied to one person can sometimes make a business feel like it begins and ends with them, which can be limiting in the long run. By keeping it subtle, it gives us space to grow, collaborate, and even step back without the brand losing its identity. It also allows our team and community to feel like they’re part of something bigger, rather than just a brand built around individuals.”
Ieuan James Pughsley, owner of Ieuan James
Ieuan says: “I was struggling to decide on the name of the shop for a while, and it took some mixing and matching, but in the end thought ‘Ieuan James’ sounded professional and had a nice ring to it – and it’s also not a name everyone recognises immediately, so this can also catch peoples interest.
“In line with the name of the barbershop sounding professional, I wanted the overall branding to be more traditional yet modern – a barbershop for people to enjoy on a regular basis. Having a clear, unique name also helps to establish the shop as more of a brand, where we can sell products in store or online as well.
“ I think there are definitely pros and cons to having your name in the shop name. Some people would say it’s a bad idea as they don’t like the connection between themselves and work, whereas on the other hand, I think having your name on show can also bring that personal touch, serving as an ice breaker when clients meet you.”
