The Noble Barber

• 100: The Death of the Walk-In? Barber Booking Systems: AI & Upselling w/ Vagaro & Beu App

  Anthony Laban is joined by industry software leaders Ben Fisher (Beu App) and Jason Downes (Vagaro) to talk the business and tech of booking systems. They reveal why online booking is now the single most powerful tool for your shop, moving far beyond time-saving to manage chaos and legitimise the self-employed model through transparent commission splits.  The core message: leveraging client data and new AI tools is the only way to master client retention and increase revenue through non-offensive upselling and avoiding that awkward conversation at the chair… Chapters: 00:00:00 — Intro Trailer 00:03:36 — The Death of the Walk-In: Professionalizing Your Barbershop 00:06:53 — Eliminating Hidden Employment: Automated Commission & Tax 00:10:14 — The AI Business Coach: Using Data to Drive Profit 00:14:13 — The Price Problem: Why Barbers Are Frightened to Charge Their Worth 00:15:05 — Upselling Without Being Awkward: Add-Ons and Product Prompts 00:27:04 — The Shift: Why No One Uses Cash Anymore 00:27:55 — The Data Dilemma: Protecting Client Lists & Ownership 00:30:27 — The Beauty of Technology: Transparency and Clean Accounts 00:33:12 — The End of the Phone Call: Clients Book Online After Hours 00:37:05 — Why the Queue is a Bad Experience: The Cost of Waiting 00:40:02 — The Future is AI: Solving Shyness with Automated Consultations Check out Beu & Vagaro: Beu App: https://www.instagram.com/beuapp Vagaro: https://www.instagram.com/vagaropro FOLLOW US 🐂 ✂️ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thenoblebarberpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenoblebarberpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenoblebarber Credits: Filmed & Edited by HAMLIN STUDIOS: https://www.instagram.com/hamlinstudios/?hl=en-gb THE NOBLE BARBER PODCAST  Hosted by industry professional and award-winning barber Anthony Laban. Joined weekly by industry professionals to talk about barbering, becoming and maintaining a barber shop, hiring, employment, money and cutting through the crap of the industry.

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• 99: Shop Owner Secrets: The Real Value of Barber Competitions & Staff Retention w/ Blade & Sid Da Barber (Pt. 2)

  Anthony Laban is back in Bellingham with new owners Blade Cut and Sid Da Barber for Part 2. They revisit the core value of competition, explaining why winning awards isn't about the trophy, but about showcasing your creative work and boosting the shop's energy… The episode then shifts to the critical theme of responsibility and team culture: Sid & Blade share why a boss has a huge moral and financial responsibility to their staff, treating them like family and leading by example - not just by paying them. They emphasise the importance of finding a "hungry" and dedicated apprentice who views the role as a mutual investment rather than just a job. Also by prioritising your team's loyalty and happiness, you build a sustainable business that genuinely beats the high burnout rate of the industry… Follow Blade & Sid! Sid Da Barber: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siddabarber Blade: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iam_bladecutbarber FOLLOW US 🐂 ✂️ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thenoblebarberpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenoblebarberpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenoblebarber Credits: Filmed & Edited by HAMLIN STUDIOS: https://www.instagram.com/hamlinstudios/?hl=en-gb THE NOBLE BARBER PODCAST  Hosted by industry professional and award-winning barber Anthony Laban. Joined weekly by industry professionals to talk about barbering, becoming and maintaining a barber shop, hiring, employment, money and cutting through the crap of the industry.

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• 98: From Chair to Shop Owner: A Guide To Opening Your First Barbershop w/ Blade Cut & Sid Da Barber

  Anthony Laban is in Bellingham with new shop owners Blade Cut and Sid Da Barber (Lewis Gumbrell) to discuss the intense reality of running your first bricks-and-mortar business…  They focus on two core themes: experience and adaptation. Blade & Sid reveal why years of hustle, education and competition were essential before they were ready to take the financial plunge. Most critically, they stress that the modern barber must be a hybrid - mastering all hair types and evolving the barbershop into a community hub and safe space. This is the only way to build a sustainable business that genuinely beats burnout. Follow Blade & Sid! Sid Da Barber: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siddabarber Blade: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iam_bladecutbarber FOLLOW US 🐂 ✂️ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thenoblebarberpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenoblebarberpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenoblebarber Credits: Filmed & Edited by HAMLIN STUDIOS: https://www.instagram.com/hamlinstudios/?hl=en-gb THE NOBLE BARBER PODCAST  Hosted by industry professional and award-winning barber Anthony Laban. Joined weekly by industry professionals to talk about barbering, becoming and maintaining a barber shop, hiring, employment, money and cutting through the crap of the industry.

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• 97: Why Most Barbers FAIL at Product Sales w/ Tom & Fin of Diligents (Pt.2)

  Anthony Laban is back at Diligence in Guildford for Part 2 with owner Tom Hoffman and Fin Addison. They dive deeper into their business strategy highlighting  the single biggest reason barbers lose clients: the failure to sell products… Tom reveals their strategic solution for transforming retail from a burden into a profit centre, focusing on treating product recommendation as an essential professional service - not just an upsell. They detail how they use staff commission, competitions and immersive product nights to motivate their team and move units (selling 300-400 products per month!) by ensuring everyone believes in the brand. The discussion also covers why having a team - the "banter and community" - is crucial for mental health, helping barbers avoid the stress and isolation of a solo career. Follow Diligents 👇 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diligents_salons FOLLOW US 🐂 ✂️ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thenoblebarberpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenoblebarberpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenoblebarber Credits: Filmed & Edited by HAMLIN STUDIOS: https://www.instagram.com/hamlinstudios/?hl=en-gb THE NOBLE BARBER PODCAST  Hosted by industry professional and award-winning barber Anthony Laban. Joined weekly by industry professionals to talk about barbering, becoming and maintaining a barber shop, hiring, employment, money and cutting through the crap of the industry.

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• 96: £100K Barbershop Funding: How To Scale A High-End Barbershop w/ Tom & Fin of Diligents

  Anthony Laban visits Diligents in Guildford to sit down with owner Tom Hoffman and his prodigy Fin Addison, cutting through the crap on what it really takes to scale a successful barbershop brand. Tom reveals the true financial reality of their high-end venture - from securing a £100k+ silent investor to the constant need for aggressive financial growth… This episode highlights that being a master barber is only 10% of the job; success requires delegating, mastering your books and embracing the role of a business leader. The key to their thriving culture is investing in staff retention, teaching their team financial literacy and prioritising soft skills and discipline over just raw cutting talent. Follow Diligents 👇 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diligents_salons FOLLOW US 🐂 ✂️ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thenoblebarberpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenoblebarberpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenoblebarber Credits: Filmed & Edited by HAMLIN STUDIOS: https://www.instagram.com/hamlinstudios/?hl=en-gb THE NOBLE BARBER PODCAST  Hosted by industry professional and award-winning barber Anthony Laban. Joined weekly by industry professionals to talk about barbering, becoming and maintaining a barber shop, hiring, employment, money and cutting through the crap of the industry.

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