Thread: My concerns about my barber school and some questions.

I will start barber school in January and I have a few worries. I would like to say before I tell you my concerns that this has nothing to do with race and I in no way intend for any offense to be taken by this thread. I feel this is a safe place to post my on my thoughts and concerns and get feedback that is appropriate.

That being said here are my worries, there is one barber school in southeastern Michigan it is located in Detroit and their enrollment is primarily African American (I'm pretty sure I will be the only "white guy there). I have absolutely no problem with that whatsoever, but what worries me is that I plan to work in the suburbs where the majority of my clientele will be white. I worry that I will not get adequate education for my intended practice. I want to be the best and I will gladly serve any gentleman who walks through the door, I don't really care what you look like as long as you leave happy.

I have to plead ignorance on this one, maybe sombody with a little knowledge can shed some light on this subject for me.

Thanks

I think that the ways of barbering have passed more successfully to the Black community is because of the nature of their hair. I have an aunt who has cut hair for over twenty years and still has a hard time with it. Perhaps once someone that finds the barber they want, sticks with him forever, hence a clientele that enables the continuation from one generation to the next.

Personally, I think you'll be fine.

I have no knowledge of where you intend to train/learn ready for your venture, but why do you think you may not get adequate education?

i dont think it matters ahe principle should be the same cuting hair is cuting hair some corser than others and a shave is a shave .

Originally Posted by ben.mid

I have no knowledge of where you intend to train/learn ready for your venture, but why do you think you may not get adequate education?

The reason I feel what they have to offer would not be adequate for me personally is because I intend to work for a different demographic of clientele than most of the people attending school there.

Let me put it this way when I walked in to turn in my application a room of 20 people all got really quiet and looked at me like I had a tail, you could hear a pin drop in the room. I actually thought it was pretty cool.

Like I said I am going to plead total ignorance on the differences of barbering for African American and white clients or the education needed to perform a quality cut and shave. What I hope is that this will be a real challenge and that I graduate being the best regardless of who is in my chair.

here is a link to the school. Michigan Barber School, Inc. - Home

Ice, ice baby!

The barber shop where I go now if an interesting one. The owner is of Cuban origin and is in his early 50s. He has one African-American, a Puerto Rican fellow, both young fellows, and another older Latino.

They do a fair amount of young guys and I've seen them lather more than one fellow's hairline in front of his forehead and sideburn area and shave it to sculpture the hairline. In most cases the hair cut is very close cut. Sort of a maxed out crew cut.

As far as the ethnic makeup of the school as opposed to your intended customer base, what are your alternative options for going to barber school ?

basically no other options other than cosmetology school and I wont be able to give straight shaves without the barber classification and I really have no interest in cutting womens hair.

Originally Posted by detroyt

basically no other options other than cosmetology school and I wont be able to give straight shaves without the barber classification and I really have no interest in cutting womens hair.

Well if it is the only game in town I guess you'll have to make the best of it. I don't know what race relations are like in Detroit but my guess is all of the pupils are there to learn a trade and you'll probably do fine. Good luck with it.

Originally Posted by detroyt

when I walked in to turn in my application a room of 20 people all got really quiet and looked at me like I had a tail, you could hear a pin drop in the room. I actually thought it was pretty cool.

That would've unnerved the hell out of me! I see where you're coming from. Most people graduate, then actually learn the bulk of their professional skills in the job. I'm sure you'll be fine. Just don't give every customer an obligatory afro.