Despite refusing to take any short cuts, young barber Finley Leonard opened his first salon in Wellingborough earlier this year – at the age of just 18.
With the help of his own barber, Lewi Willliams from Hendrix Barber Co, who died in April aged just 31, Finley started learning his trade at just 14 and still at school. Cutting hair became a passion and once school was finished he joined Hendrix where he began building up a client base.
By the time he was 17 he had taken up an offer from The Horseshoe and was operating from an outbuilding at the back of the Wellingborough pub, and by the time he was 18, had saved enough money to open Malone Barber Co in Silver Street.
“I have never been academic and didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do when I left school,” said Finley, “but once I started to learn how to cut hair, from then on, every day after school and every Saturday, I’d be in there, learning as much as I could.
“Because I wanted to show I’d done it properly I applied for an apprenticeship, but college wouldn’t have me because I didn’t have my Maths and English GCSEs. I worked hard that summer to pass them, and got on the apprenticeship.
“You don’t have to do it that way, but I wanted to show I’d learned the job properly.”
Starting his own salon at The Horseshoe helped Finley build his client base. He cuts hair and does beard trims and nasal hair trims for customers of all ages, but understands best what’s on trend and what styles younger customers are looking for.
Regular visitors include Northampton Town FC’s Sam Hoskins, along with a few of his teammates. Finley also sponsors two junior Whitworths teams as well as the Irchester adult squad.
“Once I was established, I just saved every penny I could and when the salon came up at the end of last year, I knew it was a risk but I’d wanted my own place for a while, so I just went for it.”
He now has three chairs at Malone Barber Co, working alongside another barber, as well as now having his own apprentice, who trains after school and at weekends the way Finley did.
“I have been really inspired by my Dad, Liam Leonard,” said Finley. “He’s built up his own business and always earned money for the family and he showed me that working hard is how you get what you want.
“Eventually, I would like to have more salons, spread a bit further afield. Then one day I would like to travel the world cutting hair and working my way as I go.”
