INTRODUCTION INTO THE FOUNDER STORY BEHIND PALL MALL BARBERS – FROM A DREAM IN LONDON TO ROCKEFELLER CENTER
To invite you to this Journey
It started with a movie. It became a mission. Now it’s your moment.
As a young boy growing up in a small town in England, I watched Trading Places and was mesmerized by the energy and skyline of New York City — the confidence, the style, the presence of successful men who owned every room they walked into.
That film planted a seed, and I knew I needed to go to New York City.
Years later, I bought an old barber shop just off Pall Mall in London. I worked as a barber — cutting hair, styling beards — while trying to learn how to run my new business between clients. I worked seven days a week, night and day, for years. Then the day finally came for my first holiday, and I chose New York City.
It was love at first sight. My dream was set. I knew I wanted to take my business to New York. I didn’t know how or when, but the dream and vision were clear as day in my mind.
Years later, I stood in Times Square on my way to Rockefeller Center, opening the doors to Pall Mall Barbers NYC — a British-born barbershop built on the belief that men’s grooming is not just about appearance… It’s about identity, discipline, and confidence.
But the truth?
I couldn’t read or write properly until I was well past 40. And for the first 10 years of running Pall Mall Barbers, I battled that daily.
It’s still not easy. But I show up. I stay sharp. I keep growing.
Because for me, grooming isn’t about vanity — it’s about identity, confidence, and control. It’s about how you show up in the world.
Every haircut, every beard shape-up, every hot towel shave is a chance to reset and show up stronger.
I book my haircut every month and plan my calendar around it, because how you look impacts how you feel, how you lead, and how the world responds to you.
I want that same feeling for you.
If you’ve visited us before, thank you. You’re part of this story. I built Pall Mall Barbers for people like you, and this is only the beginning.
– Richard Marshall, Founder of Pall Mall Barbers
“The very first business that I visited on my appointment was the excellent Pall Mall Barbers, founded by the remarkable Richard Marshall; he could not read or write when he started in the industry, and he now runs some eight store in Central London and New York” – Business Minister Gareth Thomas MP at Parliament – Westminster Hall (April 23, 2025)
Why Regular Visits Matter:
•Monthly haircuts and beard trims keep you looking sharp and your style fresh all month long.
•Hot towel shaves are a real man’s treat in the barbershop, and our quality products bring that same experience home for daily use.
Build it into your lifestyle—monthly visits and grooming plans keep you sharp, investing in your self-esteem and first impression. Our products give you that daily treat and help maintain your look all month long.
What to Use Between Visits:
Looking great between appointments comes down to the right daily grooming routine. That’s why we created our award-winning product range — used by thousands of sharp men across London’s most iconic locations and New York.
Ask your NYC barber for a custom routine at your next appointment. Complete your look with Pall Mall Barbers’ Award-Winning Grooming Products—crafted for control, confidence, and effortless style.
“I mean, everyone should just spend five minutes with Richard after this if they want to feel optimistic. Richard runs a barbershop that’s expanding, not just in the UK but over to the US. What an incredible success story,” – UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at SMEs Business Connect – Coventry (March 18, 2024)
