SPRING INTO ACTION

Welcome to the April – June issue of Modern Barber, where our spring cover features five talented barbers who, under the guidance of American Crew All Star Educator Ian Harrold, came together to create an inspiring collection exclusively for this issue. I was lucky enough to join the team at their shoot where I was able to see first-hand the incredible talent and camaderie there is in this industry.

There’s no question that barbering is continuing to face tough times – from the rising cost of living to an ever increasing skills gap. In this issue we spoke to Chris Foster who dishes out some tangible tips you can adopt to help boost your business and Joe Mills reveals why reinventing himself was essential for his business.

In our sustainability and grooming special we talk to the barbers who are reaping the financial rewards from making eco-friendly changes to their business on page 20, and on page 26 we share the latest innovations and recommendations from some of the best in the business.

As you know, here at Modern Barber we’re big on community. In this issue, we talk to award-winning barber Will Brown about mental health in the industry today whilst Nicky King delivers a large dose of bravery in our Biggest Challenge as he reveals how a birth defect and scepticism from those around him didn’t stop his barbering ambition.

Finally, I’m pleased to announce that entries for the Modern Barber Awards are open! You can find all the categories and entry information on page 6, but don’t wait too long because entries close on 5th May. The awards are a great opportunity for us to celebrate the talent and creativity in our incredible industry, but not only that, it also gives you the chance to reflect on your successes and achievements too. Just being a finalist is a huge endorsement and something to be proud of. The awards are also a fantastic networking opportunity, and personally, I love the chance to meet you all face-to-face, and hear your stories and plans for the future… so what are you waiting for?

Sian Jones | Editor