Your Barbershop Has a Recipe . Are You Following It?

By Dwight Hodge

I’m not sure if you’re handy in the kitchen - but whether you’ve got a secret brisket rub or think toast is gourmet, this one’s for you. Because what makes a good cook… is the same thing that makes a good barbershop owner.

It’s not hustle.

It’s not hype.

It’s not talent alone.

It’s the recipe.

If you want to cook something great - whether that’s a steak, a curry, or a killer chocolate cake, you don’t wing it. You follow a process. A method that gets you the result, every time.

And it’s the same when it comes to running a successful barbershop. You want a busy, buzzing shop with clients lining up, your team motivated, the numbers looking good, and your weekends free again?

It doesn’t come from grinding harder. It comes from following the right recipe.

No One Reinvents the Burger Every Day

Let’s be real. When a burger joint’s pumping out 200 perfect burgers a day, they’re not experimenting on everyone.

They’re using a system. A recipe that works.

The same goes for your shop. The barbershops that run smoothly, stay profitable, and grow long-term? They’re not making it up as they go. They have systems in place, whether it’s for pricing, rebooking, selling memberships, motivating the crew, or managing their books.

Too many barbershop owners are in the back room playing ‘business chef’ - mixing a little bit of what their old boss did, something they saw on Instagram, a tip from a mate, and a sprinkle of “gut feeling.” Sometimes it turns out okay.

But more often, it’s messy, inconsistent, and exhausting.

Can’t Measure Vibes

You wouldn’t eyeball the flour and hope the cake rises. So why do so many barbers run their shop like that?

You can’t measure success on ‘vibe’ alone. You need numbers that tell you where you’re at and what to do next.

How many cuts does each chair need to hit breakeven? What should you be charging for your most popular service? How many memberships do you need to sell each week to smooth out your cash flow?

Without the numbers, you’re guessing. And when you’re guessing, growth is luck - not strategy.

The Sequence Matters

Just like you wouldn’t chuck raw patties on the bun before the grill’s hot, you can’t build a strong barbershop doing things out of order. Trying to hire before your systems are clear?

Raising prices before you’ve nailed your guest experience? Firing off ads before you know your ideal client?

That’s how things fall apart.

There’s a rhythm to doing this right. It starts with clarity: your goals, your ideal guest, your price structure, your weekly targets. Only once that’s set can you start layering on marketing, recruitment, or expansion. Miss the foundational steps, and your shop might still look the part, but underneath, things won’t hold.

Make It Yours - But Know the Basics First Here’s the cool part: your barbershop doesn’t have to be like everyone else’s.

You might run an old-school classic with hot towels and straight razors. Or you might be all about fades, colour, streetwear, and playlists.

Either way, if you want it to work, the fundamentals remain the same. The difference is in how you bring the systems to life. Add your flavour, your branding, your energy. But build it on a solid recipe.

You don’t have to copy. But don’t freestyle the science.

You’re the Head Chef of the Business

Now, here’s the part no one really wants to hear - but it’s the truth. If your shop feels like a mess, if your team isn’t performing, or if the stress is keeping you up at night, it’s not about the clients, the economy, or the team not pulling their weight.

It’s the recipe.

As the owner, you’re the one calling the shots. You choose the ingredients. You control the kitchen.

If things aren’t rising, it’s time to check the method, not just blame the oven.

The Business Recipe That Works

Here’s what a strong barbershop ‘recipe’ includes:

• A clear idea of who your shop is for

(So you’re not chasing every type of client that walks past.)

•A price structure that reflects your skill and makes a profit.

(Not just what the shop down the road is charging.)

•A system to keep clients loyal

(So you’re not always chasing new bookings.)

• Targets that are simple, visible, and drive performance (So your crew knows what good looks like.)

•Leadership habits that build culture and energy

(Instead of burnout and backroom grumbling.)

And yes, it takes time to build. But it’s a hell of a lot easier than doing it blind.

Stop Throwing Ingredients at the Wall One last thing.

Too many barbershop owners are chasing shiny tactics “Maybe if I just get a new booking app… do a few TikToks… run a discount promo…” hoping it’ll fix what’s missing.

But tactics without structure? That’s like chucking sprinkles on raw batter.

Want a shop that runs without you having to be on the floor every hour?

Want a team that shows up sharp, sells retail, and hits their numbers?

Want cash flow that doesn’t give you anxiety?

Then stop guessing. Start following the recipe.

@dwighthodge_