From skill training to shop upgrades: How a local barber became a businessman in Baghpat district

Deepak, a neighbourhood barber from Baraut town in Baghpat district, Uttar Pradesh, runs a small salon from his residence in Nai Basti, Patti Choudhran. After practising the trade in Delhi and later serving customers locally, he chose to set up his own space close to where people live rather than chasing a prime market address.

The goal, he says, was never a flashy storefront. Instead, he wanted a reliable salon that people could walk into on any normal day before work, after school, or between errands. Over time, this choice has not only shaped his customer base but also the stability of his business.

Why a home-front location works

For Deepak, location matters more than visibility. Grooming is a regular, recurring need, and a salon inside a lived-in mohalla brings steady footfall without the high overheads of a commercial market. Customers don’t need directions or signboards; the shop becomes part of their routine.

Owning the premises has also allowed him to grow at his own pace. Without the pressure of rent hikes or relocation, he feels confident making gradual investments. Over the years, he says, stability has mattered as much as mastering the craft itself.

Skill upgradation and structured support

In 2024, Deepak began looking beyond routine work and started planning the next phase of his journey. Through local civic representatives, he learned about two avenues that could help him upgrade both skills and setup.

He enrolled under the Vishwakarma Samman Yojana for skilling support. The training sessions, he says, helped refine his technique and offered practical inputs on shop management covering hygiene practices, customer handling, and maintaining service consistency.

Alongside this, he accessed working capital through the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan (CM Yuva) Yojana. After submitting standard documents and completing the verification process, the credit was sanctioned. The funds helped him organise equipment better and improve the shopfront—an upgrade he had postponed for years due to cash-flow constraints. What appealed to him most was the discipline that came with structured borrowing, allowing him to plan expenses and keep repayments manageable.

Steady growth, one upgrade at a time

The salon currently runs with two hands, though Deepak often manages alone when required. Services remain rooted in everyday grooming needs, with a strong emphasis on cleanliness and routine.

Looking ahead, his focus is on improving customer experience and average billing. He plans to add a shampoo sink, dryers, and a small hair spa section so the salon can offer more than just a quick haircut. As footfall increases, he expects to hire another trained assistant to reduce wait times and extend operating hours.

For fellow artisans, Deepak’s message is simple: keep building skills, stay involved in daily operations, and make use of structured support where available. In his case, a home-front shop, formal training, and incremental upgrades have helped turn a long-held plan into a stable neighbourhood enterprise in Baraut.