We sat down with the winners and finalists from Modern Barber's Raw Talent Competition 2023 to find out what up and coming barbers really think of the industry...
@TRIMSBYAUBS
AUBERNE ENKEL, MR BARBERS SUDBURY
Runner-up Graduate, Raw Talent
Why did you decide to train as a barber?
I’ve always wanted to work somewhere where the vibe is good. I like a job where I can work with people and chat but also have sense of independence. Having a team that’s supportive really boosts me, especially being young and impressionable. You need to work around people that are a good influence and want you to do your best and want you to work hard.
What do you think the industry needs to do to support up and coming barbers?
From my point of view, it’s about being encouraging and putting yourself in their shoes. I always think, how did I feel when I was doing my first trim? How did I feel when our trainees are going through what they’re going through? Up-and-coming barbers are bringing a new flair, we’re a whole different breed. With things like social media people are not afraid to tell you what they think - I’ve had a little bit of that, but I think it’s character building. If you can get over that you can accomplish most things. Barbering doesn’t just teach you to cut hair, it teaches you to have confidence and how to talk to people.
Who or what is inspiring you right now?
Natalie Cresswell. I saw her talking about opening her shop and she was so real about being a female in the industry and opening your own shop. She was honest and I think honesty is a really important thing.
What would you like to achieve in 2024?
I want to do more show work and put myself out there. I want to do more now so I can do less later, and hopefully inspire all the young barbers that I know as well.
@RAIZCUTS
RAIDON RATTIGAN-KHAN MANCAVE, PUTNEY
Finalist Graduate, Raw Talent
Why did you decide to train as a barber?
You could say I was a little bit lost. I’d left university early and saw London School of Barbering was doing government funded training - I had nothing to lose. So far, it’s been great.
Who or what is inspiring you right now?
When it comes to a normal barbershop day, the clients are the ones that make my days better. So for me it’s being able to give back and grow. People like Barber.josh.o.p and Chris Bossio inspire me with the way they’re able to show the potential and bring up others with them. I find Sid Da Barber and Simon Butcher (Simon’s Hairground) relatable, especially the way they network every single day on Instagram and put out quality content.
What would you like to achieve in 2024?
A lot more consistency when it comes to my Instagram, and I’ve recently invested into more education. It will be nice to take a different approach; as a barber I want to be more efficient.
@GOOSETHEBARBERR
RYAN EVANS THE HAIR BONE SOCIETY, NEWTOWN MID WALES
Winner Post-graduate, Raw Talent
Why did you decide to train as a barber?
It’s a pretty long story. I broke my back in five places, and I’ve always cut my Mum and my brother’s hair, so when I was recovering through that it became a hobby and just went on from there.
Where did you train?
I went to college where they made me do women’s hairdressing first. It wasn’t what I wanted to do so whilst I was at college, I worked part time renting a chair from the barbershop who refined my skills. Having those hairdressing skills enabled me to be comfortable with scissors - the hairdressing side helps you learn the difference between layering, graduation and creating a shape.
Who or what is inspiring you right now?
Barber josh.o.p., Cal Newsom and Sam Rascals. There’s a few I enjoy watching but they would be my top three.
What would you like to achieve in 2024?
I want to do a few more competitions and hopefully win a few more competitions! I’d want to look into opening my own studio and get the ball rolling for that and just carry on what I’m doing.
@ADAM.CUTSHAIR
ADAM GRIFFITHS, SLATE BARBERS, RAMSBOTTOM
Finalist Student, Raw Talent
Why did you decide to train as a barber?
When I was at school I either wanted to be a mechanic or a barber and at the time they couldn’t get me into barbershops for work experience so I did mechanics then when I turned 30, I thought what if? I went to night school and fell in love with it from there, and now I work at a shop Wednesdays and Saturdays doing free haircuts to get more experience.
What do you think the industry needs to do to support up and coming barbers?
I think the colleges should invite local barbers to come in and chat to students and talk to them about the industry. Encouraging them to get experience and making sure they understand that you don’t just finish your course and start charging for haircuts - more education on the industry is needed. It’s not until you get into the environment that you realise how difficult it is.
Who or what is inspiring you right now?
