Starting a business from scratch isn’t easy, but for Darwin Cerrado and his partner JOF, building The Color Bar – the Philippines’ go-to hair color salon – was driven by passion, creativity, and a willingness to take risks.
Their journey has had its ups and downs, but their story proves that with the right vision and strategy, you can turn an idea into a growing business.
Making the leap from a corporate job to running a salon
For Darwin, leaving behind a successful career in business analytics to start a salon wasn’t an easy decision. He spent years working with SAS Philippines and ABS-CBN, where he honed his skills in understanding customer behavior and analyzing data.
“Like anyone working in companies and the corporate industry, there’s always been people having dreams of creating and building their own business. That has always been my dream also.” Darwin shares.
This dream led him and his life partner, JOF, to open The Color Bar in 2018.
Although Darwin didn’t have any experience in running a salon, his background in business analytics helped him navigate the challenges of building a business.
“I’m not a good face also to the business because I don’t have hair, obviously, diba,” Darwin laughs. “But I’m the brains behind it in terms of business development. So together with my partner, it’s a good match between the creative that he brings to the table and my side of the table, which is really managing the business from a data perspective, which is really my strength, given my 20-plus years experience in business analytics.”
The birth of The Color Bar
The vision for The Color Bar grew from Darwin and JOF’s unique blend of skills and a shared drive to make their mark in the industry.
With world-class training in hair coloring from the USA, JOF brought a level of technical expertise that set their services apart. Meanwhile, Darwin leveraged his deep understanding of business analytics to identify opportunities and craft a brand that would stand out in the competitive salon landscape.
“It really started with a talent that we want to share and then really understanding and getting exposed to the market and seeing what is it that we can offer in the market.” Darwin shares.
They began small, operating out of a condominium in BGC. This modest start allowed them to test their approach, refine their services, and gain exposure to their target audience. The goal was clear: to specialize in hair coloring, a service that no salon in the Philippines was fully focused on at the time.
“Most of the salons were generalists.” Darwin explains, reflecting on their decision to focus exclusively on hair coloring.
This niche approach, paired with JOF’s expertise, gave them a unique edge in the industry.
Becoming an instant hit in the Philippines
The Color Bar’s success wasn’t just about its focus on hair coloring – it was about Darwin and JOF giving their all from the start. “If you decide to get into something, whether it’s a business or a hobby or anything, you need to give everything yourself. You cannot be half-baked.” Darwin explains.
This commitment paid off quickly. In under six months, big names like P&G, Unilever, and MEGA Magazine were reaching out. “MEGA Magazine came to us in 2018 and invited us to be a partner for the MEGA Fashion Week.” Darwin recalls.
Their success was no accident.
It was a blend of strategic marketing, data-driven decisions, and a keen understanding of the market. “I was heavy with digital marketing without really aiming for anything. It’s really just because we wanted to make sure we maximize what we have.” Darwin shares.
And with his background in analytics, Darwin was able to track key data points, asking questions like, “How did you find out about us?” and “What did you see in us?”
This data allowed them to evaluate and refine their strategies, ensuring they delivered the right services and a compelling story that helped attract the attention of more customers and major brands.
Overcoming challenges – together
Running a business is tough enough, but doing it with your life partner adds a whole new dynamic. That’s why for Darwin and JOF, their shared passion for The Color Bar became both their strength and challenge.
“There’s a shared passion that we have together. Na parang, we dream together. It’s not gonna stop naman. We’re two passionate people eh. With passion comes intense care,” Darwin shares. While this intensity sometimes led to disagreements, they saw it as a positive force. “I kind of accepted na if you put two passionate people into something, there’s gonna be a lot of that. But that’s a good thing. If the passion disappears, I think that’s the end of it.”
This unwavering dedication became even more critical during the pandemic. “Everyone came to that point during the pandemic, diba? Nung 2020, 2021,” Darwin recalls. With strict restrictions on salon operations, survival seemed daunting. “There were masks, and we were allowed to operate, but we were only allowed to do certain things which was not enough to pay the bills. It was a very tough two years.”
At that time, they had just invested in their second branch. But what kept them going was their love for the business and their people. “It’s that genuine love with each other to make sure we take care of this company. It’s not just the two of us but all of us.” Darwin reflects.
A significant part of their strategy was prioritizing their employees’ well-being, ensuring they were supported throughout those challenging times.
What’s next for The Color Bar?
The Color Bar is showing no signs of slowing down.
In 2023, they took a big step forward by opening their third branch in Molito.
On top of that, 2024 was another milestone year as they celebrated their 6th anniversary in style—by hosting a free hair coloring masterclass. It was their way of giving back to the community, sharing their expertise, and inspiring the next generation of stylists.
As for the future? The Color Bar is ready for more growth. Whether it’s opening new branches or finding other ways to elevate their craft, they’re staying focused on delivering top-notch service and creating opportunities for their team to thrive.
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