​

When I was a kid I hated having my haircut. I was every barbers worst nightmare. Screaming the place down, crying, moving my head when the scissors or clippers touched me… Even the thought of that is my worst nightmare now. But as I grew up I started to love getting my haircut. I often found myself turning my head a little bit so I could see in the mirror how they were cutting my hair. From then on I was automatically hooked into the barbering world.

 

I would try out different haircuts every time I went into the barbers, asking for something different. I tried perms, colour, the lot. Not knowing I was getting into deeper curiosity with barbering. I looked up to the barbers I went to for my haircut. They all had tattoos, piercings, crazy hairstyles and a unique fashion sense. Things I never knew existed.

 

I first picked up a pair of clippers at 14 years old cutting my two brothers hair, pretending I knew what I was doing. I was in high school at the time so the only learning I could get was from YouTube videos. So I started watching how to perform certain haircuts, but then obviously, my brothers became guinea pigs. Don’t get me wrong, I was messing up all the time, but as I came to the end of high school I decided to go to barber school because I was done with messing up my brothers hair and being uncertain with what I was doing.

 

I did an apprenticeship, which meant I would go into college one day a week and then work the rest of the week in a shop for an apprentice wage. My apprentice wage was about £3.20 an hour, which still blows my mind how back then I was loving life. College taught me how to have a tidy station, look after my client and make them feel comfortable. But my learning for cutting came from being in the industry.

 

I was thrown in at the deep end, cutting hair every day, faced with different hair types, colours and lengths. I loved the challenge as I feel I work best under pressure, so I was in my comfort zone. I worked there for a year until I felt like I learnt everything I could in the shop that I was working in, so I ventured off to find another shop.

 

I came across one that caught my eye. The shop was modern. A very clean, sharp look which I was automatically gravitated towards. I started working there and that’s where I developed most of my learning. Getting cleaner fades, being more precise with the cutting on the top of the head, styling the hair and most of all, my love for photography. I started taking photos of my work, seeing my progress as the photos went on. This is where I found out photography plays such a massive part in barbering for progression.

 

Another year went by and I eventually finished my apprenticeship. But I came quick to realise I wasn’t happy, and I had no idea why. After speaking with my family and friends, I realised I didn’t like working for someone. I felt like I didn’t have enough space to express everything I wanted to do. I decided to go off on my own.

 

Starting your own business is very hard. I was only 20 years old and had so much to learn but I would rather try this than become unhappy in the job I love. I turned my conservatory into a barber shop. I bought a cheap bar stool and hung up a mirror and that’s all I needed. I made a logo and a name for myself, and started searching for clients. I found out word of mouth was the most successful way. Cutting my friends hair and asking them to bring their friends and family along next time worked well, and that’s where my client base started. I started gaining a lot more clients so I decided to join a booking app, where people can book in themselves, which was a lot of pressure off my back as before I was writing my appointments down on a piece of paper.

 

I started taking more photos of my haircuts, uploading them on social media. I started making projects and thinking outside the box. I also sent my photos to magazines, well known barbers in the UK and eventually developed a good following. Making barber friends, and even getting into barber magazines

 

And that’s how I’ve ended up here, making the first edition of what you’re reading. I’m so happy with where I am now and this will be me till the day I die. Everyone has their own path but I’ve learnt that your path tests you so you’re ready for your future. So let the good and bad times happen because there is something special waiting for you.