Family brings 'glamour' to Bedford with province's first Sharkey's Cuts for Kids

BEDFORD - When things didn't work out the way he expected after coming to Nova Scotia under the province's controversial immigration nominee program, Azhar Swing forged ahead.

With 28 years of marketing, sales and distribution experience from living in Dubai, Swing was determined to start his own business. Last month, the Clayton Park resident opened Nova Scotia's only Sharkey's Cuts for Kids franchise on Damascus Road in Bedford.

The child-friendly establishment caters to youngsters up to age 14. It's awash in bold, bright colours and features small displays of educational and popular toys. One side of the room is devoted to younger clients and features individual television screens in front of a Barbie jeep, race car and Hummer in place of the typical barber chair.

The opposite side of the room has large flat screen televisions with satellite feeds, gaming consoles and more conventional seats to keep older kids happy. A large room in the middle of the shop can be described as a multipurpose room, while the back room is pink and devoted to popular Glamour Girl parties.

"Kids are our target. One boy the other day said 'I love this place.' He had to be convinced to leave," said an obviously pleased Swing. "We also had a sweet autistic child here and his mother said we made him so comfortable. You could see the happiness on his face."

The business is a family affair. Swing's wife Veronica was a teacher and co-owns the operation. Their daughter Shomaila Swing serves as salon manager and draws on her years of experience managing a salon in London, England.

Shomaila and her father are obviously enthusiastic and thrilled by the positive response they've received.

"The best thing is to see the child walk away very happy. You hear them commenting as they go out the door 'Wow! I want to come back again,'" said Shomaila. "It's a great satisfaction for us to hear those comments."

Parents can even make appointments online, choosing everything from their preferred time slots and hairstylists to the chairs their children want to sit in.

The Bedford establishment is only the fifth Sharkey's franchise in Canada. Although they opened their doors Nov. 21 and lost two business days due to heavy snow, Swing said they've already completed more than 300 haircuts and hosted a handful of Glamour Girl parties.

When Bedford mom Calla Shank-Hogue was looking for a fun and different way to celebrate her daughter's eighth birthday, she booked a Glamour Girl party.

"(My daughter's) birthday was in September, but it's so close to the beginning of school that we were waiting. We wanted something innovative," Shank-Hogue explained.

When an advertising flyer for Sharkey's arrived, she showed it to her daughter.

"She's into Bratz, dress-up, hair, nails. She said 'Woo hoo!' when I told her about it," Shank-Hogue recalled. "I have never had so many RSVPs so quickly. I could hear two girls jumping up and down in the background screaming 'I can't wait! It'll be the best birthday party ever!'"

For two hours, girls have access to the private glamour room, get their hair styled and enjoy mini-cures and make-up. There's also a fashion show, a group photo and karaoke. Pizza, lemonade, juice and party favours are also available. Parents bring the birthday girl and a cake.

"After the party my daughter immediately said 'Mom, this is what I want to do next year!," said Shank-Hogue. "It speaks to the reality that for a packaged party there's a real need for something like this. It's a nice mix."

Glamour Girl parties aren't cheap. A two hour party for 12 girls costs $325, and a mini-party for five girls is $225.

But for many parents, the price is obviously worth it. Sharkey's Glamour Girls parties are booked right up until March, and they've already taken a reservation for June.

"For the kids this whole Sharkey's concept is something new. We're getting so much satisfaction," said Swing. "It's not just the kids but the parents who are also telling us they feel satisfied."

Visit the Sharkey's web site at www.sharkeycutsforkids.com for more information or e-mail bedford@sharkeyscutsforkids.com.

ydentremont@hfxnews.ca