Redefining The Neighbourhood Barbershop

If you’ve ever found yourself searching for a full-service hair salon located in the heart of Chinatown, Downtown Toronto, then you’ll want to check out Good Hair Design. Since 1990 they have been offering services such as cutting, styling, colouring, highlights, hair treatments, threading, wavy and straight perms, and much more. 

Lily Tan, the owner and hair stylist of Good Hair Design, began her hair styling journey thirty years ago. Lily is a first generation immigrant who came to Canada all on her own. Her passion for hair started with the first job she got when she came to this country. 

“At first, I thought working at the salon was a good starter to provide stability before I found something else. However, I slowly learned that I really enjoyed the work and doing my best to make people feel good about themselves. After many years of working in the hair salon, I knew I wanted to start my own, and that’s how Good Hair Design was created.”

Being located in the heart of Toronto allows Lily to meet customers from various backgrounds and countries around the world; they welcome everyone! Everyday, Lily gets to interact and hear so many different stories, viewpoints, and cultures. 

“I get a sense of satisfaction and appreciation for the work that I do. My customers are not just clients to me, I treat them as part of my extended-family and friends, so it motivates me to work harder every day.”

Every step of Lily’s experience in the ShopHERE powered by Google program of getting an online store set up was quick and easy. “…we discussed what we wanted in the platform and the features. We were then  informed of all the required files and information we needed to prepare to get it set up. Then, from there the eCommerce Coordinator handled the rest. The last step was just the hand-over where they teach you how to continue to update the platform.

By the time the website was completed, the store had been launched to perfection. Everything from the initial meeting met their needs and expectations of what they were looking for in a website.

Lily’s eCommerce Coordinator Kristen “…was an amazing eCommerce Coordinator, she was a great effective communicator, flexible in meeting times and dates, and met our requirements and demands to the best of her ability.”

Lily knew that she wanted to open a salon that would allow her to use her skills in hair styling and knowledge that she has accumulated from years of clients, to help others improve their self-esteem and confidence.

“It has been over 30 years now and every day I am still so excited and motivated to go to work. Our salon is open 7-days a week, and a lot of my customers ask me how I do it. My response is, it is not a job, but my passion. I get energized from work as I love meeting the vibrant and diverse individuals in Canada.”

Since launching their new website, Lily feels that the service was very beneficial as it helped them establish a more pronounced online presence and awareness to new customers around the area as well as providing a creative platform to showcase a portfolio of hairstyles and book appointments online.

Lily wants other small businesses to know that “The ShopHere Program is an amazing opportunity for businesses to transition themselves digitally. The program is a great way for brick and mortar stores to open up a new form of advertising through a digital channel to attract new customers or bring awareness to their existing products and services. The team is super supportive and efficient in conducting an end-to-end process of digitalization. The program is great for those who are not aware or unable to develop their own online platform and require the support.”

Lily stated that even though a business owner may not feel that they have the confidence in technology or digital expertise needed to launch and upkeep a website, they should still take advantage and use the resources from the ShopHERE powered by Google program to help them transition onto a digital platform.

“The team does an excellent job in walking you through step by step of what is required and assists you throughout the process of setting up your business online and the training to continue maintenance of your site. It's a great opportunity to get your brand and word out there and to attract younger clientele.”

The ShopHERE Program is partnered with Shopify, Google, Mastercard and Microsoft to help build and optimize online stores for small businesses and artists. The ShopHERE Program is providing a no-cost way to help businesses adapt to the eCommerce climate. It is important now more than ever to support local small businesses. If you or someone you know has a small business looking for assistance in building a professional eCommerce website, apply for the ShopHERE program now! 

To learn more about Good Hair Design and view their gallery of hairstyles please visit goodhairdesign.square.site