From swapping the building site to the barber shop, it has been a whirlwind few years for Stirling hairdresser Aaron Fallon.
The 29-year-old, who moved to the city nine years ago from Sligo in his native Ireland, was stuck in a rut in a construction job when he decided to take a major risk by laying down the tools and picking up the scissors for a barbering course in Glasgow.
But the investment has paid off as he celebrates picking up a national prize celebrating the best of fresh talent in the industry in Birmingham earlier this month.
Aaron was one of ten barbers nominated for the ‘New Blood’ award at the Great Barber Bash competition – eligible for those with up to three years experience in the industry – on November 3, alongside co-worker Erin Wick.
Both are based at Black Lotus Barbers in the city’s Upper Craigs and the shop is now home to a bulging trophy cabinet, with Aaron claiming top honours and Erin coming in third.
However, Aaron explained it could have been so different if he hadn’t kept the faith amid the pressure of supporting his family, including partner Laura and their three-year-old son Jaxen.
He told the Observer: “I was working in construction and was just thinking a lot of the time that it just wasn’t for me.
“I took a chance and went to college for barbering because I found it interesting, but I wasn’t really sure of how to go about it other than hoping the course would get me a foot in the door somewhere.
“My partner knew Amy – who owns the shop – as a friend of a friend and they bumped into each other at the pub one day after not seeing each other for years, so she passed my number over.
“We had a coffee and it was really good; I was working at another shop at the time but it wasn’t really working out.
“But it was difficult and actually there was a point where I had accepted it wasn’t going to work for me because I wasn’t earning any money and I had to work because I had a family.
“It was a bit of a slow burner for that first six months or so because Amy has a high standard in the shop, but I’ve worked hard and it’s been brilliant ever since.”
Aaron was helped out in his effort by friend Grant from Simpson & Co in Stirling, who supported with the colours for his submission ahead of the competition.
On the Black Lotus Facebook page, owner Amy Fyfe was quick to congratulate Aaron and Erin for their success, writing: “I can’t even put into words how proud I am of these two! They are the hardest working most passionate young barbers in the industry!
“I’m no greeting, you are!”