Before the Chop
Barber school taught you to cut. Before the Chop teaches you everything else. It's the morning show for barbers - part entertainment, part education, all culture. Business, money, clientele, mindset, and the conversations that move the chair forward. Hosted by David Ford, a barber out of Denver, CO. New episode every week. Come take the ride to work with us.
Before the Chop
EP003 — Finding Your Shop - The 3 Types of Environments
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Episode 3
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EP003 — Finding Your Shop - The 3 Types of Environments
This episode breaks down the three barbershop business models—commission, booth rental, and private suites—with concrete math and timing for when each one actually fits your career. The shop you choose determines your income potential, growth speed, and what you're actually calibrated to believe is possible.
In this episode:
• Commission scales the cut right up with you—that's the room tax.
• Booth rent rewards the book you already have; know your break-even.
• Suite ownership builds an asset, but overhead is real and costs are steep.
• Environment calibrates your standards until the shop's normal becomes your normal.
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Watch the full episode at beforethechop.com