From Burnout to Barbering: The Unlikely Journey of BENJAMIN CUCANIC

By Louise May

Benjamin Cucanic never set out to become a barber. At 17, his first job was at KFC, and within six months, he’d climbed into management.

After finishing school, he gave university a miss and kept working, eventually stepping down to a supervisor role to explore other careers. He tried construction, sales, warehousing, and even earned a finance and mortgage broking licence. But nothing stuck.

At one point, he was working two full-time jobs – warehousing from 3am to 2pm, then straight to KFC from 3pm to 11pm. The money was good, but the toll was brutal. “I’d get a haircut every couple of weeks and literally fall asleep in the chair,” he recalls. One day, his barber asked why he was pushing so hard. “Have you ever thought about barbering?” It sounded wild, but it stuck.

A spontaneous haircut on his dad lit a spark. He enrolled in barbering school and made it his mission to be the best. What started as a hustle for money became a purpose. Now, Benjamin is driven by connection, mentoring, and using the craft that changed his life to help others find theirs.

Louise May, Editor of Mocha Barber Magazine, chats with Benjamin about his journey, purpose, and what it means to lead with heart.

Launching Opulence Barbershop as an appointment-only, high-end home studio was a bold move. What drove that decision, and how did it challenge traditional ideas about what a barbershop should be?

Launching Opulence Barbershop as a high-end, appointment-only home studio wasn’t part of the original plan, it came out of necessity. When COVID hit, everything changed. I was cutting from my garage part-time, but as restrictions tightened and my clientele kept growing, I knew I had to pivot.

I moved the setup inside my house and turned it into a full-time, private suite. It was a bold move because it challenged the norm. Most people still expected a barbershop to have a shopfront, walk-ins, loud music, and foot traffic. I flipped that. I focused on creating a private, one-on-one VIP experience that felt more like a retreat than a barbershop.

Clients didn’t just come for a haircut, they came for connection, comfort, and a reset. It also meant stepping up every part of the experience: the service, the atmosphere, the professionalism, the trust. Every detail had to feel premium. And honestly, it worked better than I ever imagined. People didn’t care where the chair was, they cared how they felt in it.

You’ve created a space where conversations about men’s mental health are just as important as the haircut. What made you want to build that kind of environment – and how have your clients responded?

I’ve always believed that the haircut is just the surface, the real value is in the conversation. I wanted Opulence Barbershop to be more than just a place to look good. I wanted it to be a space where people could feel safe, be heard, and drop the pressure they carry, even for a little while.

The focus on mental health came from my own experience, burning out doing 80-hour weeks, chasing purpose, and trying to figure out who I was. I know what it’s like to feel lost. That’s why I created a space where it’s okay to talk.

Sometimes that means after-hours trims at midnight, not for money, but because someone needs to talk, have a drink, and feel like they’re not alone. I’ve had clients sit just to vent. The response has been incredible. People tell me, “This is the only place I can talk about this stuff.” That tells me everything.

Your work in rural Victoria and with Youth Justice is powerful. What motivates you to show up for these communities?

Barbering has never just been about business; it’s always been about service and impact. I know what it’s like to feel stuck or like the odds are against you. That’s why rural outreach and my short time with Youth Justice mean so much to me.

Once a month, I travel to rural Victoria to give free haircuts to farmers. For some, it’s their first proper cut in months. It’s about making them feel seen and heard. You realise how powerful a simple act of service is when someone says, “Thanks mate, I needed that more than you know.”

The same goes for Youth Justice. These young men have made mistakes, but they’re looking for a way forward. If barbering can be that path, I’ll help however I can. Shout out to Michelle Towers for doing God’s work week in and out.

From paddocks in rural Victoria to stages at industry expos, your work spans both ends of the spectrum. What have these vastly different experiences taught you about your purpose as a barber?

Cutting hair in a paddock and speaking on stage might seem worlds apart, but both taught me the same thing: barbering is about connection.

In rural Victoria, it’s about showing up, offering care, and reminding people they matter. On stage at events like Expo4Barbers or Hair Expo, it’s about inspiring and giving back to the industry. Both experiences ground me.

