Spotlight on: Scott Lote-Williams
Meet Scott Lote-Williams – the founder of SLW Barbers; a business who specialise in cutting hair, not in a typical barbers, but instead in the great outdoors! The following is an exclusive interview where Scott shares his passion and motivations for starting the business. Read on to find out how he started and the tips he has for budding entrepreneurs!
Could you introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about what you do?
I’m Scott a self taught freelance barber from west wales who isn’t your normal barber. I cut hair in the most adventurous and extreme places possible even though I have my “shop” I prefer being surrounded by the great outdoors. This has many different benefits for both me and the customer with stress relief and mental health. I pride the service I offer on creating the most enjoyable experience and live by the saying “it’s more than just a haircut.”
When did you entrepreneurial pursuits begin?
I started when I was in school after my little sweets business took a hit with the introduction of cashless payments. Yes I was that guy in school! So started cutting my mates hair for free after school in my bedroom before getting a summer job in a barbershop. I had to complete my A-levels so I decided to work for myself so I could balance it around school work and since then I’ve never looked back.
What’s the biggest challenge you have faced?
The biggest challenges I’ve faced has been to try balance my personal time and work time. Having my “shop” at home in the garden means I don’t really have “office” hours so found it hard to say no but now I have a healthy balance and it’s much more enjoyable. Another challenge was building a client base when I went to university. Even though this was difficult i thoroughly enjoyed it meeting new people and was successful in building a client base of around 50/60 people in a matter of weeks. Challenges are rewarding, and make you think of different ways to do something. I learned a lot from these challenges and looking forward to the next.
What has been your most satisfying moment?
The most satisfying moment so far would probably be singing away with this random busker from Birmingham in Cardiff one evening (I went out for one drink…..) and he turned to me and asked if I was the guy who cuts hair in random places. This was a bit mad at the time as there was no way I would know him but his friend who was in Cardiff university had shared my video on social media, and he recognised me from that. This was pretty cool and showed me the power of not only social media but of doing something different and memorable. Pre-Covid every night I cut hair was satisfying as I had set up the “shop” aka the man cave, where it was more of a social hub and everyone had a laugh which was important as barbershops are normally really awkward!
Would you recommend entrepreneurship to someone else?
Would I recommend entrepreneurship to someone else? What an easy question. The answer is simply YES. Everyone has an idea, no matter how big or small give it a go because sometimes the smallest idea is the biggest success. Normally these ideas are around something you love, a hobby or a passion so why work doing something that you don’t enjoy only because it’s safe eg. Having a salary when you can be your own boss and make the rules. Ps. It’s not easier by any means but it’s so much better. Ah yeah final point, there’s no right time, do it now.
Why did you choose to start freelancing?
I have always had a entrepreneurial brain, from selling sweets from the age of 13 in school to being surrounded by my parents who run their own businesses. Since I can remember going to auctions with my dad I was always fascinated with how much he bought the vehicle for and how much he sold it for. Once I’d experienced the flexibility of working on your own terms I’ve never looked back. And really don’t see myself ever having a 9-5 job. What’s the point in paying for the bosses mortgage on his holiday home when you can be earning that for yourself!
What would you say is your biggest motivation?
What motivates me is the need to do something different, so with my haircutting it motivates me to do a haircut at the beach because I know no one else does that. Again it’s definitely not easier but that’s why no one does it. I love being different and pushing the boundaries of ways we can do things. Long term the thought of helping the less fortunate motivates me massively and will give me a purpose to what I’m doing and where I’m taking the business.
To find out more…
If you are interested in Scott or his business head to his Instagram, LinkedIn or Facebook to find out more!
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