The Noble Barber

The Noble Barber

Top Barber Podcast hosted by indursry proffesional Anthony Laban. The only podcast that is "cutting through the crap". Weekly guests featured talking through any and everything barber related. 

  1. You DON'T Need A Salon To Be Successful | Desmond Murray & Stacy Wright

    18h ago

    You DON'T Need A Salon To Be Successful | Desmond Murray & Stacy Wright

    Do you need to own a salon to build a successful career in hairdressing? Recorded live at HairCon 2026, Anthony Laban is joined by Desmond Murray and Stacey Wright to discuss the many career paths available within the hair industry. From editorial work and education to photography, Fashion Week and global brand roles, they share why success isn't limited to owning a salon. The conversation explores creativity, mentorship, discipline, awards, imposter syndrome and why constantly learning is the key to building a long and fulfilling career. Whether you're an apprentice, barber, hairdresser or salon owner, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration for anyone looking to grow in the industry. Follow our guests:📲 Desmond Murray: @desmondmurray📲 Stacey Wright: @staceywright_ If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe and leave a review. It really helps us continue bringing conversations like this to The Noble Barber. SUBSCRIBE TO THE NOBLE BARBERS CAREERS & ADVICE APP! 👇 Website: https://www.thenoblebarber.co.uk FOLLOW US 🐂 ✂️Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thenoblebarberpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenoblebarberpodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenoblebarber Credits:Filmed & Edited by HAMLIN STUDIOS: https://www.instagram.com/hamlinstudios/?hl=en-gb THE NOBLE BARBER PODCAST  Hosted by industry professional and award-winning barber Anthony Laban. Joined weekly by industry professionals to talk about barbering, becoming and maintaining a barber shop, hiring, employment, money and cutting through the crap of the industry.

    39 min
  2. How to Build a Barber Brand That Lasts | Savills & Crate Collective

    Jun 25

    How to Build a Barber Brand That Lasts | Savills & Crate Collective

    What separates a successful barber from a successful business owner? Recorded live at HairCon 2026, Anthony Laban sits down with Joth Davies (Savills Barbers) and Charles Rose (Crate Collective) to discuss what it really takes to build a long-lasting barbering business. From growing teams and retaining staff to education, branding, academies and expanding beyond the chair, this episode is packed with practical advice for barbers looking to think bigger. Whether you're opening your first shop or planning your next move, this conversation offers honest insight into building a business that lasts. Follow our guests for more barbering and business insights: Joth Davies & Savills Barbers: https://www.instagram.com/savillsbarbers/ Charles Rose & Crate Collective: https://www.instagram.com/cratecollective/ If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe and leave a review. It really helps us continue bringing conversations like this to The Noble Barber. SUBSCRIBE TO THE NOBLE BARBERS CAREERS & ADVICE APP! 👇 Website: https://www.thenoblebarber.co.uk FOLLOW US 🐂 ✂️Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thenoblebarberpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenoblebarberpodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenoblebarber Credits:Filmed & Edited by HAMLIN STUDIOS: https://www.instagram.com/hamlinstudios/?hl=en-gb THE NOBLE BARBER PODCAST  Hosted by industry professional and award-winning barber Anthony Laban. Joined weekly by industry professionals to talk about barbering, becoming and maintaining a barber shop, hiring, employment, money and cutting through the crap of the industry.

    40 min
  3. Should Barbers Open a Studio? The Truth Nobody Tells You | Dan Gregory & Pete Cranfield

    Jun 18

    Should Barbers Open a Studio? The Truth Nobody Tells You | Dan Gregory & Pete Cranfield

    In this special Haircon episode, we discuss, should barbers open a private studio, or are they making the move too early?Recorded live at HairCon Manchester, Anthony Laban sits down with Dan Gregory and Pete Cranfield to discuss the realities of studio life, building a loyal clientele, social media, pricing, no-shows, client retention and what it really takes to make a studio successful. From attracting customers and creating a premium experience to avoiding common mistakes and knowing when you're actually ready to go solo, this episode is packed with honest advice for barbers at every stage of their career.Whether you're considering opening a studio or looking to grow your existing business, this conversation offers practical insights from two of the industry's most respected names. SUBSCRIBE TO THE NOBLE BARBERS CAREERS & ADVICE APP! 👇 Website: https://www.thenoblebarber.co.uk FOLLOW US 🐂 ✂️Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thenoblebarberpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenoblebarberpodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenoblebarber Credits:Filmed & Edited by HAMLIN STUDIOS: https://www.instagram.com/hamlinstudios/?hl=en-gb THE NOBLE BARBER PODCAST  Hosted by industry professional and award-winning barber Anthony Laban. Joined weekly by industry professionals to talk about barbering, becoming and maintaining a barber shop, hiring, employment, money and cutting through the crap of the industry.

