CLEAN HAIR IS A HAPPY HAIRCUT!

Your hair

I would consider this one of the most important pieces of knowledge to pass on to a patron.

The best haircut is going to be made possible when you show up with clean and dry hair. Having product in your hair makes it difficult to cut, gunks up the barbers tools, sticks to everything, and frustrates every barber at least the slightest amount. This is especially true if you use a petroleum based pomade such as Murray’s or any of the other greasy products out there. The lack of product in your hair can result in a better cut.

If you need to have something in your hair the day you are getting a cut, try to use a very light hold gel that the barber can comb through easily. Avoid wearing a hat of any kind on the day of your cut. Hats will create an indention around the head that makes blending more difficult. This will be especially true if you put the hat on right after you get out of the shower.

Your barber will probably have some product on hand to style your hair after your cut, and in many cases will be able to assist you in how to style your hair best.

TIP ON GETTING A BETTER HAIRCUT!

Posture

I know many people are completely unaware that their posture can affect the outcome of a haircut. If the barber needs you to move or reposition, he should know to ask, rather than expect you to know what he’s thinking.

1. You should sit up straight, shoulders pulled back. Rest your arms on the arm rest, but don’t lean to one side or the other.

2. Keep your head and eyes level and look straight ahead. The barber will either physically move your head or ask you to do so.
3. Don’t relax your neck to the point of your head moving around every time the clipper presses against you.

4. In conversation, try to be conscious of whether or not you’re moving while talking. Remember, even if you only move a ¼" the result of that can potentially be really ugly.

Appointments not needed, but Suggested!

Appointment Vs. Walk-in

The modern barbershop has begun to update the way they do business by way of taking appointments. Both barbers and patrons have various opinions on the matter, and coming from a shop that functions on the appointment system, I’d like to explain why the client might benefit from them.

 I’m sure many of you have been in a busy barbershop waiting for a haircut. Many have waited up to and exceeding a couple hours. I’ve spoken with many who have walked out without ever getting a cut. Once you’re in the chair, depending on the shop, the barber may feel the need to rush your haircut in order to alleviate the growing number of customers resulting a less than perfect haircut. On top of that you have the enjoyment of everybody else waiting and staring at you with daggers in their eyes. I’m not saying it’s always this way, but very often it is.

We get many people who walk in to our shop and leave irritated because they don’t want to make an appointment. I doubt they are thinking about anything I said above either. With an appointment, you are guaranteed to get a haircut. You will get a fair amount of time for the barber to do his best work. You won’t waste time sitting around with a lot of other frustrated men grinding their teeth.

I understand, many of you don’t function best on a schedule, and that is perfectly fine. Both types of businesses are equally necessary.  It’s just my opinion that a lot of time can be saved if you make an appointment, and KEEP it.

How to Make Your Son Behave at the Barbershop!

Taking the kid to the barber can quite often be a traumatic experience for both the parents and son.  To help make the experience better for both, these are five tips on how to make your son behave at the barbershop.

1) Pick the right place.  This is the most important thing, find a barber or stylist who is kid friendly.  Believe it our not, not all barbers and stylists enjoy cutting kids’ hair and that certainly won’t make the experience any easier.  It takes a great deal of patience to cut a kids hair they squirm, drool, and sometimes cry, so make sure the person doing the cutting is patient and kind.

2) Skip the “everything’s going to be fine” routine.  Believe me, when you start saying things like, “it’s going to be alright” or “it’s not going to hurt a bit,” you can bet your child will not believe that.  Kids tend to lump barbers into the same category as doctors and dentists, strange people who poke at them with shiny things.  Instead, tell your son that you’re going to get a haircut and ask them if they want to get one too.  Kids often want to be like their dad, so if you approach it that way, it sets the kids’ mind at ease.

 3) Familiarize your son with the experience.  Make sure to comb their hair regularly and let them hold combs and become comfortable with them.  Talk to them about scissors and clippers.  On the morning of the haircut, make sure to wash and comb your kids’ hair as this will make them comfortable with the experience and a clean, combed head of hair is much easier on the barber (which will make it easier on our son, too).  

4) Go first.  Get your haircut before you son does so he can see just how fun and painless the experience is.  Make sure to laugh and look like you are having a good time.  Don’t overdo it as your kid will see through it, but if you enjoy it, your kid will want to try it.  You may also wish to take you kid with you and let them watch you get a haircut a few times, so they can see how cool it is and become familiar with the environment.

5) Let the barber do his job.  Once you get your son seated and give instructions to the barber or stylist, don’t hover.  Hanging around and watching the barber like a hawk will make your son think there is a reason you should be there to protect him.  Also, kids are much more likely, in my experience, to behave better around strangers than they do around their own parents.  Stay close by in case you are needed, but don’t hover around the chair.

