Family tradition turns customers into friends

By Shari Goldstein Stern

Angie Griffin knew at an early age she wanted to be an entrepreneur. It was in her DNA. With three of her family members in the retail cosmetics business, she found it was also in her blood. Each of those entrepreneurs being a Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio owner apparently weighed in, because today, Griffin has owned East Dallas’ Merle Norman Studio since 2004. The businesswoman said, “Aunt Billye Maxey opened the [Mockingbird] location in 1949 and ran it until I took ownership 55 years later.” 

The studio, on Mockingbird and Abrams is known as “Lakewood,” although it is not located in the traditional Lakewood Shopping Center. It is in the first block of Mockingbird East of Abrams at 6456 E. Mockingbird Lane.

Meanwhile, Griffin’s mother-in-law owned another Merle Norman studio in Mesquite, which Griffin managed from 1996 until she purchased her studio in 2004. “In July, I’ll celebrate 25 years of selling Merle Norman,” she said proudly with a smile. “I try hard to honor Merle Norman’s values and to fulfill her vision. For one thing, we offer complimentary ‘Try before you buy,’ giving every customer the choice of a unique, one on one experience while enjoying a make-over and skin care consultation.” 

“I love helping others achieve their own definition of beauty. It’s all about confidence and feeling comfortable in your own skin. It’s about embracing and celebrating your uniqueness,” Griffin explained. 

During the company’s 90-year history, its products have been featured in many popular women’s magazines, like Allure and InStyle. Forbes.com recently introduced the line’s new Charcoal Scrub as, “Skincare you need to know about.” The company has earned countless awards.

Griffin described customers becoming friends as her favorite part of her job: “The relationships that are made in this studio are lifelong treasures. I love my customers like family and appreciate every one of them.”

Griffin’s studio is the only one of her family’s still open. The company’s home office was founded in 1931. All of Merle Norman’s products are Made in America and Animal Cruelty Free. There are around 1,500 independently owned studios within the U.S., all family owned and operated.

“I have a passion, along with other Merle Norman studio-owners, to inspire women to be the best version of themselves with the help of skincare and cosmetics,” Griffin said.

Griffin lives in Rowlett with her husband, Greg, daughters Kaylee and Mattie, and son, Hayden.

Dating back to the turn of the century, other business-oriented, savvy women have created their own cosmetics brands, some of those being familiar names like Estee Lauder, Elizabeth Arden, and Dallas’ own Mary Kay Ash. Having the personal touch of individually, family-owned Merle Norman studios like Angie Griffin’s (pictured) on Mockingbird, along with its warm, welcoming aura makes you feel right at home. The national brand celebrating 90 years is impressive. 

The same family remaining in White Rock at the same location since 1949 is even more impressive.