Dereck “Chief The Barber” Chappell opened Diamond Cutz Barber Shop in Hutchinson on June 17 with the help of fellow barbers Marcus Martinez and Chuck Rorie.
“Everybody wants their own shop, that’s the dream,” Chappell said.
The planning for the shop began when he started cutting hair out of a studio in his house for the last 18 months.
Rorie was the first to come on board with the plan.
“Knowing Chief, it was the right choice,” Rorie said.
While Chappell is the owner, he explicitly explained he does not wish to take all the credit and greatly attributes the shop opening to the help he had from Rorie and Martinez, as well as the community.
The barbers were looking for a fresh start working for themselves. Chappell shared that he missed the environment of working in a shop with the energy of other people.
The three barbers have 20 years of combined experience cutting hair mostly at Legends Barber Shop. Though they are excited about their new venture, they thank and credit Legends for helping begin their career.
One big mission for the shop is to give back to and help the community. The shop will be helping with the Backpacks and Haircuts event with HCC’s cosmetology school, as well as already sponsoring the Reno County Boxing Club.
“I want to give because it's fun,” Chappell stated.
Martinez specified “I want to help the schools, sponsoring any good and helpful programs.”
“Quality over quantity” is the motto of the shop and is appointment only. Appointment only allows for the barbers to slow down and take their time to ensure they provide the highest quality haircuts. Martinez said without walk-ins, work has been more manageable and less sloppy.
All the barbers said their favorite part of cutting hair is the relationships they form with clients.
“It’s like a relationship with a friend. That’s the best part,” Chappell explained.
Martinez said the community is why he had the confidence to leave his established role.
“I knew I had the backing there,” Martinez said.
Looking towards the future, Chappel hopes to hire two more barbers within the next year, possibly one before school begins in Aug. The shop tends to be the busiest when kids return to school.
The shop also hopes to continue one of its missions, to give back to the community with further sponsorships and other community outreach events.
“I think everyone needs to grab a pair of shades, our future’s bright,” Rorie said.
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