Nash Nixon (right) and Qasim Kharmsh (left) are looking to build the dream team of barbers at their shop Razor Lane. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Two dollars and fifty cents may not seem like a lot of money, but for one barber, it’s all it took for him to quit his job and start his own business.
Young barber Nash Nixon has worked in plenty of barbershops in his short career, yet despite his expertise with scissors in hand, he never quite felt like his talents were being recognised.
When he was denied a requested raise of $2.50 an hour, Nash decided to open his own business, Razor Lane Barbershop.
Eighteen months on from opening at Lake Village Shopping Centre, Nash has built a reputation across Wagga, helped others complete their apprenticeships and even partnered with council-organised events.
“There’s so much culture around barbering, and I felt that was missing a little bit in Wagga,” Nash said.
“When I went to Melbourne to do my apprenticeship, barbershops were these places where people could escape. Whether that be because people enjoy the time that they’re getting their hair cut, or because it’s a place people could chill out.
“When I came back to Wagga, a lot of the barbershops felt either too laid-back that they didn’t really care about cutting hair, or they just wanted to get as many people in and out as possible.
“I wanted to do a bit of both. I wanted to create a place people wanted to come to, but where they can also walk out really happy with the cut they got.”
Nash said he wasn’t the best student at school, books weren’t his thing, and he never expected himself to wear a jacket and tie.
“I was that stereotypical, not paying attention in school type of dude. Always kind of fighting authority,” he said.
“I’ve always been a bit creative, but I just didn’t know what I wanted to do.
“The teachers at school were always pushing me to try different career opportunities. They were sending me in all kinds of directions, saying go try this, go try that.
“Eventually, I got sent to a barbershop, and really loved it.”
The shop has only been open for 16 months, but Razor Lane has already built a solid reputation within the Lake Albert community. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Nash moved to Melbourne and completed his apprenticeship in just 18 months. Moving back, he worked briefly at several stores before going solo in September 2024.
Nash brought on his first staff member, Qasim, an apprentice and friend from a former shop.
“Qasim jumped on board, and we started the new shop. I helped him complete his apprenticeship, and he became the first certified Iraqi-born barber in Wagga,” he said.
“He’s now fully qualified and some days runs the shop alone,” Nash joked.
With a team, a shop and a growing reputation, Nash and Qasim are going from strength to strength with hopes of bringing on even more apprentices.
“I’m just trying to build the dream team,” Nash said.
“I’m looking to bring on some young guys who are in a similar situation I was in at school. Try to teach them some values, some manners and show if they put their minds to something, they can do it.
“I’ve got a few boys from Wagga High and Kooringal I’m training up now, and they’re loving it. I sometimes take a step back, knowing that I’m giving some of these guys a crack.”
This year is looking to be another big one for Nash and Razor Lane as he looks to grow the business.
“I’m trying to expand the training for apprentices,” he said.
“Currently, we do have training on Tuesday and Friday for 14- to 17-year-olds. I’ll just try to get a bit more structure there. Who knows, we might even have a second shop by the end of the year.”
You can find Nash, Qasim and the team at Razor Lane Barbershop at 39 Gregory Crescent, Lake Albert, open Monday to Wednesday, and Friday, 9 am to 5 pm; Thursday, 10 am to 5 pm; and Saturday, 9 am to 3 pm.
Be sure to follow the shop on Instagram at Razorlanebarbershop.
