Hair salon owner, tennis enthusiast, devoted mum, and the woman behind Hair Shaka in Tanjong Pagar. Originally from Leicester, England, Samantha has spent the past nine years building a life and business in Singapore, a journey that began with regular trips here to look after the hair of a UK client and her friends.
What started as a few visits eventually became a much bigger move.
Today, she's running her own busy salon, finding time for tennis and the gym, and making the most of life in Singapore. Having rediscovered tennis after a long break, she's already made her mark in WITS, winning B singles on her debut and finding a welcome escape from her demanding schedule.
Q&A with Samantha
Q: Where are you originally from, and what brought you to Singapore?
I'm originally from Leicester in England. I first started coming to Singapore around 13 years ago when a client of mine from the UK used to fly me out to do her hair and her friends' hair.
I quickly developed a client base here and found myself in demand. After four years of travelling back and forth between the UK and Singapore, I decided I wanted to make the move permanently for myself and my daughter.
I managed to secure a job in a salon here, so in 2017, my daughter, who was five at the time, our little chihuahua and I packed up and moved to Singapore, hoping for better opportunities and a new chapter in our lives.
Q: What surprised you most when you first arrived?
How easy it was to get around, and how clean and beautiful Singapore is.
I was also surprised by how kind and supportive everyone was when we moved here. Arriving on my own with a young child wasn't easy, but having such amazing help and support has definitely made it easier for us to settle in and for my daughter to thrive growing up here.
Q: What does a "normal" day look like for you (if that even exists)?
There are never enough hours in the day! I try to squeeze in tennis or the gym in the morning before heading to the salon, where I spend most of my day.
Between work, my daughter, tennis, the gym and trying to have a social life, it's always a juggling act. Hopefully, I make it home in time to have dinner with my daughter!
Your experience with tennis & WITS
Q: When did you start playing tennis, and how did you get into it?
I started playing tennis when I was four years old but had to stop at around 12 due to family circumstances.
I only started playing properly again about two years ago, although tennis has always been something I've known how to play.
Q: How did you first find WITS?
Through other players I met while playing at the Fairmont through UFIT, where I'd started getting back into tennis.
Q: Tell us about a favourite WITS memory (funny, chaotic, or proud moment).
Winning B singles on my WITS debut was definitely a proud moment!
I've also loved all the times our team has done well in the doubles league. And of course, I love the parties!
Q: What do you enjoy most about playing in WITS?
Getting to play more tennis, meeting some lovely players along the way, and of course, the end-of-season awards celebrations and lunches!
Q: What does tennis give you that nothing else does?
My own time and peace.
About you
Q: What do you do outside of tennis?
Work hard and party hard!
Q: What's something you're currently obsessed with (food, routine, hobby)?
The gym and staying young!
Q: What's one thing people in WITS wouldn't guess about you?
Probably how I got here and the journey it took to build the life I have in Singapore.
Q: What are three things you can't live without?
My daughter, tennis and moisturiser!
Your business
Q: Tell us a bit about your business. What inspired you to start it?
After working in salons in Singapore, I felt there was room for improvement, particularly when it came to customer service and the overall salon experience. I wanted to create a space that offered the quality of service and experience I felt customers deserved.
When COVID happened, I couldn't just sit around doing nothing for six weeks! So I started designing my own salon and getting in touch with different suppliers.
I'd managed to save some money over the years, and eventually decided to take the leap and open my own place in Tanjong Pagar. That's how Hair Shaka came about.
Q: What's been harder than you expected?
Definitely the rising costs of running a business in Singapore. Building the right team has also been challenging and took some time.
Q: What's something you're really proud of building?
A life for my daughter and a stable business here in Singapore. Having my own salon and creating a good working environment is something I'm really proud of.
Q: What's your vision for where it goes next?
I'd love to expand to Dubai at some stage. For now, I want to keep growing the team and continue providing great services to our clients.
And finally:
Q: Advice you'd give to a new player joining WITS
You get what you put in! It's great being able to play tennis and be part of a team, so get involved and make the most of it.
Q: One word to describe WITS
Exciting!
Q: What does WITS mean to you?
WITS means a lot to me. It's a chance to switch off from everything else and really focus on myself, or on my doubles partner and me, without any distractions.
It's my zen.
A big thank you to Samantha for sharing her story and for extending a special offer to the WITS community.
From making the move to Singapore with her young daughter to building her own successful salon, Samantha's journey is a lovely reminder of what determination and hard work can achieve.
If you're looking for a little pampering, you can visit Samantha and her team at Hair Shaka, located at 63A Tanjong Pagar Road. Follow the salon on Instagram at @hair_shaka_beauty_shaka_sg for the latest updates.
And if you spot Samantha on court representing You've Been Served!, be sure to say hello.
WITS PERK: 15% off all services at Hair Shaka (mention WITS when booking).
