Bravery Kabula
In Okuryangava, where small businesses fight to stay afloat, Helao Andreas Kakaya has turned a childhood idea into a working livelihood, one haircut at a time.
Kakaya, who owns Kakaya Barber Shop and Salon, did not arrive in the trade by accident. He knew early on what he wanted.
“Since I was in school, this was my dream,” he said.
He spent years talking about becoming a barber before finally acting on it, starting with whatever little he had.
The beginning was rough. Money was tight and building a steady flow of customers took time. “The start is always hard,” he said. With no formal backing, he had to rely on patience and consistency, slowly growing his business from the ground up.
Today, he works as an independent barber, fully responsible for everything that happens in his shop. From dealing with customers to keeping the space running, the pressure is constant. Some days bring in good numbers, while others are quiet.
“Some days you get customers and some days you don’t,” he said.
For him, that uncertainty has become part of the job.
Working with different people has also come with its own challenges. Not every customer is easy to deal with, but Kakaya has learned to manage each situation as it comes.
“You have to accept people as they are because this is a business,” he said. Over time, he has developed the patience needed to handle different attitudes while still delivering his service.
For Kakaya, barbering is not just about cutting hair. It is both a way to earn a living and something he takes seriously on a personal level. Every client who sits in his chair presents a new learning moment. Different hair textures and styles have pushed him to improve with each cut.
“It is both a business and something that needs passion and patience,” he said.
He built his skills without formal training. Instead, he started at home, cutting his children’s hair and practicing whenever he could. While still in school, he also cut his classmates’ hair, slowly sharpening his technique.
“I trained myself by cutting my kids and people around me,” he said. That hands-on approach became the foundation of his work today.
Beyond his own progress, Kakaya has also helped others find their footing in the trade. He has trained several people, including a young woman who started out unsure of herself. “I kept encouraging her to continue until she improved,” he said. She has since gone on to open her own salon, something Kakaya speaks about with pride. He also continues to teach his sons and nephews, passing on the skill so they can stand on their own one day.
Keeping customers coming back is another part of the hustle. Kakaya focuses on good service, a clean space and consistent work. “I attract customers by showing my work and treating them well,” he said.
In a place where competition is high, small details often make the difference.
Still, money remains a daily concern. Some customers walk away after hearing his prices, while others try to negotiate. “Some people don’t accept your price and just leave,” he said.
Moments like these can be frustrating, but he has learned to push through them.
Rent adds another layer of pressure. Operating from a rented space makes it harder to grow, even though Kakaya has plans to expand. “I want to open more shops but it needs money and a proper place along with sponsors,” he said.
For now, he continues working with what he has, building slowly.
To support himself further, he also runs a small tuck shop next to the barbershop, showing his willingness to branch out where possible.
Even with these efforts, the road is not easy, especially with family responsibilities to carry.
“I am a full-time barber,” he said. For Kakaya, the work is steady, the challenges are real, and the goal is clear to keep going, keep improving, and make something lasting out of what started as a simple dream.