Dangriga’s 15-Year-Old Barber Turns YouTube Tutorials Into a Blooming Business
While many teenagers spend their mornings watching video streams, Wakeen Arzu is busy running his own business in Dangriga. The 15-year-old barber featured today on Open Your Eyes alongside hosts Sabreena Daly and Isani Cayetano. He was joined in the studio by his mother, Abigail Arzu, who came along to offer her full support.
Wakeen began his barbering journey at just 12 years old, inspired by his father. He began practicing cuts on his brother before expanding to his friends. To master the craft, he relied entirely on self-education through internet tutorials.
“I would just watch YouTube, and from there, I would implement what I learned into my haircuts,” Wakeen explained during the interview. “Now, it is pretty easy for me because I already put in the groundwork. But it is a trade where you always learn more.”
Ten months ago, Wakeen decided to transition his hobby into an official business. He pitched a plan to his parents to transform the unfinished ground floor of their family home into a barber studio. He took charge of the ordering, interior layout, and marketing himself.
His mother, Abigail, who works as a teacher at Ecumenical College, admitted she was initially surprised by his rapid timeline. “He said, ‘Mom, I think I want to open a studio downstairs,’” she recalled. “We had no other choice but to just support him.”
His father called professionals to set up the layout Wakeen designed. Wakeen then asked his mother for custom shirts so he could look professional for his clients. He now balances running the studio on weekends with attending regular classes during the week.
Throughout it all, Wakeen remains focused on his education, maintaining a high GPA with plans to pursue higher studies. He also shows remarkable financial discipline, choosing to save most of his earnings to reinvest directly into his business setup.
Building his skills on real clients meant facing a few setbacks. Wakeen admitted that making mistakes early on was mentally challenging, but his mother always reminded him that hair grows back. He now receives guidance from a local mentor, Richard Taylor, to help improve his skills.
Currently majoring in business in high school, Wakeen plans to eventually join the US Air Force. He also hopes to expand his current shop and hire additional barbers in the future. His mother encouraged other parents to act as a strong support system for their ambitious children. “Whenever you see your child doing something they are dedicated to, be the driving force behind them,” Abigail said.