A former professional athlete turned barber hopes to help people struggling through the cost of living crisis by offering a cheap haircut.
Jerelle Okoro, who runs Jefes’ Barbers on Stevenson Square in the Northern Quarter, says he will provide £5 haircuts to men and boys next week in order to boost their confidence during the difficult economic period.
A former guard for basketball teams Manchester Giants and the London Lions, the 31-year-old launched the business last year as the first ever subscription barber shop.
READ MORE: 'I'm having to survive on my kids' leftovers because of my bills... I'm so frightened'
He has also cut hair for the likes of YouTube boxers Swarms and Fuhad, football reporter Carl Anka and The Voice’s Okulaja.
Jerelle says a lot of men have strong relationships with their barbers and can relieve a lot of their stress and anxiety whilst getting their hair cut and talking to someone.
“We know everyone’s struggling at the minute and we don’t want people to struggle mentally because they have to sacrifice seeing a friend,” Jerelle explains.
“The cost of living is getting out of hand, and we’ve noticed that businesses in this crisis are rising prices because they are also struggling too. It’s a vicious cycle. A fresh haircut can boost confidence and self-esteem, especially if the weight of the world is getting heavier, this is where people need to know they have someone they can lean on.”
Jerelle, who retired from basketball in 2020, decided to focus on barbering after his own experiences fell short of what he wanted. He said he always wanted his business to feel 'more of a family hub than a barbershop'.
“I’ve always cut hair, due to my frustrations with how other barbers used to treat me,” he explains. “I felt like the art of conversation and service went missing.
“Now, I have a solid team of like-minded barbers that consistently provide a great service and an amazing haircut.”
Jerelle said that he often sees a ‘change’ in people when he gives them a haircut or restyle, which will often leave them with a ‘spring in their step’. Knowing the difference a haircut can make, it motivated him to help people during the cost of living crisis.
“It’s well known in the barbering industry how much impact a haircut can have on people,” he added.
“But that’s not the only thing it can impact, studies have shown men with higher self-esteem perform better in work, act positively, and tolerate frustration much better than those with lower self-esteem.”
Jefe’s Barbers is offering £5 cuts from April 10-17. Text ‘Hey Jefe’ to 07897022894 to claim your £5 haircut.
Read next:
- Inside the Instagrammable house on the market in one of region's most desirable towns
-
'I felt safe with him... but soon I was begging for my life'
- Company behind Real Housewives of Cheshire star Seema Malhotra's Forever Unique collapses
- "Not sure where he lost his pants - that's the mystery": 'Bizarre' clip shows man in undies scrapping outside the Spar near Piccadilly Station
- Huge plan for 250 flats and shops in massive tower on Manchester-Salford border
