SBSW spotlight on Sydney: Heather Bickerton
Short Back & Sidewalks conducts regular services across WA, NSW and VIC. With all of our eastern states volunteers currently in lockdown, we’re taking this opportunity to shine a spotlight on our volunteers with small businesses.
Hi there, my name is Heather Bickerton. I am the owner of Heather Barberella, a barbershop based in Darlinghurst, Sydney. I opened my salon in January 2021, after almost two years of renting a chair in a shared warehouse workspace in Surry Hills, Sydney. Myself and my partner Cèsar Echeverri, owner of CAE2 productions, designed and built the salon together, so there is extra care and love that has gone into building my dream. I have been hairdressing for 24 years, 12 years as a hairdresser back home in the North West of England and 12 years as a barber since I moved to Sydney in 2009.
I am finally living my dream of directing my own business and having my own salon, having managed many salons in my career, in 2019 I felt it was time to take the leap and build something from my own ideas. I have loved hairdressing and barbering for as long as I can remember. When I was young from around the age of five or six, I used to comb and play with my parents hair, spraying it with water as they sat on the floor, me on the sofa watching TV and chatting away as if it were a salon. It’s all I ever wanted to do. Even now after 24 years, I am still loving it today.
“Hairdressing isn’t just about hair, it’s about people.”
This is why I wanted to volunteer with Short Back & Sidewalks. When I was asked if I would like to get involved in this amazing charity, I did not hesitate one bit. I feel everyone should be offered the opportunity to feel confident and at their best. Whether they are in the salon or at a service provider having a haircut, it should be without judgement. Hairdressing isn’t just about hair, it’s about people. Everyone wants to be heard, even if you’re the silent type and not a chatty person, everyone deserves the right to be noticed and cared for. It gives people a sense of importance, whether you have money or not. Everything about Short back & Sidewalks is why I do what I do, care and consideration are what people need and want, regardless of your background. I feel honoured to be working alongside such a great team of people with an amazing charity.
Due to the current COVID situation we are dealing with, it has been hard to continue doing what I love.
Since March 2020, many changes have been made to maintain a healthy business and keep people’s worries at bay. From COVID safety plans, masks, extra cleaning regimes to extra time needed for each appointment, to ensure clients feel comfortable entering the salon. Each day we are faced with this virus spreading and changing, we have to adhere to the government health guidelines in order to get through this unworldly time.
Since the lockdown in June this year, the worry as a business owner is hoping that we will come through the other side of this sooner rather than later. As time goes on, I fear that businesses may not be able to take the strain and have to close their businesses. I look forward to getting back to working and seeing my wonderful clients again.
The community can support small businesses by liking, sharing and commenting on social media posts. Making a Google review on your experience at the business to encourage other members of the community to use their services. Buying local and using their online shops. Buying gift vouchers or merchandise to help gain more customers.
I feel very lucky to be in such a great position, with local community help and support and also government financial support. I try to stay as positive, healthy and as safe as I can, so I can give my all when we get out of lockdown.