Namadev Nagaraj

Namadev Nagaraj,

Namadev Nagaraj –Who Gave a Modern Touch to the Profession

Born in 1982 in Bengaluru, Namadev Nagaraj hails from a large family comprising his father, mother, three sisters, and a younger brother. His father, Nagaraj, ran a barbershop at the Bangalore airport, serving military personnel. At the young age of 14, Namadev began assisting his father, gradually learning the nuances of the profession. His close interaction with soldiers instilled in him discipline, patriotism, and strong religious and cultural values—foundations that later shaped his spiritual and philosophical outlook on life.

Initially, the income from the family salon was insufficient to meet household needs. To support the family, Namadev dabbled in part-time trades, selling flowers, fruits, vegetables, and greens. Though he passed his 9th Class, he was compelled to drop out before completing the 10th Class to take on family responsibilities. One day, while walking near his old school, a former teacher recognized him and asked, “You were a bright student—why did you stop coming to school?” Namadev replied, “I have no support to continue my studies.” Moved by his words, the teacher provided him with textbooks and encouraged him to rejoin school. He resumed classes for just three months and excelled, scoring an outstanding 123 out of 125 in Kannada—a testament to his passion for learning.

Fuelled by a desire for further education, Namadev dreamt of joining college and even brought an application form from Malleswaram College. However, his father disapproved, saying, “You’ve studied enough. Now, I need your help.” Thus, his aspirations for higher studies were cut short. Yet, his thirst for knowledge remained unquenched, and he resolved to continue learning in his own way.

In 2000, his father established a small salon in Malleswaram. Namadev divided his time—working half-days at the salon and spending the rest driving vehicles to support the household. Despite the hardships, he never complained nor felt envious of his friends who were enjoying carefree college days.

The Realization of a Dream: ‘Spin’

In 2011, with a small loan, Namadev launched his first salon, Spin, in Vidyaranyapura. He began this venture with just five people, including his brother Mahesh and a few cousins. Despite challenges like power cuts and a lack of customers, he remained committed to honesty, cleanliness, and quality service. Over time, Spin grew steadily.

Namadev transformed barbering from a mere family tradition into a respected and aspirational profession. Today, Spin has expanded to over 100 branches across Bengaluru, various cities in Karnataka, and neighboring states, employing more than 1,500 people.

Lighting the Path Globally

Though his formal education stopped at 10th grade, Namadev can now speak more than eight languages. He has traveled to over 20 countries, taking his business and vision global. His salons today are frequented by celebrities and prominent business figures alike.

Social Initiatives and the Spirit of Yoga

Despite his business success, Namadev has not lost touch with yoga and cultural values. As an international yoga teacher, he has visited countries such as the Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, the USA, and Spain. His passion for languages also continues to thrive.

Empowering Communities through ‘Kshoura Kuteera’

Recognizing the stigma and social neglect associated with barbering, Namadev launched the Kshoura Kuteera project in North Karnataka to uplift the most marginalized barbers. Through this initiative, he renovates dilapidated salons and converts them into well-equipped modern units. So far, 11–12 Kuteeras have been successfully established.

A Role Model for Young Entrepreneurs

With the aim of attracting youth to the profession, Namadev conducts workshops and motivational sessions. Influenced by his story, youth leader Chitravarthi Sulibele invited him as a guest on the ‘Fits Pillar’ program. Namadev delivered an inspiring speech on entrepreneurship to an audience of over 1,000 young people, emphasizing the philosophical depth and significance of building one’s own venture.

Conclusion

Namadev Nagaraj has redefined the traditional barbering profession by infusing it with modern values and entrepreneurial flair. His words, “The greatest joy in life is being able to offer someone employment,” echo not just personal success but serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for an entire profession.