San Diego mom Olga Bresheva knows just how important it is to have a business that can cater to your children – particularly when it comes to an activity such as haircuts. With that knowledge in mind, Bresheva and her husband, Ahmed Ismail, recently and proudly opened Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids in Carlsbad. Sharkey’s Cuts is a hair salon where cuts meet fun – kids are invited to sit in toy cars, play video games and more while they get a quick and easy haircut.
Not only is owning a Sharkey’s location a dream come true, Bresheva said her business also serves a purpose: “creating joyful, memorable experiences for children and their families.”
“Watching our daughters grow has shown us just how meaningful it is to create experiences that make kids feel happy, special, and cared for,” Bresheva said. “We dreamed of starting a small business that would not only align with our passion for children’s joy but also allow us to play an active role in our community, building connections with families like ours.”
Aside from haircuts, Sharkey’s Cuts also offers parties, toys, nail polish and other ways to engage children.
“We loved the idea of turning what could be an ordinary errand into something magical, with colorful chairs, engaging activities, and a team that genuinely loves working with kids,” Bresheva said. “Whether it’s sitting in a colorful car chair, playing a video game, or simply enjoying the warm and welcoming environment, we want every child to feel happy and confident during their visit.”
But it’s more than just catering to children – Sharkey’s Cuts also wants to make life easier for parents.
“For parents, we aim to provide a stress-free and enjoyable experience,” Bresheva said. “We understand how busy life can be, and we want to make sure that visiting our salon is not just convenient but also a moment of joy for the entire family. We want families to know that they’re in a place that values their children as much as they do.”
Since launching their business about a month ago, Bresheva said the feedback has been positive.
“Families consistently highlight the welcoming environment, exceptional service, and how much thought we’ve put into making every visit special for kids and stress-free for parents,” Bresheva said. “Parents love the cleanliness, the fun setup with colorful chairs, Xbox stations, and personalized TV options, and the extra touches like balloons, lollipops, and certificates for first haircuts.”
Although Bresheva and her husband are living the dream of having their own business – they both still maintain full-time jobs. She said Sharkey’s is a “passion project” that they hope will take off. In the meantime, they are enjoying being a part of the community by meeting new customers and sponsoring local events.
“This business is a reflection of my own journey as a mother—balancing the joys and challenges of parenting while always striving to make my children’s lives brighter,” Bresheva said. “Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids is more than just a business – it’s a way to give back to the community that my family is a part of.”
For more information about Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids, go to sharkeyscutsforkidscarlsbad.com.
