Francis – master barber, educator and entrepreneur - has worked hard over the years to establish himself as a leading figure in the barbering industry. With over two decades of experience, he has evolved from a kid cutting hair in his dad’s garage to a respected educator and mentor in the industry and community. His career reflects not only dedication and passion to his craft, but a commitment to helping others within the industry grow and advance themselves.
Francis took the first humble step in his career by cutting hair in his father's garage in 2003. From there he took his passion for barbering to the next level and up-graded his skills through formal barbering education and hairstyling school in Toronto. This hard work paved the way for the launch of the first CADMEN Barbershop in Mississauga in 2009, which quickly became a local favorite, garnering over 900+ positive reviews from satisfied clients, solidifying its place in the community.
Not too far into his barbering career Francis began to recognize the need for specific training related to men's hairstyling and cutting because he had noticed that it was often overlooked in many beauty academies. He saw an opportunity to fill this gap and so in 2016, he founded the first CADMEN Barber Academy, which focuses on providing hands-on instruction and training specially for men's barbering techniques.
The academy has trained over 1,500 students across the continent, through virtual and in-person classes. Francis took the next step by launching an online version of his academy providing a wider range of aspiring barbers the ability to learn from him regardless of their location, expanding his community impact even farther.
The contributions made by Francis go far beyond teaching technical skills to his hundreds of students; he is passionate about mentoring barbers and providing them with the business skills and knowledge they need to run successful operations. This enables his students to begin their path to entrepreneurship in a field they are already passionate about and skilled in.
Dedication has earned Francis multiple awards and accolades including the business of notable clientele, such as athletes from the major sports leagues including the NBA, NFL, and NHL. CADMEN Barbershop – Francis’ shop - has been recognized as one of Mississauga’s top barber shops, winning awards that include Best Contemporary Barbershop in the GTA for 2021 by Lux Review Magazine and Top Choice Barbershop in Toronto for 2022.
Looking towards the future, Francis aspires to expand his business and connect even more communities across America. Not only through these virtual tools and educational resources, but in person, providing hands-on experience, and positive community impact.