Kingzman bounces back after the unthinkable

Starting a new business can be unpredictable. The barbers at Kingzman in Sydney's north know this better than most, after a bus crashed into their shop a few months after it opened.

The Kingzman barber shop owners outside their store in Cammeray

The Kingzman barber shop owners outside their store in Cammeray Source: SBS

The business philosophy at the Kingzman barber shop is simple: everyone who walks in should leave feeling and looking a little better, like royalty even.  

On a busy Tuesday morning in Cammeray in Sydney's north, a steady stream of male customers of all ages take a seat to have their beards trimmed and their hair clipped, by three friends still navigating the ups and downs of the small business world.

Michael Hashemi, Mani Arta and Nima Heidari launched Kingzman in December 2015. Despite their experience in the sector as employees, they were cautious.

Kingzman's advertising and business manager, Michael Hashemi said they factored in potential losses and anticipated a variety of circumstances. Still, little could prepare them for the close shave that happened a few months later.
The Kingzmen learned the hard way on how to handle unpredictable events.
The Kingzmen learned the hard way on how to handle unpredictable events. Source: Supplied
"We never anticipated a bus crash happening at our shop," Mr Hashemi told SBS.

On July 1st 2015, the 207 bus careered off the main street in Cammeray after the bus driver had a suspected medical episode.

"The bus driver actually seemed to have a heart attack or seizure and [the bus] came down, hitting the post and knocked into this tree branch and kept going," Mr Hashemi said.

"The tree branch just flew into our shop window, [it was lucky] that no one was seriously hurt."

The out of control bus tore off the outdoor signage and forced Kingzman to close for four days.

The barbers say a drop in foot traffic was noticeable in the months following the accident.

"When you tell someone 'it's the shop Kingzman,' they walk past [because] they still don't see a sign, they could miss it," Mr Hashemi said.
kingzman_shop_4.jpg?itok=Usj4bYCq
The owners are still waiting for an insurance claim to go through before they can afford to replace the signs. That responsibility rests with the landlord, who the barbers say is yet to lodge a claim with the State Transit Authority.

"It's very frustrating for us," Mr Hashemi said.

"We've done everything in our power that we can do."

The shop's finances had to be rearranged in order to cover the immediate damage. Extra flyers were handed out and Kingzman increased their advertising on Facebook in a bid to attract new clients.

"[Small businesses] should read the fine print," said KPMG Partner, Malcolm Kafer.

"Insurance policies used to be complex, they still are, although the language is now easier to read, but there can be a lot of fine detail in the print that you should be aware of."

Mr Hashemi said other businesses should keep their reserved topped up, just in case.
"Well you can never be fully prepared for everything that a business can throw at you, but the best way to do it is to put a lot of savings aside just in case anything could go wrong at any time."

The Kingzman barbers say while making smart financial decisions is important when facing a challenge, keeping a positive attitude may be the key to keeping customers.

"Always no matter what, keep the service the same and the high energy and good vibes," Mr Hashemi said.

There have been other challenges as well, with English being a second language for Mani and Nima, who both moved to Australia from Iran in 2009 and 2010.
English being his second language didn't stop Mani from pursuing his business aspirations.
English being his second language didn't stop Mani from pursuing his business aspirations. Source: Supplied
"To open the shop in Australia and in a different area for me and in a different language, this is my biggest challenge," said Mani.

The three Kingz are now looking to expand their business, first by adding another barber chair to their shop and eventually by adding more locations.

"We would like to start our own branch, our own franchise and [hit up] a few different places in Sydney," said Mr Hashemi.

"Get the name to stir in the streets."

A positive attitude from a small business that's faced its fair share of first-year challenges. 

Want to find out the secret to small business success? Tune into #BizSecretsSBS at Sundays 5pm on SBS, stream on SBS Demand, or follow us on FacebookTwitter or Instagram.


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4 min read

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By Hannah Sinclair
Source: SBS Small Business Secrets


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Kingzman bounces back after the unthinkable | SBS Small Business Secrets