Photo by Liza Winkler

For almost 30 years, Sandy Krug has built her life and business model around a simple message she instills in those she employs—God is first, family comes second and the commitment to Classic Hair is third.

"I really feel like because [our employees] know I don't force them to have their job first, I really think that it makes a connection," Sandy said. "I can't tell you how many light bills and car payments we've paid [for our employees]. They know they can turn to us not only professionally but personally for any help they might need."

After almost two decades of working as a professional hairdresser, Sandy and her husband, Gene, took a leap and opened the Tomball location of Classic Hair in October 1984. The salon continued to expand over the years and moved to three different storefronts before settling into the Tomball Marketplace Center in 2011.

In addition to the flagship Tomball store, the couple opened several other Classic Hair locations in the area including a store in The Woodlands in November 2002, a Cypress store two years later and a Gleannloch location in October 2005. Each salon offers an array of services, such as haircuts, coloring, perming and styling for men, women and children.

Sandy and Gene continue to manage each of the Classic Hair stores and sold a fifth location in Lakewood last year after 12 years of operation.

"My husband is not only the love of my life but the business partner everybody dreams of," Sandy said. "I do all the hand-to-hand daily operations—all the hiring, all the firing. [Gene] does all the administrative work, so we make a really good team."

Fostering Classic Hair's "We care about you" motto, the business has grown to a total of 49 employees and each of the four locations sees from about 900 to more than 1,200 clients per month, Sandy said. Sandy continues to tap into her roots and cuts hair for longtime clients, including one customer she has known for 45 years.

Sandy has also managed to foster long-term relationships with her hairdressers. About 18 employees have worked at Classic Hair for at least a decade, with four being employed for 17 years or more, she said.

"It's been a wonderful experience, and that's why I've been here so long," said Josie Hoyt, a 17-year employee at Classic Hair in Tomball. "[Sandy] is an excellent boss and she treats me like family. I have a lot of clients I have been doing for over 12 years."

Growing up with a transient family, Sandy settled down and found a home in Tomball shortly after marrying Gene when they were teenagers. Now after 48 years of marriage, the couple has four children, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. One of the couple's daughters, Leesa Krug-Sims, has worked at the Tomball Classic Hair location for 25 years.

As for the future of Classic Hair, the Krugs are open to suggestions for future growth. For now, Sandy said she wants to maintain the four locations and plans to expand one of the salons next year.

"What can a person do their whole life and get paid for it and still love it?" she said. "I've done hair for 47 years. I love it like the very first day I did it, and it's a challenge, but it's also something that a person can do where you really touch people sometimes."

Community involvement

As owner of Classic Hair, Sandy Krug has become active in the community by serving as a board member with the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce for 15 years and chairwoman of the Miss Tomball pageant for 29 years. Sandy said one of her true life passions is helping girls build self-esteem through the annual pageant.30th anniversary celebration

Classic Hair is hosting a 30th anniversary celebration from 5–7 p.m. on Oct. 7. The event will pay tribute to the salon's lasting presence in the community, and 30 door prizes will be distributed ranging from hair products to a diamond ring. The celebration also includes food, alcoholic beverages and homemade desserts for guests.

Classic Hair,14257 FM 2920, Ste. 200, Tomball 281-351-2345, classichairsalon.com, Hours: Mon.–Thu. 8:30 a.m.–7 p.m., Fri. 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat. 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m., closed Sunday