Salon Centric SA: A New Chapter in Supporting Stylists Who Strive for Mastery

When I look back on my journey in this industry, the thing that stands out most is how every season taught me something new about people, passion and purpose. So after nearly a decade leading international salon brands in South Africa, I realised something simple yet powerful which is that great tools create great artists. Not because they make the job easier, but because they allow a stylist’s true skill to shine.

I never thought I would be here again, running my own business full time but after successfully transitioning the KAO business to Twincare, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for Sonja and I to build Salon Centric SA. We wanted to bring something different to the South African professional hair industry.

From Corporate Comfort to Creative Freedom

Starting a business after years in the corporate world felt like jumping into cold water. You know it will wake you up, but once you are in, you never want to go back.

Co-founders Sonja Nel and Kevin Tabilo

Sonja already had the rights to distribute Jaguar tools in Namibia, South Africa and neighbouring countries. What she needed was someone who understood the heartbeat of the local market, who could build relationships on the ground, create education systems and drive a new standard of service. That is where I found my place again and it felt good to be back in the salons, doing what I love best.

The Mission Behind the Name

Salon Centric is more than a business name. It is a philosophy that places the stylist at the centre of everything we do. Our mission is to help stylists perfect their craft through access to the best tools, honest education and meaningful relationships.

When a stylist picks up a perfectly balanced pair of scissors or a brush that feels like an extension of their hand, it changes how they approach their work. It brings confidence, precision and joy back into the creative process. That is what we want to bring to every salon, no matter how big or small.

Building a Community of Mastery

We believe that education is the heartbeat of progress. Our goal is to create a space where stylists can learn, share ideas and stay inspired. Whether it is through workshops, masterclasses or collaborations with educators/stylists who share our values, the focus will always be on growing skills that last a lifetime.

Brand Ambassador Chad De Lange from Cooler Heads (Top Left). Cutting classes with Cooler Heads and Salon Centric SA. Brand Ambassador Daniella Rosa (Bottom Right).

That is why we have partnered up with Chad from Cooler Heads, Anel from C for Connoisseurs (in 2026) and now our latest brand ambassador, Daniella Rosa. We are also bringing out the Creative Retreat in March 2026 with Candice McKay, so watch this space for more information.

Partnership with Candice McKay for the Creative Retreat SA March 2026

We want to build a generation of stylists who see their craft as an art form and their tools as instruments of self-expression. It is not about chasing trends. It is about mastering technique, evolving with purpose and having the confidence to create something uniquely yours every time you stand behind the chair.

What Makes Us Different

For the longest time, the industry has been buying scissors out of catalogues. Stylists have had to take a leap of faith on a purchase that could define their work for years. We are changing that.

Bridal masterclass with Nicolene Strydom from Extraordinaire Hair and Makeup using Jaguar dryer and brushes

At Salon Centric, we believe that something as personal as your tools should never be chosen blindly. That is why we bring the experience to the salon floor, allowing stylists to see, feel and test the scissors and brushes before they make such an important investment.

We choose depth over width. We focus on tools and education that we truly believe in and products built with care and designed to last. Our service is personal and transparent, built around genuine relationships and a shared commitment to excellence.

A Movement, Not Just a Business

Starting Salon Centric SA has been both humbling and energising. It reminds me every day that success is not about scale but about impact. If we can help one stylist regain confidence, one salon raise its standards, or one apprentice find their spark again, then we are doing what we set out to do.

Jaguar J-Cut 60 Li clipper and Jaguar Tributo Dryer

This new chapter is about building something that lasts — a movement that encourages stylists to keep learning, to stay curious and to never stop perfecting their craft. Because when you love what you do and you have the right tools to do it well, everything else falls into place.

Kevin Tabilo

Managing Director & Co-Founder, Salon Centric SA

Instagram: @saloncentricsa

Facebook: Salon Centric SA

Website: www.saloncentric.co.za (Coming Soon)

Email: kevintabilo@icloud.com

WhatsApp: +27 82 560 9688

Precision tools, made with care and backed by service that truly supports stylists.

If you would like a copy of our Jaguar catalogue or latest price list, simply email or WhatsApp the word “Jaguar”, and I will personally send you the information.