What does it take to build a business that lasts a decade, employs hundreds, and becomes part of the fabric of communities across South Africa?
For Sheldon Tatchell, founder and CEO of Legends Barber, the answer has always been simple: purpose, people, and staying rooted in the work.
From a single chair in Eldorado Park to over 70 stores, an 800+ strong team, and more than 10 years of community impact, Sheldon’s journey is one of South Africa’s most powerful entrepreneurship stories — and a reminder that big things often begin in small places.
In this episode of the Mashstartup Podcast, we unpack the real work behind building Legends Barber into one of Africa’s most recognised grooming brands.
Starting With One Chair and a Calling
Most empires begin quietly. For Sheldon, it started with cutting hair as a teenager — long before he had the language for entrepreneurship.
He wasn’t chasing a title or a trend. He simply followed what came naturally:
Serve people. Honour the craft. Keep showing up.
That grounding is what carried him through the early setbacks — including his first shop closing while he was away on honeymoon. Instead of quitting, he bought a scooter and began doing house calls, often travelling long distances just to keep his clients happy.
Those years built the muscle he would later rely on when the brand began to scale.
Building a Business Anchored in Purpose
A defining part of Sheldon’s story is how his faith shapes his approach to leadership. He often references Colossians 3:23 — “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart.”
Purpose isn’t a slogan in this story — it’s the operating system.
It shows up in how Legends Barber trains barbers, how they treat customers, and how they show up in communities. And you see it clearly in the way the business has expanded without losing its heart.
Scaling Without Losing the Personal Touch
Growing from one chair to dozens of stores across South Africa, Botswana, and Lesotho requires systems, discipline, and a deep respect for the customer experience.
Sheldon breaks down how Legends Barber managed to scale while still feeling local, personal, and grounded — something many businesses lose once growth kicks in.
The secret?
People-first systems, not shortcuts.
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Consistent training
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Clear cultural values
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A community-driven approach
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Leadership that stays close to the ground
As Sheldon puts it, “People come for the cut, but they return because of how you make them feel.”
10+ Years of Impact Through Skills and Opportunity
One of the most inspiring parts of Legends Barber’s journey is the Legends Training & Development Centre — an initiative that trains and equips young barbers with skills, business knowledge, and the chance to earn a living.
The centre now creates over 200 jobs a year, giving young people a pathway into a growing industry. It’s entrepreneurship turned into opportunity — the kind that leaves lasting footprints in communities.
This is what purpose in business looks like in real life.
Lessons for Every South African Entrepreneur
Sheldon’s journey offers a blueprint that any founder can learn from:
1. Start where you are — even if it’s just one chair.
The conditions don’t have to be perfect for the dream to begin.
2. Purpose will carry you further than profit.
When the work is aligned with who you are, resilience becomes a natural part of the journey.
3. Growth that lasts is built on people.
Your team, your customers, your community — that’s where longevity lives.
4. Turn every setback into a building block.
The scooter years, the shutdowns, the setbacks — they laid the foundation for a continental brand.
Listen to the Full Conversation
This episode is a powerful reminder that real entrepreneurship is human work — and that purpose is still one of the strongest competitive advantages you can build with.