“TÚS MAITH, LEATH NA HOIBRE.” A good start is half the battle.

By Guest Editor Jimmy O’Brien

That mindset has carried Ronan Storey, a barber from Donegal on Ireland’s rug-ged northwest coast, all the way to Brisbane, Australia where he’s now shaping the next generation of barbers at The Barber Academy.

Mocha Barber’s Guest Editor Jimmy O’Brien, chats with Ronan...

Ronan, can you tell us a bit about yourself where you grew up and what first drew you to barbering?

I’m Ronan Storey, 27 years old, and I’ve been barbering for about eight years now teaching for the last two. I’m originally from Donegal, up in the northwest of Ireland. What first drew me to barbering was my love for styling my own hair when I was younger. I’ve always been hands-on. I wasn’t great at school, but I excelled in practical subjects like woodwork. I remember watching my own barbers and loving the energy of the shop floor the banter, the style, the confidence. That whole vibe pulled me in.

What was it about the barbering trade that stood out for you compared to other paths in life?

It was the sense of community. When you walk into a barbershop, there’s laughter, real talk, and everyone’s just being themselves. I loved how each barber had their own style, from their clothes to the way they cut. It felt like a place where individuality was celebrated.

Before joining The Barber Academy, what were you doing? Where did you learn how to cut hair?

Before joining the Academy, I was in Dublin managing one of the shops for Cut & Sew. I spent three amazing years there, learning from some of the best barbers in Europe. I also studied at a barbering and hairdressing college, where I completed both my Hairdressing and Barbering Certificate III.

Tell us about your career so far at The Barber Academy.

I started in January 2023 as Head Trainer at our Brisbane location. I train both ap-prentices and full-time students taking them from absolute beginners to job-ready barbers in about 7 to 12 months. I’m also more involved with the barbershop side now, doing in-house training. Once a week, I head down to our Robina location to teach there as well.

What was your first day like at The Barber Academy? Any standout memories?

On my first day, I did a demo for the current students. The standout moment for me was seeing how excited they were to learn a different style of cutting. Some of them had never seen that approach before, and by the end of the day, the energy in the room made it clear I was in the right place.

Can you describe a typical day of training? What skills are you teaching? What’s the environment like?

A typical day starts early I grab a coffee and get the shop set up. If I’m doing a demo, I prep everything before the students arrive. Music is key we keep the vibe right. New students work on theory and mannequin cuts. More advanced students set up like they would in a real shop, running through full client services so they’re job ready. At the end of the day, we clean down, then sit together for a debrief what went well, what didn’t, and what we’re working on tomorrow.

What’s it like learning under the Jimmy Rods ethos? What makes their approach different?

I really connect with the Jimmy Rods approach. It’s not just about how to cut hair it’s about giving clients the full experience. From offering a beer or water when they walk in, to finishing with a razor neck shave, it’s that old-school barbering hospitali-ty that makes the difference. And it’s taught in a way that’s simple and easy to understand.

What do you love most about the training the technical side, the people, or the shop vibe?

Honestly, all of it. Watching new barbers go from not knowing how to hold scissors to smashing out amazing cuts is the best feeling. I love the shop vibe it’s one of the main reasons I do what I do. I also enjoy when students ask questions and want to dig into the technical side. I’m big on precision cutting, and I love when they want to master that part too.

Who inspires you in the barbering world? Any barbers you follow or look up to?

Sam Rascals really inspires me. He keeps things simple but executes them perfect-ly. His content, his style, his cuts everything is top tier. Sean the Barber is another one his cutting skill is next level, and I’d love my work to evolve in that direction. And then there’s Nath Shapes probably the best precision cutter right now. I can’t wait to learn more from him and pick his brain about all things barbering and hair-dressing.

Do you have a favourite style or cut you love doing?

Yeah, my favourite cut is a slicked-back graduated style with a skin taper. And I love doing beards clean fades into well-shaped facial hair is just such a satisfying finish.

How important is it to build a connection with clients while training?

It’s everything. Connection builds trust. And when a client trusts you, they’ll tell you what they really think about their hair, and you can work together to find the best style for them. That’s how great haircuts happen.

What makes a great barber in 2025 and how is The Barber Academy preparing students for that?

A great barber in 2025 is an all-rounder. At The Barber Academy, we train our stu-dents to deliver top-tier customer service, consultations, and cutting skills. Whether it’s scissors or clippers, fades or longer styles they’re confident with it all. That’s what makes them stand out.

What’s your favourite thing about working in a real barbershop while you train?

The atmosphere and the buzz. It keeps things exciting and real. It’s the best place to learn students build confidence fast because they’re in the environment they’ll be working in.

If someone’s thinking about joining The Barber Academy, what would you tell them?

I always go back to this quote: “Tús maith, leath na hoibre” “A good start is half the battle.” We’ve got a free online space called The Hair & Barbering Community where you can connect with other barbers, hairdressers, and educators and even access free training. If you’re still in school, we offer a Certificate II in Barbering. It gives you a proper taste of what it’s like to be in a barbershop and helps you figure out if it’s right for you.

Looking ahead, the sky’s the limit.

I’m building something bigger one cut, one student, one shop at a time. With my hustle and love for the craft, there’s no telling how far I’ll go. Whether it’s opening my own shop, levelling up my skills, or inspiring others to follow the same path, this is just the beginning.

@ronanstory_hair @thebarberacademyaus