In the franchise world there are many options, and choosing between categories alone can be an interesting challenge.  However, one category that is worth careful evaluation is salon franchises.  Why?  Well, everyone needs a haircut now and then.  Most sectors of the salon industry are recession resistant, and it doesn't appear that the internet is going to be able to replace haircuts anytime soon!

The choices for a Salon Franchise are larger than you think!

1.  The ones everyone thinks of are some of the original hair salon franchises - think Great Clips, Fantastic Sams, Snip n' Clip, etc.  These are low end walk in type salons.  Clientele does not make an appointment and they tend to exist on every major street corner in most metropolitan cities.  These typically have the stylists act as management, and the owner is an absentee owner.

2.  Mens' salons - this niche is relatively new to the franchise sector.  Probably the most well known mens salon franchise system is Sport Clips.  However, many others have opened in recent years.  Everything from very high end Men's Country Club type salons that offer a full array of services i.e. The Boardroom, down to lower end salons that do high volume yet still offer men a good haircut without all the frills.  There are those that appeal to pool players and those that just cater to "players".  Most wives don't really appreciate those, and taking your kids to one is deemed "inappropriate"!

3.  Kids salons - again we have a type of salon that is relatively new to the scene.  There is no real dominant player in this arena.  Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids has been in operation since 1997 - and that's one of the earlier children's salons!  None of the salon systems predate the 90's!  Each franchise has its own personality and philosophy on running a succesful salon.  Extras added to some are kids retail and birthday parties.  Some are run by a manager and others have the stylist/manager configuration. A close evaluation of what makes up the revenue portion of the salon is important to look at.  How easy is that portion to run?  Does it take an onsite owner or can it be run absentee?

4.  Hair Removal Salons - these are also very new to the franchise arena.  Tropical Laser Hair Removal opened in 2007! They still fit under salons as the technicians need to have licenses, just as hair stylists need to have licenses.  These can be combined with the above types of salons or can be a stand alone type. Many times these are partnered with businesses offering massages.

5.  Nail Salons - there really is not a dominant player here at all.  It seems that most nail salons are individually owned, yet we're waiting for a franchise to pull it all together!

6.  Lastly would be Massage Salons - think Massage Envy.  These typically sell memberships as opposed to collecting revenue when the service is actually performed.  This type of franchise with membership fees is very popular, especially in the health club arena.  Many buy memberships, and then don't use them like they should - which in turn makes the franchise system more profitable.

There you have it! Lots to choose from!  Which one is best will depend a lot on your specific situation. 

• Are you located in an area that already has enough of any one of these types of salons?
• Do you want to work in your salon or run it absentee?
• How much income are you hoping to generate on your salon?
• How many salons can you afford to open?
• How much support does the franchisor offer vs. how much you need?
• How does your talent set match with that of the franchisor?  Or, will the franchisor be willing to help provide what you might lack?

If you are thinking that you might like to learn more about franchising, we invite you to download our free whitepaper (available at the link below). Once you know a bit more about investing in a franchise, you'll be more prepared to contact individual franchisors and ask great questions!

Oh - thinking of starting your own salon business?

You might want to think again before starting!  If you interview successful business owners you will find that owning your own business sometimes is NOT what it's cracked up to be!  It can be hard work!!!  Following are 6 traits that every business owner must have, or chances are he or she won’t have what it takes to stay until the paycheck finally comes in!

Personality type – Are you a competitor?  Most of us think we are, but are you?  When you ran races in grade school, what were you thinking as that other kids caught up to you?  That will tell you a lot about your competitive spirit.  Do you always believe that you have what it takes to win, no matter what?  Do you doubt yourself and your abilities?  In business you MUST believe. You cannot doubt your abilities.  You can second think and learn from mistakes, but that is wisdom and OK - it is not doubting your abilities.  No business owner does everything right the first time around!  And that is NO business owner!  There is always going to be a learning curve, and the learning will never stop.  There are many salons out there so competition is a given - can you take it? At Shear Madness Franchising we give you marketing tools to compete as well as a concept that is the BEST!

Numbers acumen – Can you evaluate numbers?  You may have an incredible business idea, but you may not open it in a place where it has the chance to succeed.  You must do the numbers – you need to evaluate all this BEFORE starting.  If you have already started and aren’t doing what you expected, it may be that your location or marketing are preventing your success.  Sit back and do the numbers.  How many customers does it take to make the income you need?  How many potential customers are in your market?  Are there competitors who will get some of those customers?  How many of the potential customers will actually do business with you?  How far will they drive, etc, etc.  Much of success or failure is all in the numbers!  If you aren’t good with these, find someone who is and ask yourself every question you can and try to estimate on the LOW side before you start.  A salon franchise system can help you with this!

