Posted by
Janon Otto on Fri, May 04, 2012 @ 12:13 PM
Decisions to make when opening a salon –
So you are thinking about opening a salon. Before you run out and find that perfect space for your new salon there are several things that you might want to think about first. These are important considerations and your local demographics and salon competition may help you answer many of them. If you haven't considered those items, look there before answering the following!
1. What Kind of Salon do you want to run?
- Full Service
- Women
- Men’s
- Children
- Family
2. What services do you want to offer?
- Hair Services
- Just Hair Cuts
- Nail Services
- Facials
- Massages
- Hair removal
3. What Demographic do you want to serve?
- High end
- Moderate
- Discount
What Structure will your salon use?
- Booth Rental
- Booth Employee Model
- Hourly Employees
- Commissioned Employees
- A combination of the above
5. How many stations will you need for your salon?
- How large an area will you need for the services chosen?
- How will you be attracting customers to the salon?
- What will be the salon floor plan for the type of salon you are opening?
6. Where should you open your salon?
- Do you need walking traffic to be successful?
- Do you need cars to see you from the street?
- Are there enough potential customers in the area that you are considering?
- How much rent is too much to pay to be successful?
- How do I get someone to find me a good location?
- What are your demographic criteria for your location?
7. How are you planning to market your salon?
- Word of mouth – how will you generate this?
- Newspaper ads
- A great website
- Google Adwords
- Couponing companies
- Magazines – which ones are the best
- Facebook
- Guerilla Marketing
8. What will you do for a computer system in the salon for appoints, keeping track of customers, stylists, etc.?
These are the basic questions that must be answered before you can make a complete business plan and get started. A wrong answer can cost you a lot of wasted time and money. There is a way around making all these decisions alone!
A Salon Franchise may be the Answer -
This is why joining a franchise system is such a great possibility. Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids answers all the above questions for you – not only that but we walk along beside you every step of the way. Some think that an initial franchise fee may be expensive, but for the aggravation, time and money it can save you it is really a great buy!
I guess this blog is turning into a plug for us – but we have spent the time and money and years testing and developing the BEST answers to the questions above. And those considerations only apply BEFORE you open your salon. After it is open there are many other things to be decided on. We have those answers to and are always on the lookout for improvements! With a group you can accomplish so much more than on your own.
A website that is optimized and continually updated is only one thing that must be done in a business these days. In our franchise system we have taken those items that are tedious, important, and time consuming and either do them for you or make them much easier!
Look through this website to learn more and download our free toolkit that explains more about things to consider when opening a new business of any kind! 
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Tic Tock Tick Tock....
Let the countdown to Summer begin !
Lots of great things are happening this month at shearmadnesskids.com
Especially getting ready for all those kids being on summer vacation ..
To start the celebration off right we are giving YOU (or your little girl) a Sparkly Rhinestone Toe-Ring
for FREE!!!
(Look for them on display at the front desk. Only while supplies last!)
plus.. ALL WATCHES are 20% off the entire month of May!
Choose from one of the many styles and keep track of your tickety-toc!
Mother's Day is Sunday May, 13th
Shear Madness is closed on Sunday May 13th, however we will be celebrating our wonderful moms all weekend by giving out carnations to every one bringing their child in for a haircut.
Just a small way we would like to say thanks to our terrific mothers out there!
Announcing Memorial Day Special Hours:
Monday May 28th we will open at 9am and will close early at 3pm
in observance of the Memorial Day Holiday
ATTENTION all Shear Madness Kids!
We are giving our hairstyle section of our website a complete makeover! After your child gets their next haircut please let your stylist know if they can snap a quick shot of the new do!! Your photo would then be included in our improved online hairstyle gallery, coming soon!
Shear Madness is HIRING!!!
Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids is hiring Pink Starlets!
Do you know any highschool age girls WITH transportation and a FUN personality?
Pink Starlets are the life of our Parties and Special events! They are our brand ambassadors spreading joy, energy, glitter and lots of FUN at local events and in our stores. If you or someone you know may be interested in a great position with a growing company have her call
Paula Thurman @ 913-207-0250 or Jesse at our Leawood store @ 913-685-4333
--BRAND NEW IN STORES--
We get VERY excited when Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids thinks up some NEW, genius ways to attract and engage our community! We want our customers to visit and support not only our business but our neighbors businesses as well!
