18 Jun 2014

There are stigmas that are so deeply entrenched within society that they aren’t even properly discussed. The assumption that footy players are unintelligent, that all male hairdressers are gay or that women aren’t suited to front-line combat in the armed forces.  These are just a few of many examples present within society, but when we actually stop and think about these things we see them for what they truly are. They’re ridiculous.

Throughout the first twenty-two years of my life, my hair has almost exclusively been cut by male barbers, over the years I’ve gotten to know them quite well. They all have families and wives, I talk to them about sport and other common interests. Yet whenever I meet a guy who tells me that he cuts hair for a living, I instinctively wonder if they’re gay. It’s a strange phenomenon which reflects poorly upon myself and the societal factors that influence my perception.

Luckily for us, we live in a society where more and more people are breaking down these barriers, job equality is increasing and industry stereotypes are changing albeit slowly.

It’s becoming more and more obvious to me that the best people are the ones who follow their passions, instead of the ones who fit the mental image in my head.

Perhaps one of the best  examples of this are Matt and Chris who run Barber Supreme in the Sydney CBD. These two guys are currently killing it with their boutique barber shop and in the process are helping to show that male hairdressers can be successful whilst also avoiding stereotypes.  The two are an odd couple, Chris left school after year 10 and was a labourer and an apprentice electrician, whilst Matt was a high achiever at school who never wanted to go to uni. By chance they both ended up in the same hairdressing course and have known each other ever since.

Both talk passionately about the freedom that they feel as hairdressers and business owners. Travel enthusiast Matt explained that after he finished school all he wanted to do was see the world. “If you’re studying law, you can’t work anywhere till you’re qualified, but with cutting hair as soon as you’ve got the basics, you can work anywhere.” The ability to be skilled in a global trade was just one of many factors that drew him to becoming a barber. Chris on the other hand, struggled through three years of an electrical apprenticeship admitting “I never liked it,” one mention to his hairdresser that he was interested in their profession and he hasn’t looked back since.

Barber_Supreme

(Left) Matt & Chris – Barber Supreme Sydney

While their business is currently just the two of them, they have plans in the future to expand and potentially add an apprentice to mentor. They are both acutely aware of the struggles that many young Australian apprentices deal with, with Matt saying  “A lot of young apprentices struggle with their low pay, don’t look at that as your pay cheque. It’s merely an allowance, look at the skills you learn daily as your pay.” You only truly understand how much these two love their job when you hear them talk about it. Their eagerness to give back and to help is infectious as they  discuss their desire to pass on expertise, “you’ve got an ownership, a stake in an apprenticeship.” If I was looking at getting into the industry I would definitely be knocking on their door.

Perhaps the biggest lesson that can be learned from Matt and Chris is that you will never have all the answers and this is especially true when you are a teenager. Matt nails it when he says, “life throws you some questions and a lot of your answers are pretty rubbish.” These two guys are living proof that it takes time to find your calling, don’t be afraid to try new things and definitely don’t be afraid to break some stereotypes in the process. I had no idea what I wanted to do when I finished school and five years later I’m only just working it out now. You’re not alone.

If there’s one thing that should be taken from Matt and Chris, it’s their message to themselves when they were teenagers.

“Frosted tips are never cool.”

Pop in and see Matt and Chris at Barber Supreme: 31 George St, The Rocks, NSW 2000