Why Free Work Can Be Your Biggest Asset: A Mindset Shift

The Advantages of Doing Free Work

This is not the typical creator perspective that you would expect, but I would love to share my personal experience and what that means to me.

Starting out as a barber, building a clientele from scratch is one of the toughest challenges. Earning people’s trust isn’t easy, and without it, you’re left with limited options. While some might land a job at a place with an established client base, many of us start with nothing. In my case, finding a job was tough, so I had to rely on free clients—mostly family and friends—to get the practice and exposure I needed.

Were they the ideal clients I wanted to cut? Not necessarily, but they were heads of hair that I could rely on. I didn’t use my friends and family as a way to build my portfolio, but more so for the reps behind the scenes, helping me build my confidence and skill set.

Gaining Experience Through Low-Cost or Free Jobs

Let’s fast forward to today, where I’ve built a solid reputation in the barbering industry, but I’m starting fresh in the content and filmmaking world over the last few years.

I take pride in my willingness to accept low-cost or free jobs to gain valuable experience. When you're just starting out, few people are willing to take a chance on you. That's why it's crucial to go above and beyond—delivering more than what's expected, working harder, staying longer, and offering extra deliverables and revisions. By doing this, you not only build your skills but also your reputation, eventually reaching a point where you can set your own rates and terms.

Experience is the foundation of trust in any profession. It’s what reassures potential clients that you can deliver on your promises. Without experience, it’s challenging to convince anyone to give you a chance, especially in a competitive industry. But experience alone isn’t enough—how you showcase and communicate that experience plays a crucial role.

Value is a subjective concept; it varies from person to person, depending on their priorities and perspectives. What one person sees as valuable, another might overlook. This subjectivity makes it even more important to understand and demonstrate your worth in a way that resonates with your audience.

The Importance of Experience and Personal Branding

Let me share an example that has stuck with me. During a project where I was gathering insights from people worldwide, I came across a particularly interesting response. It highlighted the diversity in how people perceive value, even for something as straightforward as a haircut. This example made me realize that your personal brand and the way you present yourself can significantly influence how others perceive your value, regardless of whether they’ve experienced your work firsthand.

During a random survey, I decided to explore how much people from different places were willing to pay for a haircut. One response in particular stood out to me. I asked an older lady from the UK, where prices for services tend to be lower compared to the U.S., what the maximum amount she’d be willing to pay for a haircut was. She replied that £25 was her limit, which is roughly $32. But then she added something that really struck me: "If you cut my hair, I’d pay whatever."

That simple statement has stayed with me because it underscored a powerful truth about the impact of personal branding. It wasn’t just about the service I provided—it was about how she perceived my value based on what she had seen and heard about me. This woman had never sat in my chair, yet she was willing to pay more than her usual limit simply because of the brand I had built around myself.

This moment reinforced for me that people are influenced not just by the quality of your work, but by the entire image you project. Everything from what I showcase online, the way I talk about my craft, the consistency in my work, to how I engage with my audience—all these elements collectively build my reputation. It’s a combination of these factors that can elevate your perceived value far beyond the actual service you offer.

In her eyes, the experience of having her hair cut by me wasn’t just about getting a haircut—it was about being part of something she believed in, something she saw as valuable. It’s a powerful reminder that your personal brand can make your work worth more to people, even before they’ve directly experienced it.

Changing Perceptions in the Barbering Industry

You have the power to shape how people perceive your work by what you choose to show them—whether through visuals, words, or the story you tell. This is why I constantly urge barbers to elevate the perception of barbering. In the hair industry, many people place higher value on the salon side, often seeing it as a premium service, while barbering is sometimes viewed as the more affordable, less prestigious option.

But this perception can be changed. If barbers consistently showcase the artistry, skill, and dedication that go into their craft, they can reshape how society views barbering. It’s about more than just giving haircuts; it’s about presenting barbering as a refined, valued profession with its own unique merits.

However, this isn’t something that can be achieved by one person or even a handful of individuals. It requires a collective effort—barbers all over the world, working together to redefine the industry’s image. By consistently sharing our work, telling our stories, and demonstrating the value of our craft, we can gradually shift public perception.

Over time, this collective effort changes how people value barbering as a profession. As society begins to see the true value in what we do, the industry as a whole will benefit. Just as prices in other industries rise with increased value and demand, so too should the value of barbering rise. By elevating how barbering is viewed, we’re not just enhancing our individual reputations—we’re contributing to the growth and recognition of the entire industry. This is how we ensure that as prices rise, so too does the respect and value placed on our work.

The Impact of Inflation and Justifying Increased Prices

I recently saw a TikTok where a guy was shopping at Walmart, comparing grocery prices over a four-year span. The first time he purchased the items, the total was $140. When he bought the exact same items four years later, the total had jumped to nearly $500. What struck me was that nothing had changed about the products—no improvements, no added value, just a significant price increase over time.