This month we will be launching a brand new form of advertising inside our stores Digital Media Education Boards! Our advertising partners will recieve a 30 second video spot in a ten minute slideshow featuring a handful of local businesses and will continuously play in a loop on two large screens. Screens are being installed in our stores this month!
If you or someone you know has a small business that would be interested in advertising in one or both of our store locations please contact us! We are ALSO offering our first partners a spot on our website and in our email newsletter at an INCREDIBLE price!
Find out more about our neighbors already partnering with us!
If you would like to see your business here please contact
emily@shearmadnessfranchising.com
OUR FREE HAIRCUT FRIDAY WINNERS FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH ARE:
Tejaswita Sawant
Shannon Jenson
Elizabeth Thompson Rowell
Alyson Fisher Novorr
Angie Castorena
Thank you for participating in our FREE Haircut Friday Contest which runs on facebook every Friday!
If you haven't already, please like us on facebook and join the fun!
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Income, Lifestyle, Brand & Equity
I recently attended a webinar hosted by Lisa Powell, the Marketing Resource Manager for The Entrepreneur's Source. “In a Commoditized World Make Your Brand Stand Out!” Over 30 proffessionals attended the meeting and discussed the importance of Brand Differentiation in today's franchise market. When it comes to attracting, engaging, and closing sales, having a substantial and attractive Brand becomes imperative. There also was discussion of the challenges many franchisors encounter when it comes to gathering leads, making sales, and standing out among your competition. Let's face it, most every potential franchisee has already heard all about 'developed systems, excellent training, and benefts of the model'. So we are left asking, what DO today's potential franchise buyers want? Many franchise prospects now are making a career shift, perhaps because the job they've worked their entire lives no longer exists or is no longer fulfilling. Many franchise prospects are looking for a career that can meet their income and lifestyle objectives in a fresh and sustainable way. Most importantly, they are looking for a business that fits in with their lives, families, personal and professional goals.
In short, franchise prospects really want to buy an improved lifestyle & income. They are also looking for a strong Brand & Equity or value. How is this kind of sale accomplished you ask? We answer, most importantly you want to:
1. Define what sets your Brand apart from your competitors.
2. Explain how customers are recieving your product or services.
3. Become a expert in your field and a resource for information.
Transparency & Trust is paramount to attracting, engaging, and closing sales in this internet age. People are researching business models for themselves and finding information online. This is where you will intersect with your best prospects.
The differentiation between commoditization and value is in your BRAND DNA.
Roger Griffin writes a fantastic article on Brand development you can view here 3 Keys to Successful Brand Development: Segmentation, Differentiation & Positioning
To read more about what potential franchisees are looking for you can download our FREE whitepaper here!
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Posted by
Janon Otto on Wed, Apr 11, 2012 @ 05:35 PM
The Best Franchise for YOU!
The Top Franchise for YOU! If you are looking to invest in a small business franchise finding the top franchises can be quite a challenge. The definition of a top franchise is also a tricky question.
What is your definition of The Top Franchise? 
Is it the most popular franchise?
Is it the most profitable franchise?
Is it the most fulfilling franchise?
Figuring out what your definition of the best franchise is the first step in your evaluation process. Many may think that the top franchise may be the one that is opening the quickest across the country. In some cases that may be true, but it is also something to cause concern. Can the franchisor handle this large growth this quickly? What about working capital for the franchisor, the number of trainers available and how the training is handled. Do they come to you or do you go to them? How much experience do the trainers have? Does the company have a system for you to talk to other franchisees? Being able to talk to others who have been there longer than you can be VERY helpful.
Is this a franchise fad? Think Orange Julius, Meal Prep Stores, E Bay Drop off stores, Video Games Stores, Kids Indoor Play Areas (Discovery Zone), 30 Minute Fitness places, etc. Are there enough clients for this many stores? Currently the frozen yogurt and cupcake craze is on! There are so many different brands, how do you choose, and how many can a city hold? Ask the franchisor if they are talking to other potential franchisees in your area. What would be the size of your territory? Call competing franchises and ask the same questions.
