Calgary barber's stylish trims translate into social media superstardom
Calgary barber Dami Lare Sulola began cutting hair by experimenting on his brother, now he’s an international haircutting celebrity. With the handle @DocDami, Sulola commands a Tik Tok following of 3.6 million. Fans of his haircuts have flown him to Los Angeles. Atlanta, and San Francisco to trim their locks. He’s preparing to head to Europe.
Are barbers the new rock stars? Stay tuned.
“I was really shocked the first time I had someone DM (direct message) me and said, ‘I'll pay you $1000 for a cut’, or ‘I'll fly you here’. I didn't believe it at first," said Sulola. "They'll pay high amounts for haircut and it seems insane to me, because I started with five dollars a haircut, then ten. Having some people pay such high amounts was like mind-boggling to me. I was like, there's no way. But then that actually happened!"
The 21-year-old still calls Calgary home, and despite reaching ‘influencer’ status on social media, still considers himself a barber first.
"I’m an artist, because I get to do both, you know, I feel like you could be the best at something, but if no one knows who you are, then, what’s the point? So social media and cutting hair, being a barber combined, gets everything to work," Sulola said.
As a teen in high school Sulola was teased and bullied for wanting to be a barber.
"They laughed at it. But now it's the other way around. It's like everyone's supporting it or trying to get in for a haircut, you know? It's crazy to see how that’s changing."
The 21-year-old still calls Calgary home, and despite reaching ‘influencer’ status on social media, he still considers himself a barber.
INSPIRING OTHERS
Now with his massive social media presence he aims to inspire others to follow their dreams.
“I would like to inspire as many people as I can. For me, I still can't process it. How when I see the comments and the direct messages of people saying I inspired them, I got them to start cutting hair," said Sulola.
Sulola’s former high school principal even booked a slot in his chair for a new hairstyle, he was one of the lucky ones because with millions of social media followers Sulola has an over-full inbox of prospective clients asking for a new look. He also has the luxury of being selective in who he accepts.
"I see the people instead of the numbers" said Sulola. "I believe more in quality over quantity. Because I believe that eventually the money will come if you focus on the quality."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
WATCH LIVE As GC Strategies partner is admonished by MPs, RCMP confirms search warrant executed
The RCMP confirmed Wednesday it had executed a search warrant at an address registered to GC Strategies. This development comes as MPs are enacting an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power, summoning one of its contractors to appear before the House of Commons to be admonished publicly for failing to answer questions related to the ArriveCan app.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Former Sask. massage therapist who sexually assaulted clients has day parole revoked
A former massage therapist who pleaded guilty to a string of sexual assaults has had his day parole revoked.