Dee Why
Ji Ratnagopal
Director & Co-Founder — 13 years
Co-founder of Sonder. Started cutting hair with Sam in a garage at 17. Opened Sonder at 22. Now 30, leading the most education-focused barbershop group in Australia. Relentless in the pursuit of a standard the industry didn't have.
“Life gives to givers and takes from takers.”
Why Sonder?
Because the industry was missing something.
Opening Day
Surreal.
Biggest Risk
Opening during Covid.
What Kept You Going
My team.
What Sonder Stands For
“Holding each other accountable.”
Why Not Your Name on the Door?
We wanted to build a brand.
What Sonder Changed
Focusing on long-term instead of short term.
What Never Changes
The culture will never be sacrificed for the growth of the business.
Where It's Going
Keep investing into our staff.
What We Look For
Accountability, integrity and positivity.
What the Team Means
The fact that everyone holds each other accountable.
Why Education
The only way to deliver on our promise.
Why Run Club
We started during lockdown and it's become the backbone of our business.
“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”