    32 min
  4. Menspire: Co Founder from a 3 chair shop to 30+ shops in less than a decade

    Apr 2

    Menspire: Co Founder from a 3 chair shop to 30+ shops in less than a decade

    This one’s different. Sam from MENSPIRE isn’t the loudest guy in the room…but he’s built one of the biggest barber brands in the world. From earning £500 a month and thinking he’d “made it”…to building a global business with shops across the world this episode breaks down what it actually takes. We talk about staying in your lane, building the right team, why most barbers get it wrong early on, and the reality of starting from nothing. If you’re a barber, creative, or building something of your own this one will hit.Subscribe for more real conversations from inside the industry. Sam Palmer is the co-founder of MENSPIRE, one of the most recognised men’s grooming brands in the world. From cutting hair in his parents’ front room to building a global business with locations across the UK, Dubai, New York and beyond. Sam has been at the core of scaling the brand from day one.Known for focusing on culture, team and long-term growth, Sam has played a key role in building MENSPIRE into more than just a barbershop but a global brand shaping the future of modern men’s grooming. Follow Sam here:Instagram: @sam_menspireMENSPIRE: @menspireacademy SUBSCRIBE TO THE NOBLE BARBERS CAREERS & ADVICE APP! 👇 Website: https://www.thenoblebarber.co.uk FOLLOW US 🐂 ✂️Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thenoblebarberpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenoblebarberpodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenoblebarber Credits:Filmed & Edited by HAMLIN STUDIOS: https://www.instagram.com/hamlinstudios/?hl=en-gb THE NOBLE BARBER PODCAST  Hosted by industry professional and award-winning barber Anthony Laban. Joined weekly by industry professionals to talk about barbering, becoming and maintaining a barber shop, hiring, employment, money and cutting through the crap of the industry.

    56 min
  5. Barber Deep Dive: Simon Shaw of Wahl

    Feb 26

    Barber Deep Dive: Simon Shaw of Wahl

    In this exclusive Deep Dive, Anthony Laban travels to the Wahl UK Headquarters to sit down with a true industry titan: Simon Shaw. Recently appointed as the Director of Education, Simon oversees training and artistic standards across 62 countries. With 26 years at the world’s biggest clipper corporation, Simon pulls back the curtain on the "Hard Graft" that people don't see - from the 20-week lead-up to global exhibitions to the ruthless precision required to select and retain a "Creme de la Creme" artistic team. This episode is a masterclass in professional mindset, business longevity and cultural leadership. Simon cuts through the social media hype to explain why "knowing how to fade" is just the entry point and why the real masters are those who never stop investing in their education.Simon challenges the ego of the modern stylist and provides a blueprint for those who actually want to scale their business and leave a legacy.Follow Simon! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonshaw_ss SUBSCRIBE TO THE NOBLE BARBERS CAREERS & ADVICE APP! 👇 Website: https://www.thenoblebarber.co.uk FOLLOW US 🐂 ✂️Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thenoblebarberpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenoblebarberpodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenoblebarber Credits:Filmed & Edited by HAMLIN STUDIOS: https://www.instagram.com/hamlinstudios/?hl=en-gb THE NOBLE BARBER PODCAST  Hosted by industry professional and award-winning barber Anthony Laban. Joined weekly by industry professionals to talk about barbering, becoming and maintaining a barber shop, hiring, employment, money and cutting through the crap of the industry.

    39 min
  6. Feb 19

    The Education Crisis: Is the Barber Apprenticeship Dead?

