SBSW spotlight on Sydney: Nic Singer (The Lid Doctor)
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.
Today we’re interviewing Nic Singer also known as The Lid Doctor and talking about his experience as a barber through lockdown.
First and foremost ‘Lid’ is a slang term used for the top of the head/Hair. I’ve been in the hair industry for 15 years now (since I was 15). I trained as a hairdresser and transitioned into barbering when I emigrated to Australia 7 years ago. The Lid Doctor is a barber studio located at Salon Lane (a shared work space for hair and beauty industry) in Surry Hills. I offer all the traditional services you expect in a barbers (haircuts, shaves, beards & facials) using contemporary techniques in a relaxed, but professional setting. I don’t just offer my services to men, it’s for anyone who wants a service in a barbering environment.
I’ve been working with Short Back & Sidewalks for about 4 years now and have loved every second of it.
“Clients can talk to you about things they feel they can’t share with anyone else.”
I love the almost instant gratification that comes with cutting hair. A client might come in stressed and shaggy looking but will leave feeling relaxed and looking sharp. I also love the bond that gets made during a hair cut, clients can talk to you about things they feel they can’t share with anyone else.
Lockdown has been tough mentally and financially, mainly from the uncertainty. It can make you feel pretty useless with no real guidelines to help you through. The business Grants were a real mess when they first got released, everyone scrambling to work out what and if they were entitled to. It’s been helpful now that they have been sorted, and I am grateful to Salon Lane (my landlords) who have done so much to help us with our rental agreements.
There’s a few great ways to help out small business’s during and after lockdown. During: Follow and interact with their social media (sharing & favouriting is key!). Buying products directly from the stylist or shop if available. After: Book in as soon as possible, and booking future appointments is a great way to fill up their books. Buying products whilst in store and treating yourself to extra add on services- like a beard shave. Gifting your loved ones with a voucher is also a great idea! Don’t forget to recommend to your friends and family.
I’m offering Lockdown Lid Zoom tutorials during lockdown, so if you have someone at home who’s willing to cut your hair or wants their hair cut, I’ll (virtually) be there via Zoom to take you through the step by step guide, plus all the top tips to get a decent cut during lockdown. The service is free but I’m asking for donations to SBSW as well as Lifeline Australia. (Book through my website or contact me on socials). I also have a short video of all the steps and tips if you didn’t want to do the Zoom tutorial.