Following these steps should make your son feel more comfortable and confident at the barbershop and make them behave much better.    Kids typically get better as they get older, but following these steps will speed up the process a great deal.

Get the Perfect Haircut: How to Talk to Your Barber

Tell him what general style you want

When you first sit down in the barber’s chair, try to give him a general description of the style you want. Are you looking for a Mohawk? Perhaps you want a more modern style. You might want to bring in a photo of the look you’d like to achieve. Once you’ve got this covered, you can then get into the specifics.

Tell him how much you want taken off and where

After you tell your barber what general style you want, tell him exactly how much you want taken off. Don’t just say, “Give me a trim” or “Just a little off the top.” One barber’s trim is another barber’s close shave. To avoid getting your hair cut too short, be specific with how much you want taken off. “Short and long are all relative from barber to barber,” So say things like “an inch off the top” or “a quarter inch off the side.” If you don’t know exactly how much you want taken off, let your barber know you don’t know. What he’ll probably do is just cut a bit off to see if you like it. Then if you want it shorter, you can go shorter. If you’re a clippers man, memorize the numbers of the guards you use. Then you can just walk into the barber and tell him “I want a 2 on the sides and a 3 on the top.”

Tell him if you want a taper

When you’re at the barber, you’ll likely hear the word “taper” thrown around quite a bit. If you’ve been nodding your head all this time and saying “Yeah, give me that!” even though you have no idea what a taper even is, here’s a quick rundown on what a taper means when it comes to haircuts. A taper gradually changes your hair length from the top of the head down to the nape of the neck. The taper usually starts off long at the top and gets shorter as you go down to the neck. The length of the taper can vary. You can have a really long taper or a short taper. Most men’s haircuts involve some sort of taper, but some men prefer that their hair length be the same all around their head. Make sure to tell the barber your preference.

Tell him what kind of neckline (or nape) you want

A lot of men don’t think about how their neckline looks because they hardly ever see it, but the masses of people who walk and stand behind you get to eyeball it every day. If you don’t keep it clean and trim, a great haircut can suddenly look unkempt. When choosing what sort of neckline you want, you have three options: blocked, rounded, and tapered. Each has their pros and cons.
Blocked. A blocked nape means cutting a straight line across the natural neckline. When done correctly, your neckline will have the appearance of a squared block. If you’re self-conscious about your skinny chicken neck, a blocked nape can give you the appearance of a wider, thicker neck. If you already have the neck of a drill sergeant, go with another type of neckline. The biggest drawback with blocked napes is that they will appear untidy as the hair grows out. Once the hair begins to grow under the neckline, the new hair growth sticks out like a sore thumb. If you decide to go with the blocked neckline, it’s recommended you go back into the barber once a week to clean it up.
Rounded. A rounded neckline simply takes the corners off a blocked nape finish. Like the blocked neckline, the rounded nape can start to look untidy once hair starts growing below the neckline.
Tapered. Instead of creating a strong line at the nape of the neck, a tapered neckline follows the natural neckline and gradually shortens the hair as it gets closer to the bottom of the neckline. A tapered neckline can slim a wide neck. However, the biggest advantage to the tapered nape is that as your hair grows out, the neckline remains blended and neat. You won’t need frequent touch-ups as you would with a blocked or rounded nape.

Tell him how you want your arches

The spaces between your hairline and your ears are called arches. Here’s how you can trim them.

High arch. You can ask your barber to cut the arch around your ear higher into your hairline. That will leave more space between where your hairline ends and your ears begin. Men with smaller ears might consider a higher arch as it can make the ears appear larger. The disadvantage with having a higher arch is that it can look messy and awkward as your hair grows out. And if they’re too high, they make you look pretty dorky.
Natural arch. For most men, keeping their natural arch is the way to go. It just looks better, Tell the barber to keep your natural arch and he’ll just clean it up with some short trimming.

Tell him how you like your sideburns

Finally, tell him how you like your sideburns. Basic details you should give him include how long and how thinned out you want them. Possible side burn lengths include:

• Top of the ear
• Mid-ear
• Bottom of the ear

 Ask your barber to trim and thin out your sideburns a bit.

Now quit yapping and listen to your barber for a minute…

After you’ve told the barber what you want, listen to your barber’s suggestions. “A lot of guys come in with an idea of how they want their hair, but it’s just not possible with their hair type. Or what they’re asking for won’t look good with their face. Customers need to come in with an open mind and they have to be flexible,” Listen to what your barber has to say and trust his expertise.
Your relationship with your barber is like any good relationship-communication should be a two-way street. He should listen to what you’re looking for and give you feedback and advice. A good barber will ask you if you’re happy with how your hair looks as he goes along. If your barber doesn’t communicate at all and doesn’t listen to your preferences, it’s probably time to pick a new barber.
One of the best parts of the barbershop tradition is that as you partake of this haircut experience, the barber can become your buddy, someone you’re not only comfortable with, but look forward to seeing. After awhile, all you’ll have to say when you sit down in his chair is, “Give me the usual!”

