In recent years online education has been exploding. Colleges all over the world offer online courses as an option instead of attending classes in person. This is a very viable and convenient option for most degrees. I often get the question, “Can I attend barber school online?” Because learning how to become a barber is such a hands-on skill set, at the time of this writing there is no option available to get a barbering license through online training hours. However, many states that require continuing education credits do recognize approved online barber classes to get CEUs for barber license renewal.
In my opinion you cannot replace barber school with an online course. We are in a business where practice and repetition are imperative to our success. A high level of social interaction skills are also a necessary component for success. While some online barber training may make sense for theory, the real-life skills cannot be taught through a computer alone. By going to a physical, brick-and-mortar barber school you have the opportunity to cut hair and interact with other people on a daily basis.
With that being said, a good online barber school is an excellent tool to advance and enhance the education you receive in school. You can take advanced courses at your own pace and really dive in and learn the material. With barber classes online, you have the opportunity to learn through someone else’s years of practical experience in the business. This can jump start your career by saving years of trial and error, and be a great long-term commitment to your growth as a barbering professional. Any investment you make in your education will pay off big time in the long run. When I started my first barbershop, one of the senior customers told me something I will never forget. “If you focus on getting good at what you do, success will follow.”
I would like to take this opportunity to discuss some of the benefits of continuing your barber education online:
- After learning the basics it is necessary to learn about all of the different cutting tools and haircutting techniques available.
- You will need to diversify the types of hair and hairstyles to appeal to a large clientele.
- Keep up to date on the latest styles.
- Build all of the business skill necessary to be successful from attracting new clients to managing your existing business.
- Learning online is a much more cost effective way to keep up to date on your education than traveling to costly seminars.
- You have the benefit of educational material that is updated periodically due to the technology available.
- Have barbering education at your fingertips 24/7 anywhere in the world on your desktop, laptop, phone, or tablet.
I have been a barbershop owner for 20 years and an educator for 18 years. In that time I have had the opportunity to teach barber students and industry professionals throughout the country at trade shows, distributors, salons, and schools. Based on the needs I have found in the industry, I have developed a comprehensive online barber training platform. Learn at your own pace from the large library of videos and written lesson plans on topics ranging from tools of the trade, classic and modern haircuts, to shaves and beard trims.
I want to share with you one final thought from the most successful college basketball coach of all time John Wooden: “It’s the things you learn after you know it all that are most important.”
Greg Zorian is a third generation master barber. He is the co-owner of two successful barbershops in upstate New York. He is also the founder of HowToCutHair.TV which is an online resource available for barbering and men’s haircutting instruction. Greg has an easy-to-follow methodology that he has taught to thousands of students over the past 20 years. Greg shows how to capitalize on the growing men’s market segment of the beauty industry.
