McCORDSVILLE — For Angela Lester, opening her new barber shop called Status Barber Lounge is more than just offering a wide variety of services for hair and more. It will be a place for everyone to come in and leave feeling good about themselves — a place to feel comfortable, wanted and welcomed.
Having a career in this industry for 20 years, Lester said she has worked all over the city of Indianapolis, having worked at a Great Clips for 10 of those years. She most recently worked at a shop in Carmel.
Lester said that, being a lover of people and the craft of cutting hair, she has been able to gain experience and build her expertise servicing many different cultures. After the closing of the McCordsville Barbershop, which is now being converted into Coffee at the Crossing, Lester said she saw the need for a barbershop to service McCordsville and surrounding areas of Hancock County.
Located at 7397 N 600W Suite 700, Lester said she’s seeing the growth of McCordsville and wanted to be a part of it. Lester said with barbershops being a cornerstone of towns, they offer that small town, small shop feel.
“It’s a safe haven, it’s a place where there are no hats, no faces — just be yourself, be comfortable – we’re going to make you feel and look good,” Lester said.
Being one of five girls growing up, Lester said they didn’t have a lot of time or money for trips to the beauty shop, so instead she took it upon herself and purchased a curling iron. She would style her sister’s hair, which eventually grew into servicing friends in the neighborhood. From there, her hair journey took off.
Another big inspiration that pushes Lester everyday is her grandfather, a Korean War veteran. Lester said he was involved in business and good at handling money, and once Lester received her barbering license, he asked her to be his barber.
“With that being said, he is gone now, but he left some nuggets with me on business and how to service people — how to treat people and how to offer your gifts and talents to others,” Lester said.
Lester said she will offer the community feel that comes with barbershops, a vast difference from bigger companies like Great Clips or Super Cuts. Alongside Lester will be four other stylists who she had become close with working at a shop on the south side, near the Beech Grove area.
Lester said that while remaining professional, they are going to stay true to themselves and offer a wide range of styles, also working with multicultural hair. From classic cuts to flat tops to what is trending at the moment, Lester said that anyone is welcomed and they celebrate being diverse.
Lester said she believes it’s important to make sure everyone feels like they belong and relate to one another.
“You’re going to see all kinds of people in here. It makes everybody feel comfortable and wanted and welcomed,” Lester said.
“Across the board, it doesn’t matter who sits in the chair — its hair, you can do it. It’s up to us to make sure to have you understand that you are welcomed here no matter who you are.”
Lester said that while she does it all, she specializes in bald fades due to being a military barber from 2013 to 2019. She also enjoys working with and styling beards, a new trend.
When working with her clients or even someone for the first time, Lester says she makes sure to know what clients like or don’t like about their hair and then what they want to achieve. Lester said that pictures for reference also help just in case there is a barrier with communication or terminology difference.
For phase two of the barbershop, which will take place at a later date, Lester said she will have an esthetician join, offering skin care, massages and waxing services. She’ll also have name-brand products available for purchase, such as American Crew.
Lester said that they encourage appointments, and will have specials going on the first three days of business and even partnered with the owners of Coffee at the Crossing to offer free coffee vouchers for the first 50 people who come get a haircut.
As the barbershop comes together and signage for the shop is ordered, Lester said the projected opening day will be sometime during the week of Easter.
According to its website, the barbershop will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. They will be closed on Sundays.
Lester said that she wanted to thank the community for having her and her business and that she feels like she is presenting a gift to McCordsville, Hancock County and anyone else who chooses to visit.
“Barbering is age-old, it’s never going anywhere,” Lester said.
For more information on Status Barber Lounge, visit statusindy.com.
