A SALON run by the "nephew" of entrepreneur Theo Paphitis was launched with a visit from the Dragons' Den star last week.
Hektik Hair opened in the Whitgift Centre over the summer and is run by Vassos Kesta, who knew Paphitis as an "honorary uncle" growing up as he was a good family friend.
Mr Kesta, 30, also appeared in short-lived reality television programme The Salon from 2003-04, when he cut the hair of celebrities including the late Jade Goody and comic Michael Barrymore.
The Whitgift Centre salon is his fourth, having opened others in Chelsea, Bromley and Forest Hill since 2009.
And despite the impending redevelopment of the Whitgift Centre, Mr Kesta sees now as the perfect time to come to Croydon.
He said: "We've come here for the long term to Croydon. We saw a great opportunity to get in there, we've got a long lease and when Westfield comes even if we have to get out we are going to be in Croydon for the long term.
"We wanted to get in now so we can build up our client base."
Having worked in top-end salons in London, Mr Kesta is now permanently based at his Croydon branch, as he looks to hit the ground running.
And unlike many who start their own salon, Mr Kesta is still happy putting the graft in.
He said:"I love cutting hair, a lot of people who run salons don't get out on the floor any more, but I love it."