How to Get A Better Haircut

If you've ever received a bad men's haircut, you know how frustrating and embarrassing it can be. A bad haircut for men is sometimes the fault of the barber or stylist doing the work, but the blame often lies with the client. A bad haircut can really mess up your life for a few weeks.  Having unrealistic expectations, poor communication, or an unfriendly disposition can lead to a bad experience. The following are my "insiders tips" on how to get a better haircut.

1. Make an Appointment 

Barbershops and salons which offer appointments normally have a higher standard of customer service. Walk-in driven salons are focused on volume and, as such, are more likely to rush through your service in an effort to do as many haircuts as possible. An appointment ensures your barber or stylist will not feel the need to rush through your haircut and allows ample time to complete the service with attention to detail. It is important to be on time for your appointment and to call ahead well in advance if you're not going to make it.

2. Be Nice

It's always been my opinion that there are three people you never want to make mad -- your hairstylist, your tattoo artist, and your brain surgeon (especially the latter). You should always make an effort to treat your barber or stylist with respect and a friendly attitude, even if the hair cutter is not reciprocating. The person cutting your hair can really ruin your day -- or several weeks, for that matter) -- so it's important that he or she has a positive feeling about you.

3. Listen to Your Stylist

Barbers and stylist are trained and paid to make you look good and will know what styles best frame your face and enhance your features. When your stylist makes a suggestion, give it a try. As guys, we often stay in the comfort zone by getting the same haircut year after year. Don't be afraid to change it up a bit. If you don't like the cut, it will always grow back (well, almost always).

4. Be Realistic

If you're not Brad Pitt, chances are your stylist can't make you look like him. Using a male celebrity as a guide for the type of haircut you're after is fine, but it's important to be realistic in what to expect from a stylist. If your hair is fine and thinning, Denzel Washington latest cut probably won't work on you. Take a magazine photo with you to show your stylist the cut you're after. If it's not realistic, a good barber or stylist will tell you so and then make suggestions on similar alternatives which will work for you.

5. Bring a Photo

Guys and hairstylists often seem like they are speaking different languages, but a photo is always clear. If you've got a particular style you are after, it is always best to take a picture with you to make sure your barber or stylist knows exactly what you want. For some reason, many guys feel uncomfortable taking a photo. Don't be. Your barber or stylist will appreciate the effort and will see exactly what you have in mind. 

6. Tip Well

Most people who cut hair for a living will never admit it, but we almost always spend more time with clients who are good tippers than we do with those who are not. Clients who are generous with gratuity will often receive preferential treatment when booking appointments and receive a greater attention to detail during the service.

7. Find a Barber or Stylist Who Cuts Your Style Well

Here's a comment you'll almost never hear on the golf course: "Ray your fade is fabulous! Who cut your hair?" Getting men to talk about hair is next to impossible, but keep in mind that the best way to find a barber or stylist who suits your style is to ask. Find a guy who has a haircut similar to the cut you're after and just ask him, "Cool cut. Who did it?" He'll consider it a compliment and you'll find a new barber.

8. Show Up Clean and Hat Free

This tip is especially true if you go to a barber for a clipper cut. Most barbers prefer to do clipper work in dry hair that is clean and free of product. Hats also leave a line in the hair that makes it difficult to blend properly. Even if you go to a stylist who will likely wash your hair first, you'll want to show up with clean hair that is free of products and hat lines so your stylist can evaluate you hair and see how it falls naturally.
Of course, maintaining a great looking head of hair involves more than good communication with your barber or stylist, but follow these basic guidelines and you're off to a great start!

Ways to Make Your Barber or Stylist Hate You

 Apparently, there are a lot of ways to make your barber or stylist mad.  Of course, you don't want to anger the person who has your looks in their hands, so I offer, as a public service, even more ways to make your barber or stylist hate you so you'll know what not to do in the salon.

Having Unrealistic Expectations
This is a big one. When seeking a change, be realistic in what you are looking for.  The person who is cutting your hair is not a magician and, while we can often achieve small miracles, we certainly can't give you hair you don't have.  Brining in a photo is one way to help ensure you'll get a better haircut, but make sure to choose a model with similar hair and features as your own.

Being Stinky
Nobody wants to deal with someone who is stinky, so if you smoke or work out before coming for a haircut, it is always a good idea to shower or freshen up a bit.  If you're stinking, you can rest assured your barber or stylist will be trying to get you out of their chair as fast as possible.

Cheap Tipping
Knowing how to tip your barber or stylist is important as tips are a significant portion of their income.  Sure, you're paying for a haircut, but a good tip should reward your haircutter for doing a great job (the better the job, the bigger the tip).  I would never give someone a bad haircut, but you can bet I'll go the extra mile for those I know to be great tippers (and the cheapskates will certainly receive less attention). 


