The Humble Barber success is turning heads with help from Self Employ PEI

Sean Aylward, owner and operator of The Humble Barber, is the epitome of a hardworking Island entrepreneur.

Opening in downtown Summerside in March 2015, Aylward’s barber shop received support through SkillsPEI’s Self Employ PEI program during its first year of operation. He recently opened a second location in downtown Charlottetown and now employs five Islanders between the two shops.

“Pursuing self employment is always a risk because there’s no guarantee that the research and projections you made will come to fruition –and that’s especially true in a service industry,” Aylward said. “SkillsPEI’s Self Employ program allowed me to concentrate on building my business the way I wanted it to be, rather than changing the plan to try to generate immediate income. This program is a huge help to any entrepreneur, it makes the risk a manageable one, and contributes greatly to an entrepreneur’s ability to succeed.”

Aylward graduated with a degree in political science from the University of Prince Edward Island in 2009, and in 2015 he earned his Eastern College diploma and Red Seal as a Journeyman Barber. In 2015, Aylward received a Business Excellence Award from the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce for New Business of the Year.  

“It’s a real pleasure to support young Island entrepreneurs like Sean who are turning their dreams into successful businesses,” said Workforce and Advanced Learning Minister Richard Brown. “He is another example of the innovative risk takers that are helping to grow our economy and make this province a better place.”

The Humble Barber offers haircuts, beard trims, hot towel straight razor shaves, and a range of men’s style and grooming retail including natural products and traditional shaving tools. There is even a Humble Barber product line with branded shirts, beard oils, wallets, and more. To learn more about the business, visit The Humble Barber

The Self Employ PEI Program assists clients in their first year of operation through the Canada-PEI Labour Market Development Agreement. The program also offers up to $1,000 for a business planning consultant to assist with financing or marketing plans. To learn more, visit Self Employ PEI.

Media contact:
Sheila Kerry
Senior Communications Officer
Workforce and Advanced Learning
(902) 620-3688
slkerry@gov.pe.ca