BACK TO MY ROOTS

WINNER OF EDUCATOR AT THE MODERN BARBER AWARDS 2024, SHAUN BUCKINGHAM, SPOKE TO SIAN JONES ABOUT WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?

Prior to becoming a full-time hairstylist, I had a paper round at around 16 or 17, whilst doing work experience at a salon for nearly two years.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE ON A CAREER IN BARBERING?

At 25 I felt like a lost hairdresser with no creative push or drive and I needed a change. There was an opportunity at the company I was working at to switch to a full time men’s stylist, and I knew I had to get it - oddly enough I didn’t get the job on my first try! I was called back before the shop’s opening date and invited in and now I’m the foundation of FG Man.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

I was the local emo kid when I was 13 and always had some DIY colour/haircuts going on which led to me doing the same for my friends. I was going to follow the family career path of engineering, but I wanted to pursue something with more creativity. I volunteered as a Saturday boy at a local salon for over a year before going to college and getting my Level 2/3 in hairdressing. I was a hairstylist for five years with the aim of moving on to be a senior stylist, but I ended up hitting the creative wall which is why I made the choice to switch to barbering.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?

Acceptance. I’m a very introverted person, so becoming a busy barber, award winner and business leader was never something I imagined would happen to me.

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

Maximise your knowledge, learn, observe and reflect.

WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN THEN THAT YOU KNOW NOW?

You’re not just a barber.

WHAT’S BEEN YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR?

Commercial success within the barbershop has helped progress to industry success, winning British Master Barber of the Year in 2020 and Educator at the Modern Barber Awards this year. Fuelling the business further and finally being able to get my own home with my partner this year has also been something I’ve been grinding for, for a long time.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOU NOW?

Continuing to push the evolution of modern barbering within the FG Man brand through education and social media whilst developing my portfolio.

Shaun’s work