Asking to Make it Shorter
Of course, throughout most haircuts, the client will probably ask for adjustments and that's fine.  But, it is important to have a clear idea of the length of haircut you want before you sit down.  Should adjustments need to be made, suggest them during the cut.  If you wait until the end of the service and say, "can you take a little more off?" that will normally require cutting most of the head again. Asking for more to be taken off after your barber or stylist has completed the entire haircut is a sure fire way of ending up with a rush job.

Being Late to Your Appointment
I love clients who make appointments as it allows me to pace myself throughout the day and spend ample time with each customer.  When a client runs late, I can normally accommodate him, but I have to work faster to make up for lost time if I want to stay on schedule for the rest of my appointments.  Of course, we all realize that stuff happens which is sometimes out of the client's control, but I recommend calling ahead if you're going to be late.  This will enable your hair cutter to move things around a bit, if possible, to ensure you still get adequate time to receive a great service.

Being Rude
 I would never ever be rude to  my barber They could really mess up my day if I make them mad!  It amazes me how some folks will sit down and treat the person who is about to cut their hair with complete disrespect.  If you're having a bad day, always try to leave it at the door.  Do you really want the person who has your looks in his hands to hate you?  Think about it!   Knowing how to talk to your barber or stylist is key!


Making the most of your salon visit requires knowing what you want, great communication, and making sure not to make your barber or stylist hate you!

How to Be Your Barber or Stylists' Favorite Client

It always surprises me that clients sometimes show such disregard for the person who is cutting their hair.  They can often run late, be rude or disrespectful, and not fully appreciate the role the barber or stylist plays in their lives.  Your hair is an important part of your look and self-image, so finding the right person and treating that person well, will help you get the most out of your salon visit and get the best haircut possible.  Following are my insiders tips on how to become your barber or stylists' favorite client.
 
Be Nice
This sounds like a no-brainer, but it is true.  Even if you are not the best tipper or if you have difficult hair, if you are nice to the person cutting it, that goes a long way.  Being behind the chair for eight hours a day is hard work -- it's difficult on the back, feet, and wrists.  You are covered in other people's hair all day.  It can be a pretty tough career, but sometimes that smiling face that walks through the door can make it completely worthwhile.
 We appreciate those clients who go above and beyond basic salon etiquette.   As a barber, I consider it my job to make your day -- not only by making you look better, but making you feel better, too.  My clients who reciprocate that feeling are my favorites!
 
Know What You Want
Few things get on a barber or stylists nerves more than a client who is indecisive.  It's important to know what you want before you sit down.  Of course, a good barber or stylist will help guide you to choose the perfect haircut, but if you're not sure what you are after in the first place, that can lead to miscommunication and frustration.  Once your haircutter has finished the cut, leave it alone (unless there are obvious errors).  It is incredibly frustrating to complete a haircut and have a client say, "Can you take the sides a bit shorter?"   Making this kind of adjustment sounds simple, but to take more off the sides or the top often requires more blending and finishing and can almost result in a complete second haircut.   As barbers or stylists, we often run a tight appointment book and what we earn is directly tied into how many clients we serve.  If you ask for "a little more off," this adjustment will likely be rushed and the end result will probably not look as polished.  Instead of asking for an adjustment, why not say, "this looks great, but next time I think I want to go a little shorter on the sides."
 
Put Your Phone Down
Few things are more distracting than having a client talking or texting during a service.  Communication with the person who is cutting your hair is critical and you can't do that effectively if you are on the phone.  It is also difficult to cut someone's hair when they are juggling a mobile phone from hear to ear or looking down trying to send a text.  Not only that, but it is disrespectful.  Make sure to schedule you salon appointments at a time when you can relax and give your barber or stylist your undivided attention. 
 
Be On Time
As mentioned above, barbers and stylists often work on a tight appointment schedule and nothing is more frustrating than waiting on a client who is running late.  When a client is late, we often have to rush the haircut in order to run on time for the clients who come after.  No barber or stylist wants to rush through a haircut (and you probably don't want them doing that either).  Plan your salon visit to allow you enough time to arrive before your appointment begins.  Of course, we realize things are often out of your control, so if you are running behind, call and let your haircutter know.  Quite often, we can arrange things on the schedule so we can still accomodate you without upsetting the rest of the schedule.
  
Tip Well
This goes without saying, but tips are a big part of a barber or stylists' income, so knowing how to tip is important.   Like you would tip a waiter, the rule is that you tip more for outstanding service -- 15% would be the minimum, but 25% would be my recommendation if you have received great service.  Very few barbers or stylists would admit this, but we do give better service to clients we know tip very well (and those who are cheap, well, let's just say we might move them out of the chair a tad faster).  Around the holidays (when barbers and stylists are often working longer hours), be sure to tip extra well.  Most great barbers or stylists will give you good service whether you are their favorite client or not, but if you really want that extra time and attention, treating your haircutter right, knowing what you want, and rewarding them for outstanding service is important. 

