Dave singleton
Creator and Owner, DiscContinued Homme “DC Homme”
Dave Singleton is a master barber, entrepreneur, and mentor with over 35 years of experience in the barbering and beauty industry. He grew up in a generation where men’s hair styling was dominated by more mature and established gentlemen, whom he saw as role models. Determined to create a legacy that mimicked those of the greats before him, Dave enrolled in the Bladensburg School of Barbering, where he graduated in 1983. After graduation, under the faithful guidance of his mentor, Joe Clay, the sole proprietor of Langley Hair Stylist, Dave took his first employment in the hair industry. Langley Hair Stylist was one of the first successful full-service unisex hair salons in the region.
It was there, at Langley Hair Stylist, where he started honing and perfecting his hair cutting skills and techniques. In 1984, Mr. Clay suggested that Dave further his beauty education at the renowned Robert Lewis Studio of Hair Concepts in Silver Spring, Maryland which offered advanced beauty culture and cosmetology education. After completing his coursework in 1985, Dave achieved certification as a Cosmetologist and Master Barber in the state of Maryland at only twenty-two-years-old.
Soon after, Dave was promoted to assistant manager with the expansion of Langley Hairstylist’s second location. As the assistant manager, he was able to help educate and train young barbers new to the profession. It was during this time that he started branding his own style of cutting techniques called D.I.S.C., an acronym for “Design, Innovation, Skill and Creativity.”
The year 1986 was pivotal for Dave’s career filled, with both professional obstacles and personal tragedies which prompted him to relocate and take advantage of a business opportunity as a stylist in Atlanta, Georgia working with the expanding Reggie Word & Company, of Washington, D.C. Although the expansion was unsuccessful, the experience he gained during that time elevated him to a heightened level of professionalism and expertise in his career.
In 1988, Dave relocated back to Maryland taking residence on Main Street in Laurel. He was welcomed back with opened arms by his friend and mentor, Joe Clay. This was when his pursuit for DiscContinued Homme began.
In 1989, with great respect and mutual understanding, Dave parted ways with his mentor. He began a new role as a self-employment barber and stylist at Sheila’s Unisex Salon in Langley Park, Maryland. Along with the pre-selected assembled team of colleagues, for four years his team made Sheila’s Unisex one of the most popular hair salons in the Washington metropolitan area. This opportunity proved to be very successful both personally and professionally which led him to open his first salon in 1993, D.I.S.C. Design Hair Studio in Silver Spring, Maryland. During his time at Sheila’s Unisex, Dave was introduced to Sheila’s daughter, Sandra, whom he later married.
At his new venture, D.I.S.C. Design Hair Studio, Dave created a new business model that focused on strong, personal relationships with customers coupled with quality service, accepting appointments only. His theory was that if customers felt a connection to their stylist and could rely on consistent, high-quality service, they would make appointments and continue coming back time and time again. D.I.S.C. Design Hair Studio was able to erase the stereotype that salons needed walk-in traffic to survive.
Dave has worked hard to honor the barbers and stylist that came before him and has achieved status as an expert and professional Barber/Stylist. In addition to his other numerous accomplishments in the industry, his work has been seen on Black Entertainment Television, and in elite African American hair publications including Black Passion, Shoptalk, Moods, and Black Hair. His work landed him a position as a platform artist from 1988-2002, with Kemi Laboratories of Columbia, Maryland under the guidance of Marketing Director and educator for the Kemi Savage Natural Hair Product line. Through his collaboration with Rohn Riley “Malaki Yisrael” (Cultured Naturals) and Artistic Director, Zaki Saleh, (Salon U) Dave furthered his skills in coloring and working with natural textured hair and precision parametric hair cutting techniques. In addition to advancing his knowledge of the industry from a trade show perspective, he also gained valuable insight into the power of the black natural hair care industry.
In 2006, Dave collaborated with Diane Adams (Express Spa) Mobile Spa Service and Wellness Center to form D.I.S.C. Design & DV8 Day Spa which opened the same year, within D.I.S.C. Design Hair Studio. The DV8 Day Spa concept was a very innovative and unique plan for spa services exclusively for men by women. Diane had noticed from the masculine design décor of Disc Design Hair Studio that it would be a perfect bridge to introduce men to spa services.
After raising his four children to adulthood, along with his wife Sandra, in 2017, Dave launched his long-time passion project DiscContinued Homme, a vintage-inspired men’s grooming lounge located in the historic Main Street district of Laurel, MD. DiscContinued Homme offers customized grooming services including facials, manicures, and pedicures, massages, professional shaving, and haircuts. A culmination of years of work, the business is his most personal venture yet and a true testament to Dave’s lifelong commitment to his craft.
The vision for DiscContinued Homme was born from Dave’s unique connection to and personal relationships with his clients. He learned that the days of a transactional experience at a traditional barber shop are long gone. His customers were not only coming to him for excellent service, but also for the community they had access too. Equally as important as an impressive haircut are the conversations and connections that contributed to an overall experience unmatched by other places. DiscContinued Homme connects the established gentleman to the eager up-and-comer; the old-timer to the young man; the mentor to the protégé. DiscContinued Homme fosters the relationships that people crave, providing a quality cosmetic experience, as well as a social experience.