Why I’m obsessed with barbering | Gum Cruz | TEDxYouth@DLSUSHS

Key Concepts

• Skill Stacking: Combining seemingly unrelated skills to create a unique and impactful skillset.
• Unorthodox Path: Deviating from a traditional or predetermined career path.
• Purpose: Finding a meaningful goal or mission that drives one's actions and provides fulfillment.
• Boost of Self-Confidence: The positive impact of a haircut on a person's self-esteem and overall demeanor.
• Mise en Place: A French term used in culinary arts, meaning "everything in its place," referring to the preparation and organization of ingredients and tools before starting a task.

From HRM to Barbering Educator: A Skill Stacking Journey

Early Life and Education

• The speaker initially chose HRM (Hotel and Restaurant Management) in college due to uncertainty about his future career path. HRM offered flexible options after graduation.
• Key Skills Learned in HRM:
  • Making clients feel special (hospitality industry focus).
  • Mise en place (French phrase for "everything in its place") - preparing ingredients for efficiency.
  • Artistic food plating.

Banking Career

• After graduation, the speaker worked as a banker for five years (three years as a marketing specialist and two years as a loan account officer) due to financial needs, despite HRM not being a direct fit.
• Key Skills Learned in Banking:
  • Handling finances.
  • Making clients feel special regardless of social status.
  • Presenting sales reports.

Side Hustles and Entrepreneurial Leap

• The speaker started two side hustles to supplement his income: thrifting (buying and selling clothes) and selling hair grooming products (pomades).
• The income from side hustles became comparable to his bank salary, despite requiring significantly less time.
• He decided to leave the corporate world and invest his savings in a physical shop for his clothes and pomades, transitioning into entrepreneurship.

Barber Shop Struggles and Serendipitous Discovery

• The barber shop initially struggled, earning very little revenue and facing financial difficulties.
• Faced with the prospect of closing down, the speaker decided to learn how to cut hair from his barbers as a fallback option.
• He unexpectedly enjoyed barbering and became obsessed with it, dedicating significant time to learning and improving his skills.

Obsession and Skill Development

• The speaker dedicated himself to mastering barbering:
  • Watching YouTube tutorials until 2:00 AM daily.
  • Investing in high-quality tools to eliminate excuses for mediocrity.
  • Enrolling in two UK-based barbering academies.

Transformation and Achievements

• The speaker became a multi-award-winning barber, barber shop owner, and the first Filipino Southeast Asia barbering educator.
• He attributes his success to skill stacking, combining his previous experiences with his barbering skills.

Skill Stacking in Action

• HRM Skills Applied to Barbering:
  • Making clients feel special in the barber chair.
  • Practicing mise en place for efficiency.
  • Using food plating techniques for creative hairstyling.
• Banking Skills Applied to Barbering:
  • Handling shop finances.
  • Building rapport with clients from all backgrounds.
  • Using presentation skills (from sales reports) as a barbering educator.

The Power of an Unorthodox Path

• The speaker emphasizes that his unconventional career path allowed him to achieve success through skill stacking.
• He encourages others to explore different paths and learn as much as possible, even if it deviates from their original plans.

Finding Purpose Through Barbering

• The speaker recounts an experience of giving a free haircut to a shy boy, witnessing a significant boost in his self-confidence.
• This experience revealed his purpose: to give people a boost of self-confidence, one haircut at a time.
• He expanded his purpose to uplift the barbering industry in the Philippines and inspire others.

Uplifting the Barbering Industry

• To gain credibility and knowledge, the speaker pursued barbering education in the UK, despite it not being a requirement in the Philippines.
• He started barbering seminars to share his knowledge and improve the industry standards.
• He represented the Philippines in Southeast Asia barber battles to inspire other barbers, even though he was not a battle barber.

Becoming a Barbering Educator

• Despite losing a barber battle, the speaker was offered a barbering educator contract for Southeast Asia due to his contributions to the Philippine barbering industry.
• He overcame his introversion and developed public speaking skills to fulfill his role as an educator.

Conclusion: Connecting the Dots

• The speaker's journey from HRM student to barbering educator demonstrates the power of embracing an unorthodox path and stacking seemingly unrelated skills.
• He emphasizes the importance of finding purpose and using one's skills to make a positive impact on others.
• He encourages listeners to embrace their unique experiences and skills, as they can lead to unexpected success and fulfillment.