Coming up on your 8th year anniversary as a salon owner, what advice do you have for people looking to open their own business with a kid-focused concept?

 

"My advice is to stay focused and do your research. Find out about the market and the competitors in your field, the demands of the community in your area, and talk to the business owners in the community to find out about the consumers’ trends in that area by joining the local business chamber of commerce. This way, you can meet and network with other business owners in the area and get vital information that can help in your business."

 

 

What was a significant turning point in your business journey so far and what did you learn from it?

 

"The COVID pandemic. The pandemic turned my business around in a negative way, and in a positive way. For 9 long weeks no revenue was coming in. Losing everything was at stake: employees, customers, even the business itself. The positive side of things was: fortunately I streamlined the cost, so I owed no one. There was enough revenue to pay my staff when they did not work those 9 weeks, which turned out to be the best thing I could have ever done for the business. Once the government allowed shops to re-open, I had a full staff that was eager and ready to be productive and service our customers that were so anxious to come back. From that experience I learned to hang in there when things are not going my way, and that caring for my employees and showing compassion and empathy, especially when things are not in our control, pays off. They in return felt the care the company had for them."

 

 

What is your favorite part about living life as a business owner?

 

"All of the connections made with our customers. I am a people person and I love to meet people! I meet people of all facets of life, kids, famous church leaders, preachers, Christian rappers, business owners, teachers, nurses, football players, professional cheerleaders, gospel radio DJs, and etc."

 

 

Do you have any favorite products that you use in your salon with kids'-of-color's natural hair in mind to help both moms and hairstylists alike?

 

"Our motto is, “Every Child Matters!” All kids are welcome into our shop from all ethnic backgrounds! We have products that care for all types of hair! One of our products we use and sell that works well on kids’-of-color's natural hair is the “Mixed Chicks” product line (shampoo, leave-in conditioner, curl sculpture, and styling cream). This great Styling Cream defines, locks and moisturizes the hair to reveal the natural curl pattern."

 

 

Who was your biggest teacher in your salon journey and what was the best advice you received from them?

 

"The best advice I received was from my mother. She said, “Always save something for a rainy day.” Now why is this so important? I will always remember the Covid pandemic. I did not go under and lose the business."

 

 

 

Anything else you are doing for outreach for the kiddos in your area?

 

"Outreach is a vital part of being a business owner, therefore we participate heavily in our community as shown below:

--Sponsored “The Summerwood Stingrays” swim team

--Partnered with ex-football player, Jackie Battle, former 49ers,

and The Sumbera Realestate Team to provide free Christmas haircuts to needy kids

--Yearly sponsors booth at Lakeshore Elementary School’s carnival

--Sponsored Atascocita Lacrosse Booster Club

--Member of the local chamber of commerce

--Sponsored Atascocita’s High School ROTC Zombie Run

--Sponsored Oaks Elementary School homework folders with logo on front

--A yearly sponsor booth of the La Leche League of Kingwood’s Baby Fair held at Kingwood Hospital, which focuses on providing peer breastfeeding support and awareness.

--Sponsor of the Father-Daughter Dance to the dance Studio in the same strip mall with the salon.

--Partner with Atascocita High School, Remington College, and Lonestar College’s Cosmetology departments by hiring directly from them and speaking to students upon request

--Held Mardi Gras day for local nurseries and host the kids for a fun day at salon

--Held hygiene classes at salon for local Girl Scout troops to receive patches

 

 

 

You are IMPORTANT!

Shear Madness Franchising franchises our award-winning Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids salons. We have worked with franchise stores in providing franchisee support (in order to encourage continual growth and business success), and have sometimes seen the unexpected happen! When it does, we help by identifying and helping with challenges that might arise for franchisees. Additionally, we work to present options that can help prevent these events as well. As many franchise owners may not have opened a business before, having someone who can advise them is a significant advantage of franchise ownership!

Are you interested in learning how YOU can join the Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids family and run your own successful small business? We are one of the fastest growing kids hair salons in the industry today! If you would like to learn more about this franchise opportunity or small business marketing, great marketing strategies, resources for small businesses, franchise success, how to grow your small business or how to become a successful owner of your own kids hair salon franchise business, please click below or call 1-888-98 GONE MAD