Is the franchise that you are considering one with staying power? Can it be replaced by the internet? Will the consumer tire of its offerings?
The Most Profitable Franchise - for some this may be the definition of a top franchise. Being the Most Profitable franchise is difficult to determine. The FTC regulates what can be disclosed and talked about with a potential franchise buyer. The reason for this is what you make is dependent on many different variables. The demographics of your location, the location itself, the current economy, how hard you work, the training and support that you take advantage of, the amount you spend on marketing, and the list goes on!
So looking at a franchisors Item 19 on the FDD is a start to determine this. However asking questions of current franchisees may help you determine profitability. But what you need to ask is what efforts they have put into growing their business. There are many types of franchises. There are those where a franchisee must sell himself and his personal services to customers (think business coaching, etc.). There are brick and mortar franchises - you build it and they will come - however, you had better build it in the right location! There are service businesses that are home based and provide a product that must be marketed by you, etc. So think about what it would take to be successful in this franchise business and ask questions about that. If it is a newer franchise without many franchisees then ask the business founder what they did to become so successful and how much help they offer you to do the same. The most profitable franchises are continually developing to help your profit margin continue to grow. Ask the franchisor about development plans. Think Pizza Hut, McDonalds, etc. they are constantly offering new producst to help franchisees continue to grow. Does the success or failure of this franchise solely depend on your ability to sell? If so, taking an honest evaluation of your skills is a must. Can you hire this? Is there enough profit to hire management?
Is the Top Franchise the most fulfilling one for you? It may be that money is the sole fulfullment factor for you - if so then you may just want to look at profitability alone. However, we at Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids have found that most business owners are much more successful if they LIKE what they are doing! What would be fulfilling to you? Do you want to provide many jobs for others? Do you want to provide a service to others? A product? Do you enjoy helping others grow, or offering a place for customers to enjoy? All these and many more questions go into evaluating the top franchise for you. There are a thousand or more franchise options, finding one that is Top for you is possible.
If you would like to download more information about finding a great franchise --
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With spring just around the corner we are getting fluffed up and ready for FUN at Shear Madness!! Won't you come join us this month for some spectacular SAVINGS and super fantastic events at either one of our Kansas locations
APRIL's Super Special **SECRET** Easter egg hunt!!
For the entire month of April our staff will be hiding eggs inside our stores! So keep your eyes peeled for them as they will contain coupons, merchandise, and other special goodies for you and the kids! Be sure to let us know what you discover in yours! Visit the event page on Facebook or connect with us on Twitter
Congratulations to all the FREE Haircut Friday Winners for March
Shannon Jenson
Tabitha West
Elizabeth Thompson Rowell
Alyson Fisher Novorr
To participate in our FREE Haircut Friday Contest like us on facebook then post your comments to our ad every Friday for a chance to win!
APRIL SHOWERS Bring... Umbrellas ?? ?
All umbrellas are on sale 10% off for the month of April * both of our Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids locations
NEW BLOG by Jesse Lockard: The Lowdown on Lice
We've shared lots of useful information and helpful hints to help treat and prevent these pesky pests from infesting your loved ones lives.
We are opening in San Antonio TX this summer! Visit us here
to recieve news, updates, and special promotions for the Mad Opening!
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Head Lice - Help & Info for the Harried!
Just hearing the word lice can make your skin crawl. As a mother, the thought of them out there circulating the school systems – can make a girl paranoid! But why are so many families having to RID themselves of those tiny insects? The answer is all around us: Gymnastics mats; Football helmets; That cute scarf you tried on at the store; Headphones on an airplane; Perhaps the most common transmission of these bugs is through head-to-head touching, which is why it is no surprise that most cases are in children between the ages of 4 and 14. We are a communal people. Children, especially, feel a sense of relating the closer proximity they are to those they are interacting with. Each year, 6-12 million people are treated for head lice in the United States alone. Luckily, our salons have been working with children for over 15 years and now have a pretty good idea of how they can be prevented from entering your home.
Humans attract a very specific form of lice that feeds only on the blood of people, without which they can barely survive. You see, lice use glue-like saliva to attach their eggs to the hair shafts of their host, and then once the eggs hatch, those babies grow and shed skin over the period of ONE MONTH before reaching their own adulthood and repeating the process. What's more is that any time in their development, they can mate with adults and lay more eggs.
