Celebrating Young Entrepreneurship
Four years ago, Harrison Barker had never picked up a pair of clippers in his life but today the 21-year-old runs his very own thriving barbers studio at Churchill Square Business Centre.
He is one of our youngest onsite entrepreneurs, proving that age is no barrier to setting up your own business.
Within three weeks of opening at our prestigious Kings Hill development, he had over 100 clients on his books – a celebratory milestone for the now self-assured entrepreneur who admits he struggled to find anything he enjoyed at school.
“I wasn’t academic but I always really liked being around people, talking to people and being hands on.”
At 16, Harrison signed up for an intensive 12 week course at the London School of Barbering where he was taught everything from how to hold a pair of scissors and clippers correctly to mastering the art of hair cutting. Subsequently, he found a job working in a barbers shop in Maidstone, which proved to be fertile training ground for his ambitions.
“I spent three years basically picking up as much as I could, from learning the trade to learning how to run a business. It was always a dream of mine to work on my own terms but I knew I couldn’t go straight into it. I had to learn from people who had done it.”
Attracted by free car parking, professional surroundings, a flexible monthly licence and quick door buzzer entry to his studio for his clients, Harrison launched HB Barbers from Churchill Square in May, confident that his client base from Maidstone would follow him. He was right.
“I was 90% booked within the first three weeks of opening,” he says, adding that a leaflet drop around the square, supported by the centre management team, helped him to secure new business.
Shirking the rapid turnover favoured by traditional barbers, Harrison takes pride in being able to connect with clients who each receive a thorough 45 minutes-long appointment.
“I offer something a bit more in-depth, take more time and skill with it. All my clients who went to traditional barber shops are now coming here and getting three times the time and much prefer it.”
Client retention drives Harrison’s business goals. “It shows you are doing a good job every single time. That’s what I pride myself on.”
If he has any advice for other budding business owners, it is simple.
“There are certain things I find challenging and easy. But you have to find the middle ground, take a risk, keep your head down and do what you think is right. There’s obviously a reason why you think you can run a business so stick with that and run with it.”
