Meet the founder uniting Northampton’s barbering community – who he describes as ‘heroes without capes’
Meet the founder passionate about uniting Northampton’s barbering community, who he describes as “heroes without capes”.
Knox Acquaye began his barbering journey during the pandemic and went full-time with his business Knox Barbering in October 2025.
The 32-year-old initially learnt the skill as a child as his father was his first barber and he was not a fan of the cuts, so took it upon himself to make it right.
Knox cut the hair of his friends and family but never saw it as a career until he was made redundant from his job in car sales and saw cutting hair as his predominant skill.
Friends and family members took to his chair to help him build on his existing experience and Knox now has his own private studio at KG Business Centre on Kingsfield Way in Kings Heath.
“I see haircuts and barbering as more symbolic and metaphorical,” Knox told the Chronicle & Echo. “People come in looking one way and their body language gives off a lack of confidence and insecurity.
“Barbering has the potential to uplift people who come in hunched over and leave with their chest up, heads up and smiling.”
Knox believes the most important thing is time. If he has a client whose hair he cuts twice a month and each session is 45 minutes long, he hopes to empower, inspire and motivate them to achieve their goals during that time.
He said: “Customers have stayed with me because of the value I bring outside of the haircut. Because I work alone now, I like to encourage barbers and let them know they are seen. Barbers are heroes within capes and people don’t give them recognition, so I take it upon myself. I put them in front of the camera.”
Knox is passionate about building a social media presence that unites the town’s barbers, and he is currently using his platform to share the under 21-year-olds working hard to make a name for themselves.
“You have to actively post on social media to gain clients but people are scared and feel uncomfortable,” said Knox. “I support and throw them in at the deep end to get some of these young barbers seen.”
Having lived in Northampton for the past 22 years since he was 10, Knox’s next social media series will highlight the long-standing barbers who have remained during that time – sharing the key to longevity and helping others learn.
Looking to the future of his barbering journey and social media presence, Knox hopes to continue building a strong and credible personal brand.
He would also like to branch out into mentorship and coaching, both within and outside of barbering, and for Northampton to be known as an area with some of the best barbers in the UK.