Brothers open Ceduna's first barbershop in 50 years, leading a 100% Aboriginal business

In the town of Ceduna, in southern Australia, brothers Tjerayh and Tjeryan Coleman-Ware opened the municipality's first barbershop in fifty years. The venture is significant for the industry because it represents the only business on the city's main street that is 100% Aboriginal-owned and operated, strengthening local cultural presence in commerce.

The brothers' journey began in childhood, when Tjerayh, at fifteen years old, started using hair clippers. He reported that the lack of local professionals led young people in the community to cut each other's hair by turns. This initial experience sparked a passion for the profession in him, focused on improving clients' self-esteem by transforming them.

While Tjerayh practiced in the family home's back shed, his younger brother, Tjeryan, observed and was inspired to follow the same path. The opportunity formalized when both participated in a program offered by the Ceduna Aboriginal Corporation (CAC), a non-profit organization focused on social and economic reforms for the region's Aboriginal people.

The brothers completed together the course leading to the Certificate III in Beauty and Barbering. Although they started their training in 2024, they received their formal qualifications only in 2026, a period during which they dreamed of opening their own establishment. Tjerayh described how they quickly advanced through the study modules to achieve this goal.

Two months ago, the brothers identified an available shop for rent and decided to take the financial risk. The bet has been rewarded by local community support. Tjeryan highlighted the satisfaction of managing a business in the city where he grew up, noting the affection shown by residents.

The barbershop environment reflects the owners' family ties. A younger cousin helps sweep the floor after school, and there is a counter at the front selling handmade earrings made by the brothers' mother and younger sister. Long-time clients, such as Daniel Newchurch-Lawrie, have followed the technical evolution of their cuts since the first experiments done by the brothers on other family members.