Five Steps for Hosting a Charity Cut-a-Thon

Do you want to hold a charity cut-a-thon but don’t know where to start? Josh Wagner, the 2017 winner of Hairdresser at Heart’s Wella Cares competition, offers five steps to make it easy. A Sebastian educator, Wagner last year partnered with his Barbers Without Borders co-founder, Spanky The Barber, to lead a team on a “Cuts for Nuts” cut-a-thon that raised more than $800 for prostate cancer research. Go to the Barbers Without Borders website to learn how they will help one lucky salon kick off a Cuts for Nuts event in 2018.

Step 1: Commit to a Cause
If you already have a connection or a favorite charity, that’s a good place for your focus. Or join Wagner in the Movember movement to raise awareness for men’s health issues by hosting your own Cuts for Nuts.

Step 2: Choose Your Key Players
“You’ll want to gather a team of two to three people who are passionate about the project,” Wagner says. Delegate some of the tasks and details to them. “An organized plan and committed team are the keys to a successful event,” Wagner adds.

Step 3: Align on the Details
Choose a date, time and location that works for the group. “Plan ahead to set yourself up for success, but don’t overwhelm yourself,” Wagner emphasizes. He recommends a two- to three-hour event with a begin-and-end time or a cutoff at a stated number of clients. He cautions, “To avoid overlap in clientele, remember to give yourself enough time after your last appointment. Or, plan to host the event on a day the salon is closed.”

Step 4: Spread the Word
Use social media and all other avenues to promote your event. “Many clients who came shared that their dad or grandpa had prostate cancer,” Wagner reports. “When they realized all proceeds from their regular-priced cut benefitted the hospital, they wanted to donate a little more.”

Step 5: Make it Happen
“Just go for it!” Wagner urges. “We had only a week to plan the event, but it was doable. Trust your team members to do what they’re good at—whether that’s check-in or working behind the chair. Then don’t forget to hashtag #HairdressersAtHeart to show what you’re doing to pay it forward. Ready, set, cut!”