Getting a haircut isn't supposed to be complicated 8 essential rules of barbershop etiquette

You've been doing it since you were old enough to sit still in a chair. But have you been doing it right?
Turns out, there are some things you can do to make your next barbershop visit run smoother, for you and your barber.

1. Don't be impatient. a good barber is probably a busy barber. And a good barber takes his time. They always try to stick to their schedule, but it doesn't always pan out that way, especially with pickier customers. Additionally, don't jump in the chair as soon as the previous client hops out.
2. Don't freak out about hair clippings. "Things will get a little hairy sometimes," but that's what the cape is for. 
3. Don't expect your barber to be a magician. Bringing an inspiration photo is always helpful, but know that the person in the photo has a completely different quality of hair and scalp. Your haircut isn't going to be a dead-ringer for the one in the photo. 
4. Don't nod. Conversation is natural, sometimes even encouraged. But talk with your hands, not the nod of your head. If your barber places his hands on your head to steady it, that's the international sign to stop moving.
5. Don't lay down mandates. Let the barber choose the tools. Don't demand a scissor cut because you think it finishes better. Similarly, don't claim you're growing your hair out — because you wouldn't be sitting for a haircut if that were true. Trust your barber.
6. Don't be too picky. Your barber is happy to adjust the haircut to your liking, but speak up before the cut is finished. You're only paying for one haircut, not five.
7. Don't show up with messy or dirty hair. Comb it, don't slather it with product, and, especially if there's no pre-cut shampoo, make sure it's clean. 
8. Don't be weird about the tip. Use it as a chance to say how much you liked the cut. Also, it's usually preferable to hand the tip to your barber, not the receptionist.

Barbershop Customer Service Tips!

There are many challenges to gaining and keeping customers with you. In today’s world we are bombarded with choices. When you get a chance do some research and find out how many barbershops within a 5 minute drive from your barbershop of places a person can get a haircut. In the United States alone there are about 225,000 licensed barbers and about 2,250,000 cosmetologists. Still think you are irreplaceable?
A barbershop customer service tip that works really well is keeping the wife, girlfriend, or mother of your customer happy. Make sure to ask your customer as well as their significant other their opinion when they are present. This will go a long way to showing you really care and are committed to keeping your customer happy. I know sometimes it can be difficult concentrating with someone watching closely over you when you are providing a haircut or service. They are just there because they want a good haircut for the man in their life or their child. Any of their anxiety will go away with a good haircut. One of the things we should try to do is find humor in the situation.
 A couple came into the shop that were getting married that weekend and the wife to be asked me if I could freshen up the waves and taper the sides and back of her husband to be, I told her it was my specialty, because this style was my favorite haircut that I wore and cut on myself in my earlier years. She looked at me and said, “That is what everyone has told me and he hasn’t gotten a good one yet.” I gave her my grin of confidence, with all the years of wearing this type of haircut and providing this haircut for others I was up for this challenge. She stood so close to me while I was working I barely had enough room to work. Within a few minutes of starting the haircut she left the shop to go wait in the car. My many years of being in business
 (since 1997) and experience has taught me that a customer can gain or lose confidence in you long before you finish the haircut.
There was no way I was going to let her off that easy. When I finished the haircut I walked out and told her she had to come back in to look at my masterpiece. I worked hard on this haircut and wanted at least half of a smile from her which I was not sure was possible based on the way she acted when they first walked in. She was all smiles when she saw her husband to be and she told me had they not been here just visiting parents and friends, they would have became repeat customers for as long as they lived in the area...

How To Greet Your Customer

Creating customer loyalty is the key to long term success in the barber industry. Short haircuts are back in a big way and are here to stay. Classic barber tapered haircuts are also back in a big way and are here to stay. Fortunately for barbers these customers need there haircut every 1-4 weeks to maintain these styles.
  Greet your customer, this is more than just asking them how they want their haircut. It starts when they walk in the door.
1. Is the barbershop or salon reception/waiting area clean?
2. Is the receptionist or the first face the customer sees smiling when they walk in the door?
3. Is the customer greeted with a good morning/afternoon/evening?
4. Is the next question “How are you doing today?”
If you look at these questions closely you will notice that I haven’t even talked about the customer’s barber greeting them yet. It is so important that the customer walks into a clean environment, is greeted with a welcoming smile, and asked how they are doing. Customers notice everything and are forming an opinion about the barbershop and you long before you pick up a scissor or clipper.
Next is the final part to greeting the customer and making them feel welcome no matter how long you have been cutting their hair. Do this every time you cut their hair. Look them in the eye, shake their hand, and greet them by name with a “How are you doing today?, How have you been?, or It is nice/good/great to see you today.”
Everyone likes to feel important and welcome. Let your customer know you care about them and you will have a customer for life.

