Barbershop is no longer about shaving only. With vast lifestyles, people demand more than having the noisy electric razor run through your head. Cities with huge populations have captured this market well but not everyone is on the bus. Until I recently visited one of the shops within Nairobi CBD to have my hair done, is when I came to interact with some unique and serious services which made me sneak into my pocket unexpectedly. To date, I visit there for the same services.
A look at the past in Barbershop
One way of learning is to look at how history of shaving. It’s traced back to stone ages over 100,000 years ago. Men used shells-like tweezers and pulling out their beard hair as a way of shaving. It is from there when it became a ceremony among young Roman men for celebrating adulthood. In ancient Greece, it became fashion after Alexander the Great encouraged his soldiers to shave to deny the enemy an opportunity. The concept of razors made from iron or copper developed. Features looked nearly like the ones we know today. Along the way, a lot changed, including electric razor introduced around 1920, and further improvements of shaving tools.
Chatting future in Barbershop Business
Currently, innovations on shaving machines to improve on human skin effects and interaction has taken twists creating some other interesting ventures in the industry. For most barbers, shaving is just one of the services offered to customers among others. Although these services differ significantly depending on the market, more people are going for comfort. Customized hairstyles, good shaving machines, and perfect cuts which do not cause embarrassments in events are key characteristics that attract customers.
Then there are these pedicure and manicure services which have picked slowly across diverse markets. Some people may need to have their nails done comfortably.
Finally, massage. Simple as it may sound, it separates boys from men in the market in this business. Take it as a great opportunity, have different pricing models if you are in a middle-class level of the market.
Some other key factors to take into consideration are;
Good customer service
Customer service is inevitably the backbone of every business and barbering is not exceptional. You should meet and go beyond clients’ expectations. From the entry point, greetings are essential, it brings the mind of the customer to speed.
Up to date technology
There has been a constant improvement in technologies around this field and as a barber, you should be up to date with them. The various designs meet all customer needs and whenever one customer doesn’t get satisfied, chances for a comeback are very minimal.
Great team
A good team with good and high spirits for work is a good ingredient for your successful barbering venture. With professionalism, customer satisfaction is easily achieved. Who would enjoy services in a place where everyone is gloomy? A well-motivated team is likely to deliver well compared to the one with a low motive to work. How you motivate them is a matter you should look into to achieve your business goals.
Hair-cutting, trimming, styling, shaping, shaving
Different people have different tastes and choices of shaving, designs, and styles. As a barber, you should be on top of your game in providing these services. A satisfied customer is likely to come back and refer a friend as well.
Consider location
Perfect site selection to install your business is a key factor. A good location is one in which you can get a relatively good flow of customers from time to time. Although there are downtimes just like any other business, there are those customers who are likely to get into your shop because they have seen it. So have it in a place where it is visible enough for every passer-by and easily accessible by anyone.
Final Word: Success in this business need well calculations. You have to employ art and science in day-to-day activities that can yield positive results. Do benchmark where possible, from other markets to see what may work for you. But above all, watch out not to lose a customer, ensure to consider foundational principles. Take surveys or have suggestion boxes within your premises to get feedback from clients. You may be working hard but, you are not improving.