The key to getting rid of them once you have been exposed is to wash your hair and scalp with a special shampoo that will kill any live bugs or eggs, as well as un-glue the eggs that have been attached. For those of you who have been through this process, we are talking hours (if not days) of combing through every one of the 250,000+ hairs on a human head for our own peace of mind! Often, the process has to be repeated after 10 days, and sometimes again another 10 days after that. Not exactly a fun month for anyone involved.
There are websites out there that recommend using mayonnaise in lieu of “harsh chemicals” to kill any lice on your little one. The idea being that the bugs have developed immunity to the pesticides in the killing-agent, so why expose your child to those chemicals? That, and the belief that the mayonnaise will suffocate the bugs, seems to have inspired a community of individuals who advocate for this method. The one truth to this is the fact that these insects go back in our history as a species as far as we can track, and they have evolved with us. Coincidentally, studies have shown that exposure to head lice in youth may actually be a positive part of our evolution, as it prevents infestation of body lice later in life (which are attributed to many illnesses, notably the bubonic plague). Our stylists still recommend using the products that can be purchased at any drug store for treating yourself and your kids. The mayonnaise trick may very well work, but why risk them coming back?
Plus, treating your head is not enough. The life-cycle is 3-5 weeks, so it is common practice to bag up plush, stuffed animals and throw pillows for a good 30 days to assure yourself that no live bugs or eggs are circulating your cuddlies. When you buy the shampoo/conditioner treatment at the drugstore, be sure to also grab several cans of the spray treatment for bedding and carpets, as well. You can be as liberal as you want with that aerosol, so spray all mattresses, pillows, upholstery, carpets, rugs, bath mats… We honestly think the best policy is to launder as much as you can in HOT water, then dry for as long as possible on HIGH. Pillows, for instance, should be sprayed, then placed in the dryer on the highest setting for a minimum of one hour. Bag up as many clothes as you can for the same month-long gestational period. Wash all clothes you anticipate needing to wear sooner, using these same high-heat settings.
Lice Prevention Shampoo
Sound like a workout? There is a silver lining. Lice CAN be prevented! Have you ever heard about using marigolds to surround your precious flowers to keep rodents at bay? Much like a citronella candle does for a back patio, tea tree oil does for your and your kids’ heads! Since lice cannot survive very long without a host, in theory we can nip this epidemic in the bud (or nit) by simply getting them off our heads long enough to wipe out their parasitic little race!
The great news is Shear Madness actually carries LICE PREVENTION hair care products from the Circle of Friends line that are pH-balanced for children. They are gentle enough for daily use, but have those key bug-repelling ingredients in them to also be strong enough to keep your child’s head safe! We recommend the shampoo and conditioner for anyone who has children in elementary school – and specifically if they have heard of a lice outbreak in their area. The styling products are a great way for that extra protection for children in sports, too. By using the hairspray to hold a little girl’s bun, or the gel for a boy who wears a ball cap, the repellents will keep your children active AND bug-free. So give your kids that added security, and you’ll be able to sleep tight–and NOT let those bad bugs bite!
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We all know that marketing and advertising has changed greatly over the past decade, and keeping up with these changes while growing a business can be a challenging feat. REACHING YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE is key when developing strategies on how and where to spend your advertising dollars.
Recently, at Shear Madness headquarters, our brainstorming sessions have led to discussions of ALTERNATIVE, CREATIVE, and MORE ECONOMICAL SOLUTIONS for marketing our business's growth. We decided to open the discussion on Linked In to get your feedback. WOW! We just had to write a blog about it.
So here they are - Our Very Best 'Gorilla' Marketing Tips for WILD success!
- SURPRISE is everything... Understand what is expected, then do the opposite. For example, host an event in an unusual and high traffic location. (For us we thought cutting hair)
- Host an event at one of your locations or at another location to help drive traffic and awareness there (we have gone to baseball games and sponsored children's teams, then surprised them with gifts or face-painting, we hosted the premier for the movie Tangled, and performed makeovers for the little girls present)
- A Flash Mob!! The wilder the better. THINK: What does my Brand do? Then take that to the streets.
