Gold Blade Barber shop opens for business in Bega's Sapphire Marketplace

Mr Jashami moved from Iraq when he was six-years-old and lived between Australia and the Middle East throughout his youth.

He started his professional life as a mechanic but said he didn't want to continue it because "it was a dirty job" and so started his apprenticeship as a barber at a friend's business in Canberra.

Since that time he has been working to help extend the business to the South Coast region and managed a store in Batemans Bay before opening up his own shop in Bega.

"The South Coast has been asking for more barbers for a long time," he said.

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He said his experience working at fast-paced barber shops in metropolitan areas had provided him with the opportunity to refine his skills and develop a quick and efficient service.

He chose to open the shop in Bega because he found it to be a central gathering point for people from Tathra, Merimbula, and Eden.

The shop is located in close proximity to Woolworths supermarket, and Mr Jashami said the position of the shop was ideal for his business.

"We're right next to one of the biggest companies in Australia and I thought I wouldn't need much advertisement because everyone does their shopping there," he said.

He said at this point in time the shop only offered haircuts for men, but has considered getting a hairdresser to cut women's hair further down the track.

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"Hairdressing is just for ladies haircuts, some of them are trained to do men's haircuts, but barbers are specialised in men's haircuts," he said.

So far the reception in the community had been "very positive" said Mr Jashami, with people expressing their excitement about the shopfront and fit-out.

"People are more than happy to just come into the shop and see it and look at it because it's so flashy and so beautiful," he said.

He was also very thankful that the word had spread so quickly around the area about the new service in town due to the "close and friendly" nature of the people.

"Everyone knows each other here, I can see that, and it's so nice that everyone will say good morning.

"In Canberra you don't see this kind of thing, people only come and talk to people they already know, but here people will just come and chat, it's different."

Another difference he had noticed was many men in the area had only stuck to one style, but he wanted to give them an opportunity to try something new if they wanted.

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"They might not know about cuts like flat tops or double-zero fades," he said.

They also stock, sell, and use Red One products, an Australian company based out of Sydney. They stock gel and wax products, aftershave, and beard oils - products Mr Jashami was keen to introduce to the community.

"Not many people here are familiar with these kinds of products because they are not really sold in this area."

He said the Bega shop so far had been even more successful than the Batemans Bay store, which opened about seven months ago.

Haircuts at the shop range between $25- $35 and in the future Mr Jashami would like to offer men's facials.

"It's important for men to take care of themselves, they have to look after their skin as well, some of them might think it's just for ladies, but taking care of yourself is for everyone," he said.