Damien van dan Merwe opens ‘unorthodox’ Renegade Barber shop in Paget at 21 years old
‘I do appreciate a clean cut and to get to that level … I’ll give it my 100 per cent. Whatever’s on the client’s head is like my billboard.’
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At just 21 years old, Damien van dan Merwe has taken a leap of faith by opening the "unorthodox" Renegade Barber on the outskirts of Paget.
Mr van dan Merwe said he was passionate about providing "on point" cuts, a complete opposite from his early experiments in the profession.
"Five or six years ago, my mate wanted a haircut back home in South Africa," Mr van dan Merwe said.
"He went to a boarding school and they were pretty strict with their hair … but he desperately needed this haircut.
"I went, 'All right'; I sat him down on a little chair outside and I cut his hair.
"It wasn't the best, it wasn't great at all," he said with a laugh.
"They actually sent him home and told him to get a proper cut.
"I was like, 'Yep, nah, this isn't for me."
But after moving to Australia a few years later, a friend convinced Mr van dan Merwe to give it another shot.
"I developed a passion for it, really started enjoying the craft and it just stuck," he said.
"I do appreciate a clean cut and to get to that level, I'll put my all into the haircut, I'll give it my 100 per cent.
"At the end of the day, whatever's on the client's head is like my billboard."
Mr van dan Merwe said choosing to open in an industrial area was "unorthodox" but very much in step with the shop's namesake.
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"I like to go against the grain … challenging the norms in terms of what are barber shops meant to look like … and where are they supposed to operate?" he said.
" … There's big things to come, big dreams to come into play.
"There's so much I'm yet to do with the space … like putting in a little cafe, coffee station or some beers on tap.
"I've got like a little patio area where I hope to put in a small beer garden, really create an environment where people feel welcome.
"It's been a bit of a shaky start, but I can definitely see growth.
"Slowly but surely, just chipping away at those goals."
Renegade Barber at 17/16 Transport Ave is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5.30pm with walk-ins from 9.30am and bookings from 3pm. Saturdays are walk-ins all day.
For more information, head to the Facebook page.
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Originally published as Damien van dan Merwe opens ‘unorthodox’ Renegade Barber shop in Paget at 21 years old
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