When everything rides on your shoulders as a sole proprietor, it's handy to have help when you need it most.
Dan Stewart, owner and operator of Man Made Barber & Supply is reaping the benefits of having a good reputation.
He's been unable to cut hair since his motorcycle accident left him with a broken wrist back in April.
Immediately after the accident, Stewart put out a call for guest barbers on social media.
The response was more than he imagined.
For the past six weeks, Stewart has had five different barbers cut hair and help keep his shop doors open.
"The whole silver lining in this is I got to meet a lot of really, really cool people from the accident that I would have never really met before - maybe ran into them through social media but probably never actually met them," said Stewart.
Stewart's cast came off last week. He's starting physio and says he'll try his first cut next week. In the meantime, he still has guest barbers running the shop.
"I'm not really making a lot but everything's staying going, which is what I needed, right?"
Of the five different barbers, some helped out for one day, some came between one and two days a week and one came for the full six weeks.
Charlotte Pratley lives in Calgary but has family she frequently visits in Kelowna. She'd never met Stewart before, but after reading his story online, she decided to help him out while visiting family.
"I think a lot of people have stepped up to help him out," said Pratley. "I think Dan's a really good person...there was quite a few people that just kind of saw his character and the person he is and wanted to step in. It's been really awesome," she said.
Pratley decided to pitch in because she remembered what it was like to start a business.
"I know how many hours you have to put in and how much work it is and it often feels like you're fighting an uphill battle," said Pratley.
"I'm at a place now in my career that I can do a lot for myself. I have a lot of free time if I want to and don't have to work seven days a week any more...It just seemed like a perfect opportunity to help somebody else who's starting out," she said.
Pratley worked as a traditional barber for eight to nine years, but now she travels as a self-employed colourist. She works in six different cities throughout the year and then takes six weeks off. Now she's considering becoming a frequent guest barber at Man Made whenever her schedule permits.
"I didn't know her before. Didn't know her at all," said Stewart. "So it's really cool to make that connection in different cities and in different areas right?"
Stewart said that out of the five barbers, there were three that he'd never met - not even on social media - and they contacted him asking if they could help. Because of this experience, he and his wife have made some great new friends.
"They were all willing to help a complete stranger which to me, was pretty amazing I guess," said Stewart.
As far as whether this is a normal thing to encounter in the barber or salon community - pitching in and helping out - Pratley gave a strong, resounding 'no.'
"No. Strong no," laughed Pratley. "Any community that deals in customer service is a competitive industry," she said. "It's not common for the salon industry in general to have each other's back, especially in a small town. Most businesses are fighting for business...but I think it just speaks to Dan's character and just kind of the impression he makes on all of his clients."
Stewart's back-to-work date depends on his wrist, but he's going to perform a trial cut next week and see how his wrist holds up. Don't worry, his return to scissors won't involve a client's mane.
"My kids," said Stewart. "I have two older boys. They'll be the guinea pigs, then I'll just shave it if I have to," he said.
While it's been driving him nuts that he can't work, Stewart was able to take away something good from the whole ordeal.
"You know if you are true to yourself and you're a good person and what not, then people see that and they want to help," he said.
"I know I can never repay these people but one day I can pay it forward - hopefully when the shop is busy enough and I can take time off if someone else is in need. I can go help them."
Stewart was born and raised in Salmon Arm. He recently moved to Kelowna with his wife and small kids last year to start Man Made Barber.
The shop officially opened on May 2, 2016.
If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.
If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.