Whether in a shed, on a stage, or in my studio at midnight, I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. That’s my purpose: to use this craft to serve, uplift, and educate.

You’ve trained with names like Jordan Tabakman and Sophie Stay Gold, and now you’re an educator yourself with Gamma+. How has education shaped your growth – and why Gamma+?

Education has shaped everything about who I am – as a barber, mentor, and man. I’ve been lucky to learn from the best: Jordan Tabakman, Sophie Stay Gold, Josh OP, and many more. But it started with Adrian Gentile, owner of Workshop Barbers. He and others shaped my growth.

A mentor once called me a chameleon. I adapt, connect, and meet people where they’re at. Whether on stage, in a studio, or mentoring one-on-one, I keep it real and help others level up.

As for Gamma+, I didn’t chase it. Jordan introduced me to the brand after a Gamma+ & Level 3 event. I received some clippers and was blown away. I’d used other professional brands, but Gamma+ just hit different. Since then, they’ve given me a platform, experiences, and friendships I’ll carry for life.

As someone who’s competed, MCed, educated, and mentored – what have been your most uncomfortable but transformative moments?

The most uncomfortable moments have been the most transformative. I still cringe seeing myself talk on the big screen. Even after everything, I still think, “Do I belong here?”

I’ve competed many times but never won. After the latest Barber Battle at Expo, I asked for feedback. One person said, “You absolutely killed the haircut. You’re a Gamma+ educator, a two-time AMBA finalist. Stop searching for validation, you’ve already made it. Just keep being you.” That hit hard. It was what I needed.

Even now, I feel nervous every time I step up. But I live by this quote: “The magic you’re looking for is in the work you’re avoiding.” While competing next to Bastian, who won, I saw him stressing mid-cut. I said, “Bro, smile, everyone’s watching.” He smiled back and said, “Thanks bro.” Those moments remind me why I love this industry. It’s not about trophies; it’s about people and growth.

You’ve spoken about staying humble as one of your greatest strengths. How do you keep that mindset while continuing to grow and lead?

For me, humility isn’t a mindset, it’s nonnegotiable. I love the quote: “Walk with kings, nor lose the common touch.”

I didn’t grow up with money or fame. I’ve worked for everything, and that keeps me grounded. I still ask for feedback, even as a Gamma+ educator and AMBA finalist. Titles don’t make you better, they give you responsibility to lead with integrity.

Once you lose touch with where you came from, you lose what made you great. I stay close to the community, serve the people, and remember: no crown lasts forever, but character does.

With social media playing a big role in your growth, how do you stay authentic in a space that often values perfection over realness?

Social media’s been big for me, but chasing perfection isn’t it. I always say: “Practice doesn’t make perfect. Practice makes improvement.” Perfection is an illusion. What connects people is authenticity.

There’s pressure online to present a polished version of yourself. But I value realness – real stories, people, connection. I’ve caught myself trying to move like Jordan or Josh OP, but it didn’t feel right. The more I tried to be someone else, the more I lost myself. Now, I stay true to my voice. Not everyone will vibe with it, and that’s fine. But the ones who do? That’s your tribe. Authenticity over perfection. Every time.

If you could sit down with your younger self in the garage – nervous, determined, and still finding your way – what would you say?

I’d say: “You’ve made it this far, and you’re still breathing. What’s the worst that could happen?” I’d tell him to trust the process. Keep showing up. Stop chasing perfection and chase progress. Stay humble, lead with heart. That’s what will set you apart.

And when doubt creeps in? “One day, people will know your story. And they’ll understand it was never for nothing.” The long nights, the early mornings, the losses and wins – it’s all building something that matters.

Final Thoughts

People see the wins and highlights on social media, but there’s always more beneath. Working alone in a private studio can be tough. Some days it’s hard to stay motivated, but I’ve learned that accountability starts within.

Barbering’s taught me that everyone carries something. You never know what’s happening beneath the surface. That’s why I lead with kindness, humility, and empathy.

To every barber feeling like they’re in the dark: don’t forget who you are and why you started. There’s purpose in your path, even when it doesn’t feel like it.

This is just the beginning. Huge thanks to Linda and The Mocha Group for this platform to share my story. Truly blessed. Thank you, for seeing me.

@benjamincucanic