Behind the Chair with a Master Barber

About this experience

Stand beside a master barber through a full Saturday shift. You will watch fades, lineups and hot-towel straight-razor shaves up close, with Jamal explaining guard choices, blending and how he reads a client’s head shape.

Then you practice on a mannequin head with clippers and learn the business of a shop: booth rent versus commission, pricing, booking apps and how he built a clientele that fills his chair weeks in advance.

Your day

1. 9:00 AM

   Open the shop

   Set up stations, sanitize tools and go over the day’s bookings.

   30 min

2. 9:30 AM

   Watch the chair

   Observe fades, lineups and a straight-razor shave with running explanation.

   2 hr

3. 11:30 AM

   Mannequin practice

   Cut a fade on a practice head with Jamal coaching your technique.

   1 hr

4. 12:30 PM

   Lunch

   Lunch in the shop between clients.

   30 min

5. 1:00 PM

   Shop business

   Booth rent, pricing, booking software and keeping regulars loyal.

What’s included

• Practice mannequin head and cutting session
• Lunch
• A haircut or shave from Jamal at the end of the day

Good to know

• Guests practice on mannequins only, not on shop clients.
• Clients are asked before you watch closely; photos only with their permission.

Your curator

Jamal CarterLicensed master barber, 14 years behind the chair

Jamal Carter started cutting hair in his college dorm and earned his master barber license at 22. He owns a six-chair shop in southwest Atlanta and keeps a book of regulars who have followed him for over a decade. He teaches fade classes to newer barbers on Mondays.