Barbershop Customer Service

“Everyone wants to be appreciated, so if you appreciate someone, don’t keep it a secret.”

Saying goodbye to the customer in the correct way is just as important as welcoming the customer into the barbershop. We want the customer to feel just as appreciated and important as they felt when they came into the barbershop.

There are a few important things to consider doing every time a customer gets out of your chair and leaves the barbershop. It is really important to reinforce the service they are getting. We are selling ourselves the whole time the customer is in the barbershopshop. It is a good idea to compliment the hair cut in a way that does not come off as arrogant or bragging. For example, “This low fade really suits you”, or “This haircut will really grow in nicely". Something along those lines will work nicely.

When the customer gets out of the barber chair walk them up to the reception desk or wherever they are going to pay for the haircut. Thank your customer with a hand shake and always use their name. It is also a good idea to leave off with something like “It was nice talking to you today” or “I look forward to seeing you next time/month”. This is a great way to leave off so your customer feels just as appreciated and welcome on the way out of the barbershop as they did on the way in.

Service and Manners in a Barber shop!

One of the major keys to success in any customer service-oriented industry is creating customer loyalty. This is particularly important in a barber shop, where customers may need to return every 1-4 weeks to maintain a classic short hairstyle. To create a smooth, reliable, and comfortable environment for clients, a barber must be able to provide a high standard of customer care.

Creating an Inviting Space

A customer’s first impression is formed before they’ve even interacted with anyone. Is the shop clean, organised, and inviting? The last thing you want is for a new customer to feel awkward or confused when they walk in, so be sure to lay out the shop in a logical manner. In a barbershop, the first person the client usually sees is the receptionist, who should have a friendly, approachable expression. The customer should be greeted by the receptionist or first point of contact in the shop, and asked how they can be helped.

Greeting Customers

After checking in for an appointment, the customer can be directed to the waiting area where they are free to relax with reading material. It’s a nice touch to offer a cup of tea, coffee, or water while they wait. Appointments should be timed realistically so that the customer doesn’t have to wait for too long before their service begins, and if the barbershop is running behind schedule the customer should be notified. When the barber is ready for his or her client, it’s time for another friendly greeting. Address the client by name, ask how the customer is, and give him a welcoming smile. Everyone likes to feel special and important, so you can help facilitate this by treating your customer like a VIP individual.

Providing the Service

Begin your service with a brief, friendly, and professional chat. Ask what services and styles the client is interested in today, and discuss what you think would suit their needs according to your level of expertise. This consultation is extremely important, because it’s your time to get a clear idea of your client’s expectations and reassure him that you’re ready to meet or exceed them. A barber should drape the customer with confidence, establishing a higher level of trust in the barber’s abilities. As you provide your services, be sure to tell the client which techniques or products you’re using so that there are no surprises. Friendly communication is the key to any successful customer interaction.

Follow Up Customer Care

It’s just as important to make the customer feel valued as they’re walking out the door as it is when they enter. One way to make the client feel special is to give them a compliment, telling them that their new style is really flattering. After you’ve helped the customer out of the barber chair, you can walk them up to the reception desk. Thank the customer for coming in, addressing him by name.  You can finish by saying that you look forward to seeing him next time. This ensures that your client feels appreciated, and drives home that he is going to get a welcome in your shop anytime.

How to Build Barber Shop Clientele (6 steps)

Are you left standing alone in your endeavor to make a customer, but are not sure which direction to go in? Are you approachable, Can you deal with the general public, open for constructive or non constructive criticism? If you can not identify with none of the aforementioned, then you may not be barber material; because it is a real hustle, especially if you are new to this line of business. Be open for rejection, because it is inevitable.

1. You'll need to decide if dealing with people is just the right thing for you and if not, then, this business is not for you. You will ultimately need to find your niche. 
2. Find the best location. Location is key to profound success, while building clientele. Have your best grand opening possible.
3. Know what keeps your clients happy. Your barbering capability is essential to this endeavor as well. As fast as you build clientele; you can lose them just as fast. So you have to know how to keep your clients happy too! 
4. Use the internet, business cards, flyers. Business websites and social media websites are very good sources to market your business. This should apply to those who are self employed, or independent contractors.
5. Have a great appearance/environment. And always look your best! This gives the customer a sense of what the environment may look like if they decide that they want to give you a shot at make business with them. 
6.  Keep marketing material with you at all times. And when you encounter a human life, you should briefly sell yourself getting that potential customer to like you and present them one of your business card, or some available marketing material. Always greet your potential customers with a smile and handshake.

 Always try to style your own hair, or represent to the potential customer that you are the best that you say that you are and also too, carry a portfolio with some pictures of your own work if possible. This will help a great deal too.

