Damian opened Empire Barbershop in Melbourne with zero knowledge in barbering — and quickly realised he had to learn the craft himself or the business wouldn't survive. What started as necessity became obsession. He trained alongside some of the best barbers around the world and grew Empire Barbershop into the #1 barbershop in Australia.

That journey is exactly why School of Barbers exists. Damian built the 6 Week Academy to give students the education that didn't exist when he started — real technique, real business foundations, and the confidence to walk into any shop and perform from day one.

In 2025, Damian was awarded #1 Educator of the Year in Australia. He has travelled to educate more than 1,000 people across 10 different countries including Malaysia, Singapore, India, Philippines, Thailand, New Zealand, and more. His mission is to make world-class barber education accessible to everyone.

Luisa brings a unique combination of hairdressing experience and business management expertise to School of Barbers. With a background in the industry and a sharp mind for operations, she understands both the craft and the systems needed to build something that lasts.

She is the architect behind the operations and frameworks that Empire Barbershop and School of Barbers stand on today — from curriculum structure and student pathways to the business systems that keep everything running at a high standard.

Luisa is deeply involved in every intake, ensuring students receive a structured, professional education from enrolment through to graduation and beyond. Her work behind the scenes is the reason the Academy delivers consistent, measurable results.

Matthew has worked at the highest level of the Australian barbering industry — including a position at the #1 barbershop in Australia. He knows exactly what it takes to perform in a premium environment and brings that standard into every class he teaches.

He also owned and operated his own barbershop, Refined Barbershop, in St Kilda, Melbourne — giving him first-hand experience in both the craft and the business of running a shop. He understands the challenges students will face because he's lived them.

Matthew has learnt from some of the best barbers in the world, and now channels that knowledge into the Academy. His teaching style is precise, patient, and focused on building real technique that holds up under pressure.

Damien owned and operated Neighborhood Barbers before redirecting his career to focus entirely on education. He made the deliberate decision to move from behind the chair to in front of the classroom — because he believes great teaching creates a bigger impact than great cutting alone.

In recognition of his work, Damien was named a finalist for Educator of the Year in Australia — a testament to his commitment to raising the standard of barber education across the country.

His teaching is grounded in years of real-world barbershop experience. Damien brings a calm, methodical approach to the Academy — breaking down complex techniques into steps that students can understand, practise, and master.

Damon is the Lead Educator based in Queensland, bringing School of Barbers' standard of education beyond Melbourne. He owns and operates Rivers Barbershop — a shop he built from the ground up and continues to run alongside his role as an educator.

His skill behind the chair has been recognised at the highest level in Australia. Damon was a finalist for Barber of the Year in both 2024 and 2026 — a rare achievement that reflects his consistency, technical excellence, and dedication to the craft over multiple years.

As an educator, Damon combines elite-level technique with a genuine passion for developing the next generation of barbers. His hands-on teaching style and real-world shop experience make him one of the most credible voices in Australian barber education.