Issue 2: Fuck Egos

The industry is changing, there is no denying it. On one hand there are many positives coming from it but on the flip side there is a minefield of negative, disrespectful and nasty attributes appearing that make me cringe. 

When anything becomes popular it runs the risk of becoming overplayed, cheesy and oversaturated. We now live in a sea of barbers or people looking to become barbers and instead of nurturing the next generation and guiding them, sadly a growing minority have taken to the aforementioned flip side. I’ve seen people’s work torn to pieces on forums and barber pages. I’ve watched people trash talk like they are in the WWF (yes, I am that old!) and about to open a can of whoop-ass like Triple H.

A few likes and followers on social media and all of a sudden that gives these people the right to adorn the barber police uniform and talk down to others, whose only crime is to share the same passion and love of cutting hair. Sure, some are better than others but didn’t we all start somewhere? Didn’t we all struggle to section hair or palm our scissors in the beginning? Every industry is full of these people, it’s just sad to watch them infiltrate ours so heavily.

This generation is too busy looking at everything but themselves. Spending hours reading Facebook posts about everyone else’s lives. Comparing and turning up their nose, ridiculing and mocking. Too many people are concerned about others shops, others customers, what tools they use, their prices, their followers and their fades. What about your own shop or craft? What about your team, your customers and your service? Those are the only things I EVER focus on to the point it’s almost a borderline obsession. Open up on the same street as me and that wont even change. My eyes are fixed firmly on my own game and my only competition is myself.

Thankfully I am not alone in my thoughts and ramblings and, after a few rums whilst putting the world to rights with my brother Ryan of SB Barbers, our first collaboration together was born. It’s bold and doesn’t shy away from our true feelings but in true HG & SB style we really don’t give a fuck! We aren’t afraid to say what’s on our mind and talk openly about it. It doesn’t come from a place of malice or disrespect but a simple “friendly” reminder to keep your feet on the floor and put some hair next to them.

Buy the "Fuck Egos" T-Shirt HERE.

If you’re lucky enough to be doing your thing and people just happen to be inspired by it then be grateful and gracious. Don’t act up to it. Don’t let it inflate your ego and become obnoxious about it. Remember why you started cutting hair in the first place. I promise you it wasn’t to be on stage swinging your hair dryer about or gaining thousands of followers on social media just so you could talk down to them and belittle their efforts.

Work Hard, Grind Harder, Stay Humble and Fuck Egos

Colin