Rising Stars: Meet Troy Higgins of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Troy Higgins.

Troy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story really starts with my parents. My mother wore those classic salt-and-pepper cuts, and my dad was always in the barbershop keeping his Big Daddy Kane box sharp. So barbering was around me from an early age. My younger brother was my first guinea pig—I was putting Wu-Tang and Nike designs in his hair, and he had no clue what he was getting himself into. Laughs.

At some point, playing with clippers turned into a passion, and I realized barbering and business ownership were what I wanted to do with my life. I opened my first shop right after college and fell in love with the independence, creativity, and camaraderie of the barbershop. Twenty years later, I’m still passionate about the craft and about building something bigger than myself.

Today, I own and operate Cutters Lounge, which has been thriving for eight years, and Caviar Hair Studio, which has been open for three. But for me, it’s never been just about cutting hair. It’s about curating experiences for my clients and creating opportunities for my team to thrive behind the chair.

My goal is to help my employees grow beyond being great barbers and stylists—to become great business owners, leaders, and community changers. I want to give them the tools and encouragement to eventually become their own bosses, build something of their own, and create opportunities that can impact their families for generations. After 20 years in the game, that’s what success and legacy look like to me.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has actually helped me become a better leader: learning not to let trends dictate how I feel, how I operate my business, or how I show up for my team.

Over the last few years, salon suites and independent business ownership have grown tremendously. Everyone has an opportunity to be their own boss, and while I absolutely encourage that kind of leadership and independence, I also want to help bridge the gap between being the small guy and becoming the boss—not just for the moment, but for the long run. That means building the tools, skills, relationships, and clientele needed to sustain success.

That philosophy doesn’t always go over easily because I’m working with adults who already have their own plans and visions. But I’ve learned that when we can join forces, communicate, and get on the same page, we become something greater. That greatness can take them into rooms and spaces beyond what they may have imagined—working with star clientele, landing large and recurring events, building strong word-of-mouth referrals, and continuing to grow a business that keeps us booked and busy.

Over the past 20 years, I’ve also watched businesses come and go, employees succeed and move on, and clients grow personally and move into different chapters of their lives. But I’ve learned not to look at those things as roadblocks. They’re stepping stones.

Every change has taught me something, strengthened my leadership, and given me another opportunity to evolve the business. At the end of the day, growth isn’t always comfortable, but every challenge has continued to propel me forward.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m not just a barber—I’m an experience curator, confidant, friend, counselor, and ultimately, just a man who believes in showing up as his most authentic self. After 20 years behind the chair, I’ve built relationships that go far beyond hair. I’ve watched clients start families, build businesses, and raise children I’ve had the privilege of watching grow and succeed. That connection is what I’m most proud of.

I specialize in haircare and hair health, and over the years, I’ve recognized a need for quality products that work across different textures and lifestyles while being easy, affordable, and practical for everyday use. That led me to create Cutters Lounge Products—products I personally stand behind and use with my clients.

From the way they smell and feel to how easy they are to incorporate into a routine, the goal is to help clients maintain that fresh-from-the-chair feeling at home while supporting healthy hair. Our products are now available in-shop, online through our booking platform, and incorporated directly into appointments.

What sets me apart is that I don’t just want to make people look good when they leave my chair. I want to build relationships, educate my clients, create experiences, and give them the tools to feel confident long after they leave.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is seeing the things I’ve poured into over the years continue to grow. My family is at the center of that, especially watching my two children become successful and thrive in their own lives. There’s nothing more rewarding than knowing the example I’ve set has helped them become the people they are today.

I’m also happy when I see my businesses thriving, my employees succeeding, and the people around me creating opportunities for themselves and their families. Community outreach is a big part of that as well. Being able to use what I’ve built to give back, create opportunities, and positively impact the community means a lot to me.

And after 20 years, I still genuinely love barbering. I love the craft, the relationships, the conversations, and the energy that comes with being behind the chair. For me, happiness is growth—personally, professionally, and collectively—and knowing that what I’m building continues to positively impact the people around me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Cuttersloungesalon.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cutters_lounge?igsi=MWdtaG1wa3B0OHRsbA==
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/caviarhairstudio?igsi=MWtzMXg4NmlsamcxMQ==