Qoupe

The challenge

Barber Problem: Owning a Barbershop has many barriers to entry, barbers often need to invest a large amount of capital and take on high risks as an entrepreneur. They often lack a combination of skills (technical, accounting and operational) needed to successfully navigate their business during the early stages. In order to be successful, barbers often need to rent premium locations with high pedestrian traffic, this investment is extremely risky in a post-Covid business environment. In addition, barbers also lack effective data-driven customer insights that would allow them to improve their current service and establish their individual brands. Currently, barbers need to juggle multiple social media communication channels and administration tools while providing their hair services. These additional responsibilities reduce the time barbers have left to dedicate towards perfecting their craft and building a brand. The traditional barbershops are constrained by their stationary locations and standard opening hours, this leads to an inflexible working schedule for barbers who operate in these barbershops. Customer Problem: Customers working irregular hours and unconventional occupations are currently underserved by traditional barbershops due to the inconvenience of opening hours and travel time. New customers that want the convenience of an at-home haircut, currently need to find a barber (via referral) willing to provide such a service at home, arrange the space to accommodate the provision of the service and negotiate a custom price with the barber. Many customers are unable to accommodate such at-home services due to privacy reasons and/or an appropriate environment.

The solution

Qoupe is a barbershop as a platform company that offers barbers a way to become independent without the traditional upfront investment. Qoupe gives barbers an end-to-end, fully vertically integrated platform to reduce the risk and complexities of opening up a barbershop. The mission is to empower thousands of barbers to earn independently and build their businesses by providing an exclusive/dedicated environment where they can provide the best possible service. Qoupe enables Barbers to deliver a service to meet the need for convenience and quality to match the customers' fast-paced lives whether they are at work, school, or the comfort of their own home.