Key Points
- Bullo says, in the Philippines, parents tend to look down on hairdressing as a job and would prefer professional degrees for their children.
- After gaining international hairdressing experience, Bullo further enhanced his haircutting skills and elevated his perspective about the profession.
- The capital he poured in for his salon, Haircrew Hive, amounted to $60,000.
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‘Pamper your clients and give them your personalised care’: Salon owner on how to win loyal customers
SBS Filipino
21/05/202409:46
While Eli Bullo, nowe knows he made the right investment when he opened his unisex salon in Canberra in 2023, he admits it wasn't easy.
Initial shame in admitting his passion
Bullo admits that in the Philippines, being a hairdresser is a job that people look down on, compared to other professions such as being an engineer or a doctor.
At first, I was in denial of my passion because I know that some people tend to belittle hairdressing as a profession.Eli Bullo, Salon Owner
“I knew my parents might compare me to my other siblings who are all professionals,” Bullo says.
After much introspection, Bullo eventually signed up for a cosmetology course in his hometown in Surigao. He utilised his haircutting and colouring skills when he applied for work in various salons.
He then found his way to Manila and built his own salon in Makati.
“It was a humbling experience to run a salon because it’s quite difficult to manage a business.
“I knew I had to learn a lot."
His international experience elevated his view of hairdressing
With about more than two decades of hairdressing and personal care experience, work brought Bullo to international shores.
He was employed in several countries such as Brunei, UAE, and Kingdom of Bahrain.
“My international experience in cutting hair has added so much to my skill set, particularly as a barber. I was introduced to various shaving methods for the hair which I apply to my male clients,” says Bullo.
At the time, his perspective about hairdressing shifted.
I observed that hairdressing is respectable job abroad. People are paid decently and it takes a lot of certification and training before they employ you.Eli Bullo, Salon Owner
Australia is now his home
In 2016, he migrated to Australia. He was employed in a salon for five years. And when he acquired his permanent residency, he set his sights on having his own business.
Pouring in about $60,000 to put up a four-chair salon named Haircrew Hive in Canberra, Bullo is inspired to elevate hairdressing in the country.
“I want to pamper my clients. I want them to relax. I add services such as shampoo in the package so they don’t have to pay extra,” Bullo says.
Salon insurance is a must, particularly the 'treatment risk extension’ to protect yourself from damages caused by accidents in handling hair chemicals.
He hopes that the Philippines would follow suit on professionalising the hairdressing industry, where hairdressers would be penalised whenever they damage the hair of their clients.
