Do you dream of being your own boss? Are you looking for a way to work from almost anywhere in the world? Did the mobile barber idea ever come across your mind? As a freelance barber, the world is your oyster. You can take your trade on the go and choose where you want to have your base. You’ll get the flexibility of setting your own hours and the possibility of turning your freelancing into a business.

 

Sounds good, right? Whether you’re a hairdressing student or a barber working in a salon, going freelance is easier than you think. We’re taking you through everything that you need to know to become a mobile or traveling barber. This guide covers licenses that you may need, along with the tools you’ll need to have in your traveling box of tricks.

 

What is a traveling barber?

A traveling barber is exactly what it says on the tin. They’re a barber who will travel – near or far – to see their clients. Some barbers will visit their clients at home for regular trims and styling. For VIP clients and special occasions, a traveling barber will meet their clients at a hotel or venue. If you’re lucky, you might become a traveling barber who goes around the country (or the world) to work with their clients.

Traveling barbers will promote their services for traditional cut and style appointments, along with occasion styling. As a traveling barber, you can focus on offering your services for weddings, evening events, and high-end client. When you’re a freelancer, you can tailor your work to meet the areas you want to explore in your career.

 

The benefits of being a freelance barber

Being a freelance barber comes with dozens of advantages that you wouldn’t get if you were working in a salon, either for yourself or another salon.

The one benefit that attracts most barbers to the freelance lifestyle is the flexibility. You don’t have to work a set number of hours a day or abide by the opening hours of a salon. You can choose which days you want to work and schedule your working life around your personal life. Going freelance can be the best option for those with caring responsibilities or who are studying alongside working.

 

Freelance barbers build a close relationship with their clients, more so than what you’ll find in most salons. Unlike a salon, freelance barbers have a one-on-one experience with their clients and do everything with them from start to finish. The flexibility of being a freelance barber means that you can work with clients from anywhere – whether they’re at home or a 5-star hotel.

 

If you’ve caught the wanderlust bug, becoming a freelance barber can give you endless travel opportunities. With your diverse client base, you can take your kit on the go, whether it’s heading to another city or jumping on a plane.

 

The main difference between opening a salon and going freelance is that you have lower overheads. You won’t need to employ other staff, pay rent, or furnish a salon. While you’ll be paying for travel and your kit, it often works out more affordable to work freelance as a traveling barber.

 

With the help of this traveling barber guide, you’ll know what to expect when you start your journey towards becoming a freelance barber. Start the process by getting the license required by your state and build your kit and client list to help you scale your business. Becoming a traveling barber is more attainable than you might think.

 

How to become a traveling barber

 

Becoming a freelance barber is easier than you think. Our step-by-step guide breaks down everything that you’ll need to do to kickstart your new career. Before you start your journey, you’ll need to research what the specific requirements are for your state.

 

• Licensing for your state

 

The requirements will change from state to state, with some of them requiring a specific diploma and license for you to operate as a freelance barber. You’ll want to ensure that the qualifications you need to meet the requirements that are set for the license you’ll need for your state.

There are three popular types of licenses – barbering, cosmetology, and hairstyling. Each license allows you to deal with hair within different scopes. You’ll typically need to study for a certified diploma, take practical training, and complete a written exam. Most states will require you to renew your license annually.

 

The licenses and diplomas are usually overseen by the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology for your state.

 

• Register as self-employed

Before you start taking on clients, you’ll want to register as self-employed. It’s best to do this right away to get ahead of your paperwork and ensure that you’re fully compliant with taxes.

 

• Consider getting professional insurance

Some traveling barbers like the peace of mind of having professional insurance. It’ll protect you against any incidents, but you’ll want to do your research to decide which one is right for you and if it’s a worthwhile investment into your freelance work.

 

• Marketing your traveling barber services

When you’re starting your career as a freelance barber, you want to leverage social media to help you build a profile. Decide the areas you want to offer your services to and work on using social media to target potential customers in this region. Utilize every tool from TikTok to Instagram and

 

• Build your traveling barber kit

One disadvantage of working as a freelance barber is that you’ll be relying solely on yourself for your equipment. We’ll be rounding up all the tools you’ll need in a checklist below.

 

The tools you need in your freelancing kit

When you’re building your freelance kit, you’ll need to have a:

 

Styling tools:

• Blow dryer
• Clippers (either cordless or corded)
• Razor blades and holders
• Shavers
• Shampoo and conditioners
• Aftershave
• Styling products
• Shaving gel

 

Combs and brushes:

• Clipper combs
• Fade brushes
• All-purpose combs
• Wide-tooth comb
• Styling combs
• Clipper oil and brush
• Hair shears

 

Other essentials:

• Disinfectants for your tools
• Neck strips and dispenser
• Hair clips
• Spray bottle for water mist
• Duster
• Barber cape
• Mirror

 

• List Your Services in an Online Marketplace

If you are searching on how to find barber jobs or simply looking for barbering opportunities, there are online platforms like Indulge Now. It is a virtual marketplace for beauty, grooming, and wellness services. Indulge Now invites all service providers to sign up and update profiles on the platform for free. Barbers, who renders services at their location, can list their services with no subscription costs. The innovative platform facilitates interactions between the service providers, including traveling barbers and their customers for in-home services. Don’t forget to make your profile attractive and showcase your brand. Learn more on how to become a mobile barber.