“Our space is open, inclusive, and full of joy – that’s the Latino spirit shining through.”
Amigo Energy Community Spotlight: Shining a Light on Local Houston Gems
Welcome to “La Luz de la Comunidad” (“The Light of the Community”), a new series from your friends at Amigo Energy that’s all about going into the community and finding businesses and people that deserve the spotlight. As a local Houston electricity provider, we’re proudly tapping into the community we serve, and we understand the importance of highlighting local businesses in Houston, which are often pillars of the community.
Today, we’re highlighting Studio A Salon, a Hispanic-owned salon in Houston known for color, precision cutting, and more. Owner David Armendariz and his husband and stylist Jesse Gudino have built one of the best hair salons in Houston. Coming off a recent move to The Heights, we spoke with David and Jesse to understand more about how their Hispanic heritage inspires their work, the history of their business, and the role electricity plays in Studio A.
Read the full interview below.
Background and Journey
David and Jesse, what inspired you to open Studio A Salon, and how did this family business get started?
Studio A Salon started as a dream between the two of us — David had a background in music and dance, and Jesse had a passion for beauty and community. We both wanted to create a space that felt welcoming, creative, and professional — a salon where people could walk in and instantly feel at home. It started with just a handful of stylists, a lot of late nights, and a shared vision. Over time, it grew into something so much bigger — a family, not just a business. Studio A Salon is proudly a family-run business, with six family members on our team — from management to maintenance — all working together to keep our space thriving and full of love.
After 10 years in Rice Village, you opened a new location in Woodland Heights in March 2023 — what did that move mean for your brand and clients?
The move felt like a full-circle moment. After 10 amazing years at Rice Village, we were ready for a new chapter — and Woodland Heights just felt like coming home. The Armendariz family began their American dream right here in this neighborhood. Our very first apartment was on 11th Street, just a few blocks from the new salon space. So, bringing Studio A Salon here wasn’t just about growth — it was deeply personal. It felt like honoring our roots and continuing that journey in the place where it all began. And our clients came with us, excited about the fresh space and the new energy it brought.
How has your business evolved since opening your first location in 2013?
In every way. We went from a small team to a full-blown community of 24 talented people — including stylists, concierges, and support staff. We’ve expanded our services to meet our clients’ needs and keep things fresh. We now offer hair steam treatments — like a facial for your hair and scalp — and we’ve added more waxing services as well. Education has become a big focus for us, too, with in-house training like haircut boot camps to keep our team sharp. But at our core, the heart of Studio A Salon hasn’t changed — it’s still about artistry, kindness, and connection.
Community Involvement
You’ve partnered with organizations like Lights in the Heights, Alley Theatre, Montrose Counseling Center, Friends Are By Your Side, and West U Elementary — what drives your community involvement?
We were both raised in communities that showed up for each other — and we want to pay that forward. Whether it’s working with Lights in the Heights, supporting Montrose Counseling Center, or giving back to local schools, we believe in using our platform to uplift others. Giving back is part of who we are.
What impact have you seen from these partnerships in the community?
We’ve seen real connections form. People learn about causes they didn’t know existed. Funds are raised. Clients tell us they feel proud to support a business that gives back. These partnerships bring everyone closer — and that ripple effect is powerful.
Do you host or participate in any local events like free beauty days, fundraising campaigns, or health and wellness fairs?
Yes, we love getting involved! We’ve hosted Cinco de Mayo celebrations to share and integrate our Mexican culture with our guests and staff — it’s always a joyful, colorful experience that brings everyone together. We’ve also organized Pride events that go beyond just celebrating — we’ve included voter registration drives and fashion shows that support causes we care about. For us, it’s about creating meaningful moments that connect beauty, culture, and community.
Culture and Style
Studio A is known for dimensional color, precision cutting, balayage, and extensions — where does your artistic inspiration come from?
A big part of our inspiration comes from our creative backgrounds. David grew up in a musical family, studied music at the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music, and danced professionally. His love for lines, movement, connecting with people, and creating beauty all stem from that artistic foundation. Jesse studied art at the Glassell School of Art, where he loved learning different techniques and perfecting them over time — that attention to detail still shows in his work today. We’re also constantly inspired by trends in fashion and music, both of which influence how we approach color, shape, and style. Whether we’re creating dimensional color, balayage, or precision cuts, it’s all about blending creativity, technique, and connection.
How does your Hispanic heritage and family background influence the style and culture of Studio A?
It’s everything. Hospitality, warmth, boldness, creativity — those are all part of our culture. We grew up around strong family values and hard work. That energy is infused into Studio A Salon. Our space is open, inclusive, and full of joy — that’s the Latino spirit shining through.
Amigo Energy and Small Business Support
As a local energy provider, Amigo Energy would love to hear how reliable and affordable electricity supports your creative business — can you share your experience?
Electricity powers everything we do — literally and creatively. From lights to blow dryers, music to ambiance, having a reliable and affordable energy provider is essential. We can’t afford downtime, especially when we’re working with clients back-to-back. Stability means we can stay focused on what we do best.
What would you like to see from energy companies when it comes to supporting small businesses like yours?
Flexibility and understanding. Whether it’s offering small business incentives, usage insights, or better communication — those things go a long way. Also, spotlighting local businesses like Amigo is doing here — that’s huge. It makes us feel seen.
Challenges and Resilience
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced growing your business in Houston — especially during your recent move?
Moving locations was a huge risk — financially, emotionally, and logistically. Then add a pandemic, inflation, and staffing challenges… there were times we really had to dig deep. But every challenge forced us to get creative and stay grounded in our “why.”
Is there a story of resilience or a defining moment that made your team and salon stronger?
During the early days of the pandemic, we didn’t know what tomorrow would look like — but our team stuck together. We had so many Zoom meetings to stay connected, share updates, and support each other, even when the salon was closed. We checked in on one another, found creative ways to keep our clients feeling cared for from a distance, and leaned into our community more than ever. That time bonded us in a way we’ll never forget. It showed us we were more than coworkers — we were family.
Visions for the Future
What’s your vision for Studio A over the next 5 years — in terms of growth and impact?
We want to continue seeing our team grow — both inside the salon and in their personal journeys. Growth for us isn’t just about numbers, it’s about helping our team reach their full potential. We’re also excited to explore new technologies in the beauty industry that can elevate the client experience and help us work smarter. Most of all, we want to keep creating a space that inspires creativity, supports our community, and stays true to who we are.
How can the Houston community — including companies like Amigo Energy — better support family-owned, creative businesses like yours?
Shop local. Follow our Instagram @studioasalon. Talk about us. Share our stories. And offer resources that help us grow sustainably — whether it’s grants, mentorship, or just listening to our needs. Support doesn’t always have to be big — it just must be intentional.
What message would you like to share with our readers and followers about Studio A and your mission?
Studio A Salon isn’t just a salon — it’s a space where people feel seen, heard, and celebrated. Our mission is simple: create beauty inside and out. Whether you’re here for a haircut, a transformation, or just to feel good — you’re part of our story. And we’re so grateful for the community that helps us keep writing it.
Empowering Communities and Powering Businesses
We couldn’t agree more with David and Jesse. Studio A Salon is more than just one of the best hair salons in Houston. It’s a reflection of the passion, creativity, and resilience that fuels our community every day.
We’re proud to share stories like theirs, because just like Studio A powers their clients’ confidence with awesome cuts, Amigo Energy is here to provide electricity service for small businesses and homes in our community.
Let’s keep supporting local. Let’s keep Houston strong. Let’s keep shining a light on our community.
