How do I pass on my barbershop’s opening and closing checklist?

Most barbers carry their routine in their heads. Spend a week noting what you do from the moment you unlock the door to the moment you leave. Opening might include lights, music, cleaning of stations, tools and towels, till float and the booking screen. Closing might include sweeping, sanitizing tools, laundry, locking away cash and setting alarms. Add the small things, like who checks the back door.

Turn those notes into a short list that is easy to follow, with the order of steps and who does what. Then ask a trusted staff member to run it without your help and note where they get stuck. Revise the list. Include supplier and emergency contacts, where spare keys and supplies are kept, and what to do if a chair or tool fails.

Walk your successor through a few openings and closings, then let them lead while you watch. Keep the list on the wall or in a shared file, and mark who reviews it. Tell staff that the checklist belongs to the shop and will keep changing. Ask your accountant how cash handling and supply counts should be recorded. Keep a copy of the checklist at the shop and ask the new owner to improve it after the first weeks.

Key takeaways

• Observe yourself for a week and write down every step.
• Have someone else test the checklist and fix what confuses them.
• Include keys, alarms, cash handling and emergency contacts.
• Leave a copy in the shop and invite the new owner to improve it.