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Before the Chop

Before the Chop

By: David
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Barber school taught you to cut. Before the Chop teaches you everything else. It's the morning show for barbers - part entertainment, part education, all culture. Business, money, clientele, mindset, and the conversations that move the chair forward. Hosted by David Ford, a barber out of Denver, CO. New episode every week. Come take the ride to work with us.

© 2026 Before the Chop
Episodes
  • EP005 — What Is One Client Actually Worth to You?

    EP005 — What Is One Client Actually Worth to You?
    Jul 6 2026
    EP005 — What Is One Client Actually Worth to You? We run the actual math on what a single loyal client is worth to you over years, not just the haircut price in front of you. That $40 regular coming every two weeks for six years isn't a $40 transaction—he's a six-figure relationship that most barbers never see because they're chasing new faces instead of protecting the ones who are already showing up. In this episode: • One loyal client is worth thousands, not one haircut price • Frequency and years matter more than new client acquisition • Nearly half of new clients never return even once • Your best clients are often the ones you charge the least Follow on Instagram: @beforethechop Watch the full episode at beforethechop.com
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    34 mins
  • EP004 — What to Look for Before You Take a Chair in Any Shop

    EP004 — What to Look for Before You Take a Chair in Any Shop
    Jun 29 2026
    EP004 — What to Look for Before You Take a Chair in Any Shop We break down exactly how to evaluate a barbershop before you sign a chair, cutting through gut feelings to read hard evidence. By visiting on a slow Tuesday, watching the floor dynamics, checking the owner's understanding of their own numbers, and matching their claims against what you already observed, you'll make a strategic business decision instead of an emotional one. In this episode: • Visit shops on slow Tuesdays at noon, not Saturdays, to see what's actually real • Watch how barbers move around each other to read the shop's culture in 10 minutes • Ask the owner questions you already know the answer to and listen for honesty • Ask about booking platforms and client predictability, not just chair rent price Follow on Instagram: @beforethechop Watch the full episode at beforethechop.com
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    15 mins
  • EP003 — Finding Your Shop - The 3 Types of Environments

    EP003 — Finding Your Shop - The 3 Types of Environments
    Jun 22 2026
    EP003 — Finding Your Shop - The 3 Types of Environments This episode breaks down the three barbershop business models—commission, booth rental, and private suites—with concrete math and timing for when each one actually fits your career. The shop you choose determines your income potential, growth speed, and what you're actually calibrated to believe is possible. In this episode: • Commission scales the cut right up with you—that's the room tax. • Booth rent rewards the book you already have; know your break-even. • Suite ownership builds an asset, but overhead is real and costs are steep. • Environment calibrates your standards until the shop's normal becomes your normal. Follow on Instagram: @beforethechop Watch the full episode at beforethechop.com
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    22 mins
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