Zulkifli busy cutting a customer’s hair.
IN Belaga, a sparsely populated district in central Sarawak, an enterprising Zulkifli Abdullah goes to people’s homes providing haircutting services.
And the 18-year-old is enjoying good business.
Known as a mobile barber, Zulkifli will quickly hop on his motorcycle whenever a customer calls him up.
“Usually it will take me 20 to 30 minutes to reach my customers’ homes. Rain or shine, as long as my service is needed, I will be there,” he said.
A Kayan, Zulkifli serves an average of nine customers a day. He charges students RM10 for a haircut and RM15 for adults.
Since starting the haircutting service in March last year, he has built up a steady stream of regular customers in Belaga.
Although there are two hair salons in the area, some people prefer his services because he can go to their homes. He does not charge his customers for his transport.
A student showing his new hairstyle done by Zulkifli.
“I work from 2pm to 6pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, as well as weekends when I am free. Other than that I will be busy with my studies,” said Zulkifli, who will be sitting for STPM this year.
He started out with zero knowledge of haircutting and was unable to afford classes. Instead, he learned the skill from YouTube.
“Internet connectivity in our area is sometimes a problem but that does not deter me from wanting to learn how to cut hair from YouTube,” he said.
Zulkifli said it took him just a month to pick up the skill.
“So far so good as I have not received any complaints from my customers and I now know several hairstyles.
“Some of my customers will show me photos of the style that they want, so I will go along with their request. Most of my customers are students and their parents,” he said.
Zulkifli, who is the fourth of seven children in the family, uses his earnings to fund his education and that of his three younger siblings.
“I am also thinking of opening a salon one day when I have the capital. Until then I will continue to operate as a mobile barber,” he declared.
