What is Movember?

Movember began in 2003 and was founded by Travis Garone and Luke Slattery. It came out of a simple wish to bring back the tash, but they could never have imagined that what started out as 30 guys in a bar has now grown to an astronomical 6.5 million people! Originally they funded research and support into prostate and testicular cancer, but the charity now also shines a light on mental health and male suicide.

Movember is your chance to make a difference. We need you to encourage your male customers to grow a moustache, or get their partners to persuade them. Then they simply get their friends to sponsor them and register online at uk.movember.com to track their fundraising. Now, many people have NEVER grown a moustache, and it might not be something that you usually cater for in your business, so we’ve put together some top tips. Your clients may need to be guided on what to expect, what to do and how to style it, so we’ve also suggested some products that you can retail to help them stay perfectly groomed and encourage a little male “me” time.

It’s good to talk

The moment your client sits in the chair it gives them a chance to switch off from their daily lives, and this can often be a time for them to share any concerns. Men are very wary about revealing personal problems, many see it as a weakness (which it’s not!), but they’ll often talk opening and honestly with their hairdresser. One person who knows this first-hand is barber, and mental health advocate, Tom Chapman. He founded the successful Lions Barber Collective, and has managed to unite barbers around the world in a common aim to support mental health.

Tom realised that many of his clients were opening up to him about personal issues during the cut, and this was because the intimacy of the service was breaking down the usual barriers. He knew that he needed help on how to deal with these conversations and, if he needed help, so did many other barbers. So, he created a four-step plan, along with a training programme, that provides structured learning on how to spot and help with any issues that your clients may have. The Lions Barber Collective is now a worldwide organisation, and you can join up by visitin thelionsbarbercollective.com.

If one of your clients says something in conversation about how they’re feeling, and you’re in any way concerned, you should recommend that they visit the Movember website. There are links to information and support on a range of men’s issues, from cancer through to the pressures of being a dad, and it could genuinely be a lifesaver. Remember, Movember is your chance to make a lasting connection with your male customers and, who knows, perhaps that tash will become a permanent fixture.