Barbers have been significant members of society for ages. Barbers were frequently the go-to medical practitioners in many towns, offering services ranging from haircuts and shaves to performing minor procedures. Barbers used to place a red and white striped pole outside of their business to identify themselves. But what does the barber pole in red and white actually mean?
Barber poles have been around since the Middle Ages, and they have a long history. In addition to giving haircuts and shaving, barbers also handled medical tasks like bloodletting and teeth extractions during this time. Barbers would display a pole with a white bandage wrapped around it to symbolize the material used to stop bleeding during a medical operation in order to market their services. To advertise to customers that the barber was open for business, the pole was frequently erected outside the store.
Barbers started using a pole with red and white stripes in the 17th century to symbolize the bandages used during bloodletting. The white stripes symbolized clean bandages, while the crimson stripes indicated bandages covered in blood. The pole eventually came to represent the barber profession itself, the services rendered by barbers, and the public’s faith in them.
The red and white barber pole is still frequently seen outside barbershops or tonsorial parlors nowadays. These salons offer a variety of services, such as haircuts, beard trims, and shaving. Many barbershops also sell grooming supplies including aftershave, hair gel, and beard oil.
Depending on your region and the size of your establishment, the cost to open a barbershop can change. For instance, starting a barbershop in Kenya can cost anywhere between Ksh 100,000 and Ksh 500,000. This covers the price of renting a location, buying furniture like chairs and clippers, and obtaining all the licenses and permits.
Similar to this, opening a barbershop in Nigeria involves a number of stages. This entails registering your firm, acquiring the required licenses, and locating a suitable space. Additionally, you’ll need to buy grooming supplies to offer to your clients as well as furniture like seats and mirrors.
A well-thought-out business plan and an effective marketing plan are essential for opening a profitable barbershop. Additionally, you must offer top-notch services and foster a friendly environment for your clients. You may develop a devoted clientele and expand your business over time by providing outstanding customer service, utilizing premium products, and remaining current with the most recent grooming trends.
Finally, the red and white barber pole serves as a representation of the barbering trade and its long tradition of offering vital services to local communities. The red and white pole serves as a reminder of the significant role that barbers have played in society for generations, whether you’re opening a new barbershop or just going in for a haircut.
A 2019 Statista poll revealed that the typical person receives 4.5 haircuts annually.