Rustic Roots Salon – Tipton

Rustic Roots Salon Owners Reflect on First Year in Business

Photographer / Jason Graves

Situated in the heart of Tipton, Rustic Roots Salon is flourishing after opening its doors in February of 2020.Despite the challenges of COVID-19 restrictions, the salon owners credit the support of the community for its success. Located on North Main Street, the business represents the dreams and hard work of co-owners Karly Henry and Amy Robinson. “I received my business degree from Ball State and then headed to Amber’s Beauty School,” Robinson says. “A short time later, Karly was my intern when she was in high school. She continued her education at Rudae’s School of Beauty Culture. Then for 12 years we worked side by side.” Robinson says she always dreamed of opening a salon of her own, but thought the costs to run such a business would be prohibitive. “Karly and I were camping together and talked about it,” she says. “Within days, the two of us left the salon where we were and began working at Today’s Headlines. We would not be where we are at now without the support of Today’s Headlines while we transitioned into the location we found for Rustic Roots.” Joining Henry and Robinson to complete the team are Kristy Hendrix and Alexis Hursh. Henry specializes in dimensional hair color and is a blonde specialist, while Robinson is skilled at color correction and customized haircuts. Hendrix is skilled at blonding and perms, and aims to find the right style for each customer. Hursh, who offers discounted haircuts for first responders, specializes in dry cutting and highlights. “We work well together as a team,” Henry says. “Since we all have different strengths, if someone has a situation and needs advice, we all help. We have had four high school interns that are continually growing and working in the cosmetology field. It’s an honor to help others grow.” Education is an important part of Rustic Roots. For 10 years Robinson shared her expertise as a SexyHair platform artist, in addition to traveling for PRAVANA as an artistic educator. She has worked New York Fashion Week for Betsey Johnson and has been featured in Modern Salon magazine. For the last 12 years Henry has expanded her education through companies like Redken, Paul Mitchell and Joico. Rustic Roots welcomes women, children and men. Besides color and cuts, the salon is known for perms and special-occasion upstyles. The salon also offers waxing services and wedding hair styling. “We truly customize color,” Robinson says. “Geometry, physics and chemistry all play a part. We make sure that you know how to style your haircuts, and keep your color looking great from the time you leave our salon until the day you come back to us.” Henry and Robinson are grateful to local businesses that have supported them during their first year in operation. As a way of giving back, they are sponsoring a scavenger hunt by encouraging customers to take selfies at local businesses while wearing gear featuring the Rustic Roots logo. Hendrix designed a logo that is available on shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and hats. Participants can post photos on social media to highlight Tipton establishments. “We like to volunteer, and have cut hair at a nearby church,” Henry adds. “The salon is in the best location. The town is growing and it is like no other. There is so much caring and support.” Rustic Roots Salon is located at 126 North Main Street in Tipton. For more info, call 765- 860-8407 and visit facebook.com/RusticRoots2020.