MOLDIELOX SPOTLIGHT

WHERE: SHOP 1 52 GORDON STREET MACKAY QLD

WHO: AMY HOOPER

Tell us you and your barber story thus far….

I have lived in Mackay for most of my life, I love the area and appreciate what it has to offer. We are jam packed with a lot of talented people in our region and I have had the honour of working with a few of them over my hair journey so far.

I started in the Hair industry at the age of 22 working in some of the best and most education rich salons in Mackay.

I have worked in everything from hospitality, beauty therapy and electronics before and during those times and eventually took a short break while I had my daughter. I soon worked out the hardest and most important job of my life was being a mum.

When I re-entered the industry I was given the opportunity to work in a traditional barbershop that I had always had my eye on and from there I found everything I had ever dreamt of in a profession. I attended the first barber Expo in 2019, searching for education and connection in the industry. It was there I met several people that have inspired and Fuelled my passion for everything Barbering has to offer.

What do you love about Barbering and being a Barber Amy?

I love what a simple and well executed haircut can do for the person that wears it. Hair is an amazing tool of self-expression, and we are so lucky as professionals that we get to be the artists. We bring peoples visions of themselves and their message that they want to display to the outside world to life.

From the moment I stepped foot in a salon I knew I wanted to work in the industry. When I walked into my first role as a barber I knew I had found my passion and a culture that I felt connected to. Barbering has given me a creative outlet, as well as a means to support my family. It has given me the confidence to truly believe in myself and that self-healing allowed me to cultivate connection and conversation with people in our little shop.

Tell us all about MOLDIELOX…

Moldielox opened in July of 2020. I was working at a shop that unfortunately felt the squeeze of COVID and they had to make the hard decision of letting go some of the teams positions to survive the hardships.

While at home, I took part in an online barber course and had conversations with others who were in the same or worse positions. Through those connections and consultation with my family I made the decision to pursue the dream of opening my own shop.

My super supportive and patient husband helped me find the perfect shop and as a team we completed the whole fit out ourselves. The look of the shop has slowly changed over the past three years. With gifts and personal touches added by clients, team members, family, and friends. I have never felt prouder of what we have all achieved.

I have always been into different forms of self-expression from the norm, I love Heavy music, Alternative fashion, and alternative looks. I saw what we lacked in my hometown for people like myself who are searching for their “place” in a regional area.

I wanted to bring a safe space for anyone who needed it. All of these things are what fuelled what Moldielox eventually became. From the decor that comprises of a mix of industrial feels, the alternative scene, and tattoo/skate cultures, to the comfort of your favourite bar.

We wanted it to have the vibe of your best mates place where you can talk freely with connection and no judgment of being your true self. Not forgetting the music that ties it all together, a mix of punk, heavy metal, and alternative tunes.

Our team has a good mix of industry professionals and Emerging Barbers, all with personality, big hearts, and passion for the industry. This recipe has created the Moldie fam I enjoy today and the genuine human connections it harbours.

What makes your shop stand out?

Moldielox offers everything from traditional to old school styles, but our most popular is definitely the Mullet. We have some amazing Mullets getting around town and I love every single one!! Something that we offer that sets us apart, are our private bookings.

Clients can book the shop and our team out for their special occasions which include unlimited pool games, drinks, haircuts, shaves, and personal appearance services done before the event. We love being a part of our customers big life events and see it as an honour that they choose us.

What products do you love and use and sell to your clients?

Moldielox has a small selection of product lines we believe in and support whole heartedly. At the moment Jericho is our clients favourite brand for beards. We love what they stand for and the quality of ingredients they use. Slick gorilla and Reuzel is my favourite choice for my clients and are a heads best friend.

Slicks sea salt spray is one of the most sold and used products we have on offer, and we love how their styling finishers pair with it for great end results. Reuzel are one of my personal favourites, their range has something for everyone, and their quality is never in question. My dream would be to one day attend the Schorem old school barber academy in Holland to see the legends themselves.

Tool Talk: Tell us your preferred clippers, scissors, and tools you use and love. Believe me companies are always watching!

Our shop has a good mix of tools between us all. Myself, I love my Wahl cordless legends and my BaByliss foil shavers and trimmers. And scissors well I can’t go past my ICandy scissor collection! My raptors and my green straight blades are just awesome for creating texture and organised chaos in cuts. I just love texture!

Can you tell us about barber events you have been to or maybe community events you get behind?

Moldielox are big on mental health. We strive to be open and supportive by attending events in Mackay that stand for the same morals and belief systems we hold. We have cut hair for multiple large and personal fundraisers in our area and are always available for a good cause.

We do clothes drives and fundraise for the Mackay mental health unit at our local hospital. Unfortunately, a place which is a very underrated, underfunded and underappreciated in our communities.

We invest in training and online education with the amazing One Zero One team and the talented trainers at the Barber Academy. We work with these groups because of their balance of education in the hair industry and their love for investment in personal growth of individuals, that call it their profession.

AMY HOOPER

What are you Barber goals?

My goals for Moldielox are just to run the shop with passion and heart. I want to offer an accepting, inspiring and fun space for team members and clients alike. My goal in the industry is along the same lines but with a more personal message.

I want to share my experiences of balancing family and business and inspire other mothers and woman in the industry. I enjoy having open conversations with people that are undertaking the same adventures and trials while also proving to myself I can be my own version of successful.

I want to be a good role for my children and show that you can follow your passions with the support of the community around you. I would love to keep encouraging and facilitating education and I’m always looking for new ways to bring that to my team and myself.

@moldieloxthebarber

SHINAED, AMY AND IMOGEN

ARTHUR T. BIGGLESWORTH