This got me thinking about the cost of living and how it applies to our industry. In the case of groceries, consumers have no control over how food is made, packaged, or priced. We’re at the mercy of the market, forced to pay more for the same basic necessities. But in our field, it’s different. As barbers, we have the power to influence the value of our services. We can choose to educate ourselves, invest in better tools, and continuously improve the quality of the experience we offer our clients.

Given this, does it make sense to keep our prices stagnant while everything else around us increases in cost? Absolutely not. Just as the cost of living goes up, so too should the value of the services we provide. Unlike groceries, where the price hikes don’t necessarily reflect an increase in quality, we have the ability to ensure that our rising prices are accompanied by enhanced skills, better tools, and a superior client experience.

By continuously improving and elevating our craft, we’re not just keeping up with inflation—we’re justifying our prices by delivering more value. This is why it’s crucial that we don’t remain static. As the world around us changes, we must evolve as well, making sure that the value of our services grows in parallel with the cost of living.

Balancing Paid Work with Creative Fulfillment

Constant repetition is undoubtedly crucial for improving our skills—whether it’s in our services, crafts, projects, or gigs. It’s through practice and persistence that we improve. But there’s another key element that often gets overlooked: the value of doing work that nourishes your creativity, even if it’s unpaid.

Regardless of whether you’re just starting out or are highly experienced, don’t shy away from taking on free work that fills a creative void in your life. Paid work is essential; it keeps the lights on and puts food on the table. But it’s the creative work—the projects you take on for passion rather than profit—that often leads to the most significant personal growth and fulfillment.

These unpaid or low-cost opportunities allow you to experiment, take risks, and explore ideas that might not be feasible in a paid gig with specific client demands. They offer the freedom to push boundaries, develop new skills, and reignite the passion that brought you into the field in the first place. Over time, these creative pursuits can not only enhance your paid work but also open doors to new opportunities you might never have encountered otherwise.

So whether you’re at level one or level ten, remember that while paid work sustains you, it’s the creative work that truly enriches your life and drives your growth as a professional and an artist. Both are necessary, but finding a balance between the two is where real progress happens.

If you spend all your time doing just the bare minimum for what pays the bills, you miss out on the opportunity to nourish your creative side. This creative fulfillment is what pushes you forward, opening doors to new skills and experiences. Had I only focused on cutting hair in the barbershop, I would have remained stuck in the same routine. The only way I could break free was by finding time to explore something different—something that truly sparked my creativity.

By staying true to what I felt passionate about and taking the initiative to pursue it, I was able to discover a new income stream. I wasn’t paid to create content, buy a camera, or learn the ins and outs of what tools to use. It was all self-discovery—finding time for myself, working with close friends and family, and taking on low-cost jobs that allowed me to learn and grow without bearing all the financial burden alone. The team aspect meant that while there were costs, they didn’t come out of my pocket.

The most valuable thing I could contribute was my effort. I always put in more than what was required, making sure that, no matter how long it took, the final product was as top-notch as possible. This dedication not only added value to the work but also built the foundation for future opportunities.

Whether I was paid a low-cost fee or nothing at all, I consistently aimed to deliver the best possible product. This wasn’t just about meeting a client's expectations; it was about upholding my own standards. My work is a reflection of who I am as an artist, and I take pride in everything I create.

Delivering High-Quality Work Regardless of Payment

For me, it’s never been about just getting the job done. I believe that every project, regardless of the payment, deserves my full effort and dedication. This approach stems from a deep commitment to my craft. I want every piece of work I’m associated with to showcase my skills, creativity, and attention to detail.

Even when there’s no financial reward, the personal satisfaction of knowing I’ve given my absolute best is priceless. It’s not just about building a reputation with others; it’s about proving to myself that I always bring my best, no matter the circumstances.

Confidence from Unpaid Opportunities: A Personal Story

One story that really drives this home is when I unexpectedly got the chance to work on a project for a major sports brand. They had commissioned a dance visual, but their editor wasn’t hitting the mark. My girlfriend, knowing I had experience working with this particular choreographer, asked if she could pass the project my way. Running against the clock, they agreed, likely out of desperation.

I dove in, did the edit, and after a few tweaks, they ended up using my version. And here’s the kicker—I didn’t get paid a cent for it. But what I gained was far more valuable: confidence. Holy shit, a mega-brand chose my edit. The realization that what I created resonated with such a huge name was a game-changer. It reinforced that the quality of my work matters and that my contributions can hold their own, even in high-stakes scenarios. That moment mattered more to me than any paycheck could, because it validated my skills and affirmed that my dedication pays off, even when money isn’t involved.

