From Taiwan to Australia
For Kim, hairdressing has always been in her blood.
Growing up in the mountain village of Nantou in Taiwan, she spent her childhood helping out her mum, surrounded by the lively chatter of uncles and aunties in her mother’s bustling barbershop.
“She did hair in the backyard. I remember helping her with hair rollers and perms,” Kim says.
Taking inspiration from her mother, Kim studied barbering, hairdressing and beauty therapy for three years in Taiwan, until she set her sights on Australia.
“I always loved Australia, their hot rods and cool cars,” she laughs. “So I just came here. There are a lot of really cool antique shops, and just a better lifestyle.”
Kim settled in Brisbane, drawn by the warmer weather and slower pace. There she began building a career in barbering while learning a new language at the same time.
“When I got here, I couldn’t speak any English, so I talked to clients with Google Translate. My clients really helped me learn English.”
Alongside working in barbershops, Kim attended English classes for a year and a half, gradually building the confidence that would one day help her open her own business.
After moving to Tasmania, she continued barbering while studying Business Administration.
As fate would have it, the first shop Kim put her resume in when she came to Tassie was where Lucky Child is today, a barbershop owned by a locally renowned barber by the name of Paul.
“The first shop I put my resume into when I came to Tassie was 100 Elizabeth Street,” she says. “Paul owned the space for about 30 years.”
A few years later, that same address became home to her own dream.
On 13 August 2023, Lucky Child Barbershop opened its doors. The leap to start her own business was a scary one,
“I thought I was going to eat Mi Goreng for months after that,” Kim laughs.
“It was scary to leave a big group with no backup. It’s pretty lonely. I was working on my own for about six months.”
Today, Lucky Child is thriving, with four staff members bringing their own skills, backgrounds and styles to the shop.
“At Lucky Child, we’re like a family,” Kim says.
“I want my staff to feel settled without having to worry about anything. I don’t want them to sacrifice anything for my dream.
“I want them to have a work-life balance. When we come to Australia from our hometowns, it’s hard when you start out. We don’t want to work 12 hours a day again. I just want them to be happy.”
Building a space with character
It’s a quiet place for the busy mind. Kim and the team have cultivated a space where the noise of the city fades away the moment you step inside, giving you a chance to slow down and take a breath.
“Our intention has always been to make the shop feel like visiting a friend’s house. Here, you’re not just another appointment, you’re a guest. We as barbers are experienced in our craft, but we also take the time to listen.”
Once you step inside Lucky Child and you’ll immediately notice its unique atmosphere.
Kim has spent years collecting vintage pieces to create the shop’s distinctive look, inspired by 1950s rockabilly culture.
“I always had the concept in my mind. I wanted an antique, old barber style. A little bit mix-and-match.”
Many of the treasures decorating the space have been sourced from antique stores around Tassie, including Sorell and New Norfolk.
People come not only for a haircut, but to enjoy the space, the conversation, and a nice relaxing hot towel.
More than just a haircut
For Kim, barbering has never been just about hair.
“Haircuts are fun. You get to know people.”
Over the years, she’s watched clients grow up, graduate from university, start businesses, build careers, and raise families.
“Some of my clients I’ve known for years. I’ve seen them open their dream businesses. Some I knew when they were still at uni. Now they’re having children.”
She believes strong relationships are what make local businesses successful.
“I think word of mouth is really powerful. Stronger than Google reviews.”
Building those relationships takes time and genuine connection.
“You need more than just three questions in the whole 30 minutes to build relationships,” she says. “People need something they can tell their family, friends or footy club about.”
Kim sees the barbershop as a place where people can not only look good, but feel good too.
“We’re always there to make you look good. It’s a place for you to relax.
“You get emotional support and therapy in a fast-paced world.”
A chair for everyone
The name Lucky Child carries a simple message.
“I think everyone’s that special person in the world,” Kim says. “Everyone is that lucky child.”
That philosophy shapes every aspect of the business.
Lucky Child welcomes people of all genders and backgrounds, with pricing based on hair length rather than gender.
“I used to get treated badly when walking into a barbershop because of my gender,” Kim says.
“They would charge me more because I’m a woman, even though I was getting the same haircut as the guy next to me.”
At Lucky Child, the focus is on the style you want, not who you are.
“It’s not about your gender. It’s about the haircut.”
The team’s diverse backgrounds also mean clients can choose a barber whose style suits them best.
“Everyone is really good at their job. No matter which chair you sit in, you’re in good hands.”
Kim compares it to a food court.
“You have Japanese cuisine, Hong Kong cuisine, Chinese cuisine. Everyone does something different and does it well. It depends on what you feel like that day.”
Proudly local
Located in the heart of Midtown Hobart, Kim values the strong sense of community among neighbouring businesses.
“When we’ve got full chairs, we’ll send people over to JimBob’s and they do the same for us,” she says.
“It’s not a competition. We help each other out.”
That community spirit extends beyond barbering.
Kim is passionate about supporting small businesses and preserving the diversity they bring to city centres.
“We can never compete with a big chain barbershop,” she says. “But I hope people keep supporting small local shops.”
For Kim, every small business represents someone’s dream.
“This shop is my dream job.”
“If people don’t support local businesses, one day chains will be everywhere, and we won’t have any variety.”
For now, though, Lucky Child Barbershop continues to do what it does best: creating great haircuts and a welcoming place where everyone can feel like a lucky child.
This sentiment rings true for Lucky Child, who are a participating business in our Hello Hobart Gift Card program. Give the lucky child in your life the gift of a sharp haircut and fresh shave! – A simple way to support local while giving people plenty of choice.
