Key Takeaways: Maintaining relevance and competitiveness in your barbering business requires embracing digital marketing and enhancing online presence to complement traditional client services. Keeping up with rapidly changing barbering trends necessitates continuous education, staff training, and inventory management to meet client expectations–all these pieces help barbers conquer obstacles and find success.

Life as a barber can be pretty great.

Not only do you have the opportunity to pursue your passions and refine your skills, but you also get to build a community and help people. Throw in some financial success, and you have the perfect recipe for a barbering business (and personal life) that thrives.

So, what are the challenges your barbering business might face? Well, modern problems require modern solutions, and we’re here to give you the insight you need to face your potential setbacks with confidence.

Not only are you able to invest in a career that feeds both your creative side and your business brain, but you’re also helping people, making a difference, and (we’re assuming) making bank without having to do that normal behind-the-desk 9-5 thing. All of that sounds pretty charmed to us.

But we know that not everything is sunshine and roses all the damn time in the barber industry. Don’t get us wrong; you will face challenges along the way, but with a little knowledge and preparation, you can conquer those challenges and achieve your dream life as a barber.

In fact, some of the modern-day challenges you’re facing as a barber are pretty darn, well, challenging, and can seem tough to overcome. But there’s good news even amidst the bad news about barbering—none of these obstacles are too big to keep you from achieving the success you’re chasing, so long as you’re willing to get a little creative, work hard, and dedicate yourself to conquering every challenge that lies ahead.

Honestly? We’re not worried about you. If you’ve got barbering blood in your veins (and if you’re reading this, you totally do), then you’ll be squashing these obstacles in no time.

And of course, we’re here to help.

NBI is laying down some serious reality checks below to help you square off against these chaotic—but reasonable—issues by giving you the tool you need to tackle them.

In other words, you’re going to want to read this.

The Most Common Challenges for Modern Barbering Businesses

Staying Relevant (and Competitive) as a Barbering Business

Whether you’re a social media savant or still rock a flip phone, there’s no denying that the advent of the internet, social media, and digital marketing has completely transformed the way most industries operate–including barbering.

While you should still focus on providing your clients with a stellar experience and fantastic results, staying relevant and competitive has grown increasingly difficult for those who prefer traditional marketing, in-person relationships, and sticks-and-bricks business models.

Don’t worry; there’s still a place for all of those things–in fact, they’re essential. So, you don’t have to invest all your time, energy, and effort into developing a brilliant social media strategy. However, improving your online presence, digital branding, and social media community can work wonders for your barbering business, making it very much worth the work.

Keeping up with Barbering Trends

The world of barbering is fast-paced and constantly changing. Hairstyle trends, new haircare products, innovative tools, updated licensing requirements, and more can pull you in every direction, making it challenging to keep up with what’s currently happening.

As a barber, you need to stay up-to-date in order to run your barbering business efficiently. This includes everything from training your staff, securing your continuing education, updating your barber insurance, managing your inventory, and ensuring your clients have access to the products and services they want.

"The world of barbering is fast-paced and constantly changing."

If it sounds like a lot to keep track of, it’s because it is! Setting aside time in your schedule to research what’s new and trending can help you stay on top of things without everything building up and becoming overwhelming.

You can also follow fellow barbers on social media and observe how they are adapting, talk to clients to see where their interests lie, and follow a few blogs that help keep you in the know.

Building a Loyal Community of Customers

Retaining clients is one of the most important pieces of the barbering business puzzle. Not only is it easier to create loyalty with customers than to attract new ones, but it is also one of the beauties of barber shops–they serve as hubs of the community where people gather and get to know each other.

Building a base of loyal customers is easier said than done. People forget appointments, try new barbers, and can be lured away from your shop by the competition. So, how do you retain the customers you have?

The first (and simplest) solution is to treat them like the valued community members that they are. They aren’t just a stranger in your barber chair, they are an individual you can get to know on a personal level. Invest in them, develop a relationship with them, and care about who they are as much as you care about their hair.

Another good way to increase loyalty is to offer a program that rewards return customers. There are many ways to approach implementing a loyalty program, and you can get as creative as you want when it comes to the benefits you offer.

Whether it’s discounts on their favorite products, a point system where they can exchange their rewards for products or services, or bonus gifts for referring new clients to you, a loyalty program should benefit your barbering business while also giving your loyal customers something of value.

Avoiding Legal (and Financial) Disasters

There is no shortage of risk in the barbering business. Not only do numerous people visit your shop every day, but you (and your staff) are constantly using chemicals and sharp objects. Accidents, mistakes, and instances of bad luck just happen sometimes.

Whether you’re facing a slip-and-fall accident or a claim of professional negligence, a single liability claim can throw you and your barber shop into chaos. From mountains of paperwork to hefty legal fees to the worst-case scenario of your career derailing, these unpredictable challenges are no joke.

Thankfully, you can protect yourself and your barbering business from legal disasters–and the fallout that follows–by investing in quality barber liability insurance.

There are many barber insurance plans out there, so be sure to do your research and choose wisely before investing in a policy. While your coverage may vary based on the specifics of your barbering business, a good rule of thumb is to look for a plan that has both professional and general liability coverage.

With the basics covered, don’t forget that things like equipment damage coverage, continuing education discounts, and other such perks can add value to your policy. Most of all, make sure that the policy provider is reputable!

Finding Skilled Staffing for Your Barbering Business

If you want to expand your barbering business by adding staff, you may encounter a surprising lack of qualified, experienced, skilled professionals. Depending on the physical location of your shop, this challenge may be more extreme than it might be elsewhere–either way, it presents a significant obstacle to your goals.

To overcome this particular challenge, consider using the following techniques to find, attract, and retain staff members who can help your barbering business thrive.

Use a third-party recruitment group that specializes in finding individuals who fit the role you want to fill. Not only does this often connect you with great people, but it also removes the pressure from you, allowing you to focus on other important aspects of your business.
Invest in the staff you have. Whether they’re new or have been with you for years, treating your staff well and making them feel like the valued team members that they are can work wonders for your staff retention, thereby lowering your turnover rate.
Set your staff up for success by training them. Instead of expecting them to know the ropes from day one, offer them adequate training, be there for them when they need guidance, and help them attain the confidence they need to thrive.
Offer fair pay. While this should be a given, it’s surprisingly rare. Paying your staff what they deserve helps you attract and retain talented, qualified, and loyal individuals who can help take your barbering business to the next level.

If you’re looking for more barbering business insights and guidance, be sure to peruse our blog. While you’re at it, feel free to subscribe so that you’ll be the first to know what’s happening in the industry!

Modern Barbering Business Challenges & How to Conquer Them