Conversations with Artra Edwards

Today we’d like to introduce you to Artra Edwards. 

Hi Artra, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
“Well, it all started at the tender age of…” that’s how all stories start, right! Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, to Rosia Edwards where she worked and owned her own hair salon. She would have me in the salon as a baby while she was making her clients and friends fabulous, later on she would move her salon into our house. We still run into her old clients and friends saying they remember when I was a baby in the salon while they got their hair done. I remember every Saturday getting my hair pressed out for Sunday, it was a weekly routine.

Fast forward to middle school, I started doing my own hair, then doing my friends. I can remember staying up late doing braids and other styles on myself. When I became a junior in high school, I was able to sign up for the career center. I wanted to go to Cosmetology, but they had no space at the career center, so I opted for Architectural Design. After starting the program, a couple days later the Cos program ended up having an opening, so I moved my career. Once my junior year was over, I did not have enough credit hours to return, so I went back to regular high school where I would finishbmy senior year. I was still doing my friends hair for various dances and events

Once I graduated from Northland High School, I thought I would take a stab at Cosmetology again. I thought they would take my hours that I had from the career center, but it was a no-go. I knew I wanted to go to college, so I went with a shorter program in the Cosmetology field, nails. Going through the nail program at Nationwide Cosmetology School was a shorter time, and I could make some money on the side while going to Columbus State Community College. While working on and graduating with my Associate’s Degree in Small Business Management and a certificate in Dental Lab, I worked in numerous shops around the Columbus area. After doing nails for about 6 or 7 years, I decided to go back to school to get my hair license. After graduating from Ohio State School of Cosmetology, I tried juggling nails and hair, but it started becoming too much, so I jumped strictly to the hair side. I found me a salon, Spoiled Rott’n where I worked for 6 years then we relocated and changed the name to Chazon Grand Salon. I am still with the same salon except that it is named Chazon Hair and Nail Studio we are located in Reynoldaburg, Oh. I have been in hair industry for over 20 years. I have been in national and international publications, my editorial work can be found in Xtreme Hair Magazine, Ohio City Trends, Iconography, Fashiz Blak, Munaluchi, and Upscale just to name a few. I have participated in local and national hairshows. Done numerous shows at New York/ Miami Fashion Week and Philly Fashion Week. I have appeared on an episode of Basketball Wives. I also have instructional videos. I am currently in training to becoming a Trichologist where I will specialize in hair loss.

I Love doing hair behind and from behind the chair. If you are ever in the Reynoldsburg area, feel free to stop by Chazon Hair and Nail Studio, located at 1751 Brice Road, or visit my website www.StylesByArtra.com.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Overall, it has been a smooth road. I have been blessed to not really have any struggles.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in total hair care, I want my clients to not only stylist hair but healthy hair too. I am proud of all the steps that I have taken to become a better me in the hair industry for my clients. I also have a product line out, “That Royal Hair”. We sell men and women finishing products.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
I follow different stylist on different social media platforms to stay up on the latest products and services. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.StylesByArtra.com
• Instagram: StylesByArtraLee
• Facebook: StylesByArtraLee

Image Credits
Artra Edwards
Stephanie Matthews