Looking to snip up something new in Yellowknife, the owners of LJJ Barber Shop are promoting their expertise in working with Black hair.

Located inside Aurora Village headquarters at at 4709 Franklin Ave., the husband and wife duo of Jonel Louis-Jean and Diana Lubansa run the shop. They are hoping to address difficulties they had in finding someone locally who could properly style Black hair.

SA国际影视传媒淲e just had problems finding the right barber or the right hairdresser,SA国际影视传媒� said Lubansa. SA国际影视传媒淲e had conversations with a few people around town who expressed the same concerns for the same hardship and situation, not having the right person to get their hair done.

SA国际影视传媒淏lack hair is very complex,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 very difficult to work with Black hair. You can see my hair has very fine curls, so itSA国际影视传媒檚 not the same as straight hair. Straight hair is much easier. So it has to be somebody who really knows and understands our type of textured hair.SA国际影视传媒�

Lubansa, who moved to Yellowknife from Toronto in 2012, met Louis-Jean, who had arrived from Montreal in 2017, in September 2018. From there, they discussed their common dilemma, which eventually led to the idea for a new barber shop.

SA国际影视传媒淲e wanted to create and build something that is universal, but also representing the minority,SA国际影视传媒� said Lubansa. SA国际影视传媒淭he Black population has been underserved in this community for so long in terms of hair, so we wanted to bridge that gap.SA国际影视传媒�

The opening of the barbershop, which happened on Jan. 4, took longer than expected for the duo as another location they scouted on 49 Street fell through.

According to Lubansa, the combination of the shopSA国际影视传媒檚 delayed opening and the lack of work that came along with that led her husband into a depressive spiral.

SA国际影视传媒淣othing interested him,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淗e was sad, not happy, not eating or sleeping.SA国际影视传媒�

Following the opening, Louis-Jean, who serves as the master barber, is now thrilled to be working again SA国际影视传媒� helping people walk away with a new hair-do and smile.

SA国际影视传媒淭he first thing we really look for is the satisfaction of the client,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲e donSA国际影视传媒檛 just have the client and then five to 10 minutes and then go, go, go, then say, SA国际影视传媒極K, weSA国际影视传媒檙e done.SA国际影视传媒橲A国际影视传媒�

After a slower start, the business has gradually gained a foothold, they said.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e gonna keep working to make a difference,SA国际影视传媒� said Louis-Jean. SA国际影视传媒淭hat is our priority. And me, I like the competition.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e looking for quality, not quantity, quantity will come,SA国际影视传媒� said Lubansa.