Sofie Pok (@staygold31)

Pok is a Los Angeles-based barber, member of the Babyliss Pro team and co-founder of STMNT Grooming Goods. She shares her work and inspiration with her more than 400,000 followers on Instagram, and credits this as one of the catalysts to her success.

What do you love about barbering?

I loved how fast-paced it is, and what a fun environment it is. The challenges of structuring short hair to blend well and seeing how good it makes people feel are awesome too.

How did you link up with Babyliss?

They found me standing out on social media one year and I just happened to network with one of their educators. He helped put in a good word for me while they were looking to build a team.

In a male-dominated field, were there ever times when you felt you didn’t belong?

Plenty of times. When things become difficult or frustrating you always wonder if it's the right path for you. It’s easy to get discouraged when you’re building clientele from scratch and getting judged by your gender.

What makes you an awesome barber?

I listen well to my clients; I'm sensitive to people feeling awkward so I go out of my way to make sure they are comfortable.I always invest in my craft and education, too—there's always more to learn.

What’s been the proudest moment of your barbering career?

Being an educator for a barbering program edition for schools, and winning a Barber of the Year award for being a barber and not just a “female" barber.

What advice would you have for other women in barbering, or who are considering becoming a barber?

Don’t overthink things or where you think you need to be. You need to stay in tune with why you got into barbering and what you enjoy about it. The rest works itself out. Find your voice and don't forget to document your journey—you never know who it could help.

Tkeya Cox (@keythebarber)

New York native Tkeya Cox started cutting hair at the age of 14 at her home in the South Bronx. Her oldest brother was the first head she touched, and she admits that she didn’t know what she was doing back then. But each time she cut his hair, the goal was to get better. Soon, her work was getting noticed by friends and classmates, and she started cutting in a shop at age 16.

What drew you to barbering, and what’s your favorite thing about it ?

The idea that something I created can boost someone’s self-esteem, which is therapeutic in a sense. I enjoy meeting so many amazing people, who come from so many different backgrounds. I honestly love giving people a new look, that fresh start with a boost of confidence makes me feel like I did the job right. I view haircuts as my artwork. Each person’s head is shaped differently, which gives me the opportunity to try different techniques and explore my talent.

In a male-dominated field, were there ever times when you felt you didn’t belong?

There were many times where I felt like I didn’t belong due to being judged on my female anatomy or my sexuality. I didn’t let that stop me. Instead, I competed with myself everyday to become better. No matter what you do there will always be positive feedback and negative feedback. The older I became I stopped caring about what people said. I poured all of my energy into my craft.

What makes you an awesome barber?

My ability to execute any hairstyle, no matter the texture. I always make sure to give my best when doing each cut—the goal is to make the client happy. Along with my personality and sense of humor, I enjoy creating a bond with my clients and meeting so many amazing people.

What advice would you have for other women in barbering, or who are considering becoming a barber?

My advice to women who are considering joining the barber community would be to never give up, there is always a way. Make sure to challenge yourself everyday and be consistent—in due time you’ll become a successful barber!