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eeing Kellan Briones in his element at Premier Barbershop’s hip Ala Moana location, it’s hard to believe that he spent ten years in the austere suit-clad world of corporate finance. The barbershop’s laid-back, on-trend aesthetic radiates from it’s sick faded cuts to the exclusive Anti-Social Social Club tees and hoodies that hang in the waiting area.

Having left the bank for a more flexible CFO position at Island Hauling with the hopes of starting his own venture, Briones met barber Rodney Ballesteros, who opened Briones’ eyes to the viability of starting a local barbershop. Ballesteros is now Briones’ business partner and Premier’s head barber.

As a commercial lender and branch manager, Briones managed a portfolio of 300-400 customers. He now oversees a total of 17 barber chairs between both locations, which seat  everyone from business owners and professionals, to kids, high schoolers, and the military.

“Having helped so many businesses, everybody kind of follows the same formula,” said Briones,  “I think it just becomes more about what the strengths are of the owner. I want to think my strength is customer service.”

Briones also has a strong background in management, something he didn’t anticipate utilizing so heavily at Premier. But as a small business owner, he’s realized an important part of keeping customers happy is keeping his barbers happy.

“I think it’s just showing [the barbers] what kind of growth there is, not just at the barbershop but in life,” said Briones, “it’s trying to use our network that we’ve developed. We let them know that it’s available to them to grow as people and individuals, not just as barbers”

Premier’s heavy involvement with local nonprofit events is just one of the ways Briones exposes his barbers to Hawaii’s network. Premier has held pop-ups at events benefitting Make-a-Wish and Shidler College of Business among others, bringing barbers out of the shop and into the community.

“I don’t think [we’re] a typical barbershop,” said Briones “What I want them to see is if you have any questions, if you need anything, don’t be afraid to ask because we probably know somebody that can help.”

Premier has taken their pop-up concept beyond just charity events, collaborating with exclusive streetwear labels on launches of limited edition items to expand the shop’s brand. Recent collaborators have included Baseballism and Pai’ea Projects, who recently released gear repping Briones’ alma mater, Kamehameha, for the school’s alumni week. The exclusive collection featured a kapalama jersey, a Kamehameha T-shirt, and a Pai’ea hat, and was released at a pop-up event complete with food from Zippy’s and beer from Honolulu Beerworks.

Briones was inspired to further diversify the barbershop’s offerings after seeing the opportunities presented by their new Ala Moana location. Occupying a special medical-grade room with a staff of RN’s and a medical director, Premier’s Medispa was the perfect addition to their Ala Moana location.

The spa’s services include laser hair removal, skin resurfacing, fat reduction, and facials for both men and women. Though overall most of Premier’s services cater to men, According to Briones the medispa has attracted the attention of many of his customers’ female friends or partners, opening up a new segment of potential clientele.

“It was definitely [about] utilizing the entire space that we had, so being at Ala Moana it was pretty central to kind of seeing all the revenue streams that complimented us,” said Briones. “On the mainland for sure they have medispas, even in Hawaii there are a bunch of medispas, but nobody focuses on men”

Briones’ entrepreneurial drive and eye for business opportunities was fostered by his grandfather, who he considers a mentor. According to Briones, his grandfather started State Farm in Hawaii and also had a background in real estate and tai chi.

“[He] was really focusing not just on the money side but just making sure that you help people,” said Briones, “I think that’s really helped me, because at times it would get so frustrating just because it’s business, but then you realize that it really affects so many other people than just you, so don’t worry about the money, just worry about taking care of everybody and it should all work out.”