Proud girl-dad, Hayden Kanisauskas has united Adelaide fathers in their pursuit of becoming better hairstylists for their daughters.
The 32-year-old started Braid&Bond in April, running sessions at local pubs for dads to come and learn the trick to the perfect ponytail, braid and even bun.
“I’ve got a two-and-a-half-year-old little girl (called Indie) and I love her to bits,” Mr Kanisauskas, who also works in the solar industry, said.
“I’ve always wanted to be present in her life and show her that I want to be a part of the things that she is doing and that includes getting her ready.
“I found that (hairstyling) was a skill set lacking for dads … so I wanted to help show other people and other dads that it’s okay to have crack and have a go at doing their daughter’s hair.”
The interactive, social events are run by experienced hairdressers with participants able to practice professions do’s on mannequin heads.
“It’s a very fun and relaxed hands-on workshop,” Mr Kanisauskas said.
“We go through prep work … how to detangle hair, then go through sectioning tips and techniques to do things such as ponytails (and) pigtails.
“The people that do the sessions get to go home with a workbook that’s got everything we go through.”
The sessions also provide dads at different stages of their fatherhood journey to connect and socialise over hairbraiding and a beer.
“It’s so important to have a fun, welcoming environment where dads feel safe to be vulnerable and have a crack at something that they don’t have much of an idea about,” Mr Kanisauskas said.
“Men’s mental health is extremely important and this is just helping them (learn) skills so they can have more connection within their family and be confident within themselves.”
Workshop attendant Sebastian Beoutis, 33, said he is “getting in early” on the hairstyling game with his first baby due in March.
“It’s been excellent, it’s just good vibes” the Modbury North local said.
“It’s great to have a network of dads (and) we’ll essentially be able to lean on each other.”