EDITORS LETTER

By Editor - Louise May

This year marks 38 years since I first entered the hair industry!

I’ve owned and operated three successful salons, built teams, trained many apprentices, and worked across almost every corner of the industry.

From education and sales to product development and branding, I’ve been fortunate to see this world from multiple angles. Today, I’m proud to be the Editor-in-Chief of Mocha Group, overseeing Mocha Hair, Mocha Beauty, and Mocha Barber. It gives me a wide lens on the entire hair and beauty landscape, and at the core of it all, what I care about most is people.

I’ve spent the past ten years coaching and mentoring salon owners and their teams. What lights me up the most is seeing people thrive when someone simply believes in them. When they feel supported, encouraged and seen.

Lately though, I’ve been feeling something many of you can probably relate to. We keep hearing about the challenges of finding apprentices and staff. Good people are hard to come by. The next generation seems unsure, hesitant, disconnected.

The question keeps coming up...where are they? Who’s coming through? And how do we keep this craft alive?

Then I walked into the 2025 EXPO4BARBERS.

What I experienced over those three days genuinely shifted something in me. The number of young barbers who showed up, who were present, engaged, and ready to go all in, was absolutely incredible. They were there to learn, to compete, to connect. I saw them asking questions, lining up for education sessions, throwing themselves into the barber battle, and soaking up every opportunity around them.

It gave me something I didn’t even realise I needed. Hope.

There’s a lot of noise out there about young people. That they’re lazy. Entitled. But honestly, I actually feel like that’s a lazy assumption.

What I saw at Expo told a different story. These young barbers are hungry, driven, creative and forwardthinking. They care deeply about their work, their community, and the culture of this industry.

The truth is, they lose that spark when they are not inspired. When the people who are meant to guide them keep their wings clipped and fail to believe in them.

We have a responsibility to back them. To make space. To show them what’s possible and to let them fly.

One of the most powerful things I witnessed was the way the seasoned barbers, the OGs of the industry, were showing up for the younger ones. Sharing knowledge. Giving advice. Offering encouragement without ego. Just real, human connection. That’s the kind of mentorship that builds legacies.

There is such a vibe in barbering right now. It’s raw. Honest. Proud. There’s a street energy that’s fresh and exciting. But beneath that, there’s a depth. A culture shaped by identity, connection and respect. You can feel it. It’s not just a trend. It’s real.

Let’s keep showing up for each other. Let’s keep believing in the next generation. Let’s keep building a future where this craft not only survives, but thrives.

Until next time,

Louise May // Editor – Mocha Barber Magazine // Editor in Chief – Mocha Group louise@mochagroup.com.au // www.mochagroup.com.au @mochabarbermedia @louise_mochagroup