There are commercial haircut places everywhere. I literally just heard a radio ad the other day that said there are 52 franchises of a national haircut chain in Tampa alone, where I am employed. 52! Are you kidding me? However, the classic barber shop is alive and well and still thrives. That rotating red, white, and blue barber’s pole lets people know you are there. They can feel good about the fact they’ll get a cut superior to any chain around. What’s one thing that can be added to the service that barbers don’t actually have to do for the customer when they’re in the chair? Wear a simple custom t-shirt.
T-Shirts and Branding:
When customers are receiving that awesome cut, they are facing the mirror. Barbers are seen in that mirror, and the shop’s name and logo should be displayed for the customer to see. It’s a stark reminder to the person receiving a haircut that they are at your place, getting a follicle makeover. When the service is complete and the customer is paying the barber, they will undoubtedly look at the custom shirt. Happy with their new look, the image of your establishment will stick with them. The next time they need their ears lowered, they’ll come back to you…over and over again.
Custom Shirt Color:
Barbers might think about opting for a black custom tee for a couple good reasons. First, they’re often dealing items such as coloring and disinfectants for shears and combs. Things like these can easily stain clothing. If products like these end up on black apparel, they’re much less visible. Black shirts that hide stains increasingly give off a clean and professional look, even when mishaps occur.
Secondly, barbers can rely on their black custom garment to provide the perfect backdrop for their customers. Again, those in the chair will occasionally or constantly catch glimpses of their new look in the mirror, so a solid dark backdrop is perfect. When the service is complete and the coiffeur is standing behind the customer, their black shirt won’t contrast with any color poorly and won’t create a distraction. In fact, a dark shirt often provides a silhouette of sorts, allowing the intricacies of the job to be the focus.
T Shirt Fabric:
Since barbers are on their feet all day doing their job, comfy shoes are obviously a great idea. But we are in the t-shirt business, so that’s what we’ll tackle here. Barbers stretch, reach, contort, and twist while performing their job. Given these types of movements, a comfortable cotton t-shirt is a great choice. It’s a very breathable fabric, which your barbers will greatly appreciate. While providing a light, airy feel, cotton is durable as well.
Another option would be to go with a blend. A blend is generally part cotton, part polyester. With this combination, you will get a shirt that not only has the characteristics of cotton, but is even more sturdy, as well as resistant to wrinkling. A blend means fewer replacements for you, saving you those precious few dollars on a continual basis.
It’s basically impossible for barber shop owners to compete with the big chains when it comes to advertising expenditures and the like. One advantage barbers have is that cool old-school vibe. That, coupled with an unparalleled cut and some great conversation, loyalty and word of mouth is the wheelhouse in which barbers score big. Smart branding, color, and fabric choices with custom t-shirts can strongly aid in driving up your client list and subsequent revenue.
