Josh Anderson/Cartel Collective

“Giving people the best experience when they come in to get their hair cut, and making them feel comfortable enough to share anything they need to get off their chest, is all part of my job.”This week, we are unveiling Josh Anderson, owner and head barber at Cartel Collective.Cartel Collective is a barber shop in Cairns with a contemporary feel, comfortable layout and a team of talented barbers. But just like the role of the barber, the shop is multifaceted and exists to serve its customers beyond a simple hair cut.Josh grew up a rural boy in the isolated desert town of Mount Isa, and felt like his post-schooling options were confined and lacking in motivation. He took a leap at his professional dreams, and the return on his self-investment has been remarkable.At the age of 25, he now owns his own business, and has provided a meaningful service to numerous customers over the past seven years. The journey of the young entrepreneur forms a good part of our conversation, as does the modern role of the barber—how they have become a patient and vital ear for the concerns of those in their chair. Josh tells of the support he and his team readily give to their customers, whilst also ensuring that they take care of their own mental health.Josh also opens up about his psychological struggles, and what it took to bring him back from the brink.Finally, as Josh has his finger on the pulse of the Cairns community, we also talk about the rising reports of youth crime, and discuss how this issue could be better framed, and what the potential solutions could be.Enjoy!