How Brad's Mobile Barbers Stays on the Move

Life can get busy!

I don’t know about you, but life can sometimes feel like an impossible balancing act. Between commuting to work, keeping the house clean, feeding the dog and doing a food shop, it can feel like I have very little time to do something for myself.

This need for convenience and flexibility has fuelled the rise of new business models, including mobile barber vans. Not only do they cut travel and waiting times for customers, but they also offer a more personalised service in a one-to-one setting.

I recently spoke to Brad from Brad’s Mobile Barbers (East Anglia’s first mobile barber van!) to discover the journey of his business and how he makes sure we all have time for a haircut in our busy schedules!

When did Brad's Mobile Barbers start?

I’ve cut hair for 11 years and 2 and a half of those have been in a van!

I worked with a lot of different types of barbers, including English, Turkish Kurds and Iranians, and I just felt like I didn’t belong anywhere.

I left the last shop and had lots of customers wanting me still, so I said I’ll come to your house! Everyone loved the idea, so I thought ‘how can I bring the barbers to them’? I then decided to buy the vans and build them!

What services do you offer?

I offer haircuts, fades, hair washes, waxing, threading and cutthroat shaves (to name a few!).

Every trim comes with a beer from the draft machine, if they’re over 18, or juice or soft drinks are always available (I do buy occasional a few packs 12 pack of donuts).

I don’t let anyone leave till I know they’re a 10!

What is your biggest wish for Brad's Mobile Barbers?

I just hope it continues going up and doesn’t flop.

I’m doing this for my family's future and I’m too deep to give up. It’s hard but it’s honestly so fun!

What do you enjoy most about running a business (especially one that is always on the move!)?

I love the challenge, there’s always something to fix, something to upgrade or money you feel is wasted.

I also love the fact that I go to people’s homes and have built relationships with families. I’ve become a bit of a local legend where I live and people cook me dinner and offer me unlimited teas!

I love my community, and I do so much for them outside of just haircuts too.

How do you balance running a business with your personal/family life?

To be honest I don’t!

I see my family for half an hour when I wake up and I kiss them goodnight when I’m home.

I’m out 6 days a week for more than 12 hours a day. But, with the level of productivity and expansion I’m experiencing and the rate it’s going, I’ll be able to take a step back in a few years and still have money coming.

What is your proudest achievement to date?

My family I have created with my partner. We scraped the barrel to build the first van and now we’ve got two.

The first one only cost me around £4k. I worked hard for a whole year and built a second which cost me £25k and its loan and debt free. That’s my biggest achievement.

How do you keep up to date with the latest trends in the industry?

Most of the time people just want to look like celebs or footballers (I hate footy!) but it’s not hard in my job to know what’s trending.

Why is it so important to support independent businesses?

We only have ourselves to support one another - no one’s coming to save us and no millionaires are willing to dish out!

It’s better to work for yourself instead of line the pockets of the wealthy. There’s more reward coming home with less money but it’s yours and you earnt it.

What is the main goal you wish to achieve in 2026?

Next year I plan on expanding to another mobile business, as well as opening one or two barber shops where I will provide extra services for special needs and sensory rooms etc.

To keep up to date with the work of Brad’s Mobile Barbers, you can check out their Instagram (@bradsmobilebarbers)!