There’s a new barber in town – and he’s not your traditional ‘short back and sides’ trimmer. Meet John, Demi International barbering student and Roaming Razor business owner. At 57, John’s making the most of the booming barbering industry, innovating clever ideas with plans to share his expertise and make a solid profit.
But John’s career hasn’t always been in barbering or hairdressing. In fact, as a child, John actively ran away from barbershops in fear of the standard ‘crew cut’ that every other neighbourhood kid had. He didn’t see the value in paying for a barber who could ‘only do one thing’, and he certainly didn’t have any interest in making it a career.
But one trip to a small, ‘mafia movie’ style barbershop in the USA changed everything. He went in to get a haircut and walked out with a dream.
Join us as we revisit John’s barbering journey, including what inspired him to start, how he’s doing, and his plans for the future.
From tools to trimmers: the physical benefits of barbering
Before there was a dream, there was a startling reality. After 41 years as a tradie in refrigeration and air conditioning, John’s physical health began to show signs of wear and tear. Despite being only 57 years young, John struggled to keep up with the physical demands of his role.
“My body was starting to really show signs of deterioration working in refrigeration, and it’s taken a toll. It’s just one of the reasons I chose barbering because it doesn’t have the same physical stress on my body,” he recalls.
And John’s not alone. A recent survey by Workforce Health Assessors highlighted that 76% of tradies experience pain as a result of their jobs, and 24% are considering early retirement due to the physical demands of their role. This is a concerning number, given that the retirement age in Australia is currently 67. This highlights the importance of career change opportunities for people like John, looking for less physically demanding roles later in life.
The old-school American barbershop with big money charm
John wasn’t actively looking to change careers, but a small barber shop in the USA opened his eyes to opportunity. The ‘mafia style’ barbershop felt reminiscent of 1970s gangster movies, and a sense of nostalgia drew him in to see what all the fuss was about.
He expected a haircut, maybe something a bit on-trend. But nothing prepared him for how he felt throughout the experience. You see, barbering is not just a skill: it’s an energy. A lifestyle. A creative platform. It’s about empowering the person in your chair and giving them the confidence to be their best.
Immediately, John was intrigued. It wasn’t a cheap cut – much more money than he’d ever usually spend on himself – and yet it felt worth it!?
That’s when the gears started shifting for John. Barbering is not just about cheap crew cuts; it’s an opportunity for clients to feel seen, valued and pampered, celebrating self-expression in all its shapes and forms.
Bonus: it can be incredibly profitable too.
A student discount with an eye-opening opportunity
Arriving back in Australia, the reality of work and life kicked back in. American barbershops were financial powerhouses, but they also had a country-wide barbershop culture. Something John didn’t feel was present in Australia, or so he thought.
It wasn’t until John took his son to visit a barber in Queensland, that he really started to consider a career change.
“As we entered, we were immediately offered a 10% student discount. Obviously, I said, “Yes thanks,” recalls John. “I’m thinking to myself, school kid, 10% discount, $25, $30 at the most. But, no, it was still a $50 haircut, and he was only in the chair for 15 minutes.”
John started to see opportunity. “In anybody’s book, that’s not bad money if you can get good at it,” he says.
But it wasn’t just about money. John saw the impact a session in the chair had on his son. It was the same confidence boost he experienced back in America. It might have seemed expensive, but it was worth it.
When our job is to improve how people feel about themselves, our value increases. It’s no wonder the barbershop industry is expected to exceed $534 million by 2026, and the beauty industry as a whole is booming.
Choosing the right place to study
With 41 years of hard yakka behind him, John was no stranger to hard work. He wanted to find a barbering training program that supported him through his career change as a mature-age student.
“I reached out to a few different training programs, and Demi was the only one who got back to me,” John recalls. “It says a lot about a company when they are ready to support anyone, regardless of age and work experience. So, I figured, well, yeah, they seem the right fit for me.”
Before long, John joined the Demi International Gold Coast Campus and hasn’t looked back. “It’s been great here at Demi. I get to learn in a real salon environment, and I’ve met loads of new mates.”
And it’s not just the practical side of the business that John’s been taking in. As part of the SHB30516 Certificate III in Barbering program, he’s also learning business skills to help him build a foundation for success.
John’s no stranger to running a business, but armed with the right training, he’s making changes to suit his lifestyle and his health. “I had a business for 21 years in refrigeration. I love business. But I was completely consumed by my business, and I never, ever want to go back to being consumed by my business,” he admits.
Roaming razor to the rescue
John’s already got his wheels in motion – literally! He’s purchased an old American Airstream van and is decking it out as a mobile barbering salon. “I’m really excited about the flexibility to work anywhere, anytime. I can visit retirement homes, mobile clients, markets or just park it at the end of the street,” he exclaims.
Branded the ‘Roaming Razor’, John has big plans to make old-school barbering more accessible, and we can’t wait to follow his journey with him.
At Demi International, supporting our graduates in achieving their goals is a big part of our philosophy. Our 98.1% graduate success rate is proof that our courses are relevant, engaging and informative, whether you’re looking for a side hustle or a career.
How to start your own barbering career
If you want to know more about what becoming a barber is all about, or what you can learn through our SHB30516 Certificate III in Barbering, get in touch with our friendly Course Advisors for an obligation-free consultation. We’re proud to be Queensland’s Small Training Provider of the Year and look forward to chatting with you about your goals.
07 5309 6635
07 5301 9393