Business Student To Home Barber: My DIY Barbershop Journey | On The Red Dot

Key Concepts

• Career Transition: Moving from a traditional corporate career to a skilled trade like barbering.
• Entrepreneurship: Building a business from scratch, starting with limited resources.
• Skill Development: Acquiring and honing practical skills through experience and mentorship.
• Customer Trust and Loyalty: The importance of early customers in building confidence and a client base.
• Financial Planning and Savings: Managing finances for personal goals like marriage, travel, and home ownership.
• Societal Expectations vs. Personal Fulfillment: Navigating external pressures regarding career choices and prioritizing personal passion.
• Overhead Management: Strategies for minimizing business expenses, especially for a solo operation.
• Income Fluctuation: Understanding the variability of income in a service-based industry.
• Family Support: The crucial role of family in providing emotional and moral encouragement during career changes.

Journey to Barbering

The speaker, Nick, recounts his initial career aspirations, which were shaped by societal expectations of success, leaning towards professions like doctor, lawyer, or architect. He did not grow up wanting to be a barber. His early career path involved applying for numerous jobs, but he faced consistent rejection.

Early Exposure and Inspiration

Nick's initial exposure to barbering was through personal experience, getting $10-$15 haircuts at places similar to where he now works. A pivotal moment occurred in 2015 when a friend invited him to a proper barber shop, which made him feel "swave and confident." This positive experience sparked his interest.

The Spark of a New Career

In 2018, during his first year of university, a friendly barber shared his experiences, leading Nick to inquire about learning the trade. The barber was open to teaching him, marking the beginning of Nick's barbering journey. He saw it as a practical skill, useful for cutting his brothers' and father's hair.

Building the Barbering Business

Nick began cutting hair in his bedroom while still a university student. He also cut hair on campus, often for his schoolmates.

University Days and Early Customers

As an SMU business student, graduating in 2021, Nick utilized the university environment to build his barbering business. His schoolmates were his initial customers. He performed three to five haircuts per day, three days a week, posting his availability on Instagram stories. Word-of-mouth referrals from friends helped him grow his client base. This allowed him to cut hair at a more frequent pace than he could from home.

Initial Hesitation and Corporate Experience

Despite building a following of 100-120 customers per month, Nick initially did not consider barbering full-time after graduation, influenced by his peers pursuing traditional corporate jobs. He planned to work a well-paying job and pursue barbering as a side hustle.

His first corporate role was as a safety specialist at Airbnb, dealing with serious escalations like robberies and assaults, which he found mentally taxing. He then transitioned to a sales and business development role in another tech company, which was less demanding on his mental health and provided a stable income, crucial for saving for his upcoming marriage.

Marriage and a Pivotal Decision

Nick married on April 29, 2023. As his wedding approached, he seriously considered pursuing dedicated barbering schools overseas. His wife, supportive of his passion and skills, encouraged him, stating, "I think I've always wanted him to feel confident and like good at what he does cuz he is good at what he does."

His corporate job presented an ultimatum: choose between his current role or his barbering endeavors. He chose to resign to pursue barbering full-time, wanting to be fully present for this "once in a lifetime opportunity."

A Global Barbering Expedition

Nick and his wife embarked on a 9.5-month journey, traveling every weekend for the first two months. This trip was funded by savings, with the initial projection that the saved amount would cover the down payment for their BTO (Build-To-Order) flat. They consciously decided to spend a certain amount during their travels.

The Return and Job Search Struggle

Upon returning, the plan was to re-enter the corporate world to quickly rebuild savings and CPF (Central Provident Fund). Nick set a daily target of applying for about five jobs, leading to 20-30 applications. However, he faced continuous rejections, which he interpreted as a sign to pursue barbering.

His mother expressed initial insecurity about the stability of barbering, questioning the income stream. However, she ultimately offered full support, telling him, "Nate, you just go and do whatever you love and you have my support throughout the thing." She felt she had "always seen this coming" but didn't want to rush his timeline.

The unwavering support from his wife, mother, and family was instrumental in giving Nick the courage to commit to barbering.

Present Day Barbering Operations

Nick has moved his barbering operations from his bedroom to a newly renovated balcony space in his parents' HDB (Housing & Development Board) flat. He has invested in a new barber light, a new couch, and a sign to create a more professional barber shop atmosphere.

Overcoming Societal Perceptions and Parental Concerns

Nick acknowledges the common societal perception: "Wow, go university, spend so much money, you know, university is not cheap, huh, be a barber." His mother, having paid for his university education, expected a better return on investment, such as a higher-paying corporate job. She notes the sacrifices Nick makes in terms of how people perceive him, as his peers are often further along in their corporate careers. Nick emphasizes the importance of "canceling out all those noises and just accepting what we chose and how we navigate it from here."

Business Operations and Financials

Operating from his parents' flat allows Nick to keep overheads minimal. His primary operating costs are for barbering supplies, which he purchases from places like Hook High Building. He demonstrates a practical approach by seeking advice on the softest brushes for face and neck areas.

Financially, Nick earns a similar amount to his previous corporate job, around $5,000 Singapore dollars per month. However, he notes the income variability in the service industry. On a low month, he might earn as little as $3,000 Singapore dollars, while during peak periods like Chinese New Year, demand increases, and he can earn around $6,000 Singapore dollars.

Future Outlook and Perseverance

Nick and his wife have secured a BTO flat and are saving for the down payment. He hopes to start a family and acknowledges the increasing financial pressures as his parents age. This makes him contemplate the long-term viability of his chosen career.

He admits to having searched LinkedIn for opportunities to return to a "white collar job." However, he ultimately believes in the value of "persevering" through short-term difficulties, with the conviction that it will "pay off in the long term."