Rosita Ballada chases her dream with Rosita Barbershop in Crestbrook Plaza

A business woman has opened a conveniently located barbershop at a Townsville plaza after discovering she had a knack for cutting her family’s hair. Find out where.

Rosita Barbershop owner Rosita Ballada is excited to open her new business at Crestbrook Plaza. Picture: Leighton Smith.

Giving her husband and son haircuts at home to save money has transformed into an exciting new career for Rosita Ballada, who recently opened the Rosita Barbershop in Mount Louisa.

Formerly from the Philippines, Ms Ballada and her family migrated to Townsville in 2008, where she found work as a cleaner in numerous local businesses including hotels and Lavarack Barracks.

After discovering that she had a knack for trimming her family members, her husband Jeorge encouraged her to pursue a career with the clippers by studying a Certificate III in Barbering at TAFE – which she completed in February 2022.

Following her graduation, she was apprenticed at iBarber, which gave her a strong foundation in the craft of barbering and paved the way to branch out with her own business.

During an extensive search, her husband noticed a vacant space in Crestbrook Plaza, at 2/596 Bayswater Rd, which was formerly a fish and chip shop, and close to their house in Deeragun.

Rosita Barbershop owner Rosita Ballada outside her new business at Crestbrook Plaza. Picture: Supplied.

“When my husband finished working, he always passed there and saw people and said ‘it’s going to be busy’ … (because) there is an IGA supermarket at the end, and a bottleshop,” Ms Ballada said.

The family contacted Colliers Townsville leasing executive Reagan Stokley, who helped them secure a three year lease.

Rosita Barbershop owner Rosita Ballada secured a lease at Crestbrook Plaza, with help from Colliers Townsville leasing executive Reagan Stokley. Picture: Leighton Smith.

She said her business had been brisk since opening in late November, especially in the past fortnight as residents prepared for the new school year.

“I meet lots of different people and have interesting conversations about life, their work and travelling,” she said.

“They say it’s good that they don’t need to go far to cut their hair … it is more convenient for them.”

The transformed interior of Rosita Barbershop at Crestbrook Plaza. Picture: Leighton Smith.

Example of a haircut at Rosita Barbershop. Picture: Supplied.

While specialising in providing haircuts for males and women with short hair, she intended to build on her skillet to provide long-haired ladies cuts and colouring in the future.

Mr Stokley said Ms Ballada was looking for a space with her good exposure and access to a large residential catchment, and Crestbrook had both.

Rosita Barbershop owner Rosita Ballada shows off her new business with Colliers Townsville leasing executive Reagan Stokley. Picture: Leighton Smith.

Interior of Rosita Barbershop at Crestbrook Plaza. Picture: Leighton Smith.

“The barbershop is a great addition to the community. With the school just down the road and the Crestbrook residential estate, Rosita’s Barbershop is perfectly placed for a high footfall of customers,” he said.

For more information, visit Rosita Barbershop on Facebook or Instagram.

Originally published as Rosita Ballada chases her dream with Rosita Barbershop in Crestbrook Plaza