EP #140: Hapbishan “Happi” Vijayakumar - Dropping Out, Chasing Passion & Becoming the Tamil Storytelling Barber

Hapbishan “Happi” Vijayakumar (@hxppi) is a Toronto-based storytelling barber known for blending Tamil culture, fashion, travel and modern barbering into a unique digital presence.After nearly pursuing a career as a paramedic, Happi began cutting hair during the COVID-19 pandemic, eventually dropping out of university to pursue barbering. His journey started with cutting people’s hair on a wooden stool and cold-DMing barbers, including Fred VanVleet’s (fredvanvleet) barber, looking for an opportunity to prove himself.He joins Ara on this episode of #TheTamilCreator to discuss overcoming naysayers, building his clientele through TikTok, approaching pricing with statistics instead of emotions, how travelling through Asia challenged his limiting beliefs and prejudices, why fear drives so many of our decisions and his belief that “greatness leaves clues.”If you’ve ever questioned whether to follow the traditional path or take a chance on what you genuinely love, this episode is for you.Follow Happi:- LinkedIn (https://www.instagram.com/hxppi/)    Timestamps00:19 — Ara introduces this week’s guest, Hapbishan (Happi) Vijayakumar01:17 — Raised by his parents and brothers; switching from a paramedic career to barbering04:56 — Thinking he wasn’t meant to cut hair after messing up his brother’s haircut06:29 — Cold DMing Fred Vanvleet’s barber and more to find his first barber shop to work in08:51 — Going above and beyond to show love and naturally maturing faster10:03 — The birth of the Tamil storytelling barber; overcoming naysayers in his own circle12:20 — Being DMed by others with positive messages and his parents’ support paying off14:13 — His relationship with his parents; then versus now16:29 — Fear driving so many of our decisions but it not necessarily being logical18:29 — Barbershop economics; the way Happy started building out his success19:44 — Building out his client portfolio; leveraging TikTok early on20:38 — Happi’s mindset on pricing; statistics over emotions21:06 — Does he want to be a barber for the rest of his life?23:52 — How going back to Eelam changed his entire perspective on life25:43 — The interesting conversations he has daily with customers27:19 — Looking for reliability with those who sit in his chair, and challenging perspectives28:56 — Who holds Happi accountable?30:11 — Learning lessons since beginning his journey; don’t wait for someone else31:51 — Some beliefs he had at 16 that he no longer has33:05 — How Happy wants to be remembered by friends and family33:32 — Creator Confessions36:30 — The Wrap UpIntro MusicProduced And Mixed By:- The Tamil Creator- YanchanWritten By:- Aravinthan Ehamparam- Yanchan Rajmohan         Support the show