I’m really into the mental health side of barbing and being someone to talk to. Dan Gregory and Mahesh Hayward (@the_hairy_palm) are doing this really well. Dan does a lot of tutorials about how to do a good consultation, and Mahesh is very much focused on the customer. I want to be that type of barber. I don’t just want you in and out, I’m all about the client experience - they’re the ones paying you.
What would you like to achieve in 2024?
2023 was a bit of a whirlwind. My dad passed away at the start of the year while I was in college, but then I had a lot of ups as well in terms of barbing: I got my Level 2, I was headhunted to the shop I’m at now and was a finalist in the Raw Talent competition. I’ve been to lots of shows and met loads of different people. I’m hoping to go full time and keep learning as much as I can.
@NUNN_FGMAN
HARRY NUNN, FG MAN STAFFORD
Runner-up Student, Raw Talent
Why did you decide to train as a barber?
I wanted to provide a service that I knew people would love. I know a lot of gents aren’t fussed about their hair so I want to change that and give them something that they’ll love.
What do you think the industry needs to do to support up and coming barbers?
Having more opportunities. It took me a while to get into barbering, and I had to do hairdressing first because I couldn’t get an apprenticeship. There need to be more opportunities for younger people to get into the industry. In my area, the only place doing apprenticeships is where I’m at now.
Who or what is inspiring you right now?
Shaun Buckingham (my teacher), Sid Da Barber and Mike Taylor are the main inspirations for meright now.
What would you like to achieve in 2024?
I complete my apprenticeship this year, and I’d like to stay where I am for a few years and eventually have my own shop up and running – the future may change, you never know!
@HAIRSOLO
LEE MEACOCK, EMILI &CO, DEREHAM
Finalist student, Raw Talent
Why did you decide to train as a barber?
I’ve been a truck driver for the last twenty years, and I’d had enough of driving. I was looking for something a bit more static where I could start and finish on my own terms, so now I rent a chair at EMILI & CO. I started out at night school, learning once a week and then halfway through the course I managed to get some more experience in a local shop.
What do you think the industry needs to do to support up and coming barbers?
Give people a chance. I wasn’t expecting to cut half a decent haircut within three months but when you look at job adverts and it says a barber must have two, three, four, five years’ experience - how are you going to get that experience if someone doesn’t give you that chance? Bring people in, do a test cut and see what happens. Don’t throw people away because they haven’t got experience - they might end up being half decent!
Who or what is inspiring you right now?
Alex Burt, who I met last year. He was one of the judges at the Raw Talent competition and I was really impressed with his story and what he’s done and is doing in his shop. I really enjoy watching Dan Gregory’s videos on YouTube because they’re really educational and easy to follow. Also, watching the current barber that I work with in the shop. If I’m not cutting someone’s hair, rather than sitting around the shop doing nothing she’s happy for me to watch and learn from her. Some days I’ll do one haircut, but I’ve spent five hours watching Emili and taken five hours of experience away with me.
What would you like to achieve in 2024?
My biggest plan is to enter more competitions. I’m also starting a hairdressing course in April because I want to be skilled in both men and women’s hair. The barbers I work with are both ex-hairdressers and have encouraged me to give it a go. I’d also like to say by the end of the year that I’m a full-time barber.
@HAIR.BY.JAI
JAI-LI RAYNEAU, DO IT FOR THE ART BARBERS, MILTON KEYNES
Finalist Student, Raw Talent
Why did you decide to train as a barber?
I initially started out in hairdressing. I loved it from the start, but I couldn’t be as creative as I wanted. Barbering is a bit more relaxed and allows you to express yourself. The biggest thing for me was the gap in the market between Caucasian and Afro barber shops. It feels very segregated, which I didn’t like. I wanted to be able to train in all types of hair and do braiding, incorporating it all into one service instead of people having to go to different shops or being rejected from shops.
What do you think the industry needs to do to support up and coming barbers?
Easier access to networking events. It’s great to be able to go and meet everyone and see different brands that I’ve never heard of. I’d also like to see accessible specialist education, for example, if you want to specialise in patterns, or afro hair, to enhance those skills.
Who or what is inspiring you right now?
I learn a lot from the other guys on my course - I find looking at people on the same level as me helps me improve. So, what they’re learning from their shops and taking bits that I like that work for me.
What would you like to achieve in 2024?
Hopefully more competition work and expanding my portfolio. I’m trying to do a couple of collaborations with other barbers on my course, or different shops, to get my name out there and get noticed.
