Stylish Cut

Leila Mollapour is so passionate about her profession as a hairstylist and salon manager that she commutes two hours a day to Dunbar by bus and train. She says, “I love Dunbar people and the neighbourhood. I wouldn’t work anywhere else.”

She worked at Dunbar’s Great Clips for nine years before it closed due to the block being redeveloped. The owner chose to reopen in a new storefront in July 2019 and named the hair salon Stylish Cut. The dedicated employees came along, as they are a united team and enjoy working together. In turn, their loyal client base followed them.

As we all know, when you find a good stylist you will travel any distance to keep them. Having your hair cut or coloured defines your look, therefore, you need to find a stylist you trust. Leila enjoys the balance of cutting hair and managing the paperwork. Several years ago she took a management course and learnt how to train her co-workers on a new software program.

She says, “I am always here to help the staff. I have built wonderful relationships with this great group of people.” Leila and the four other stylists also have a close relationship with the salon’s owner.

Stylish Cut continues to provide very affordable haircuts. The salon recently added hair colouring to its services, which also includes perms and highlights.

Many senior clients come in weekly to get their hair washed. The busy four-chair salon sees a variety of clients from children to adults. Positive word of mouth brings many new customers to Stylish Cut.

“Everyone loves us,” says Leila. Kids enjoy the treat of a lollipop after their appointment. Before the pandemic, there were often hugs exchanged between clients and their stylists. Leila mentions, “When kids call me ‘Aunty Leila, that is priceless.”

She is devoted to this neighbourhood. Leila mentions, “The clients are so nice. They are super kind and very humble people. They have become part of my family.”

Building relationships with her clients is extremely important to Leila. She has a knack for remembering people’s birthdays and significant events in their lives. It makes clients feel special and it comes naturally to her.

With a laugh, Leila reports, “I have become an expert at reading someone’s day. I can sense if they have had a long day and want to be quiet. I do my homework about many subjects from sports to hockey, politics, current events, and kids’ topics too so I have a wide range of topics to discuss. I also follow celebrities’ hairstyles to keep informed if a client asks for a specific cut.”

Originally from Iran, Leila is extremely proud of her Persian heritage and gets asked many questions about her homeland. She says, “I feel like an ambassador of my country, and have studied a lot about it. I know a lot more about Iran and my culture now than when I lived there!”

COVID-19 has altered the way most businesses operate including hair salons. The shop is sanitized many times throughout the day. Appointments can be booked with new guidelines in place. The stylists attempt to accommodate walk-in customers to the best of their ability. Masks and physical distancing are necessary. Clients are encouraged to come in alone unless they require assistance (such as children). If you are hoping to read a magazine while you wait, you must bring one along.

The salon’s hours of operation are very convenient. New COVID-19 hours are weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturdays from 10:00 am. to 6:00 p.m., and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

What makes this business special? Leila comments, “We really respect our customers. Even at closing, we will stay open if someone shows up or phones to request a haircut. We never say we are closed.”

At the end of the day, hearing a happy customer say, “I will come back,” is the greatest reward for all of the stylists at Stylish Cut.

Stylish Cut, 3231 Dunbar Street, Vancouver, BC V6S 2B8

Telephone 604-732-5123