Like many children with big dreams, Brighton Ushindi Exode aspired to become a pilot. His high school studies in Biology, Chemistry, and Geography reflected this ambition. However, like many young people, life took an unexpected turn, leading him down a different career path. Today, Ushindi is a renowned hairstylist in Kigali, sought after by both locals and celebrities alike.
This success didn’t happen by chance. Growing up in a family of hairdressers, Ushindi’s path was subtly influenced by his surroundings. A Rwandan proverb, “umwera uva ibukuru ugakwira hose,” literally means that a characteristic is usually acquired from an existing trait and aptly describes his journey. Ushindi’s parents worked as hairdressers, ensuring that he never lacked anything at home, from food to clothing.
Now, Ushindi has carved out a niche in styling both men and women. He is skilled in haircuts, braiding, and other hair treatments. After completing high school, he ventured into hairdressing, utilizing social media platforms to showcase his work to Rwandans and others seeking his services. The videos he shared, displaying his expertise, quickly gained him fame.
It didn’t take long for Ushindi to attract many clients, including well-known figures in Rwanda’s entertainment industry. His signature phrase, “Sharp fingers in the city,” accompanied by a symbolic stone-sharpening gesture is a viral sensation.
In an interview with Kura, however, he shared that he encountered significant challenges when beginning his career as a hairdresser. He explained, “Finding a place to acquire hairdressing skills is difficult; it’s not something you can easily learn. I had to learn from experts outside the country. Learning from people you’re not physically with is very challenging.”
There’s no doubt that his work has connected him with prominent figures in the entertainment industry, further increasing the number of clients seeking his services. Ushindi says his work speaks for itself, attracting clients like Bruce Melodie, Junior Giti, Chris Easy, and others who have become regular customers.
“I was thrilled to work with celebrities because I never imagined it, but collaborating with them means they saw a certain level of quality in me,” he said. “Another person I worked with who surprised me was Chrissy Easy. His humility impressed me because I always thought stars were difficult to deal with.”
Although he has made a name for himself in braiding, haircuts, and various hair treatments, Ushindi wishes to see the hairdressing industry grow in the country and contribute to others who aspire to acquire similar skills.
“My dreams are rooted in the helping Rwandan society. In the coming years, I want to elevate this profession and provide knowledge to others. The challenges I faced in not finding training when I started are the ones I strive to eliminate so that others who need the skills can use me to bridge the gap,” he said.
In about five years, Ushindi hopes to see hairdressing as one of the leading professions in the country. He advised the youth not to look far for opportunities but to focus on what is readily available.
“The advice I would give to the youth, based on my story of self-employment, is that they shouldn’t look far for what could develop them because it’s close by,” he said. “Just like I went through it myself, wandering around looking for other things, only to open my eyes and realize that what could sustain me was close by and had already taken me far.”
Ushindi asserts that hairdressing can sustain someone if done professionally.
“This profession can sustain someone without needing to combine it with anything else because it has taken me far, and I’m grateful for it,” he said.
