Ketut: A story of an Ubud Wedding Stylist

Ketut: the Hair and Beauty StylistKetut, at 27 years old, opened her own local wedding and hair stylist salon. This salon is tucked away in Jl Tirta Tawar, in a small village, in the back streets of Ubud, Bali. 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 from Seattle, USA, 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 in becoming qualified – two million Rupiah and ten 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 Seattle, USA, 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 Rp 7 million  ($US600). That is three times what a local worker in the Post Office makes in a month.  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 Rp 2 million.

Her husband is a gardener, and they have two children. Ketut is very happy and feels her life is blessed.

The man’s name was Mr. Loren Ceder from Seattle, and one day, she hopes this beautiful man will get to hear of her success.

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