    Description: In this second "Best of" Compilation, Anthony Laban brings together the most critical voices in the industry to tackle a subject that is keeping shop owners awake at night: The Education Crisis. The barbering landscape has shifted. We have seen a surge in 12-week fast-track courses and high-street saturation, but are we actually producing "shop-ready" barbers? This episode cuts through the crap to investigate the rising cost of training, the failure of traditional college models, and the "fire in the belly" required to actually make it in this craft.In this Compilation, we explore:The Death of the Old Way: Michael Kontos (LSB) and Anthony discuss why the 2-year apprenticeship is no longer viable for a 30-year-old career-changer and the rise of the "Private Academy" model.The Standards Gap: A deep dive into why "doing a great fade" doesn't make you a great barber. We discuss the loss of fundamental skills like scissor-over-comb and the dangerous lack of endpoint assessments in private training.The Mentorship Deficit: Why shop owners are struggling to find people who actually want to immerse themselves in the craft rather than just chasing a "lifestyle".The Belfast Hybrid Solution: Justine Higgins breaks down a revolutionary model where funded, full-time college training creates "real barbers" who are ready to make money from day one.The Hard Truth of Affordability: Why skyrocketing minimum wages and lack of government support are forcing even the most passionate owners to turn away apprentices.Questions raised in this episode:Is the 12-week NVQ enough to survive a high-street with 20+ competitors?Why is the government funding paperwork but not physical training?How can a self-employed shop model effectively bring through new talent?Episode Chapters00:00:00 | The Apprenticeship Crisis00:04:15 | The Standards Gap: Fades vs. Fundamental Skills00:08:45 | Regulation and the Private Course Trap00:11:45 | The Affordability Crisis for Shop Owners00:16:30 | Home-Grown Talent vs. Fast-Track NVQs00:20:15 | The Belfast Hybrid Solution00:26:00 | Training in a Self-Employed Model00:29:45 | The Future of Professional Investment Whether you are a student looking for the right path or a shop owner struggling to build a team, this episode is a roadmap for the future of barbering education.#TheNobleBarber #BarberEducation #Apprenticeships #BarberTraining #IndustryStandards #BarberBusiness #DeepDive #TheTrainingCrisis

    31 min
  7. The Dapper Fox Deep Dive: Elsa Larkins on Building a 3-Shop Empire from £50

    Feb 12

    The Dapper Fox Deep Dive: Elsa Larkins on Building a 3-Shop Empire from £50

    In this Noble Barber Deep Dive, Anthony Laban travels to the stunning Grade II listed Wandsworth site of The Dapper Fox to sit down with its founder, Elsa Larkins. This isn't just a story about opening a barber shop; it’s a masterclass in resilience, vision, and the brutal reality of being a "custodian" of a heritage building while scaling an international brand. Elsa reveals the raw truth behind her start - opening her first shop with just £50 to her name after unexpectedly losing her job. We discuss the challenges of being a female business owner in a male-dominated industry, from facing skeptics who "laughed at her" to dealing with interviewees who didn't believe a woman could be in charge. We also cover the essential "un-glamorous" side of business that every shop owner needs to hear: the £1,000 licensing traps for giving away "free" alcohol, the obsession required to manage a Grade II listed fit-out and the complexities of opening a third location internationally. Whether you are an aspiring shop owner or a seasoned pro, Elsa’s journey from a one-chair setup to a multi-site lifestyle brand is the ultimate reality check for 2026.Follow The Dapper Fox!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedapperfoxbarbers SUBSCRIBE TO THE NOBLE BARBERS CAREERS & ADVICE APP! 👇 Website: https://www.thenoblebarber.co.uk FOLLOW US 🐂 ✂️Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thenoblebarberpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenoblebarberpodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenoblebarber Credits:Filmed & Edited by HAMLIN STUDIOS: https://www.instagram.com/hamlinstudios/?hl=en-gb THE NOBLE BARBER PODCAST  Hosted by industry professional and award-winning barber Anthony Laban. Joined weekly by industry professionals to talk about barbering, becoming and maintaining a barber shop, hiring, employment, money and cutting through the crap of the industry.

    57 min

About

Top Barber Podcast hosted by indursry proffesional Anthony Laban. The only podcast that is "cutting through the crap". Weekly guests featured talking through any and everything barber related. 

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