Offer a free sample of whatever it is that you are trying to sell. And that is yourself. Sell more of yourself and everything else will fall into profit!

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall…..Shows Barber Flaws the Best of All!

If you asked the Master Barber what he considers to be his most important barber tool, you might be as surprised as I was! After guessing— “Clippers?” “Shears?” “A Razor?” “The Comb?”—he walked me over to….. The Mirror!
At first I was puzzled, until he explained that the best way to see if there are any flaws in the haircut you are giving is to put some distance between yourself and the person whose hair you’re working on. He demonstrated how you could step 3-4 feet back from the chair, walk around the person and see the whole effect clearly, OR you could just look at the person in the mirror, while turning the chair. Duh!! And here I thought the mirror was just for the person getting his or her hair cut!
The cliché “Can’t see the forest for the trees” comes to mind. When you’re standing close to your clients and even looking down on their heads, all you can see is what’s right in front of your eyes. You might be focusing on the crown, the sideburns, the neckline or even the length of the hair on the forehead and trying to get each part just perfect. But until you get the “long view,” you won’t know whether or not your careful cutting all blends together into a perfect whole—the “look” your client asked you for.
The way to do that frequently, quickly and efficiently is to Look in the Mirror!
A quick look up at the mirror and you can see that one sideburn is longer than another. A quick turn of the chair and another glance at the mirror will tell you if the hair is tapered evenly all around the head. A profile view might show you some hair sticking out where you left it a little too long. All of these little flaws can be corrected once you can see where they are!
Using the mirror is a skill that takes practice. When you were learning to drive a car, you probably had to be reminded to look in the rearview or side mirrors frequently. You had to get used to the fact that things appear backward in a mirror compared to what the eye alone sees. Things often do not appear to be quite their normal size. Excellent barbers practice using the mirror right along with the clippers, comb and shears!
Just as the Wicked Queen in the movie “Snow White” looked in the mirror to find more than her own reflection, you too can ensure that “the fairest one of all” is the client sitting in your barber chair!

Don’t Bad-Mouth the Competition! What Smart Barbers Do Instead

“We Fix Bad Haircuts!” It’s such a common advertising slogan that it’s even in a current TV ad for a sign-printing company! No matter what the cost of a haircut at your shop or theirs, why not try to improve your business by bad-mouthing the competition?
Consider these reasons for not pointing out the faults of the nearest barber shop:

• You’re giving the competition free publicity.
• You’re giving the competition a reason to retaliate.
• You’re daring prospective clients to prove you’re wrong.
• You’re creating a negative atmosphere in your shop.
• You’re missing the benefits of a cooperative business relationship.

The smartest businesses of any type never say anything bad about the competition. Instead they:
Learn from what the “other guys” are doing right—or wrong:
Who says you can’t use the good ideas you find in a competitor’s shop? Get out there and see for yourself what’s making your competitor successful—or not. Read books. Go to seminars. Check out the wealth of information on the Internet. Then DO something positive about what you’ve learned.
Develop a mutually-beneficial relationship:
Don’t be afraid to talk to your competitor. Make a friend rather than an enemy. Visit the shop. Complement the manager on the things you notice he is doing right. Tell him about something that’s working well for you. Sharing ideas creates an atmosphere where both of your businesses can grow, and where both of you will make more money than you could if you’d kept your ideas to yourself.
Use their resources to get the word out about their own strengths:
Why spend money or your clients’ time with negative talk or advertising about the competition! Focus on what you do well—without mentioning that you’re “better than the other guy.” Smart customers will come in and find out for themselves. Differentiate yourself from the competition by adding services they don’t have, or by creating a friendlier atmosphere in your shop. If you know that your competitor offers a product or service you don’t have, give them a referral. The chances are good that they will do the same for you, especially if you point out how their new customer found them, and they know your strengths.
The old maxim is still true: “You will catch more flies [customers] with honey than with vinegar!”

Bad Haircut? Tactful Barbers Don’t Criticize!

You’ve got a new client in your chair with a very bad haircut. You know you can make him look so much better, but if you want to build a good relationship and earn a repeat customer, hold your tongue! You may be sorely tempted, but resist saying anything like:

• Did you cut your own hair?
• Wow! I haven’t seen that style in years!
• Did the last guy who cut your hair forget to wear his glasses?
• Have you looked at the back of your hair lately?
• You would really look better without hair hanging over your eyes!
• It must have been a long time since you had a haircut!
• You’d look much better without a comb-over!

Why is it such a bad idea to criticize the cut a client comes in with? He owns it! He’s been walking around looking like this for who knows how long. He will consider it an insult. He’ll be embarrassed and feel uncomfortable about coming back.
What should you do instead? Start by asking the client the type of cut he would like. He might point out the flaws in his current cut without you saying a word. If it’s clear that he doesn’t notice what’s wrong and asks for a similar cut, be very discrete. To start with, think of something good to say, like:

• Your hair looks very healthy and thick.
• You have hair that could be styled in a variety of ways.
• It looks like your hair grows quickly. That gives you a lot of options.
• You came to the right place to make the most of the shape of your face.

