A local barber shop is trying to "Pay it Forward."
Ashley Willett, owner of the AWOL barber shop in North Bay, started the program in late February where clients can buy a haircut for a stranger.
Willett says the idea came after a meeting at YES Employment.
"I had taken my staff to meet YES Employment's Dustin Fay for a comprehensive training course aimed at enhancing our understanding of mental health and developing strategies to accommodate individuals with mental health challenges or disabilities in the workplace," Ashley explained.
"Dustin presented some thought-provoking ideas, one of which was the 'pay it forward' concept. We all enthusiastically embraced the idea and believed it would be a valuable addition to our shop."
Willett has been running the AWOL Barber Shop since 2019, when she purchased the business formerly known as "Carmine's Barber Shop" from the former owner. She also has a barber shop located at CFB North Bay.
"I recently celebrated my fifth anniversary of taking over Carmine’s location in October 2024, and my base location will be two years old in May," Willett said, noting she has three employees.
Willett notes the shop’s name, “All Walks of Life,” aptly reflects the diverse clientele they serve.
"We encounter individuals from various walks of life, and it’s heartwarming to be able to occasionally offer a small gesture of kindness and provide a service like paying for their haircut, which can genuinely brighten their day," she said.
Willett hopes people will spread kindness and be open to making someone’s day by offering a simple gesture like paying for, or pitching in for someone’s haircut.
"I can relate to the feeling of having my coffee bought for me unexpectedly at a drive-thru, so I can imagine the joy of someone doing this for someone else, especially since we never know what people are going through," said Willett.
"Since starting, I’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback. Some people have already donated haircuts, and many have shared the idea online.
"I just want people to feel good about doing nice things again. In today’s world, it seems like everyone is focused on themselves, but a simple act of kindness can make a big difference."
