In this episode, Jared Scott—barber, business owner, and board member—breaks down the real-life lessons from two decades in the industry, from building clientele and opening a shop to redefining what ownership can look like through micro-shop/salon suites.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS:

🔅Jared’s barbering journey began in college: While pursuing a business degree at West Chester University, Jared cut hair in dorm rooms—building both skill and clientele from day one.

🔅He moved to DC to pursue barbering full time: After college, he returned home, earned his license at Bennett Career Institute, and began apprenticing under Master Barbers before opening his own shop.

🔅Build structure before success hits: Jared emphasizes that systems and personal organization are essential before scaling a business—success can collapse a business if the foundation isn’t solid.

🔅Your personal life impacts your professional results: From punctuality to finances, Jared shares how personal discipline directly affects the consistency clients expect in a grooming business.

🔅Don’t mistake skill for readiness: Being good at cutting hair doesn’t mean you’re ready to run a barbershop—business ownership requires a whole different set of skills.

🔅Plan your path with intention: Whether you're opening a suite, launching a shop, or joining a team, having guidance and infrastructure in place will reduce burnout and churn.

🔅Consider the micro-shop/salon model: Jared shares how converting his barbershop into multiple suites helped him balance entrepreneurship and community, giving pros autonomy with support.

👉Follow Jared's shop, His Grooming, on Instagram

The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong.

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The views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com.

From cutting hair in his basement to building barbershops, colleges, and launching a credit union, Larry E. Roberts Jr. shares how grit, vision, and community-first leadership transformed his career—and how barbers and stylists can build sustainable wealth and impact too.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS:

🔅Start Early & Learn by Doing: Larry began cutting hair at age 13 and emphasizes the value of practical experience—even if it starts in your basement with $20 clippers.

🔅Licensing Is About Safety, Not Just Skill: Roberts highlights the importance of theory and licensing, not just for credibility, but to ensure health and safety in the profession.

🔅Build Before You Own: He warns new barbers and stylists not to rush into ownership. Without a strong client base and clear systems, you risk burnout and instability.

🔅Commission Over Booth for Beginners: Larry recommends commission-based setups for new professionals to guarantee income and learn operations before jumping into booth rental.

🔅Financial Literacy = Longevity: From paying taxes to planning retirement, barbers and stylists need financial systems to build wealth and security.

🔅Create Ecosystems, Not Just Businesses: Larry has built an integrated empire—including barbershops, schools, housing, transportation, a clothing line, and a credit union—to support beauty professionals from all angles.

🔅Think Long-Term: Whether launching a product, barbershop, or school, every move Larry made was part of a 10+ year vision.

🔅Pay It Forward: Larry uses his nonprofit to provide free services, open schools in jails and high schools, and offer housing and mentorship to those in need.

👉Follow Larry on Instagram

👉Follow Larry's Barber College on Instagram

The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong.

CONNECT WITH US

📬 Subscribe to our free newsletter

📸 Connect on Instagram

🎵 Connect on TikTok

📺 Watch on YouTube

📝 Check out our Blog

The views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com.

From barber school to celebrity clients to shop owner and educator, Phillip Dawson shares how he built his career from the ground up—and gives real talk on what students need to succeed after graduation.

Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear? Leave us a review!

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

🔅Phillip Dawson’s journey from barber school to celebrity barber showcases the power of persistence, networking, and following your calling.

🔅He built his career by showing up, putting himself in the right rooms, and creating opportunities—rather than waiting for them to appear.

🔅Building clientele is a numbers game—consistency in handing out flyers and word-of-mouth still works, even in a digital age.

🔅Phil took a two-year break from barbering but found his way back through a chance opportunity and rebranded himself with a focus on service and professionalism.

🔅Opening a barbershop during the pandemic, Phil used available resources and community support to build the PND Grooming Lounge.

🔅As an educator, Phil sees a shift: more students are now open to working in salons or commission-based shops to build stability before going independent.

🔅He emphasizes financial responsibility, marketing beyond social media, and building a client base while still in school.

🔅Salon/shop owners looking to hire new talent must offer more than just a chair—they need to provide mentorship, growth opportunities, and benefits to attract and retain new professionals.

👉Follow Phil on Instagram

The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong.

CONNECT WITH US

📬 Subscribe to our free newsletter

📸 Connect on Instagram

🎵 Connect on TikTok

📺 Watch on YouTube

📝 Check out our Blog

The views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com.