My name is Ahmed Abuhaltam and I was born and raised in Paterson, NJ by two Palestinian parents. My passion for hair developed as a child when I spent countless hours in my father’s salon, accumulating my tips from sweeping hair off the floor. Throughout my life, I had entered different fields of work and landed a well-paying job in car sales. I lived more than comfortably for a kid my age. However, I had always felt something was missing. I had a passion to create with my hands and always envisioned myself becoming a hairstylist. The day I decided to quit my well-paying job and pursue my passion for hair was the day my life completely changed. I enrolled in Paul Mitchel school of cosmetology with the plan to obtain my licenses. I applied to a salon and spa as an assistant and tried to learn as much from other stylists as I could. It was an extreme change of lifestyle, from working at a car dealership wearing a suit and tie, to a salon wearing all black and an apron. But, I knew I had to start somewhere to eventually end up where I had envisioned.

In 2019, my father had suffered from a severe stroke that left him paralyzed and unable to continue managing his salon. This left me no choice but to quit my job at the salon and spa and become a full-time manager of my father’s salon at the age of 20. At this time, I was doing the best I could to successfully run my father’s business while attending school to obtain my cosmetology license. I started creating video content and marketing myself on Instagram as “Hair Abu.” Slowly but surely, I generated a following and became well known in many communities. “Hair Abu” started as a name I established for myself and it eventually flourished into a brand that represents sophistication, sharpness, and elegance, because that is the standard of the work I produce. Hair Abu is a brand that holds value and credibility, and it will continue to expand as I prosper in this profession.