Hapbishan “Happi” Vijayakumar (@hxppi) is a Toronto-based storytelling barber known for blending Tamil culture, fashion, travel and modern barbering into a unique digital presence.
After nearly pursuing a career as a paramedic, Happi began cutting hair during the COVID-19 pandemic, eventually dropping out of university to pursue barbering. His journey started with cutting people’s hair on a wooden stool and cold-DMing barbers, including Fred VanVleet’s (fredvanvleet) barber, looking for an opportunity to prove himself.
He joins Ara on this episode of #TheTamilCreator to discuss overcoming naysayers, building his clientele through TikTok, approaching pricing with statistics instead of emotions, how travelling through Asia challenged his limiting beliefs and prejudices, why fear drives so many of our decisions and his belief that “greatness leaves clues.”
If you’ve ever questioned whether to follow the traditional path or take a chance on what you genuinely love, this episode is for you.
Follow Happi:
– Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/hxppi/)
JOIN THE LIST – CLICK HERE
Timestamps
00:19 — Ara introduces this week’s guest, Hapbishan (Happi) Vijayakumar
01:17 — Raised by his parents and brothers; switching from a paramedic career to barbering
04:56 — Thinking he wasn’t meant to cut hair after messing up his brother’s haircut
06:29 — Cold DMing Fred Vanvleet’s barber and more to find his first barber shop to work in
08:51 — Going above and beyond to show love and naturally maturing faster
10:03 — The birth of the Tamil storytelling barber; overcoming naysayers in his own circle
12:20 — Being DMed by others with positive messages and his parents’ support paying off
14:13 — His relationship with his parents; then versus now
16:29 — Fear driving so many of our decisions but it not necessarily being logical
18:29 — Barbershop economics; the way Happy started building out his success
19:44 — Building out his client portfolio; leveraging TikTok early on
20:38 — Happi’s mindset on pricing; statistics over emotions
21:06 — Does he want to be a barber for the rest of his life?
23:52 — How going back to Eelam changed his entire perspective on life
25:43 — The interesting conversations he has daily with customers
27:19 — Looking for reliability with those who sit in his chair, and challenging perspectives
28:56 — Who holds Happi accountable?
30:11 — Learning lessons since beginning his journey; don’t wait for someone else
31:51 — Some beliefs he had at 16 that he no longer has
33:05 — How Happy wants to be remembered by friends and family
33:32 — Creator Confessions
36:30 — The Wrap Up
Intro Music
Produced And Mixed By:
– The Tamil Creator
– Yanchan
Written By:
– Aravinthan Ehamparam
– Yanchan Rajmohan
