It’s no surprise to anyone that the barber industry is mainly dominated by male professionals. For so long, barbershops have been viewed as a space tailored just to men. But times are changing. Not only has the barber industry continued to experience rapid growth in the last few years, but the number of female barbers entering the field has also grown steadily.
With March marking Women’s History Month, The Tease felt it was only right to highlight some of the incredible women paving the way for other women in the barbering industry. We had the pleasure of speaking with Wahl International Platform Artist and Educator, Kristi Faulkner about her work as a barber, the realities of working in a traditionally male-dominated field, and her advice to new barbers. Keep scrolling for her insights.
The Tease: Tell me a little bit about yourself and the journey to become a barber.
Kristi Faulkner: As a child I would cut all my Barbie dolls’ hair off and I did all my friends’ hair in school. Styling was always something I loved doing. After high school, I went to college and cosmetology school at the same time.
Soon after I received my cosmetology license, I got married and moved to the military town where my passion for barbering started. Although I graduated from cosmetology school, I had never picked up a pair of clippers until I found a shop to work at and the owner gave me a Wahl Designer and a Wahl Peanut, and the rest is history (my go-to now is the Wahl Vapor and the Hi-Viz trimmer).
The shop I started working in was owned by a Korean barber named Miss Ann, who taught me everything I know. I’m so grateful for the opportunity she gave me. At that time, it was $4.00 a haircut and I took home 40% of that. I had to learn fast and cut fast. That is where my speed and love of barbering came from.
At the beginning it was extremely hard to even have anyone sit in my chair. I started out learning to cut men’s hair and all different textures. I was young and eager to learn, not even realizing that it was rare for women barbers to cut all different hair textures.
After time and a lot of practice, I began to really get a great clientele on the military post. Unfortunately, I ended up moving home and that’s when I really had a reality check. I was a white woman that cut mainly multi-cultural hair. I cut all different textures, but textured hair was my favorite to cut.
When I looked for a job, I was constantly turned away. I finally found a barbershop that gave me a chance. In the beginning no one wanted me to cut their hair, they thought I was an undercover cop or something. It took a lot of time and patience, but I was able to prove my skill once I had a few people sit in my chair. I eventually found out the barbershop was not licensed, and I saved all the money to open the first multi-cultural barber shop in my area.
The Tease: When did you join Wahl Pro and become an educator?
Kristi Faulkner: I first started with Wahl clippers 17 years ago. I was at the Bronner Brothers show and always bought all my tools from the Wahl booth.
So, every time I went to the show, I was asked by Isadore Adams why I was at that show. He didn’t believe that I was a barber. For about three or four years, he kept asking me to get on stage and do a haircut and I never realized the opportunity he was giving me.
Finally, I was at the show with one of my closest friends who convinced me to get on stage and cut the model’s hair. I was so nervous I could barely talk but once I turned my clippers on, I felt right at home. I’ve been with Wahl clippers now for 17 years and can’t imagine my career without it.
I’m very blessed and fortunate that they found me. I’m able to cut all different textures, it doesn’t matter what color skin anybody has, and what type of hair they have. If they have hair, and they have money, I cut it.
At that point, Isadore Adams would quiz me on the different blades, the different motors, anything and everything that had to do with clippers and trimmers. That’s where my love of product knowledge and tool education started.
The Tease: What are some of the biggest challenges of working in a male-dominated industry?
Kristi Faulkner: Over time I’ve found that being a female barber in a male dominated industry also has benefits. We have soft hands, we have a softer touch, and we also have more personal relationships with our clients. But in the beginning, it was very hard to find a job. Especially because I cut many different hair textures. I didn’t want to limit myself just to one clientele.
The black-owned barbershops didn’t think I could cut, the white barbershops didn’t cut textured hair, and the Latino or Spanish-speaking barbershops didn’t even want to entertain me joining them. Those hurdles just made me work harder.
I have always tried to represent myself the best I could, be humble and approachable. As our Education Leader of North America Wahl Missy Jacobs says “the answer no is the beginning of negotiations.” Never take no for an answer, just as an opportunity to prove people wrong.
The Tease: What are some things you love about being a barber and educator?
Kristi Faulkner: I have been so fortunate. I truly know that I have a family in my barbershop that I love and adore. My customers have afforded me a lifestyle that I love and the opportunity to schedule my own time.
Wahl has been such a big part of my career, and I am so grateful for that as well. I never would’ve thought that a pair of clippers would’ve brought me all over the world. I’ve been to China, Brazil, London, and almost every state in the United States of America. I absolutely love educating and couldn’t imagine this career without it.
It’s never been about me, It’s always about the bigger picture. I want people to be encouraged to try and think outside of the box and try something they have never tried before. I want cosmetologists and barbers to try and work on all different hair textures.
This industry is about giving back and I don’t have any secrets to hide. If you want to learn something, I’m more than willing to show you, teach you and make you as successful as I can. We learn from each other and that’s so important. It has been absolutely amazing. If I can give back all the amazing education and experience, I’m here for it!
The Tease: Any advice for women who want to break into the field?
Kristi Faulkner: I always encourage all female barbers to learn their craft inside and out. I challenge them to know their tools better than anyone else.
As a female barber we face discrimination, not being accepted, and people doubting our skill levels. We have to work harder to be that much better. I always tell other female barbers not to give up, you can achieve all your goals!
The biggest piece of advice I always give all barbers is to be on time, keep learning, and love what you do.
