Alright barbers, let’s stir the pot a little this one’s gonna hit home for a lot of people. There are two types of barbers in this industry: 1️⃣ The barbers who build their clientele inside someone else’s shop riding off the walk-ins, foot traffic, and brand that the owner already established. 2️⃣ The barbers who start from zero, build their name, create a brand, market themselves online, and bring their own clients through social media, reputation, and hustle. Now here’s the question… When you left the shop to open your own suite or your own shop did you build your clientele, or did you borrow it from the environment that created it? Be honest. There’s no hate here just real talk. Because there’s a massive difference between being busy in someone else’s system and creating your own system that makes you busy. Let’s hear your thoughts 👇 Would you rather start from scratch and learn how to build a brand and clientele on your own or work your way up inside a shop and then branch out once you’re packed? Which path do you respect more and why?

Every barber talks about getting better with the clippers cleaner fades, faster cuts, sharper lines. But here’s the truth most barbers never face: your skills can make you money… but your systems build your freedom. 🔍 Here’s the Difference: Skill gets you clients. Systems keep them coming back and allow you to scale. You can be the best barber in your city but if you don’t have systems for: - Client follow-ups - Booking & reminders - Pricing adjustments - Tracking income & retention - Reposting content & client photos you’ll always be busy but never truly free. 💡 Action Steps to Level Up Both: 1️⃣ Refine One Skill Each Week Record your next haircut. Watch it back like game film where did you waste time, where can you tighten technique? 👉 Example: Challenge yourself to cut 5 minutes faster without losing quality. 2️⃣ Build One System at a Time Don’t try to overhaul everything. Focus on one small system per week. 👉 Example: Create a client follow-up message that automatically goes out after every appointment through Square or text. 3️⃣ Track and Measure Progress Use a whiteboard, spreadsheet, or your phone notes. 👉 Log how many clients rebook each week, your average ticket, and your total hours worked. Numbers tell the truth. 4️⃣ Schedule a “Business Day” Each Week One day or even one hour dedicated only to the back end pricing, content planning, finances, and follow-ups. 👉 Treat your business like a business, not a hustle. Quick Reflection: Ask yourself this week: “If I stopped cutting for a week, would my business still make money or completely stop?” If the answer is stop, it’s time to start building systems. 💬 Let’s Talk: What’s been harder for you personally leveling up your skill or dialing in your systems? Drop your answer below and share one system that’s changed your business the most 👇

This debate has been going on for YEARS in the industry, and everybody has an opinion… but I want to hear YOURS. Barbers: - Do you feel like booth rent gives you more freedom…or does it make you lazy with no real structure? - Do you feel like commission shops take too much of your money…or does the mentorship, walk-ins, systems, and accountability justify it? - Which model helped you grow FASTER in your career and why? Shop Owners: - Are barbers more committed and dependable on commission,or do they perform better when they’re paying booth rent out of their own pocket? - Which model gives you a stronger culture and long-term retention? - If you could start over today, which model would you choose and why? 🔥 Follow-Up: The Real Question Nobody Wants to Answer… Are barbers choosing booth rent because they want freedom or because they want to avoid accountability, systems, and business growth? And… Are shop owners choosing commission because it benefits the barbers or because it keeps them “locked in” and makes the owner more money? Let’s be HONEST with this one. Drop your REAL thoughts, your experiences, your wins, your frustrations. This discussion is meant to open eyes, challenge mindsets, and help every barber understand what structure ACTUALLY builds a successful long-term career. Comment below — Booth Rent or Commission? Which one is TRULY better for the future of our industry?

I just want to take a moment to give a huge shoutout to @Betsy Espinoza I’m super excited for her growth and success in this industry! Betsy is an amazing Loctician who’s recently ventured into barbering, and the growth she’s showing has been incredible to watch. Her consistency, willingness to learn, and participation here on this platform are what this community is all about. Keep going, Betsy your passion and dedication are going to take you far in this industry. 💪✂️ Thank you for being a part of the Aloha Barber Collective Ohana! 🌺