We recently had the privilege of interviewing Miles The Barber, a talented professional barber based in Los Angeles who has been cutting hair since he was a kid. We wanted to get his take on the latest haircut trends for black men, his favorite tools, the challenges he’s overcome, his advice to young barbers starting in the business and what he loves about his chosen career.
An Interview with Miles The Barber, A Skilled Professional in Los Angeles
Tell us a little about yourself. How did you get started in the industry?
I got started in the industry by cutting my own hair. My mother couldn’t consistently take me to the barbershop, so I bought a pair of Conair clippers and started cutting my hair at home. It was a terrible idea and a terrible haircut, but through trial and error, I got better.
From there, I started cutting my little brother’s hair and soon, I was trimming up the kids from my neighborhood. Eventually, I started cutting hair in my high school’s bathroom. When I graduated, I found my way into a local barbershop.
These days, I’m a licensed barber with 15+ years of experience and work out of a beautiful barbershop in West Hollywood.
What were some challenges you had to overcome?
I learned that I had to overcome my shyness and introversion. Barbering is a personable business where you have to have conversations. From networking and promoting your services to executing the haircut the way the client wants, the business requires interaction and excellent, all-around customer service.
What advice would you give new barbers starting in the business?
You can’t have one foot in and one foot out to be successful as a barber. You have to go hard every day and hone your craft. The more hours you consistently put in, the better the results.
What’s your favorite barbering tool (make/model) and why?
The BaBylissPRO FX Outlining Trimmer is very sharp and lightweight, creating a clean line up that will last several days.
What are your favorite hair styling products and why?
I don’t really use a styling product. I cut hair for all types of people, but most of my clients are African American. Generally, African Americans don’t need styling products – just some oil sheen and a brush or comb.
What haircuts and styles are trending right now?
The messy curly afro. Waves are also making a strong comeback in the African American community.
What’s your favorite style(s) to cut?
I like bald/skin fades. The light-to-dark blend looks so cool.
What do you love about barbering?
I enjoy meeting and networking with so many good people.
If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?
I would start even earlier. I could have earned more; that meaningful amount could have been life-changing.
