BEYOND BARBERING

Cricket fans across the country went on an overdrive on social media when Indian favourites showed off hairdos done by an Australian barber. Jordan Tabakman brings The Barber Club to India, along with his commanding online presence, finds Vidhi Arya.

Styling for Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya instantly put ace Australian barber Jordan Tabakman in the eye of a social media storm. Leading the Australian chain The Barber Club to Indian shores, Tabakman has given access to a style-conscious clientele to his barbering secrets. In an exclusive interview, he gives us details about his venture into the Indian market.

How do you plan to educate and train the team of The Barber Club in India?

We want our staff to be well-rounded. Training is not just about cutting and styling, it’s about building a clientele and your personal brand as a stylist. At the end of the day, it doesn’t just benefit the client but also helps the professionals to get more seasoned and choose the path they want to take up; whether it’s photographic stuff, working with celebrities, or something totally different. Many different elements help one become the person they truly want to be.

Apart from skills and technique, what aspect of training do you think can shape the barbering business?

Our motto is all about the client. One aspect we train our staff extensively in is building a relationship with the clients. I believe you can be the best stylist in the country but if you’re not good at building relationships, you’re not going to get anywhere. For us, as a brand coming into India, our key focus is making our team understand that the client is the most important part of the business. A thorough consultation with the client is ultimately going to decide what the client feels after the service is done.

What’s the key to achieving a successful consultation that truly makes an impact on the clients?

Before you put on a cape, instead of standing behind the client looking in the mirror, stand in front of them and ask them, “How do you feel about your hair?” instead of “What do you want?” It will instantly make them feel cared for.

Asking them what they want forms a barrier to building a relationship. It often intimidates the client and they get hesitant to convey what they like or dislike, and can’t explain their needs properly. Asking them how they feel about their hair opens up the opportunity to explain their thoughts in a free-flowing manner. It also allows you, as a hairstylist, to come up with well-informed suggestions that will help the client better.

When it comes to building relationships and a personal brand, what’s your take on leveraging social media platforms?

In the digital world, social media connects us all. I post frequently due to sponsorships and to express myself as a stylist and individual. Initially, my account was solely for hair content, but when I started sharing snippets of my life and behind-the-scenes moments, the response was huge. This made me realise my profile should reflect me, my life and my brand work.

The key to social media is to start posting without fear. Your early content might not be great, but you’ll improve with time by learning and drawing inspiration from others without copying. My account thrives because I’m raw and organic. I think the biggest takeaway for thriving on social media and emerging as a brand is being honest, raw, and organic on the platform. That is only how you can get far. Authenticity is the key.

The key to social media is to start posting without fear. Your early content might not be great, but you’ll improve with time by learning and drawing inspiration from others without copying.

What’s your advice to budding barbers in India?

Just go for it! Do as many educational workshops as you can and post your work as much as possible. Life is short; if you miss out on this opportunity to learn and push yourself to promote your work, even if you don’t think it’s that good, others will.

The biggest thing is, if you’re dedicated to improving, you have to dedicate your life to the craft. If you’re committed to getting better and building your personal brand, you can achieve so much in five years that it would otherwise take 15 to 20 years to achieve if you do not focus on improvement and branding.

What’s the hottest trend right now?

The mullet is getting a bit longer with layers.

Top three must-have hair products for all professionals?

Texture spray, a sea salt spray, and either a clay, paste or pomade.

What is your way of styling? Classics or out-of-the-box?

I’m an out-of-the-box kind of person. I like mixing up the classics with modern cuts that create really good haircuts.

Could you describe your ideal client in three words?

My ideal client is somebody who understands that I’m there to help them and that I’m not there to rush the haircut and quickly get them out the door. I spend my time consulting with the client, so I can understand their hair and needs.