Richard Morris
HA: Where are you from? And what brings you to the Netherlands?
RM: Born and raised in Chicago. I’ve lived outside of The Hague for ten years; been in Europe since 1996. Here because I originally moved to Spain with my first wife.
HA: Tell me about your business? What is your mission?
RM: I run The Hague’s first and only after-hours barbershop. I started The Night Barber to fill a much-needed niche in the men’s haircare sector.
HA: How are you handling our new “normal” due to the coronavirus outbreak? What impact has it had on your business?
RM: Further to the government reopening the sector on 11 May, after two months, I gladly, though hesitantly, returned to work to serve my customers.
The return was unexpected as many of us in the industry thought the opening of salons and barbershops was premature, therefore I was both physically and emotionally unprepared to return to work. The first few days were very challenging due to longer hours, deeper cleaning, and the wearing of masks and gloves.
HA: Why The Night Barber? What brought you to barbering?
RM: I began training as a barber when I was 18 and left my apprenticeship six months later to pursue other ventures. However, I did enjoy the profession and it had always been something in the back of my mind that I’d hoped to get back into at some point in my life.
HA: What is the current state of The Night Barber? Do you have six and 12-month goals for your business?
RM: I am currently in my second year and business is booming. I have a client base of more than 300 customers of which approximately 70% return regularly (every four to eight weeks).
I also pick up another 12-25 new customers each month through the booking platform I use. I work five nights a week and consider this to be a part-time job, allowing me my days free to be around for my children and pursue my music and writing careers.
HA: What kind of obstacles do you face in your company? How do you handle them?
RM: I rent a chair from another barber who owns the shop and works days. Our styles, clientele, worldview, and business acumen are quite contrasting.
However, seeing that it’s his “house,” and the fact that we don’t actually overlap in the shop very often, I really can’t complain and pretty much go with the flow.
HA: What has been your most successful moment so far? And how do you celebrate your wins?
RM: There have been many. But every time a customer comes back for a second visit, I consider that to be the ultimate success.
HA: How have you accomplished what you have? Did you go to business school? Did you wing it? Fake it till you make it? Get really lucky?
RM: A combination of apprenticing under a master barber, winging it, and faking it until I was making it. Also, hard work and determination to get over the humps. I also did a three-day course at the world-famous Schorem barbershop this past July.
HA: Did you fundraise for your business? If so, tell me about your experience.
RM: No. My initial investment was nominal.
HA: How big is your team? And where are your team members located?
RM: Just me! Spui 263 in The Hague city center.
HA: Do you have a favorite motivational quote?
RM: “It’s just hair; it grows back!” -The Night Barber
HA: What 3 tips would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs? What do you wish you had known before you started?
RM: Tips: 1) Keep trying until you’re flying; 2) Don’t give up; 3) Find a mentor
HA: How would you describe your working style?
RM: Chill.
HA: When you’re not working on The Night Barber — where can we find you?
RM: At www.cafesocietyband.com
HA: How do you find work-life balance while being an entrepreneur?
RM: Heavenly.
HA: What is your passion?
RM: My children, my music, and my writing.
Follow The Night Barber on Instagram and Facebook. And connect with Richard on LinkedIn.