- Unexpected Placement + Unexpected Timing + Unexpected Message = UNPARALLED RESULTS This kind of marketing strategy is so broad it can vary greatly for businesses depending on their goals. To make heads turn and take INTEREST in what you are doing takes GUTS. And a lot of companies get knots in their stomachs at the thought of unconventional WILD marketing. Hey, but this actually gives the rest of us a leg up!
- Build strong relationships with organizations and businesses in the community (every year we head Halloween Parades at each location)
Here are some more thoughts you shared with us...
For a business focused around kids - schools and churches are the best places to get involved with in the communities around each location. Even though you're selling haircuts, you can offer to have muffins and coffee for before or after a church service to get the word out. There are many opportunities with local schools to get involved depending on the school system.
-Jay Bandy
President
Goliath Consulting Group
Wow, Janon, can you ever have fun with this! Do you know someone who's good at writing poetry and songs? I'd have them create an ORIGINAL song about how terrific Shear Madness is and have kids (who are Shear Madness clients) sing it and maybe dance (sort of a flash mob) in a park or the center of town--at a time of day when it's packed with business people out for lunch. And the kids can wear t-shirts with Shear Madness written on them. Now that the nice weather is almost here. - Irene Ross
Adopt a non-profit group that has good visibility with your best target customers. And then go all out for them. Have them pass out cards to use that donates "x dollar" to their charity for every person who uses one. If they serve a financially challenged community, offer free hair cuts. Have an in-house contest to raise the most money for them, have your staff participate in all of their events/fund-raisers. Have representatives volunteer for their committees and help them get the work done. I think that works better than trying to do a little bit for numerous non-profits. You can have the employees vote for their favorite, then maybe rotate every year or so. And in general might be great PR to offer a free hair style to anyone who is out of work and wanting to look good for interviews? - Sally Davisson
I think a Shear Madness franchise would benefit from a facebook page that offers special deals and discounts. It could be 10 percent off your next haircut or something like 30 percent off for new customers, along those lines. Then use the page to post the discount offers to other pages dedicated to subjects your target audience is interested in. For example, there's a Kansas City facebook page and whenever I want to promote an event for the Rotary Club I use its facebook page to post invitations to the Kansas City page. It's simple, free, doesn't take much time, and if it doesn't work for your business you've lost nothing and learned something. - Stephen Nichols
I have always found videos to be incredibly effective. Especially if you can make them funny and entertaining! This gets people talking and they feel like they are in your tribe. It's all about establishing an emotional connection and when viewers can actually see you and feel like they know WHY you're doing what you're doing... they they are on your side! - Share Ross
Hi Janon, One traditional guerrilla marketing technique that has worked well for myself and my clients is to hang out where your target market hangs out - and come bearing gifts. For example, if you own a children's haircut franchise, go to popular parks or outdoor events and hand out branded t-shirts or stress balls with along with coupons for your business attached. Just be sure that you target parents - not kids. :) For more marketing tips, you can check out my blog at http://blog.guerillagurus.com - Melanie Parker
Sally Davisson is a professional, love the non-profit piggyback marketing. What a great way to give back at the same time as you grow your business! Her ideas are all good ones. whatver you do stick with it it take most people a while to connect to your new brand. they need to see it for awhile before they will respond. Also you might try discounts for mall employees and their famlies, and other types of "base building activites". People love to feel that they are getting special treatment. Remember You're essentially relationship building. You're theme oriented and your place does so much to appeal to children as it is why not network with roller rinks and other like places, like Chuckie Cheese to cross promote. Get two pairs of new comfortable shoes and hit the pavement with cardstock coupons to set on counters. (they have to be colorful and eyecatching, having fun photography that matches your theme with of course a compelling offer to call your target (Mom's and Dad's) to action. - Scott Britton
Find out more about us by downloading our Free Brochure!
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It's time to slam-dunk some savings at Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids!! For the whole month of March ALL our Balls are 20% off!
PLUS - St. Patty's coloring contest for the kids!
St. MAD-dy's Day! coloring sheet click here!
