Biz Lounge: Why I traded medicine for a career as a male hairdresser

At just 23 years old, Princeppus Muthomi is defying stereotypes and building a thriving business in the beauty industry. He's not your typical salon owner: he's a young man who started out experimenting with his own hair as a hobby, and has now turned it into a promising career.

Muthomi, began to take his passion seriously in 2022. 

“I developed the interest in hairdressing as I tried experimenting with my own hair. By my second year in campus, in 2022, while studying Clinical Medicine the passion had grown into something more serious,” he recalls. 

He credits two key sources of inspiration: his mother, who enjoyed doing hair as a hobby, and the internet. Platforms such as YouTube and TikTok became his digital classrooms, teaching him everything from basic techniques to the latest trends.

Social media is not only a learning tool for Muthomi, but also his main marketing engine. "Social media is my teacher and my market. Without it, I could not have made it this far. Currently, that's where I get most of my clients,” he says.

He uses these platforms not only to refine his skills, but also to showcase his work and attract a steady stream of new customers.

Being a man in a female-dominated industry has helped Muthomi stand out. While some clients are fascinated by his talent, he notes that more and more people are becoming accustomed to men providing beauty services. 

He believes that his success is not only due to his technical skills, but also to his commitment to honesty and clear communication. “It’s important to let clients know what you can really do, what you are trying to achieve, and what you can’t do,” he explains.

Muthomi’s journey hasn't been without its challenges. Early on, many clients were reluctant to have him come to their homes, and others doubted his skills simply because of his gender. The societal pressure on men to 'stick to hard labour' sometimes took its toll on him, but he persevered and his efforts paid off. He now runs his own salon, which is growing steadily. He still offers house calls, particularly for group bookings, to help maintain client relationships.

One of his proudest moments came when a client who had intended to get a haircut ended up at his salon instead. 

“She had intended to go to a barber, but decided to stop by the salon. Since I am known for my signature fluffy natural hair mini-twists, I transformed her look and gave her the confidence to embrace her natural hair again,” he says with pride.

Looking to the future, Muthomi has a simple yet powerful message for other young men considering a career in cosmetology: “Embrace your differences as a man in hairdressing. If it's something you're passionate about, give it a try. What’s the worst that could happen?”