Community Gem: Artistik Edge: Where Hair Meets Heart
Celebrating 35 Years of Creativity, Community, and Commitment in Lake Highlands
Artistik Edge hair studio has been a beacon of creativity and community spirit for nearly 35 years. Offering an array of services from the softest baby lights to bold vivid hair colors, balayage, grey coverage, beautiful cuts, blowouts, facials, and waxing, Artistik Edge stands out not just for its services but for its deep roots and significant contributions to the local community.
The story of Artistik Edge is one of resilience and growth. Terri Hoover, the founder, began her journey in a small town in East Texas. Life's adversities, including the loss of her father and the death of her first husband, led her to bartending before she found her calling in cosmetology. Pregnant and determined, Terri completed her cosmetology training while working for a company selling hair products. It was during a routine sales visit in 1989 that she decided to purchase an existing salon at Audelia and Buckingham, despite some of her family's skepticism about her ability to succeed.
Almost 35 years later, Terri’s salon has thrived, moving three times, hiring and training hundreds of aspiring hairdressers, and bringing on Rebecca Roberts as a partner a decade ago. Both Terri and Rebecca, former educators for Redken, have focused on growing their team right here in Lake Highlands, creating a nurturing environment for their staff and clients alike.
What sets Artistik Edge apart is its unwavering commitment to education and teamwork. Using Redken hair color for over 25 years, the salon emphasizes continuous learning and collaborative effort. It’s common to see the team brainstorming together to ensure clients achieve their desired look. This collaborative spirit fosters a strong sense of community within the salon, making it a welcoming space for both clients and staff.
Terri's love for people is evident in her reflections on watching families grow, seeing children off to college, and welcoming them back with spouses and new families. Artistik Edge operates on a commission basis, supporting their stylists' career paths through business consulting, managing bookings, inventory, and providing a supportive environment that goes beyond just doing good hair.
One poignant example of the community’s support is when Terri’s son Jake was killed 19 years ago. The clients and staff rallied together, donating enough money to cover most of the funeral costs. This outpouring of support highlights the deep bonds Artistik Edge has formed within the Lake Highlands community.
Terri offers valuable advice to neighbors: when trying a service business, give it more than one or two tries. One bad day can unfairly tarnish a business's reputation, and small businesses are built on the blood, sweat, and tears of their owners. She also emphasizes the importance of respecting hairdressers, who invest countless hours in education to better themselves.
Post-pandemic, Terri has shifted her focus from cutting hair to mentoring her team, helping them achieve personal and professional milestones. Rebecca has taken a more hands-on role in the salon, continuing to drive its success. The duo's future goals are centered around supporting their staff and ensuring the continued growth and success of Artistik Edge.
Terri’s heartfelt message to the community underscores the importance of supporting local businesses. Small businesses, unlike large corporations, contribute significantly more to community causes and need support to thrive. By choosing to support local establishments, residents can help sustain the vibrant, diverse economy of Lake Highlands.
Artistik Edge is more than just a hair studio; it’s a cornerstone of the Lake Highlands community. Its rich history, commitment to education, and deep community involvement make it a true neighborhood gem. For more information, visit ArtistikEdge.com.