# @luke_james_dolan on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DeZKsOroB_P
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/71497588-luke-james-dolan-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/e9364b0198.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-10-12T11:52:10.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Luke James Dolan (@luke_james_dolan) — https://gondola.cc/luke_james_dolan

## Caption

Four years ago, this conversation caused a lot of anger in the comments.

Looking back, I think the pressures I was describing have become harder to ignore.

I’ve had some brilliant conversations with @thenoblebarberpodcast over the years. Often, a short clip from a much longer discussion became the talking point.

On one occasion, I argued that haircut prices would need to reach £40–£50 for many shops to grow beyond the VAT threshold while supporting decent wages, overheads and a worthwhile profit.

The comment section was wild.

It was a conversation about what it actually costs to build a sustainable business.

In my final interview, I warned that squeezed margins would push more people towards self-employment and make it harder for businesses to bring new people into the industry.

I also expected more barbers to turn towards education, mentoring and other revenue streams as earning a sustainable living from cutting became harder.

Teaching has real value. But we should ask what happens when experienced people feel they have to move away from the chair to make their future financially viable.

Social media can amplify that pressure. When your feed is full of doom alongside promises of fast money, building something patiently can start to feel pointless.

Fear can make the quick escape look more attractive than the long-term plan.

When I had those conversations, I hadn’t factored in the potential scale of AI and automation. I believe they could add another significant layer of change, both within our industry and across the jobs and incomes of the people we serve.

We need honest conversations about pricing, employment, training and technology and practical ways to build businesses that support the people working in them.

Owners, employees, self-employed professionals, educators and brands all have a stake in that future.

Our world is changing rapidly. We need to face it together.

Division equals defeat.

#BarberIndustry #FutureOfBarbering #TechInHair #BarberCommunity #strongertogether

## Stats

- **Views:** 3,810
- **Likes:** 74
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 10

## Tags

techinhair, barberindustry, barbercommunity, strongertogether, futureofbarbering

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