This archive report was first published on 23 June 2021.
June 23, 2021, marked a turning point for the beauty industry in Kenya, as Covid-19 pandemic restrictions led to a decline in walk-in clients. However, for some entrepreneurs, this presented an opportunity.
Barkat Ali Manji, a Kenyan barber, took the initiative to convert his van into a mobile barber shop, moving to where the clients were instead of waiting for them to come to him.
His inspiration came from watching YouTube videos about mobile barbershops in the UK. Barkat overcame challenges in installing equipment and plumbing in a moving car, and soon business was booming.
“It was quite difficult at first because I did not know how to install water and electricity in a moving van. It has been a learning lesson for me,” he told KTN News.
Charging Sh3000 a pop, his clientele is understandably people with deep pockets and weird schedules. It is not unusual for him to give a hair cut at 5am in the morning. Barkat says he can do 10 or so clients a day.
Among his loyal clients is former Kiambu governor William Kabogo. The business has been challenging, with Nairobi traffic particularly being a nuisance. He says he often sleeps for less than 4 hours, owing to the odd hours some of his clients call to request a hair trim.
Watch his interview with KTN’s Your Money to learn more about Barkat's mobile barber shop.
