'Unique Touch'-Unique unisex barbershop

By Madeline Marcelia Garvin

Hidden away in the corner of the strip mall located on the corner of Hessen Castle and Paulding Road is a relatively new establishment, “Unique Touch Salon,” a full service unisex barbershop and hair salon for whosoever wishes to come. The actual address 3214 East Paulding Road is somewhat difficult to locate for the non-discerning eye; however, with perseverance one is fortunate to enter Nirvana—an aesthetically decorated salon with warm, earthy colors that will put your mind at ease upon entrance and have you leave a new person.

Manager Anthony Washington, a well-mannered, soft-spoken, endearing gentleman who puts his customers and their likes first, is one of the reasons for this salon’s ultimate success. Washington might be the manager; however, he respects the talents of those who are on his team, realizing that all of them bring gifts to the business, he listens to all of their voices and concerns, which is another plus.

Washington said he has been cutting the hair of his family members for years, and because of the inordinate amount of practice on the hair of his relatives, he perfected his skill. However, being a barber, in actuality, was not Washington’s first career path. Like many, in the area, he also has had the experience of having a company for which he was working leave the area. So, only one year away from completing his licensure for being a professional barber, Washington decided to complete the program, and now the rest is history.

Although this retreat for one’s coif and mind, is only six months old, having opened in August 2009, those who are employed within the facility are veterans of the trade. Collectively, they represent 50 years of experience in the barber business.

John Dortch, the proprietor of Unique Touch—who, ironically, is not a barber—said he had been to many shops, and he was not always pleased with the level of professionalism. After reading an article in Black Enterprise Magazine, Dortch said, “I decided to pursue opening this business, and I looked around for a location because location is everything.”

In addition, Dortch explained that he wanted his establishment to have a diverse clientele and he examined what future potential would be like within the vicinity. He said he selected this area because he thinks it has an opportunity for growth, and he and Anthony selected the team after conducting a full scale interview with each employee, especially making certain to pose why each had the desire to work there.

Dortch, said every barber who is employed at Unique Touch is outstanding.

“If anyone has a problem, he said, “we work collaboratively to address it.

“People have choices,” he added, “and if they decide to come here, we treat them professionally.”

Their hard work and quality control efforts have paid off in the form of a fast-growing, diverse clientele that encompasses nearly every ethnic group in the area. Dortch said the salon is even beginning to attract a significant number of customers from neighboring small towns in Ohio. Again, choice is a word he uses in talking about the shop’s customer base.

“Our intention was not to go and steal other people’s clients, but people do have a choice,” said Dortch.

He and Washington also want to expanded the women’s side of the business. The two said they are looking for stylists to work on the salon side Unique Touch. Currently, Pat Files, a former Fort Wayne resident now living in Indianapolis, is their only stylist. She drives to the city every other weekend to service the faithful clientele she still has here.

Most impressive is not only the manner of the barbers, who are excellent listeners but, the overall environment and the offerings the business provides. Since the salon’s clients range in age from infancy to well in their 80s, the facility is open seven days a week, with limited appointment hours on Sunday and Monday, thus, making it accessible to all in need.

“We do appointments and walkins. We just want to make it convenient for everyone—we ant to make it convenient for all,” explained Washington.

The salon also offers specials for seniors, who are 55 and above and discounts on Single Mother Tuesdays, which pertains to all categories of single women with children—even those who are divorced or chose to adopt as single females.

Acoustically speaking, Unique Touch it is fabulous, offering its patrons WIFI and surround sound with cable networks in each of the patron areas.

Because Dortch said he believes if one can have a “happy hour” after work, one can visit this salon and come away with a “happy hair” experience every third Friday, in which clients are offered a 10 percent discount. Additionally, that same day patrons and other interested parties can visit the establishment to have educational/informational conversations with various business people and other entrepreneurs: accountants, physicians, dentists, attorneys and other professionals. On a recent Friday, two local attorneys: Attorney Reginald Stiles and Attorney Dawn Rosemond were on hand for a designated hour to explain voluntarily their areas of expertise to those who were interested.

The spirit-filled philosophy that drives Dortch, Washington and the staff is prominently displayed with promises and adages strategically placed throughout the business. Some of Unique Touch’s “Promises and Commitments” to its customers are as follows:

• Will be friendly
• Will be professional
• Will be helpful
• Will be proactive
• Will be knowledgeable
• Will have what customers want, when they want it.

And one is assured of this upon exiting and reading Hebrews 11:1—“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

This is part of the February 10, 2010 online edition of Frost Illustrated.

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