Woman of the Week, September 6, 2010: Kimberly Irwin

By Taz Adamjee

Kimberly Irwin, mother of three, is founder of Haircuts on Wheels, a mobile haircutting service that specializes in cutting children’s hair. As she continues to make life a little less hairy, she does so as our Woman of the Week.

Kimberly grew up in Brockville, Ontario and has been living in Toronto for the past 14 years. While starting out her career as a stylist, Kimberly quickly became a stay-at-home mom soon after having kids. Haircuts on Wheels was started about a year and a half ago; prior to, Kimberly often found herself cutting kids’ hair for family and friends. One night, it was suggested to Kimberly to utilize her skills, and she finally decided to turn the concept into a small business.

Initially, Haircuts on Wheels was started as a side business, cutting hair for kids locally. Over time though, Kimberly began getting calls from a number of interested mothers. Everyone needs a haircut, and as Kimberly puts it, it’s often hard to get the entire family into the salon. This makes the experience much, much easier. Kimberly alleviates the stress of moms having to put up with fusses at the barbershop, and turns the haircut experience into something fun and enjoyable for kids where they are most comfortable (at home).

According to several testimonials from happy moms, the concept seems to be working quite well. Kids are generally happier in their own environment. And, as Kimberly goes to work, moms are free to do whatever is needed around the house.

To book an appointment, simply visit the Haircuts on Wheels website, and click on the appointments tab; enter in your top two choices, and Kimberly gets back to you to confirm. Yes, it’s that easy.

Recently, in order to increase awareness, Kimberly has come up with ‘fundraisers’ for schools and daycares. Kimberly approaches schools through her clients in order to set up a mutual agreement between both parties. If a school does decide to come on board, Kimberly keeps track of cuts from particular schools, and in turn, schools receive ten per cent of every haircut. If a daycare decides to come on board, Kimberly comes into the day care herself to perform each haircut, and the day care receives 20 per cent per cut.

Currently, Kimberly works solo around Toronto, seven days a week. She’s quick, she’s clean, and she loves what she does (she also brings lollipops). Eventually she’d like to expand and franchise Haircuts on Wheels in different cities across Canada.

Kimberly is also vying for Savvy Mom’s Mom Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Savvy Mom is a national, online magazine for moms. In order to qualify for the award, you have to be a mom, and in business for at least one year. The mom with the most votes wins a grand prize valued at $22,000 in cash and business advisory services. The prize money will help Kimberly take her business to the next level: The first mobile haircutting franchise in Canada. Be sure to visit Savvy Mom to vote, and help Kimberly realize her vision for Haircuts on Wheels.