The best barbers don’t wait for opportunities—they create them. Yet too many rely solely on their skills behind the chair, missing out on the power of influence, content, and personal branding. In today’s industry, visibility is just as important as talent.

That’s exactly what Triple Threat: Dominate, Captivate, and Influence was all about. 

Hosted by theCut and Anti-Broke Barbers Club, this masterclass featured Coco.Shinele, a barber and content powerhouse with 1.7 million followers, alongside host Rey Brotherhood. Together, they broke down what it takes to stand out in a saturated industry, build an audience, and turn a career in barbering into a platform for success.

The Making of a Triple Threat

Coco's journey to success wasn’t conventional. She didn’t set out to become a barber; instead, she picked up the clippers in a group home, cutting hair for the first time at 15. What started as a necessity became a passion, and after years of persistence—working multiple jobs while building her clientele—she went all in. Now, with over eight years of professional experience and a rapidly growing social presence, she’s proof that talent, grit, and personality can take you anywhere.

But Coco didn’t stop at the chair—she mastered influence. In just one year, she built a massive following by leaning into her personality and creating content that was equal parts skill, humor, and authenticity. Her key to success? Showing up as herself every day.

Dominate: Mastering the Chair & Elevating Your Craft

First things first: before you can influence, you have to be great at your craft. Coco emphasized that every barber should continuously refine their skills, take pride in their work, and approach every cut as an opportunity to build client trust.

Her top advice for barbers looking to dominate:

• Stay consistent. Your growth depends on practice and discipline.
• Make every client feel their best. The right cut is about more than aesthetics; it’s about confidence.
• Find your signature style. Develop a technique that sets you apart.

Captivate: The Power of Social Media & Personal Branding

Coco didn’t just build her business in the shop—she built it online. Starting with simple transition videos and before-and-after shots, she quickly learned that her personality was just as important as her skill.

Her content strategy that led to millions of views:

• Showcasing the barbering experience—not just the final cut.
• Using voiceovers and humor to make her content engaging.
• Staying authentic—no forced content, just her natural personality, and interactions with clients.
• Consistently posting to keep her audience engaged and growing.

Her biggest takeaway? People want more than just a haircut; they want an experience. If you can capture that on camera, you’ll captivate an audience far beyond your chair.

Influence: Leveraging Your Brand to Open Doors

Building influence doesn’t happen overnight, but Coco made it clear: if you show up consistently, opportunities will come to you. From cutting high-profile clients to partnering with major brands, her ability to merge talent and content creation has positioned her as more than just a barber—it’s made her a brand.

How barbers can expand their influence:

• Network: Your next big opportunity is often already in your chair.
• Create content: If you're not online, you’re missing out on potential clients and collaborations.
• Be strategic: Position yourself for brand partnerships and collaborations that align with your style and values.

Balancing Barbering, Content, and Life

While her online presence has skyrocketed, Coco remains grounded in her craft, cutting hair two days a week while dedicating the rest of her time to content creation and brand partnerships. But it wasn’t always easy—she shared how she experienced burnout, working late nights and long hours before realizing she needed balance.

Her biggest lesson? Hustle, but don’t neglect yourself. Set boundaries, know your worth, and build a business that allows you to thrive.

Final Thoughts: Cut, Create, Conquer

Coco’s journey is proof that barbering today is more than just a job—it’s a platform. Whether you want to grow your clientele, build a brand, or become an industry leader, the blueprint is clear:

• Dominate your craft.
• Captivate your audience.
• Influence your industry.

Watch the full masterclass recording for Coco.Shinele’s unfiltered advice and strategies:

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Want more industry insights? Stay tuned for future masterclasses, and follow Coco (@coco.shinele) for real-time content and inspiration.

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