Beyond the Hairbrush: The Story Behind Abraham’s Craft

As we wrap up this season of gratitude, I want to share a story that’s close to my heart. It’s about someone whose journey is all about courage, craft, and quiet generosity. Meet Abraham Safa. He was born in Lebanon, but in his early twenties, he packed up his dreams and moved to Belize with one goal: to build a life and leave a mark on our growing beauty industry. Now, for me, this isn’t just another feature. Abraham isn’t just a name I know, he’s the guy who keeps me camera-ready week after week. But here’s the thing: beyond the salon chair, Abraham’s story is proof of what happens when talent meets heart and opportunity. So, this week, my ‘Look on the Bright Side’ took me right back to his chair, not for a trim, but to learn who this man really is behind the hairbrush. Here’s that story.

 

Sabreena Daly, Reporting

Abraham Safa, the man behind the name Abraham Hairmoda, came to Belize back in 1991 with one big dream: to leave his mark on a beauty industry that was just beginning to bloom. While salons in Belize were, and largely remain, female-dominated, Safa confidently stepped in, determined to build his craft, clientele, and lasting legacy.

 

Abraham Safa, Owner, Abraham Hairmoda

“The majority of hairdressers and the big names in hairdressing were all male. But then I came to Belize and I was surprised I didn’t find any male hairdressers at that time. I don’t know if there is any right now, but I was the only male.”

 

Safa says his destiny in the world of beauty became clear in his mid-teens. When civil war interrupted his secondary education in his home country, he found solace and purpose in discovering his love for hairstyling and the skill it demanded.

 

Abraham Safa

“ In Lebanon, we were under like a civil war. And that made school more difficult. Some days we’d go, some days we wouldn’t have school. It wasn’t a school like here. My parents, they said, you can quit school, but you can’t go on the street. You have to find something to do; a trade to learn. So the suggestion from my grandfather was to go and do barbering, but I didn’t like barbering. I was interested in ladies or unisex.”

 

In 1995, Abraham put his faith in his talent and opened Abraham Hairmoda, a business that has grown into a three-decade legacy of skill, consistency, and care for all hair types.

Abraham Safa

“ I came to Belize and I saw the opportunity I could have in Belize. I even went to Canada after Belize. But I came back, I returned back to Belize because here, I saw that I could own my own salon rather than working for someone.”

 

Now, in 2025, Abraham serves a loyal clientele of men and women alike. One weekly visitor is… me. I stop by for a refresher to keep my hair camera-ready, and it’s here I’ve learned the true difference a skilled stylist and a great blowout can make. Brenda Ramirez, who has worked with Abraham for fourteen years, says this same dedication to quality is what first drew her to his craft.

 

Brenda Ramirez, Hairdresser

“ Abraham has been a good mentor. I have grown in a lot of the skills that I see him do. I heard a lot of things about Abraham, especially his blowouts. That was one of the techniques that everybody talked about. So my dream was always to be a hairdresser and I wanted to go where I knew was better.”

 

Abraham Safa

“ I have to train and I do train my staff. I give them the chance and train them to be a little bit independent. If you walk in, they can take care of you.”

 

Jasmine Guerra, Hairdresser

“ Working in a salon, it’s so different than just learning it. It, it, when I came here I thought I knew a lot, but it was, it was really different. The washing, the hair dyes, learning the colors and everything, it’s a lot.”

If you ask Safa, he’ll tell you it’s hard work that has carried his business from its first year to a thriving three-decade legacy. And perhaps destiny always knew he was meant to create beauty. Beyond the chair, his world remains full of women, his supportive wife and beloved daughters, who continue to inspire him every day. There’s also a gift he gives to people through his work, the power to uplift and restore confidence through beauty. For me, stopping by each week isn’t just about work, it’s a moment to reset.

 

Sabreena Daly

“ And now it’s my turn in the chair. This is my weekly stop here at Abraham HairModa. And this is what I do to get my hair TV ready to go on air.”

Looking on the Bright Side, I’m Sabreena Daly.