In Sync

Please introduce yourself.
Hi, I’m Ting. I’m a hairstylist at Kid Ting Barber x Salon, a space my partner and I run together. We’re located at 749A Geylang.

Cool! How long have the both of you had this space?
So I joined my partner here two and a half years ago, but he’s actually had this space for about six years already. Prior to this, I was apprenticing at a salon for three years.

Being a couple who are both hairdressers and running your own salon is quite a unique experience. How has this journey been for you?
It’s been a really fulfilling experience overall. Of course, there are challenges, especially since we spend so much time together, but it’s rewarding because we’re creatively aligned. We share a similar vision for the salon and what we want to achieve with it.

That said, our styles are actually quite different. He leans more towards barbering, while I focus more on hairstyling—things like creative cuts, colouring, and experimenting with new looks. But I think that’s what makes it work. We complement each other well; I can turn to him for techniques I’m less familiar with, and he’ll ask me for help when it comes to longer styles or more detailed cuts.

What were the challenges you faced when the both of you started working together?
I think the difference in our workflows was something we had to adjust to—especially since I came from a different company and he was used to working alone. We both had to adapt to each other’s habits. It’s really about give and take; sometimes I have to let go of being too particular about certain things.

At the end of the day, we remind ourselves that we’re a team. Open communication is key—understanding each other’s do’s and don’ts, and supporting one another, whether it’s cleaning up or improving the space together.

What skills have you picked up from him ever the years?
I’ve definitely learned a lot from him, especially when it comes to doing fades and getting more comfortable with using clippers.

In terms of his approach to hair, it’s actually quite similar to mine, but I really appreciate how he makes sure the haircut still looks good even without styling. I’ve started to adopt that mindset too, so that whether a client styles their hair or just wears it naturally, it still looks great.

Vibe-wise, he’s very community-oriented, which has influenced me as well. It’s made me more open-minded about what our space can be. It doesn’t have to feel like a typical salon. It can be something more welcoming and inclusive.

Speaking of the atypical, you both share a home here as well! Talk a bit about how it turned out this way.
Yeah, I think it all just grew quite organically. About two months ago, a friend of ours who had a room next to our studio moved into a bigger space, and that opened up an opportunity for us. We decided to take over the room and use it to store our personal things and as a resting space. It’s been really nice because our studio has more of a work vibe, while the other room feels more like a place to relax. The whole shophouse is quite communal, with different people occupying different rooms, so it naturally feels like a shared creative space.

I think it all came together because, in Singapore, creatives are constantly looking for affordable spaces, and this one happened to offer reasonable rent. So yeah, it’s been really great to have both work and rest spaces in the same area, while still maintaining some separation. Having two rooms definitely helps with that balance.

Is there a plan in place as to how you see the future of the salon growing in the next couple of years?
I think there’s never really a concrete plan, but more of intentions. I think for us, we just want it to keep growing organically as a creative space, and for it to be a comfortable space for creatives or non-creatives to just be at—a hub for creativity.

Right now, we occasionally have hairdresser friends come in to freelance. Having the second room has really helped—it frees up our main space, allowing us to accommodate more people and share the space with other creatives. That’s something we hope to keep building on and see how far it can go.

Yeah, a space where people can drop by!
Yeah, and it’s also a space to hang out. Recently, we got a third room, which we’re calling G-Town. It’s shared between me, my partner, and a few friends. The idea behind that space is to create more of a merch or gift shop—somewhere our friends can showcase and sell their own brand items or secondhand pieces if they’re just starting out.

Sometimes we even serve drinks, so it’s also become a casual spot to chill and catch a vibe. Just another space for the community to come together.

Finally, Now that we’re nearing the end of the year, what’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt this year?
This year has been full of growth and change for me. One of the biggest lessons I’m learning is how to let go of things I’ve outgrown—or even things I’m still growing through. It’s not always easy, because a part of me wants to hold on to everything. But I’m realising that in order to move forward and take the next step, sometimes you have to release what no longer serves you.