Transforming Barbershops with AI: Firdaus’ Capstone Project at Sigma School

From Passion to Innovation: Meet Firdaus

Firdaus, a 22-year-old aspiring web developer from southern Malaysia, has always been passionate about technology and problem-solving. As a self-taught barber, he noticed a gap in the industry—barbershops struggling to keep up with modern digital solutions.

This realization led him to create his capstone project at Sigma School: Silverhand Barbershop, an AI-powered online booking system designed to revolutionize the way customers and barbers interact.

Bridging the Gap Between Customers and Barbers

Many customers leave barbershops dissatisfied simply because their requests aren’t clearly understood. Sometimes, they ask for a low taper fade but end up with a high fade. On the other hand, small barbershops struggle to expand because they rely on outdated booking systems or walk-in appointments. 

Firdaus set out to solve these problems by developing a seamless digital booking platform that ensures clear communication between barbers and customers while also helping local barbershops grow through technology.

Silverhand Barbershop: A Tech-Powered Booking System

Silverhand Barbershop is more than just an appointment scheduler—it’s a complete barber shop management tool. Built as a full-stack web application, the platform allows users to create, update, and manage appointments easily. Key features include:

• AI Chatbot Assistant: Helps customers choose the best haircut styles based on their preferences.
• Smart Scheduling System: Only displays available time slots to avoid double bookings.
• Firebase Integration: For authentication and image storage.
• PostgreSQL Database: Ensures efficient data management.
• Preact, Redux, and Express.js: Powering the front-end and back-end for a seamless experience.
• Vercel Deployment: Making the platform accessible anytime, anywhere.

Overcoming Challenges and Building a Scalable Solution

Building a fully functional full-stack project came with its fair share of challenges. Firdaus had to navigate complex API response handling, optimize Redux state management, and ensure a responsive design across different devices. 

The biggest challenge, however, was designing a well-structured database to handle appointments efficiently. Through trial and error, research, and continuous testing, he overcame these obstacles and refined his application into a smooth and reliable system.

Lessons Learned and Future Improvements

Through this journey, Firdaus developed a deep understanding of database architecture, state management, and AI integration. He also learned the importance of structured code and thorough documentation for scalability. Looking ahead, he plans to enhance Silverhand Barbershop with features like:

• An admin dashboard for barbers to manage appointments efficiently.
• Calendar and email integrations to automate booking confirmations.
• Advanced AI capabilities for personalized haircut suggestions.

A Step Toward the Future of Tech-Driven Barbershops

Firdaus’ journey from an idea to a fully deployed project showcases the power of learning, perseverance, and innovation. His project is a testament to how digital solutions can transform traditional businesses. Through Sigma School’s hands-on learning approach, he not only gained technical skills but also built something impactful.