Though he is popularly called Tobbie Touch, his real name is Tobi Ogunbuji. He is one of the well known Nigerian Hair Stylists. He has a very big brand, which has stood him out within a short while. His brand is very popular among rich celebs. In 2018, he was the choice of many governors’ wives, daughters and ministers.
A few weeks ago, he was sighted at popular London Prophetess home, Mary Olubori, doing what he knows how to do best.
City People’s Assistant Society Editor, ABIOLA ORISILE, had an exclusive interview with him on how he started.Excerpts
Who is Tobbie Touch?
Tobbie Touch is a Hair Stylist. I am a professional hair stylist. I am the CEO of my outfit and my name is Tobi.
For how long have you been making Hair?
For 12 years. Now I have been running my Brand for a couple of years too.
Why Hair?
May be because I grew up with ladies and while growing up, I saw lots of women who rocked hair that is not complementing their look. So I started with my female friends. I used to make their hair.
How did you learn?
I did learn the act of hair making on Youtube. Though, I used to Model too. So whenever people see hair of my clients, they will ask them, who made your hair and they will say Tobbie Hair. It is more of a signature thing.
What stands your brand out of the crowd ,seeing that you are a male?
Well, Tobbie Touch stands for 3 things. Simplicity, class, and reality and they are what our client cherish.
Many hair designers don’t always do the right hair styles for their patrons, but at Tobbie Touch, you will feel the soft touch. It is a signature thing, That is what we give you.
What was your parent s’reaction when you started?
Well, they never supported it. You know how parents are with their children after sending them to tertiary institutions and expected them to get a white collars job? But, my mum was tacitly a strong supporter, while my Dad was never my fan. He felt how could a man be making hair. Later, he saw that it was beyond hair making when I did a governor daughter’s hair for her wedding. It was then he got excited and became my fan. Well, I saw his fears, he felt being a hair dresser, I won’t go far, but he has seen beyond that now. I have raised the standard. I am not a regular hair stylist, I have carved a Niche and the brand is popular. It is a Noble profession and you must be creative to be a successful Hair Stylist.
How long have you been running Tobbie Touch?
Professionally I will say for 5 years. But I have been making hair for over 12 years. I started Tobbie Touch after my youth service in 2014.
How did you get the name Tobbie Touch?
I got it from my kid sister’. My friend came around and we started talking. He said, oh that Tobbie Touch and the name stuck. When my sister was describing how I made her hair. I decided to “Funkify” My name and add, Tobbie.
What else do you aside hair styling?
For me Tobbie Touch is not just about styling of hair. I teach, I hold Seminars too..
Aside learning on youtube, was there any other thing you did to get professional qualification back then?
No, I read
How many Brides did you do their hair last year?
I’ve lost count. I did some high profile weddings which were not put on instagram. I lost count. But if I have to say, may be 400 or more. Some don’t even want their pics up.
Which of the Brides was the biggest?
All my clients are big clients. Do you know why I said that? We are affordable, but not cheap. You must be big to afford Tobbie Touch’s service. It is not cheap.
How many have you done this year?
The year is still early, but I have done quite a lot. Lastweek, I was in Dubai for a Minister’s daughters wedding. There are lots of big wigs we handled and there are low key ones too, yet they don’t want to be in the crowd.
How did you do more than 200 /400 Brides’ hair in a year?
Well, Tobbie Touch is a team of good hair stylists, who also know their onions like me. They are very good and creative too. You won’t even know it’s not me. So, sometimes, we have more than 5 brides and we send competent hands to handle them.
So, I have a good team and that is why we use the hash tag. “Tobbie Touch Team”. We have professionals, who are of female than Male. You can’t spot the difference among them.
How do you rest?
We hardly rest when we have wedding, we have a photo-shoot. We manage to rest on week days.
Most people say that most Hair Stylists act like women, what is your take on this?
Well, it is a lady’s job and in the beginning, people also believe that most ladies are hair dresser.Most of those who are male hair dressers or stylists are used to women.
They also understand women. We practically deal with women and we tend to gesticulate like them, talk like them, walk like them and so on. It is normal.
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