BUSINESS STAGE

THE BUSINESS STAGE FEATURED TEN INCREDIBLE SESSIONS FULL OF ACTIONABLE ADVICE, INSIGHTFUL STATISTICS AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK PLENTY OF QUESTIONS

In ‘Finding Your Purpose and Motivation’ Phil Jarman talked about the advantage of a hairdressing background when it comes to refining scissor work, sharing that these additional skills are key to a lasting career. Josh Lamonaca took to the stage to discuss ‘The Business of Barbering’. In a packedout session, Josh gave advice on understanding the customer even down to the type of relationship they want with their barber: “You can only do your best. If a client doesn’t want to talk, don’t talk to them and cut their hair – that’s all they’re there for.” The conversation then turned to inclusivity within barbering, where Charles Rose talked about ‘Growing Talent, Attracting New Clients and Fresh Management Style’. Charles discussed the benefit of getting your staff involved in community initiatives to raise your profile and theirs and to never forget that you and your team are your best asset. In ‘Standing Out from the Barbershop Down the Road’, Baldy discussed how the right attitude towards your business can help determine your success.

He advised: “Just concentrate on you and your vision. It can be hard to compare yourself to others – for example, you don’t know what the shop down the road is paying for rent, so you can’t judge their prices.”

However, he did note that you can look at ways to stand out beyond pricing; Baldy previously offered an executive service in The Rum Room, where clients could sit back, relax and enjoy a drink. Rounding off day one, Ian Harrold discussed ‘Making Colour Work in your Barbershop’. He explained how colour services can be an easy win for those looking to boost their profits, due to their short service time. Another perk of colour services is the ability to boost your retail sales, specifically with coloured shampoos and conditioners, and to also build client loyalty.

On day two, saw Eoin McCarthy and Leigh Winsor delved into ‘The Art + Science of Pricing’. They explained that when it comes to pricing, it’s not just about the numbers; but knowing what to do with it, and what it can do for you. This opened up a discussion on having more control over your hours, and how this can provide business owners – and freelancers – with more freedom. Their key tip? “If you’re not bringing your prices up by 10% each year, you’re essentially losing money.”

Dan Gregory drew in a packed-out crowd presenting how to ‘Drive Business to your Door with Video Content’. He shared his success after creating content online, putting it down to being true to what you believe in, adding: “My whole ethos from the first video has stayed the same. It’s got to be real, everyday cuts and people.”

Emma Curd shared a health practitioner’s approach to barbering, in ‘An Exploration of Regulation in the Hair Industry’. She revealed that in 2023, there was approximately a 10% increase in barbering injuries from the previous year, which led to conversations around ergonomics and qualifications.

Finally, Sam Campagna shared his insights on ‘Building an Empowered Team’. He began by asking the audience if they were a leader or a leaner; being a leader means that you are developing your team and spending more time in a strategic mindset for the good of the business, whereas being a leaner means that you lean into doing the work instead of building a team that can develop and implement solutions. Sam also prompted everyone to look into The Five Dysfunctions of a Team.