If grooming is important to you and you are looking for a new career, why not consider becoming a barber yourself. Barbers enjoy fairly good job security and the chance to earn a decent wage. The ability to cut hair and trim beards well is a sought-after skill. One for which demand is increasing.
There Is a Shortage of Barbers in Many Parts of the World
Right now, in some parts of the world, there are not enough skilled barbers, men´s grooming specialists, or hairdressers to go around. The fact that barbershops closed for long periods during the pandemic forced many people who worked in these establishments to seek employment elsewhere. When things reopened many of them decided not to return to work.
Some were midway through training for other careers, many elderly barbers decided to finally retire, and others had moved or were happy carrying on with their new jobs.
Regardless of the reasons, there is a shortage of good barbers. Something that means there is an opportunity to be taken advantage of. For anyone who has considered becoming a barber, now is the time to do it.
Reasons to Open Your Own Shop
Of course, you could train and get a job in a barbershop in your area. But, in many cases, you will make more money by working for yourself. Certainly, over the long term. Most barbers pay newly trained people extraordinarily little for the first couple of years. Often, they expect them to work long hours and do so at the worst times. For example, on the weekends or late in the evening.
If you want to skip all that, running your own business makes sense. That is what the rest of this article is all about.
Make Sure There Is Enough Demand for Your Services
Before you invest a lot of time and money in opening your own barber´s shop you first need to be sure that there is enough demand.
Find out how busy the existing barber shops in your area are. Walk past, or go in, during busy times. For example, Friday evenings and weekends. If there is virtually nobody there in all of the existing shops the chances are the demand for new barbers is not high enough.
Get Started With a Low Start-up Cost Approach
It is also worth advertising a home barber service. If the demand is high, there is a good chance there is a gap in the market. Cutting men´s hair in their own homes also provides you with the opportunity to get known in the area. As well as talk to potential customers to find out more about what they want from a barber´s shop.
In some areas, you could get started with a van-based business. This video explains how to do this.
If things work out well and you feel the demand is high enough to cover the cost of setting up a physical shop, go ahead and do it. Below we provide an overview of what you will need.
Find the Right Premises
Where your premises are located is crucial. Before signing a lease, spend a bit of time in the area to make sure that there is adequate footfall. You will also need to check the following:
- Can the premises be used as a barbershop? If yes, where, and how do you get the relevant license. Is that easy to do?
- Will there be any restrictions on noise or opening times?
- Is there adequate parking nearby?
- Are the premises big enough?
- Is the infrastructure right for a barbershop? E.g., adequate water pressure and power supply.
Those are the basic considerations. This article covers the subject in a bit more detail.
Invest in Making Your Barbershop or Van Look Great
Once you have the right location, it is time to kit it out. You want it to look good. Invest in digital signage for barbers. It does not cost much. The right signage will add to the overall ambiance and provide you with an uncomplicated way to market your services and grooming products. If you set a screen up in the window facing the street, you can even advertise to passersby. Including during the hours you are closed.
Invest in Good Equipment
Buy or lease decent equipment. Cutting corners on this usually works out to be a false economy. You won´t get superior results and will very quickly need to replace the cheap equipment. Buying second-hand could be an option. You may be able to pick up barely used items that are of decent quality, for a low price.
Planning Is Crucial
Before you do any of the above, sit down and create a step-by-step plan. Then cost it all out. The advice in this article will help you to do that and quickly work out if your new business will be financially viable.
