FERGUS 鈥� Winning third place at the Toronto Barber Expo last year didn鈥檛 quite cut it for Mahfoz Adeeb, owner of the Barber Parlor in downtown Fergus.
So he hunkered down, increased the challenge, and came home with the first-place trophy after this year鈥檚 contest, also known as Hairfest, on June 22.
鈥淲e did it,鈥� he exclaimed on the phone.听
鈥淲e won the gold. And I couldn鈥檛 be happier.鈥�
The expo, held in Toronto, attracts barbers from around the world in competitions that span all barbering skills, from design to accuracy to beards.
Many are timed competitions and last year Adeeb placed third in a 30-minute challenge.
This time he decided to increase the challenge 鈥� and the pressure 鈥� by entering the 鈥淔lawless Fade鈥� competition, where barbers have just 15 minutes to complete a flawless haircut.
鈥淚 did my due diligence,鈥� he said, adding he practiced and planned almost all year.
It paid off, he said 鈥渂ecause everything went as planned.鈥�
The crowd of spectators doubled from last year, from about 1,100 visitors to 2,500 this year.
鈥淪o I had to super focus,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 put my headphones on and concentrated.鈥�
His growth at the contest reflects the growth of his business, he said.
Adeeb opened the Barber Parlor, on St. Patrick Street, during the pandemic. Rent was cheaper but customers were scarce.
Then work began on St. David Street North, discouraging some customers from checking out his parlour.
鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing more traffic now though,鈥� he said, adding he鈥檚 grown from two barbers last year to a team of seven now.
One is a dual barber specialist, meaning he cuts men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 hair. Children are also welcome.
Adeeb also launched a private label with Canadian-made shampoos, conditioners, and beard balms and oils.
His award-winning performance at the expo is testament to his work ethic, he explained.
鈥淗ard work pays off,鈥� he said with enthusiasm.
Next year he hopes to up the ante by entering his entire team in the contest.
