This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2005, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
If you want something done right you have to do it yourself, the old saying goes. And so it was for Shawn Trujillo and Angie Katsanevas.
The husband-and-wife team loved their jobs as hairdressers, but something was missing.
"We wanted a place to take pride in," Katsanevas says. "We had a vision."
So, after 12 years of doing it someone else's way, Trujillo and Katsanevas decided to strike out on their own. They opened their first salon, Lunatic Fringe, at 575 S. 700 East in 1999.
"As with all start-up companies, it was a little rough at times," says Trujillo, who admitted he has no background in business. "You always go in there blindly I guess. But as it went along I think our vision caught the attention of people really fast."
That vision, which now includes three salons, a school and a beauty supply store, centers on teamwork, continuing education and positive client experiences.
"Our vision is a teamwork-oriented salon," Katsanevas says. "People who love where they work, who they work with and what they do."
That has been Emiley Golie's experience. She joined the downtown salon a year and a half ago and has never looked back.
"It's a place where I love going every day," Golie says. "I don't ever dread going to work. We inspire each other to do great work every day. It's a motivating place to be."
Trujillo and Katsanevas have worked hard to make it that way. The team-based culture of their salons is top priority.
"The way we win is getting there together," Trujillo says. "We really do focus on our culture."
To keep the positive atmosphere strong, all Lunatic Fringe employees participate every quarter in training, in which they listen to motivational speakers and presentations from their colleagues. Next month, all Lunatic Fringe employees, about 55 in total, will participate in the Character Award Ceremony. Each employee draws a name and finds out everything they can about that person through family, friends and observation. At the semiformal event, each employee is presented with an award, made or bought specifically for them, that highlights some unique part of their character or personality.
"It's a great way to acknowledge everyone in the company," Katsanevas says.
Another thing that sets Lunatic Fringe apart is a commitment to continuing education.
"They're all about educating the staff and making sure that the staff is up to the standards they set," says Kristan Frie, a stylist in the Sugar House salon.
Frie, who has been doing hair for eight years and joined Lunatic Fringe three and a half years ago, says this commitment to education and improvement means Lunatic Fringe operates at a level of professionalism she has not seen anywhere else.
"Really what Lunatic Fringe is trying to do is change the industry and improve the standards of professionalism and client experience," Frie says.
And the clients are noticing. Lyn Christian, who works as a life strategist and business coach, was first introduced to Lunatic Fringe when she spoke at one of their weekly training meetings. She started getting her hair cut there earlier this year.
"When I had gone into their salons I noticed they had a higher level of professionalism and a commitment to education," Christian says. "I think they encourage their people to be edgy and classic in their approach."
Christian says she appreciates the friendly, upbeat atmosphere of the salon. She has referred many friends and clients to Lunatic Fringe.
"I go there because I see what they're doing with their teams and I think they're reaching for a higher level of excellence," she says.
And Trujillo and Katsanevas plan to keep reaching. Their school, a partnership with the Paul Mitchell company, will open in the next few weeks at 1969 E. Murray-Holladay Road.
Each of the three salons has a "personal success coach," a member of the company who meets with each employee every week to talk about progress, goals and what the salon can do to help them.
On Monday, Lunatic Fringe will help more than its employees. The company will host a "cut-a-thon" to help raise money for Hurricane Katrina relief.
"It's just allowing us to give back to some of the victims," Trujillo says. "We really just want to be a part of that, getting them back on track."
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the 2545 E. Parleys Way location, haircuts will be $25 for adults and $15 for children. All proceeds, including tips, go to hurricane relief. Lunatic Fringe stylists will take turns manning the 17 stations in the salon. Trujillo says they hope to raise $3,000 and the company will match the donations.
"It's just a really great way for us to give back," Golie says.
Through serving the community and serving their staff, Trujillo and Katsanevas hope to always stay on the cutting edge, as it were. Even the name, Lunatic Fringe, reflects that vision. The name came from a former employer and mentor and refers to left-wing extremists and crazy hair. He thought the name was a little too much for the Salt Lake City market of 15 years ago, when he was opening his salon, Katsanevas says. When she and Trujillo decided to strike out on their own, he felt like the name's time had come.
"We just thought it was time to bring a little edge to Salt Lake City," Trujillo says.
A little off the top?
Cut-a-thon is set for Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at:
2545 E. Parleys Way
All proceeds from haircuts done Monday will be given to hurricane relief.
Lunatic Fringe has two other locations, which will not be participating in the cut-a-thon:
575 S. 700 East (Trolley Square)
1511 E. 2100 South (Sugar House)