Elshadai Salon Featured by YWCA Hamilton for Small Business Week
It's #SmallBusinessWeek. Today we're highlighting Elshadai Salon, owned and operated by a participant in #1stBiz, in partnership between YWCA Hamilton and FirstOntario Credit Union. Here's more about Elshadai:
Born in Ethiopia, Elshadai Erbeto is a young mother of four. She has just opened her first salon in Hamilton, and you can, too, she says, talking about the steps she took: Take a course, learn the terms used in Canada, and get a job and learn as you go along.
“I love making people beautiful,” says Elshadai, and she does just that. For eight years, she worked for an upscale salon in Hamilton and won international awards for hairstyles unlike anyone has ever seen. Before her career change, she was a nurse, but she found her passion was instead as a hairdresser, which she affectionately compares to being a therapist as well.
Amongst her accomplishments, one of the highlights is that Elshadai won the Canadian title at Style Masters in Madrid, Spain in 2014. This was right before she decided to have her fourth child and take a business course during maternity leave that started a new future for her.
On August 1, 2017, Elshadai opened Elshadai Salon at #230-540 Concession Street and welcomed friends and family to see her success at a grand opening that showcased her beautiful salon. Her private four-room escape is located on the second floor of a historic building on a bustling street. Steps from the Mountain Brow stairs and lookout point, Elshadai now contributes to the local buzz of small businesses in the area with hair designs that are architecturally constructed to be one-of-a-kind pieces of art.
Elshadai completed the 1stBiz program provided by YWCA Hamilton and FirstOntario Credit Union in May 2017.
“I couldn’t have done it without them” she states. “The program was more than I expected it to be. My confidence level is much better now about starting a business. The best part was having an excellent coach and great peers. I will put everything I learned into action. It was an outstanding experience and the knowledge and the information I’ve got I will use forever”.
Elshadai’s next endeavor is to give back to the community by planning a fundraiser to assist children in hospital settings. Keep up with Elshadai’s achievements by following her on Facebook or by visiting her website at elshadaisalon.com.
