We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tarik Mallett a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tarik, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career

The things that I would change with the educational system requirements to become a master, barber or cosmetologist is more hands on training sooner the better. Hands on training will put the student in a mindset of passion for barbering Versus getting a certification diploma to be a licensed barber. I myself know firsthand what it’s like to have nothing but love for this career that I have Chosen in barbering. I obtained my Master barber license by the way of apprenticeship. Before so, I practiced cutting hair for many years Starting at the age of 12. Continuing education is a must also in your license profession I must say so get whatever certifications that are needed to bet your craft in a professional manner. While in college my passion for barbering became a career. The hands on approach, I know will give young students, the confidence that they need in barbering because of the interaction they will have with clients from all of professionalism. This will teach the students life skills that you can’t pay for. How do I know this because in every barbershop or community you will have interactions from customers who’s career paths are in the Industries of medical workers, law-enforcement, educational teachers, service, workers, and community leadership.

Tarik, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I fell in love with barbering as a child in watching my family members older cousins being business owners by owning barbershops it excited me. Becoming a business owner was not the plan. The plan was to have my own Barber Shop and the reason being is that I wanted to create an atmosphere for everyone to come and get serviced men, women and children. while being serviced It’s more than Just a haircut. I have council clients, give them advice on life, family trips, their next hairstyle sports talk, etc. over the years I knew that was important, the reason why that was my goal it goes back to my childhood years of running to the barbershop after school because of all the people that I would see in the barbershop amongst each other sharing news style fashion, cars, sports talking, Just a lifestyle of the norm. Then came the business owner side of the business where discipline in obedience are the most important reason why your business will last and stand out from the rest. Consistency in your work ethic will create opportunities for you and your business. What I can tell you about me is that I have work for everything that I have earned from cutting hair for professional athletes to cutting hair for TV shows and box office movies, consistency is what got me notice. I am most proud of the trust clients put in me for service in them. I tell Barbers all the time that a client drive past 10 barbershops to come in give you their service. They could’ve chose anyone but you but they chose you for a reason so that said cut anyone who sits in your chair like it’s the first time you’re cutting them and the last time you’re cutting them. No haircut or business is going to be the same each time. so each time you service someone you treat that interaction as a first impression and a last impression. Each client is a walking billboard of your work, word-of-mouth to me is the best form of advertisement that I’ve experienced in over 30 years of this industry. Nothing else compares by your work being displayed on a clients head and someone seen them out and about an asking him or her who is your barber. Other than being a Barber Shop owner and a master Barber, I have done contract work for production companies for such as 42 the Jackie Robinson movie Ant-man, the movie, triple nine the movie Captain America, Civil War, Black Panther, avengers, infinity war, avengers, endgame, boss level the banker and the list goes on And one of my most recent ones I have done is Captain America a brave New World.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Building a reputation in your industry will separate you from your peers. Everyone is great. No one is the greatest so with saying that I can tell you my story in my journey of being a barber for my community that they can rely on. I came from the error where you had to put flyers on cars and doors, have commercials being ran on the radio station and having your commercials on TV of your business. I have done that error and the social media error. I’m not a social media person. I’m more private with my lifestyle. When social media came about I noticed that all barbers were posting the same thing as a ball fade, A ball head with beard and the typical haircut. It’s so much of that that you can see. So what I did was capitalize on female haircuts.What I knew about female haircuts is that woman like style and they like to change their style. Men don’t change their hairstyles often. Most women come more than men. Men don’t get haircuts as often as females. Most women always have somewhere to go and something to do and they want to look cute. Most women have a partner a brother or a child that needs a haircut and they’re gonna tell their family members and friends about their Barber on their side. Men are not gonna tell their family members about their Barbers or friends , sometimes refer a friend or coworker, but the woman will spread the word for you. That’s your best form of advertisement. With social media It’s a click of a button and your work will be across the world. I also do appointments. Your client should be appreciated so you have to let them know that you respect their time you stay consistent and have your rules. I tell a lot of barbers to invest in a merchant account for client safety credit card payments. Some people are still gonna pay cash. You accept those and be consistent by investing in your tools. Your tools are your lifestyle, the saying that you are as good as your last it’s really true. myself I like to invest in quality CLIPPERS you cannot be cheap with your materials. My clients get the best of what there is I’m not saying to go and purchase expensive tools invest in quality tools and quality materials, and products , give your client options to choose. No client is the same so what works on this client here might not work on the next client here so you have to be knowledgeable and have options to refer products and proper tools to clients. I have also told clients on what CLIPPERS to invest in when they would like to clean themselves up if they are not able to get to the barbershop , things like that like that what makes you who you are unique to your clientele.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

The best way to keep in touch with your clients is by having a direct number that they can reach you myself. I do weekly appointments so I’m not booked all the way out this way if you need to get in, you can contact me to schedule your appointments, my clients love this. It’s been working over 20 years, a lot of people always ask me, Why don’t I do online booking? I think it’s more personal when your client can reach you send a text message to book the appointment myself being a barber. I know my schedule, this way my time is not wasted and your client time is not wasted. I will let them know what is available and they will let me know what time and day they would like to come. These tools and practices will create a long-term relationship.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Dreamcutsbarberlounge
• Linkedin: Tarik Mallett

Image Credits

Reco Cash/ paradigm Film