It may be possible to fix what’s wrong without saying anything about it at all. Or you might say something tactful like, “Many people have hair that grows faster on one side than on the other.” You can blame an obvious flaw on irregular hair growth and suggest that you make that side a little shorter than the over-all cut. Set yourself up as the expert who knows how to fix naturally occurring changes to a person’s hair like thinning, receding hairline, or male-pattern baldness on the crown. Show the client how a good cut can make thick, unmanageable hair behave itself. You might even suggest that the client consider the mood-boosting power of a new style.
The client wants to leave your shop looking better than when he came in. The smart barber won’t comment on the “before” look, but will compliment the client on how good he looks “after” your cut and invite him to come back often to keep it looking that way!

Mens Scalp Care Tips!

A healthy scalp is essential to great looking hair. Below are some scalp care tips on maintaining scalp health and preventing common problems. 

KEEP YOUR SCALP CLEAN
Maintaining a clean scalp is just one of the scalp care tips that will keep your hair looking healthy!

Moisturize
Use of a good moisturizing conditioner not only helps keep the hair looking good, but it’s also great for helping the scalp maintain moisture.

RECOGNIZE AND PREVENT SCALP PROBLEMS
Several scalp conditions, left untreated, may become larger problems and lead to hair loss. Below are a few common scalp problems. Recognizing and preventing scalp problems  is just one of the scalp care tips that will keep your hair looking healthy! If any of the following conditions exist, please consult your dermatologist.

Dandruff (Pityriasis)
The principle signs of Dandruff are white scales on the hair and scalp accompanied by itching. Dandruff is characterized by scaliness of the epidermis, mixed with oils which causes it to stick to the scalp in patches. Dandruff may be associated with a dry or oily condition. Common causes include poor blood circulation to the scalp, poor diet, improper hygiene, excessive use of styling products, dry indoor air, tight fitting hats, or infection. Generally, dandruff is a natural condition and normally cannot be eliminated. Dandruff can be controlled by using a dandruff shampoo and correcting the conditions that promote dandruff. Long-term neglect of Dandruff can cause baldness. Treatment for dandruff includes use of special medicated shampoos, daily use of antiseptic lotions (such as Sea Breeze) and scalp massage while shampooing. Persistent or severe dandruff should always be treated by a dermatologist.

Ingrown Hairs
These appear as small bumps, most often on the face or scalp. Poor shaving and cleansing of the skin can cause the hair to curl over within the follicle instead of exiting the skin. Ingrown hairs are prevented by proper cleansing of the skin and proper shaving techniques. Persistent problems with ingrown hairs should be treated under the advice of a dermatologist.

Psoriasis
This is an inflammatory skin disease which commonly appears on the knees, elbows, and scalp. The cause of Psoriasis is unknown and it is not contagious. The lesions are round, dry patches covered with coarse, silvery scales. Psoriasis can be a difficult problem and should be treated by a dermatologist. Some clients have found great success by using a Medicated Conditioning Coal Tar Formula Shampoo.


Razor Bumps
Highly common among African American men, razor bumps occur when curly hair is cut close and grows back into the skin. The best treatment for razor bumps is to let the beard grow out and shave less. Proper shaving techniques can also prevent razor bumps.

Clipper Cutting: How High To Cut A Fade With Longer Top

One of the most important things to consider when you are learning how to fade hair is how high it is going to be. There are a lot of things to consider as you think about this question. Some of them include cowlicks, hair thickness, hair color, head shape, surface of the scalp (lumps, bumps, and/or dents), moles, scars, customer’s age, customer’s job, desired hairstyle, the customer’s preference.
A very important note to keep in mind is that no matter how good you are at fading hair, if the fade is too high or too low your customer will not think it is a good haircut. I will say it another way. If the haircut is 100% technically correct but it is not exactly what the customer wants they won’t be happy. This is especially true with the fade haircut customer. It doesn’t matter if they are a young kid or older suit and tie professional. These are the most particular and hardest customers to please.
There are many modern and classic men’s hairstyles that require a longer top. Even though these styles require a longer top, a close taper or fade in around the outline of the haircut is required to finish off the haircut. The most important thing to keep in mind is: The longer the hair on top the lower the fade or taper should be cut. If the fade is cut to high the haircut will look out of balance. The best way to avoid this is to start the haircut by layering the top section. Next, cut the round of the head section using the top section as the guide. Before starting the fade, cut the sides and back section to give yourself a guide for the fade. After these three steps you will know exactly how high the fade should be cut to perfectly blend into the longer top.