Young barbers in Singapore are making waves in the industry, with 19-year-old Sujaish Kumar and 14-year-old Keanu Akbar emerging as notable figures. Both have transformed their passion for hairstyling into thriving ventures, appealing to a growing clientele who seek affordable cuts. Sujaish, frustrated by high prices for quality haircuts, initially struggled to find a barber that fit his budget of S$10 to S$12. This led him to watch online tutorials and invest S$50 in clippers, eventually offering his services for as low as S$5.
Through persistence and word-of-mouth, Sujaish developed his skills, gaining a following that encouraged him to charge S$8 for a haircut. His online presence flourished after a viral TikTok video showcased his work. Despite having to relocate his setup due to regulations from the Housing Development Board, he continues to inspire others in the trade.
Keanu's journey began at age 12 when his brother introduced him to barbering, providing him with tools to start. Motivated by the success of peers like Sujaish, Keanu aims to carve out his own niche in this traditional craft, showing that age is no barrier in the pursuit of passion.