For most people, getting a haircut is a routine job: book in, get trimmed up, head out.
But for Jignesh Madhavji, known to his clients as Jiggi, it’s something way more important.
After more than 20 years in the barbering business, Jiggi has taken everything he’s learned about his trade and about people, and put it into something completely unique: a mobile wellbeing barber pod that’s helping men across Greater Manchester open up in ways they never expected.
“I’ve always known that the barber’s chair is a special place,” he said. “There’s a certain trust that gets built in that half-hour slot.
“And over the years, I noticed more and more of my clients were coming not just for the haircut, but for the conversation. And sometimes, that conversation turns into something much more meaningful.”
That insight became the foundation for the JIGGI Mobile Barbershop, a fully kitted-out, one-on-one barbering pod on wheels that isn’t all about the fades and fresh trims.
It offers men a safe, calm, and confidential space to open up about how they’re feeling.
“It’s a wellbeing space, really,” Jiggi explained. “Yes, I’m cutting hair. But I’ve created an environment where people feel comfortable talking about mental health, physical health, stress, whatever they’ve got going on.
“They know I’m not going to judge them. They know it stays between us.”
JIGGI mobile barbers
The idea started brewing while Jiggi was still running his own successful salon. For a decade, he ran a busy high-street shop, but eventually realised something didn’t quite fit.
“After 10 years, I realised I needed more freedom,” he said. “Being mobile suited my personality better. I wanted to take the experience out to people and create something that felt more personal, more one-on-one.”
So he closed the shop, went freelance, and began the process of converting a van into a stylish, self-contained barbershop that still feels like a traditional space, complete with a TV, mirrors, lighting, and enough windows to make it feel open, not claustrophobic.
“Once you’re in, it feels like a proper barbershop,” he said. “But you’ve got that privacy and peace that some people really need to open up.”
That sense of privacy has made the service popular with men who find busy shops overwhelming, who may be dealing with social anxiety, or who simply want a quiet space to decompress.
Improving your mental health
The shift from salon small-talk to deeper conversation hasn’t been accidental. Jiggi’s deliberately created a space where men can talk without worrying about being overheard or judged.
“A lot of my clients say the same thing: ‘I wouldn’t talk about this anywhere else.’ There’s something about being in the chair, away from noise, knowing it’s just the two of us, it’s like the pressure comes off,” he said.
“Some of my clients don’t want advice. They don’t want fixing. They just want to be listened to. That alone helps them feel better.”
And while he’s quick to say he’s not a therapist, Jiggi does see himself as part of the solution to the crisis in men’s mental health, by offering space and empathy.
“We’re hearing so much more in the media about men’s mental health, and I think conversations like the ones we’re having in the pod are part of that shift. Just showing it’s okay to talk.”
It’s a service born out of Jiggi’s own experiences, too. Having worked for himself for most of his life, he knows firsthand the pressure that can come with running a business, providing for a family, and managing everyday stress.
“When you’re self-employed, there’s no off switch,” he said. “The pressure can build. I’ve been there. I think that’s why I relate to a lot of my clients. We’ve shared challenges. It means the conversations we have are real.”
A trip to the Houses of Parliament
He’s also been recognised nationally for his work. Last year, Jiggi was named one of the UK’s Top 100 Inspirational Small Businesses and invited to a special ceremony at the Houses of Parliament.
“That was a real moment,” he said. “To be standing in Westminster, celebrating something I’d built with my own hands, in less than two years, that was special.”
But while he’s proud of the recognition, it’s not the driving force behind the business. “What means most to me is that I’ve created something that’s actually helping people. That’s the legacy I want to leave.”
Jiggi’s services are now available across Greater Manchester, with a client base that ranges from everyday locals to high-profile individuals and athletes. His bookings include regular stops at hotels, private events, corporate wellbeing days, and bespoke appointments for clients who value both discretion and quality.
“I’ve definitely attracted new clients by being mobile, but it’s also strengthened the relationships I already had,” he explained. “Some of my clients from the shop followed me straight into the pod, and they haven’t looked back.”
He adds: “Some people like the idea of sitting in a shop, chatting with everyone. But for others, especially those with anxiety or who just need some space, it’s a big thing to have somewhere quiet and welcoming. That’s what I’ve built.”
More than just a trim
Ask Jiggi what makes the experience unique, and he’s quick to answer: “It’s the space to talk.”
“I’ve had clients say it’s the only place they feel like they can really be themselves,” he said. “They might not have anyone else to talk to in their life, or they just don’t want to worry anyone. So they open up here, and then they go back out into the world with that weight off their chest.”
Looking ahead, Jiggi’s keeping things grounded. He plans to add wet shaves to his service list soon and continue focusing on quality, care, and client wellbeing.
“I don’t want to get too big or lose that personal connection,” he said. “This works because it’s simple and focused. Just one client, one barber, one safe space.”
And in an era where more and more people are recognising the importance of mental wellbeing, Jiggi’s timing couldn’t be better.
“At the end of the day, if someone steps out of my pod feeling better, inside and out, then I’ve done my job,” he said. “It’s more than a haircut. It’s a conversation, a connection, a chance to reset. And sometimes, that’s everything.”
