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Kervin Hiew, lead educator for Wahl was born and raised in Borneo (Land below the wind), Sabah, Malaysia. Growing up in a single parent home shaped him into an independent kid, and from as early as 11yrs old there was an inner desire to be a hairdresser and barber.
Kervin Hiew
At 17, and straight out of high school Kervin joined a local hair academy and began his journey into the hairdressing industry. He built up his portfolio as a lecturer, hairstylist, and as a brand technician in L’Oreal, Malaysia. “With more than 13 years of accumulated experience in the industry I knew that the passion and drive that got me to this point would have no limits,” he says. “And this same drive gave me the gumption to venture into the barbering industry.” We caught up with Kervin to chat about his career thus far, his role with Wahl professional and what’s ahead for this talented individual.
Can you tell us a little about your business, The Hairdressers Barbershop (THBX) and how it has grown since it was established in 2013?
I’ve always lived with the notion that no dream is too small or too big. I measure my own capability based on how much I can contribute towards a decision. From the moment I decided that I would step out on my own and open my own shop, I began a methodical process step by step to make sure that I would get there. What started with 2 barbers (often just myself and a trusted friend) offering affordable prices with great skill in a small shop, soon became 6 barbers in a 2 floor storey building! Like a bakery selling hot bread straight out of the oven, everyone waits in line to ‘GET IT WHILE ITS HOT!’ What initiated that second phase was seeing all the support we were getting and the clients
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Hair Biz Year 16 Issue 3
that were waiting patiently for OUR SERVICES. It was clear that it was time to expand and grow the team. From recruiting and mentoring to establishing better working platforms for others, who share in our passion, that was also enough to fuel me to push for better and higher standards for our industry.
What makes you passionate about education?
As an Educator, I aim to be a role model and inspire a strong sense of self-belief among other barbers. Learning is a two-way street – while we share our knowledge gained through years of experience, we learn something new about ourselves along the way. In doing so, I have been able to realise my dream of elevating the local barber scene; one barber at a time.
What does it mean to you to be the lead educator for WAHL in S.E. Asia and what does the role entail?
This opportunity shifted my life trajectory; when I applied to WAHL to be an educator, my intention was to gain exposure for our brand (THBX), to spread awareness about us! So, when WAHL came around full throttle, it started to do so much more for me and my personal goals; essentially it opened doors and allowed me to travel the world to finite my education as a WAHL educator. Back then, in 2017, I was the only WAHL educator in the region; now we have 9 educators in total from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand and I am the Lead Educator and Coordinator for WAHL in SE Asia!
