Indonesia Expat
History/Culture Meet the Expats

Ketut: the Hair and Beauty Stylist

Ketut the Hair and Beauty StylistKetut is 27 years old and owns a local wedding and hair stylist salon in the back streets of Ubud, Bali. Her little purple shop has been her only source of income for three years now. A fortunate meeting with a lovely elderly couple dining at a hotel restaurant she was waitressing at led to her dream coming true. This lovely man asked her, “What do you want to do with your life? Do you want to study?” to which Ketut replied, “Yes, I would love to study. I have always wanted to be a make-up artist.” She knew what was involved to become qualified – two million Rupiah and 10 months of training in a beauty school in Gianyar, learning formal make-up application and massage therapy.

When she returned to work for her next shift there was an envelope with her name on it. She opened it and it simply read “You must go to school. Please find enclosed two million Rupiah” and the rest is history. The couple had already flown out, back to North America, and Ketut didn’t get to thank her benefactors. She remembered their conversation and remembered speaking to them of “a promise” if her situation ever changed. They must have sensed she was a girl with true conviction and a real desire to achieve.

As she held that money, a fleeting thought crossed her mind, “I could really do with a phone upgrade”, however she dismissed that quickly because, as she told me, “A promise is a promise”.

Her wedding salon is a thriving business and in her best month Ketut has had takings of seven million. In the busy wedding season, which is 2-3 months before Galungan, the salon is a hive of activity. For a complete makeover (boy and girl), wedding costume hire, accessories and hair styling, the cost is two million.

Her husband is a gardener and they have a three-year-old child. Ketut is very happy and feels her life is blessed.

The man’s name was Mr. Loren Ceder from Seattle and one day she feels he will get to hear of her success.

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