Reliable Barber Salon: Cutting Hair with International Flair!

By Joyette Mills-Ward
Business Reporter-SKNVibes.com

Dion Browne owner of Reliable Barber Shop

Basseterre, St. Kitts- MEN in St. Kitts now have another option when it comes to looking sharp since Dion Browne opened his own Reliable Barber Shop on the 2nd floor of the Warner Building on Rosemary Lane.

Browne, who is originally from Cole Hill, Nevis began cutting hair 15 years ago and has had experience in management of a family-owned Lumber Yard in the BVI as well.  Browne said he saw the time spent in a previous haircutting establishment as transitional; a sort of stepping stone to the path he is now on.

“Sometimes when you’re in a place, you find your brain becomes confined to the place so I had to get my mind and body out of that place in order to expand myself,” Browne told this media house.

His need to expand bodes very well for the male population in the Federation as he has indicated that he is using men’s salons in Europe and other international locales as his professional yardstick when it comes to the level of service his clientele can expect when they enter Reliable Barber Shop.

Browne said that having lived abroad for more years than he has spent in the Federation has exposed him to certain elements of customer service and professionalism which he observed were lacking in some of the local barber shops.

“There are truly some skilled barbers in St. Kitts, but I see myself as a trendsetter who has come on the scene to make cutting hair and general grooming better.

“I’m trying to bring a different flavour to cutting hair. I want to give my clients, whether locals or foreigners the feeling that they are in a professional and upscale business. I want to implement things like free coffee in the mornings, complimentary shampoo service, warm-towel shaves and appointments during non-business hours for the very busy.” 

Browne said discounts and ‘back to school’ specials are in the works, especially in view of the fact that the federation is celebrating its 25th anniversary of independence.  His main source of inspiration was Rodney Simmonds of Tortola who studied cosmetology in the U.S. and returned to Tortola to open a Barber Salon called NuGeneration Salon.

Working 14 to 16 hours on most days has left Browne little time to enjoy the social side of life; but according to him, it is a sacrifice worth making.

“What I want to establish is a hallmark of quality service in the name Reliable Barber Salon. Whenever a customer calls and requests a haircut at a particular time I am ready willing and able to provide this. My service watchwords are Quality, Professionalism and Courtesy.”