Meet Brittany Ethridge of Barber Babez Barbershop

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Ethridge.

Hi Brittany, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been a hands-on learner and a natural born problem solver. My journey into the world of beauty and grooming began in the most unexpected way, braiding my best friend’s hair in fifth grade for her family reunion. The style didn’t survive the pool, but that moment lit a spark in me. I didn’t just want to do hair, I wanted to master it. By eighth grade, I was running a mini salon out of my parents’ living room, serving women and children in my community with a growing passion and a pair of steady hands.
I was accepted into the Math & Science Magnet Academy at Benjamin E. Mays High School, where I excelled academically. But life threw me a few curveballs, an unexpected pregnancy, a school transfer, and a shift in direction. Still, I never lost sight of my drive. I enrolled at Georgia Perimeter College for respiratory therapy, but it was during a ten page paper on euthanasia that I had a revelation: I wasn’t built for textbooks, I was built for transformation. I needed a trade, a purpose, and a way to provide for my child while doing what I loved.
That’s when I enrolled at Empire Beauty School, and everything changed. I competed in multiple categories, winning 1st place in Long Hair Design and 1st place in Makeup Artistry. I was selected to represent my school at a national competition in Hershey, Pennsylvania, where our team brought home the Total Team Award for the 2010–2011 school year, earning bragging rights for the Empire Beauty School of Kennesaw. That moment wasn’t just a win, it was a declaration that I belonged in this industry.
Since then, I’ve helped build the clientele and elevate the service experience at some of Atlanta’s most recognized grooming brands, Boardroom Salon for Men, Great Clips, Sport Clips, Roosters Men’s Grooming Center, and HairClub for Men. I didn’t just cut hair, I helped shape culture, grow businesses, and set new standards for service.
But I wasn’t done. Since my last VoyageATL interview, I made a personal vow to take my craft to the next level. I returned to beauty school to earn my Master Barber License and completed my Associate of Science in Business Administration. I educate myself to elevate myself, because I believe that leadership starts with learning. As a former manager of several competitive salons, I knew that sharpening my skills and deepening my business knowledge would be the foundation for something greater.
That “something” is Barber Babez Barbershop, a bold, unapologetic space where precision meets passion. We’re now in our fourth year of operation, and every cut, every client, every conversation is a reflection of the journey that brought me here. This isn’t just a barbershop, it’s a movement. A place where grooming is elevated, where women thrive in a male dominated space, and where legacy is being built one fade at a time.
The sacrifices weren’t setbacks, they were setups. And I’m just getting started.

Let me know when you’re ready to keep going. This is shaping up to be something powerful.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all, and I wouldn’t change a thing. The road to building Barber Babez Barbershop has been paved with sacrifice, setbacks, and soul-searching. From navigating motherhood at a young age to rebuilding my academic path after transferring schools, I’ve had to fight for every inch of progress. There were moments when I questioned if I was doing the right thing, especially when juggling work, school, and raising a family. But I’ve always believed that pressure creates diamonds.
Professionally, I’ve worked in high-volume salons and barbershops where I was often the only woman in the room. I had to prove myself, not just with my clippers, but with my leadership. I managed teams, trained new hires, and helped grow the clientele of major brands, all while quietly building the vision for my own space.
Financially, launching Barber Babez wasn’t easy. I didn’t come from wealth or have investors backing me. I had to be resourceful, stretching every dollar, learning how to market myself, and reinvesting everything back into the business. I’ve worked through burnout, long hours, and the emotional toll of being a one-woman powerhouse. But every challenge taught me something, how to lead, how to pivot, and how to keep going when the odds say stop.
Now, four years in, I look back and see that none of it was wasted. The struggle shaped the standard. Barber Babez isn’t just a barbershop, it’s a symbol of resilience, reinvention, and rising above.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Barber Babez Barbershop is more than a grooming destination, it’s a movement rooted in precision, professionalism, and purpose. We specialize in men’s grooming with a feminine touch, offering premium haircuts, fades, and male facials tailored to all hair types and textures. Our services are designed to elevate not just your look, but your confidence and self-care routine.
What sets us apart is our commitment to education, experience, and excellence. As a dual-licensed Master Cosmetologist and Master Barber with over a decade of industry experience, I’ve worked with some of Atlanta’s most recognized brands: Boardroom Salon for Men, Great Clips, Sport Clips, Roosters Men’s Grooming Center, and HairClub for Men. That foundation shaped the high standards we uphold at Barber Babez.
We’re known for creating a private, one-on-one experience that prioritizes hygiene, comfort, and personalized care. Our male facials are just as popular as our fades, and while we welcome women with short cuts, our core focus remains men’s grooming. We also educate our clients on at-home hair and skin care, building long-term relationships that go beyond the chair.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the trust we’ve built in the community. We’ve grown organically, through word of mouth and results that speak for themselves. We’re now in our fourth year of operation, and every service we offer is a reflection of the passion and professionalism that built this brand from the ground up.
Barber Babez isn’t just about looking good, it’s about feeling seen, valued, and cared for. That’s the legacy we’re creating, one client at a time.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Luck has definitely made a few cameos in my journey, but it’s never been the star of the show. If anything, I’ve learned how to turn setbacks into setups and create opportunities where none existed.
There were moments that felt like bad luck, like having to switch schools my senior year or stepping away from a traditional college path while raising a child. But those experiences pushed me to pivot, dig deeper, and bet on myself. What some might call bad luck, I now see as redirection.
On the flip side, I’ve had moments of alignment that felt like divine timing. Meeting the right mentor, landing key roles at major grooming brands, or finding the perfect studio space for Barber Babez; those didn’t just happen. They were the result of staying prepared and doing the work, even when no one was watching.
I don’t rely on luck. I rely on faith, consistency, and hustle. Luck might open a door, but it’s the grind that keeps it from closing.

Pricing:

• Shaved Top Brass –Hot lather Head shave, beard trim, scalp massage, steam towels, and pressure point facial massage Price: $145
• Top Brass – Haircut, beard trim, shampoo, steam towel, facial and pressure point facial massage Price: $120
• Executive Grooming Package – Haircut, beard trim, shampoo, scalp massage, and steam towel Price: $60
• Signature HEAD Shave Experience – Head shave, steam towels, facial massage, and aromatherapy Price: $60
• Beard Therapy Session – Beard trim, steam towel, hot blowout, and razor line-up Price: $25

Contact Info:

• Website: https://barberbabez.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barber.babez/
• Facebook: Barber Babez Barbershop
• Youtube: @BarberBabez
• Yelp: Barber Babez Barbershop
• Other: @Barber.Babez Tik Tok

Image Credits
Barber Babez Barbershop