Barber innovation w/ Aaron Chan

NEW BARBERING SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS REFUGEES A FRESH START

W/ AARON CHAN FROM KINGS DOMAIN

When Aaron Chan first opened Kings Domain Barber Shop almost nine years ago, it was a barbershop with a simple mission: to offer clients modern barbering and a cold craft beer. Located in the affluent inner-city suburb of South Yarra, the barbershop brought together convenience and discreet luxury, quickly gaining itself a cult following.

Kings Domain’s success has seen the opening of an additional six stores across Melbourne, home to a clan of award-winning barbers, but Aaron is far from resting on his laurels. In addition to running seven successful barber shops, he felt that he had something more to offer his community. So, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent lockdowns, amid a time of mass uncertainty for business owners, Aaron got creative. He began to develop the Kings Domain Academy - an academy for aspiring barbers, as well as the subsequent Kings Domain Refugee Scholarship Program. “Training the next generation of barbers has always been a big focus for us at Kings Domain. With the barbering industry and community really gaining momentum here in Australia, we want to make sure we are doing our bit to ensure the standard of training and education continually improves not just at Kings Domain but across the board.” Shortly after the launch of Kings Domain Academy, Aaron realised that he’d created the perfect platform to give back to those within the community. With this in mind, he considered where he should be focusing his attention. “Reading about current international news and events is what helped us work out what we needed to do,” he says, ultimately deciding his focus should be on offering help to refugees and asylum seekers, who have faced unfathomable hardships in their life. “Most of us here in Australia are so lucky to have the opportunities that we do, and to be able to help others that don’t should be a given.” With this notion in mind, he embarked on his new venture, the development of the Kings Domain Refugee Scholarship Program. The program would offer two applicants per year a full paid scholarship to the Kings Domain Program, equipping them with the skills to become a fully-qualified barber within six months, a life-changing initiative for many refugees and asylum seekers. “This intensive course teaches them everything they need to know from cutting, shaving, colouring, barber shop operations and how to work in a team. The refugee program offers a full scholarship to the selected individuals as well as a full tool kit from our sponsors at Excellent Edges and Turnleys, the total value of the scholarship is over $10,000 and gives the successful applicant the opportunity at a fresh start in life.” With so many balls up in the air, we probed Aaron on how he is managing to juggle it all, to which he quips back, “Good question! When I work it out, I will let you know.” He then pays due to his colleagues, that he refers to as family. “To be honest it’s all about the team both on the floor and in the office that makes this possible, no one person could ever make all of this happen.” While Aaron has paved his way within the barber community as a unique industry leader, his business stands to do so much more than provide male grooming services. Most inspirational, is his fervent devotion to bettering his community and giving back to those in need. When asked why it is so important to create awareness around these social and ethical causes, Aaron expressed the need for initiatives like this, in order to create a sense of unison and belonging. “For me this is so important because I feel like everyone should always feel welcome, it doesn’t matter if you are in a barber shop, in a new city or a different country. We need to accept one another for who we are no matter where we are from. Creating awareness around social and ethical issues worldwide is key for acceptance and our future.” It’s evident that the future of Kings Domain Refugee Scholarship Program is bright, with an upcoming launch date of July of this year. When asked what’s next for the program, Aaron was optimistic. “The sky’s the limit”, “as we grow, so will the opportunities we offer to the community.”

KINGS DOMAIN REFUGEE SCHOLARSHIP

1. Full paid scholarship 2. Skills to become a barber 3. Toolkit from Excellent Edges and Turnleys