It Feel Like Everyone is TRYING To Move So FAST

Speed isn’t always on your side as a barber.

With the advancement of social media, we get to see all the amazing things we can do in our industry. While it can be great for inspiration, I know it can paralyze people and put them in a comparative state of mind.

We have more experienced barbers who spread hate and negativity, and on the flip side, younger barbers who are, quite frankly, doing so much so fast, it can be hard to trust someone who is sharing advice but still so new to the field.

Let’s break a few things down because I think that’s where many people are feeling frustrated. Being a good barber doesn’t mean you’re a good educator. Being a good educator doesn’t mean you're a good haircutter. Great barbers are also not great content creators, and some content creators are not that good at cutting hair, BUT they’re going to acquire the skill at some point FASTER because they are working through their fear in the public eye, which is way more critical than those facing it in private rooms and within their own thoughts.

Each lane requires different skills that aren’t just based around haircutting. For example, educators have to work on their public speaking and presentation skills, content creators on camera gear and equipment, and barbers on cutting skills and so much more.

Do you feel left behind in some way with the way the industry is moving? Do you want to take the next step but don’t know how? Trust me, I completely understand this feeling because we can all go scrolling online and feel like we’re missing out on something we know we are capable of and really, that’s the thing: You know deep down you are capable, but somehow you get in your own way.

A quote I always think about is, “You are one decision away from a different life.” I wouldn’t describe it as an overnight success, but it can sometimes just take one decision that pushes you towards a direction that could unlock a new version of you. Let’s say you want to be a barber or content creator… you have watched other barbers online, and you can see yourself doing it.

Now, from that time you initially thought about it until now, have you been doing a lot of “that”? If the answer is no, you either need to have an honest conversation with yourself about your goals because someone that wants to do that “thing” would actually put in effort naturally when the interest is truly there. As a reminder, I sucked at barbering when I first started out, but I still cut my family and friends and whoever I could get in my chair for free. In the same way, I started to use my iPhone to capture my cuts just because I was interested in taking photos and filming my work. There was no guidance, no instruction, I just had a real interest in it and made the choice to take ACTION on my interest.

A friend of mine at a hair show was recently asking me if I would be willing to give some advice to his friend. Of course, I am open to my friends for this, but I have to be honest, I fully regretted it afterward. He brought her over, and I gave her solid answers and advice to her questions for like 15-20 mins. I could tell right away, unfortunately, where it was going.

There are two types of learners: those with interest with action attached and those with interest and just thinking about “what could be." I ran into him months later, and he was like, “Hey, you remember that girl I brought over?” I said yes, and he said he spoke to her recently and asked her if she had been practicing barbering since that visit and… She had not. She had not changed much in her patterns, and the same problems still faced her even after she had been given some solid advice on how to move forward.

For those who have met me in person or know me personally understand that I will give my ALL to help someone understand something they want to ask. That is why I stepped into education. To teach and share naturally fell into my path. But, just like students or attendees who take a class and are hungry to learn from an invested and interesting educator, I love to teach people who REALLY want to learn. Intentional teaching and learning refuel my soul. I would much rather save my energy for those who are serious about making a change.

This is a problem I see most in the industry - that people are unaware of what work it actually takes to do what they are seeing online. It is usually one of two things that are happening. One is that they have not done it long enough to learn the skill sets it takes to grow with any depth, or the other is that they are so caught up in wanting to be recognized or applauded, they get fixated on a dream and never make any moves. In most cases, they do have the skill set it would require but only in one aspect of it.

It is often unnecessary to move fast because what you really need to understand first is a connection with your reasoning and a willingness to try it over and over again and get closer to that goal.

Life seems to be one long practice of the same thing over and over. Whatever it is you want to do, can you imagine yourself doing it for a long period of time without someone cheering for you? Can you do it because it is your art and it feels good to release?

Or, are you doing it because you want to be known for something? That's a real question. This is where I see young barbers/creators doing the most. With barely enough skills, they’re trying to teach and give advice… while I get the effort, they are shooting themselves in the foot. Shooting before they are ready.

Because I have taken the time (years) to build up a portfolio, I can hit someone up, and they most likely can feel like that I’m truly serious about what I’m about to ask because of the years built into my brand. I don’t have to fake sell anything. The bricks have been laid out by me so that people can visually see my journey.

When barbers shoot too early, they may end up looking like that young guy that everyone already knows is giving fake advice they haven’t truly learned yet. There is nothing to prove to anyone. My advice is to get lost in the craft and learn how to get good at it. The rest will follow when the time is right. People love to watch the process and the journey more than being fed advice. Live and document. Don’t forcibly give or teach information no one is asking you about. That is really the thing in the social world - unless you have the real results people are looking for, don’t overdo it.

A lot of people look up to me for different things, and I understand with great depth the responsibility that comes with that. I have to set a positive outlook and represent all my art forms in the best light possible. This all happened very naturally. I didn’t want to be the best barber fader on the planet, I just wanted to be good enough to get booked and to just consistently grow from there. I eventually wanted to shoot films, but I didn’t care to be a director for a feature film. I love shooting in the content space. I love getting tattoos, but I do not want to be the most tatted person in the world. When you become more of yourself in a natural manner, that’s what people gravitate towards and appreciate. They love your honesty, your flaws, and imperfections. They make you human and real and that’s where the real connections starts to build.

Everyone has a story that feels personal, but I’m sure there’s plenty of people out there who could relate. That’s what helped me break out of my local environment. Being brave enough to start peeling back my onion layers and share bits about who I am and what I like to do. Social media is not for everyone, and I get that. Many people disagree with me on things I make topics about, and I’m open enough to hear them out. But, I have my thoughts and experiences of my own, and when I share them, it connects people with a similar journey or path. Sometimes it does feel like I’m moving slow, but then I stop myself, and I chill out and remember why I do things and what my end goals are; always trying to keep my intentions in the front of my mind.

We all have goals we wish we already met. It does not matter who you are; everyone has a few things on that list. Those are good to have, but just know that it is often ourselves that keep things from happening. Being a barber is really not hard these days. There are more shops than ever before that will hire anyone with good effort. Life looks good beyond the chair, and that may be what is freaking people out. Yes, it’s fun to travel, yes it’s fun to work with brands, but there is also an insane amount of work behind that no one sees or talks about. My entire life is connected to work, but somehow I’ve found my way to be ok with that. Every aspect is connected to a meeting, a zoom, a call, an edit, a cut, a shoot, etc.

What parts of your life are you willing to trade for what you want because if I have learned anything at all, it is that you can’t have it all at once. Really think about that.

Wishing everybody a solid week ahead. Take some time to think about your goals and take action on the next right step.

I’m here for you!

Sof!