KappaKuts – Where boys become men and men become great!

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

 “Jay Kappa Kappa!”

He was in grade eight when Jay Kapadia yelled out these random words while walking home. What he did not know is that he had sent into the universe the beginning of his legacy, one that would surpass his wildest dreams…

Jay Kapadia, born and raised in Etobicoke, a place where he remembers enjoying his youth. “I liked living in that community. I remember eating popsicles, and watermelon with my friends and just enjoying being a kid. We moved to Brampton not too long after there was a string of break-ins in the area. Someone actually broke into our house, and that was when my parents said enough was enough. We moved when I was seven years old. We owned one of the first houses on Castlemore, before all of the recent development.”

Jay tells me that he always wanted to run his own business, and he reflects on past experiences. 

“I am the first entrepreneur in my family to own and operate their own business. I have memories of my dad and I going to get our hair cut in Etobicoke. It was the first community entrepreneurial hub that I saw. I believe that one of the reasons my parents supported my dream to become a barber is because they were aware of the transactional advantages that people who work at barbershops have. There is always some type of hustle happening in a barbershop.

Another aspect of my life that prompted my need to become an entrepreneur was my love of watching mafia movies when I was younger. These movies were about men wanting to provide for their families, build legacies. That is what my barbershop is to me, part of my expanding legacy.”

In grade nine, he was assigned a project that tasked him with making a website. He named his website Kappa Kuts, and it was a website about a barbershop idea that at that time only existed in his mind.

“One day my friend cut his hair and came to school to show me. I am competitive, so I decided I would cut my hair too. I got good at it, and in grade 12, I started cutting people’s hair. I started making money, and set up a small spot in my basement. Like that, it took off.”

At first, Jay wanted to be a lawyer, and it wasn’t until he started his postgraduate studies that he realized that school wasn’t for him.

“I told my parents that I wanted to drop out. They said, ‘don’t lose your time. You will always be able to cut hair.’ Wise words, so I did my best to stick with it. I got my first job at a barbershop, but it started to interfere with my studies. To be honest, I was starting to get tired of school, so I decided to do what my heart was telling me. Start my business.”

So that he did…

Jay ‘Kappa’ Kapadia started cutting hair in 2010, and in 2014, that hobby became a hustle. When school and work became a trap, KappaKuts (located at10 Beaumaris Drive, Unit 9
Brampton, ON L6T 5J6) became a business – and now, it’s the future.

“Simone,” Jay shares, “There is something missing in our world today, and it’s not just a barbershop – it’s the values that we would learn in one. By embracing the traditions of classic barbering and adding a touch of modern luxury and Frost, KappaKuts Barbershop is where boys become men and men become great. KappaKuts is a community; it’s a place for gentlemen; it’s home to local entrepreneurship; and it’s where greatness is personified.

It brings back the values and principles of the classic barbershop. There are not many spaces in this world that a man can go and be taken care of. The barbershop is one place that demands nothing of them but provides them the care and luxury that the world does not offer. KappaKuts as a place of employment is a platform for barbers to grow and succeed. Each of us has individual goals and the alignment of those goals is integral to a successful relationship.”

Jay shared with me the fact that there is a lot of unnecessary hate directed to Brampton.

“I feel it is unwarranted. My shop is eight minutes from my elementary school, seven minutes from my middle school, on the same street as my high school. I was raised here, started my business here; I am here for the community.”

Barber, client confidentiality is something that is very important to Jay, and he impresses this upon his barbers.

“Clients tell you things in confidence; make sure it stays between you, your client, and the chair. I remind my barbers that they have to know how to work with customers. Customer service is huge. I like the idea that when people sit in my chair, they are not here to get a haircut; they are here to talk about life. I have had people come to me feeling depressed. We are able to have a conversation privately, and they get to express their thoughts without judgment, or interference. I have a lot of clients who share their lives with me, and they feel safe doing so.”

Jay shares three prime ingredients to locking down clients:

Personality

People like a barber who is fun, interesting, has things to share, and is willing to have a conversation! There is always going to be someone who can cut hair better, but there is only one of you and that cannot be replicated. At a certain point, it’s no longer about the haircut; it’s about the experience that a client has in your chair and in your shop. Make it Fun; make it Frosty.

Punctuality

Time is valuable. Show up on time and ready – early is even better – for each and every appointment. If you want your time respected, you must respect your clients’ time.

Professionalism

As much as barbering is a fun trade, you have to remember you are professionals. You have to learn and know when to make jokes, when to make sales, when to upsell, and when to be serious and composed. If you want to earn like the top professionals in the world, you have to act like it.

His look at life and business is not only refreshing, it is revolutionary; we have to encourage our young people to continue to do what they are passionate about and remember that if you do what you love, you never have to work a day in your life.