Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Maurice Ziza, owner of Walkers Barber Shop Inc., located in Burlington, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is a barbershop. A professional hairstyling service for men in the city of Burlington. My customers come from around the GTA area to get a haircut and a shave. We seek to create a space where everyone is welcomed and leaves our shop having received great hairstyling and great customer service in a warm and fun environment.
Tell us about yourself
I'm an Iraqi immigrant who started working in a barbershop back home when I was a teenager and continued to do it when my family escaped the war and immigrated to Canada. I've been working as a barber for years, and I've worked in different cities in Alberta and Ontario. I started owning a shop around a decade ago, and it took multiple opening shops over the years to succeed in owning and running my own business. What motivates me each day is doing a work I love, and I'm very good at after all the skills and experience I gained over the years. Above all, to be able to take good care of and support my family.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is witnessing how the support, skills, and knowledge I give to my staff become business owners themselves.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The journey to becoming a successful business owner is filled with many ups and downs. After I started my first shop, I struggled to maintain it, and it was in the wrong location for a barbershop, so I closed shop after a year. I moved to Fort MacMurray, Alberta, to work and saved enough money to come back a start again. It takes time, effort, and some good luck to find a business that can grow. It requires the skills and support of family and friends to maintain and run it. Another hard thing that comes with being a business owner is making sure my staff is in good mental and physical health to provide the great customer service I promise every customer that enters my shop.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Stay humble by learning from people who are business owners and gathering as many experiences and knowledge as you can.
- Learn from other business owners in your own field who are doing great and learn about their background, which can teach you a lot.
- Work on your communication and management skills. It's important to know how to deal with people to run a business.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://walkersbarbershop.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walkersbarbershopburlon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkersbarbershop/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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