Print out this sheet, color it your very best and bring it into the store! We will display your awesome artwork for the month of Marc h and then we will pick the very best artwork!! One lucky Winner will recieve: ONE FREE RETAIL ITEM OF YOUR CHOICE! ($20 limit)
IN THE NEWS!
SHEAR MADNESS IS GROWING!!
This is a very exciting time for Shear Madness because we are opening a brand NEW location in San Antonio, TX! To sign up for our special mailing list and recieve all the latest updates and promotions visit our website
In 2012 we are also anticipating the Grand Opening of 3 New Locations in Kansas and Missouri!
To request a location be opened near you go here!
Join us on facebook for a chance to WIN on FREE Haircut Friday!
Winners chosen every week!
Are you interested in growing with Shear Madness?? We want to hear from you!
GO MAD!
or call 1-888-GONE MAD (1-888-984-6636)
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Posted by
Janon Otto on Tue, Feb 28, 2012 @ 11:01 AM
If considering this segment is it best to go it alone or join a franchise system? -
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As with McDonalds, the best marketer will win. Marketing = imagination and money. It's our opinion that mom and pop kids salons will someday be a thing of the past and the franchise system that masters marketing and customer service will take over.
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Payroll is the largest expense that a kids salon will have and careful management is a MUST. Some franchises have systems in place to help with this while others do not - of course at Shear Madness we do!
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Demographics and location are key to success. If you have no experience in this area - this is HARD. Shear Madness has over 14 years of operating history - lots of good and bad decisions in our past to share with you!
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As you can learn the ins and outs of managing a salon, product offerings, software management, website managing, scheduling, hiring and managing stylists yourself, to do it most efficiently you can save thousands of dollars on that learning curve and make up your franchise fee quickly in efficiency savings in a system with great training and ongoing support.
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Research and Development should be ongoing in any business operation, a franchisor who is constantly upgrading the salon software systems, new ad campaigns, communication systems, is a real asset as it is a full time job to keep up on these things. A royalty may be very inexpensive compared to the cost of doing all this yourself.
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As word of a good franchise system spreads, word about your business spreads as well. Group advertising pays off! As clients move around they will look for you because of a fellow franchisee store.
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As with any business endeavor it is best to have a coach. With a franchise you have a built in business coach.
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Happy Valentine's Day from Shear Madness
$9.99 Diva Days for Daddy Daughter Dance!!
February is the Month for Daddy Daughter Dances!
$9.99 Diva Days Special in February (regular price $15.95)
Call or visit one of our Shear Madness Salons and treat your little princess to a mini manicure, glittery hair up-do, and starlet makeup to make her day really sweet!! Call ahead, appointments are already booking up!
To all those who participated we appreciate you being part of the Madness Model Mania contest!! We can't wait to see you ALL at the Shear Madness photo shoot!!
If YOU haven't already - LIKE US! on Facebook to participate in upcoming contests and Shear Madness events!
GET READY, GET SET, GROW!!!
Locks of Love Event 2/18/12
This year's event is on Saturday, February 18th from 5:00pm - 7:00pm! Call either of our Johnson County locations to participate - Olathe - 913.780.4404 or Leawood - 913.685.4333 - then KNOCK those LOCKS OFF this Valentine's Day... to GIVE LOVE AWAY!
Speaking of GROWING... We are preparing for widespread growth in 2012!! Where would YOU like to see a new Shear Madness Haircuts open??? Tell us HERE!
Shear Madness Tidbits
Recipe : Super Sweet Valentine Crepes!!!
The ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- optional - sometimes I add 1/2 tsp vanilla or almond extract depending on the fillings...
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In the bowl it all goes...
Coat a pan with nonstick spray heat over low to med heat
Place about 1/4 cup batter in the pan and swirl it around to cover the bottom of the pan. Turn over for just a bit and then flip out onto your plate. Roll and add your toppings of choice!
(We like strawberries and whipped cream!!)
and now for some Madtastic Valentine's day poetry...!
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Life is so sweet because I have you.
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
I think that hairstyle is perfect for you!!
Long in the front,
with a bit of a curl,
Please be my Valentine Shear Madness Girl!
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
I think that mohawk is cool on you!!
Short and spiked up,
You make it look fine!
Please be my super sweet Boy Valentine!
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