The Legacy You Leave Behind in Your Work

This mindset is what has brought me to where I am today. In everything I do, I constantly consider the legacy I want to leave behind. Do you want to be the person who just gets the job done and fades into the background, or do you want to be the person whose presence is missed—someone whose attention to detail and unique value are irreplaceable? It’s those individuals who truly stand out, who leave a lasting impact, and who are remembered.

There’s that quote

The Importance of Teamwork and Collaborative Effort

People are always on the lookout for individuals who can bring something special to the table. The more memorable and valuable you make your role, the more opportunities will open up for you as a creative. These are the people who consistently get work, who are in high demand, and who find themselves in the circles they aspire to be part of.

I’m not naturally good at everything, but my drive to master whatever I set my mind to is relentless. This pushes me to dig deeper—whether it’s researching more thoroughly, watching more YouTube tutorials, or diving into new tools. I refuse to settle for mediocrity, to fail, or to waste time, and that determination fuels a different kind of energy in me. I believe that taking on free or low-paying jobs, especially when my skill set isn’t yet on par with the industry giants, keeps me grounded in the filmmaking world. It reminds me that there’s always more to learn and that humility is essential in the journey to becoming truly great.

The Relentless Drive to Improve and Master New Skills

I have a clear understanding of where my strengths lie and where I need to improve, and I can adapt based on the situation at hand. Whether you need me to lead or follow, I’m comfortable doing either, and that flexibility is what makes me a valuable asset to any team. My ability to switch roles seamlessly, depending on the needs of the project, is a key part of the skill set I bring to the table.

This adaptability and dedication to my work, whether in paid or unpaid roles, stem from a deep desire to truly care about what I’m doing. You gotta ask yourself: Do you want your work to be exciting and meaningful, or are you just going through the motions to pass the time? Do you want to make a real impact, or are you content with just meeting the bare minimum?

I’ve discovered that I thrive in team settings, especially since I entered the content and filmmaking world. Being part of a team has pushed me to develop new skills, rethink my approach, and manage my time more effectively. It’s taught me how to juggle multiple tasks, pivot when necessary, and maintain focus even when things get overwhelming. And yes, sometimes it does stress me out, but I’ve come to realize that it’s in those challenging moments where the most growth happens. Even if we don’t see it right away, those struggles are the ones that ultimately lead to personal and professional development.

Balancing Passion with Paid Work to Prevent Burnout

I believe there’s a critical balance between paid work and the work that truly fuels our passion. You need to be excited about both, because burnout is real—especially in industries like the hair industry, where you’re often dealing with the same routines, clients, complaints, and colleagues who might not fully grasp your journey. It’s essential to have something that energizes you, something that drives you forward, whether it pays the bills or not. When you’re passionate about what you’re doing, you’re not just building a career—you’re building yourself. And when the day comes that you get paid for that passion, it’s even more rewarding.

Learning from Free Opportunities and Low-Cost Jobs

When people ask me, "What classes did you take?" or "How did you get started?" my answer often surprises them: some of the best opportunities I had came from working for free. Someone recognized my willingness to work hard, and I was given the chance to create on someone else’s dime. Those experiences helped me build the essential skills I needed, which then led to low-cost jobs that further improved my craft. These opportunities took me places I never would have reached otherwise, all because I wasn’t afraid to do the extra work to get where I needed to be.

Before I started charging for revisions or additional edits, everything was done for a low-cost fee. But even then, the experience was invaluable. It taught me about my own worth, what I needed to learn, and where I needed to improve. But beyond that, it was about building those situations based on the environment and the job at hand. From there, I found more work that I loved, and now, I can’t imagine my life any other way. Everything I do is rooted in passion and enjoyment.

Constant Improvement and the Future of Content Creation

My goal is to always improve, to get better every single day. Content creation and filmmaking aren’t going anywhere, especially for those of us in the hair industry who are also diving into content creation. These skills make you incredibly versatile, and they’re highly valued across different teams and companies. In today’s world, being able to create content is not just an asset—it’s essential.

Surrounding Yourself with Like-Minded, Driven Individuals

It’s here, it’s now, and it’s tomorrow. And it’s one of the hardest things to find—people who bring the same level of effort and commitment. Even with the teams I’m on right now, I notice that what’s often missing is that drive. In this constantly evolving space, I’m always on the lookout for people like me who are willing to do whatever it takes. That’s the kind of energy I surround myself with, and it’s the energy I bring to my people. When we look for others, we’re searching for that same intensity and passion.

After speaking with creatives in different areas who have their own brands and companies, I’ve realized they face the same challenges we do: finding people who are willing to give it their all. So, don’t shy away from taking on low-cost work if it offers you a learning experience or a chance to grow. For me, learning never stops, and that’s invaluable. It’s never a loss—only a step forward.

Have a great week, y’all!

Sof!