Sometimes a business is born from a spark of inspiration. Other times, it rises from a moment no one could have imagined.
That was the case for Pinky’s Kids, a luxury, membership-only kids’ hair salon founded by Ariele “Pinky” Thompson.
“An 18-wheeler ran through my full-service hair salon. Everything, in one instant, was like, gone,” Pinky said.
Before the accident, she had been doing everything by the book, following the traditional advice for running a salon, managing the day-to-day operations, and hitting the benchmarks. But it didn’t feel like she had hoped, and her passion was slowly fading. Except, she realized, for one thing.
She had started “Little Angels Sundays,” a day reserved exclusively for kids’ hair. It quickly became her favorite part of the week. When the accident happened, and parents began reaching out, unsure where to take their children, she had an epiphany.
“At that point, I knew what I wanted, and who I wanted to work with, and how I wanted to work,” she said.
In 2013, Pinky converted the guest house behind her Lawrenceville, Georgia, home into a salon exclusively for kids and transitioned to a membership model, allowing families to visit weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Many of the parents were corporate professionals with packed days, grateful for regular, reliable hair maintenance that made mornings easier.
Today, the business has expanded. In 2020, Pinky welcomed her sister, Tamika Bucknor, who opened a Pinky’s Kids location in Massapequa, New York. Both locations have grown almost entirely through word of mouth.
“Hair is our thing,” Pinky said. “If your hair is not done, you're just not dressed.”
Where Haircare Meets Heartwork
At Pinky’s Kids, the work is as much about nurturing confidence as it is about nurturing hair.
Every child arrives with their own unique hair story. Each texture, curl pattern, and density requires something different—and even within one family, no two heads of hair are the same. Their hair needs vary, and so does the approach.
Pinky found that industry hair products were created with harsh chemicals, not suited to what she wanted for her members. After years of research, she created an all-natural product line. Their shampoo, conditioner, butter, and gel are all-natural and made to support healthy hair, protect styles, and promote growth.
At Pinky’s Kids' individuality isn’t a challenge; it’s the craft. The sisters tailor their techniques to each child’s specific texture, needs, personality, and tolerance, especially for tender-headed children.
“Oftentimes they have gone to an adult salon where the hairstylist wasn't as patient with us,” Tamika said. “Or mom was doing it at home and in a rush.”
The Pinky’s Kids experience is the opposite of rushed, Pinky said.
“We make time for each member by playing music, their favorite movie, or providing tablets. We give them a gentle, calm experience, so they love it,” she said.
Tamika agreed.
“During visits, our members interact with each other, allowing them to build relationships. Our members may be shy during their initial visits, but over time, they become more confident and vocal about their preference for hairstyles,” Tamika said. “This makes both us and their parents proud. It’s a win-win.”
As kids grow older, especially as they head into high school, the sisters shift the experience. Instead of doing their hair for them, they bring teens in front of the mirror and teach them how to care for it themselves, building confidence and independence. Many have even been trained as assistants, gaining useful skills, experience, and a part-time job.
For families outside Georgia and New York, Pinky’s Kids offers online tutorials so parents can access the same guidance at home.
Ministry Through Business
For the sisters, the salon is more than a business. It’s a calling.
“The best part of it is being able to do something that we love, and the impact that we have on these young ladies and young men,” Tamika said. “Our business is our ministry. It’s part of how we can give back to our community, but at the same time, empower young ladies and young men to be able to be successful because they see us. And they know that it’s possible.”
Kids leave with more than a hairstyle. They leave with what Pinky calls “personality and tenacity.”
“Literally, the younger children will say, ‘So, you're Miss Pinky, and this is called Pinky’s Kids… so you’re the boss?’” she said. “And I'm like, girl—every day, all day. And you too can have this. What do you want to own? I always encourage the kids to own something.”
Sisters, Strengths, and a Growing Legacy
Pinky and Tamika are close—but they’re honest: they’re also sisters. They sometimes disagree and push one another. But they also balance each other, lean on each other’s strengths, and share the same vision for what they’re building—not just for themselves, but for their family.
They hope to soon welcome another location run by another family member, and Pinky's bigger dream is taking shape. She wants Pinky’s locations across the country, 77 to be exact. Places where kids can feel seen, cared for, and celebrated, just the way they are.
