The Real Cost of Learning Barbering the WRONG Way (From Someone Who’s Seen It Firsthand)

By Damian Lai - Founder, School of Barbers

Let me keep it real with you. I’ve seen dozens—no, hundreds—of aspiring barbers walk into this industry with passion, excitement, and talent… only to burn out, give up, or stay stuck in the same spot for years.

Why?

Because they learned the wrong way.

They watched a few YouTube videos, practiced on their mates in the garage, maybe shadowed a cousin who’s been cutting for a while—but they never got taught the right fundamentals. And what followed was the same story on repeat:

• Bad habits that are hard to break

• Poor technique that never quite levels up

• Low confidence behind the chair

• And worst of all? Years of wasted time that they’ll never get back

I Was One of Them…

Before we built School of Barbers, I was that guy.

I didn’t have a course like this. I fumbled through it all. My first 2 years of barbering was all trial and error. Spending countless hours on YouTube every single day learning 100+ different techniques and processes. I remember charging $30 a cut, sometimes for free, just to practice. I’d spend 45 to 60 minutes on one fade and still wasn’t happy with it. The client would smile and say “thanks,” but I knew deep down it wasn’t clean. It wasn’t pro.

And the worst part? I didn’t know what I didn’t know. It wasn’t until I started investing into myself and learning from real professionals—guys who cut with speed, precision, and confidence—that I realised how far behind I was.

That’s when it clicked: I didn’t just waste time… I wasted opportunity.

The Hidden Price of Trial and Error

Everyone loves to preach “trial and error,” like it’s a badge of honour. But when it comes to barbering, trial and error is expensive—really expensive. Here’s what I’ve seen it cost people:

• Missed income: Barbers staying on $15–20 cuts for way too long because they’re too slow or not confident enough to raise their prices. That’s thousands left on the table each year.

• Confidence hits: When a client asks for a drop fade or a specific style you haven’t mastered, and you panic. That’s not a good feeling—and it builds up.

• Skill ceilings: Without proper training, there’s only so far you can go. Some barbers stay stuck doing basic styles because no one taught them how to level up. This comes with ego that there is nowhere else to grow in the industry because in their heads “they know it all”.

We Built the School We Wish We Had

I’m not here to sugarcoat it. Learning barbering the wrong way is painful. That’s why we created the School of Barbers—to shortcut all that struggle and give future barbers the foundation they actually need. From Day 1, we give you:

• The right techniques

• Speed & structure

• Real shop experience

• Marketing, mindset, and business skills

We don’t just teach you how to cut—we teach you how to thrive. Because here’s the truth no one wants to say:

Barbering isn’t just about fades and tapers. It’s about speed. It’s about retention. It’s about brand. It’s about confidence. And it’s about knowing you’re doing it right—without second-guessing yourself every time you pick up the clippers.

I’ve Seen the Transformation

Every intake, we get students who’ve never cut before—or worse, have been cutting for a year and still feel like beginners. And in just six weeks? They’re moving fast, cutting clean, and charging what they’re worth. One of our students went from cutting in his parents’ garage to landing a job at a top-tier shop in less than two months. Another went from $200 to $2,000/week in under 90 days.

That’s not hype. That’s what happens when you get taught the right way from the start.

Final Word: Don’t Let Inexperience Cost You Years

If you’re reading this and you’re thinking of becoming a barber—or you already are one but feel stuck—this is your sign.

The industry is growing, but only the best-prepared barbers will thrive. If you’re serious about making this a career, don’t waste the next 1–2 years “figuring it out.”

Start the right way, right now.

This isn’t a pitch—it’s a warning from someone who’s been through it.

Cut smart. Cut clean. Cut with purpose.

— Damian Lai Founder, School of Barbers

@schoolofbarbersau