Are you an Idea person or a Follower and implementer of others’ great ideas?  This is an important question to ask yourself.  You can be a great business owner with either trait, but the business you choose will change based on the trait that you have.  If you are an idea person – then owning your own business and starting it from scratch could allow your imagination to flourish!  If you are a great implementer of others’ ideas then you may be a perfect candidate for investing into a franchise system.  In a franchise system you can be the best implementer and most successful by doing well in an already proven successful system.  If you have great ideas, you could improve on an existing system as well.

Instruction Taker or Rebel?  This goes along with the question just asked.  However, it is a very important question to ask yourself.  Do you look at others’ ideas and think that you could do it better?  Or do you appreciate the wisdom of those who have been there before you and know it is best to do it their way?  Rebels are innovators and are great candidates for starting businesses from scratch.  Instruction takers make incredible franchise business owners. We love great ideas, but within the context of what we are already doing at Shear Madness - it's an opportunity for following a system with room for fantastic ideas!

Immune to discouragement – This is a biggy – if you are easily discouraged you will NOT succeed as any business owner.  Yes, there are times when it is wise to throw in the towel.  But there will be many more times that the going is just tough, and you'll need to stay the course with the knowledge that you will get through it and be successful!  If you are married, you MUST have the support of your spouse and family – sometimes they are the best cheerleaders and can help you through those tough times, because even those who are mostly immune to discouragement can have their down moments. 

Support System – This one is not necessarily a trait, but it is something that every business owner needs.  Encouragement, and surrounding yourself around those who are positive about your business is a must.  A franchise system can provide that "cheering" that you may need to get you over those bumps in your business.  Knowing what to expect on a monthly basis and how others' are doing can provide a basis to evaluate your own performance.

A salon franchise may or may not be for you.  But, to help you get more information we have put together a toolkit that can help you on your exploration journey.  Get it sent to your email here:

Many people who are interested in opening their own business and becoming their own boss often wonder what the advantages might be towards investing in a franchise opportunity. Following are ten reasons why buying a kids salon franchise with Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids may translate into the long-term success of your investment.

Robust Industry: Many franchise systems offer services that are in high demand. The children’s segment of the recession resistant Hair Salon Industry is one such example, It's currently worth around $19 billion. To date, there are around 45 million kids in the Shear Madness age group – and this is expected to grow by about 7 million by the year 2020! 

Marketing Support: Ask anyone who runs a business, and they’ll tell you that marketing not only takes a lot of time – but can cost a lot of money too. However, an effective marketing plan is critical in letting the community know about what your business does, where it’s located, and so much more. For example, Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids understands this, and offers great resources and strategies to help businesses attract new customers.  

A Record of Success: Franchisors will have a proven record of success. Through years of experience marketing to their customers, they usually understand what works - and what doesn't. Through becoming a franchisee, you automatically gain this valuable business advantage.  From 1997 to the present, you get the benefit of those year and years of trial and error – saving you lots of $$$!  Shear Madness is the ONLY kids salon franchise that has 3 revenue streams and systems in place to help you manage all 3 or these revenue opportunites.

The Brand: A franchise brand is a powerful tool. As an example, the Shear Madness Brand is one that is instantly recognizable as being fun. Those who own a franchise with Shear Madness are automatically connected to the tens of thousands of parents and children who love who we are and what we do. This translates into many repeat customers who share with friends and family about their great Shear Madness experience! 

Buying Power:  Franchisors usually have experience in knowing what products sell well and what don’t. Additionally, they have the knowledge on how to negotiate for the best prices on everything needed for the successful operation of the business.  Many times the sheer number of franchise locations allows the franchise to negotiate for better pricing.  Shear Madness is always working to improve your bottom line.  Currently we have our own brand of Hair Products that provide for high profit margins.  We are constantly talking to new vendors for better pricing for you!

Store Location: Where to locate is an important question any business owner should consider. Franchisors help study your community in order to help you find the best possible location for success.  They know the numbers and other criteria that allow for the possibility of a successful franchised business.  Shear Madness studies your area indepthly before a physical visit to help you through this process.  Then they have a lot of input on what to watch for in your lease negotiations.  Often the hardest part of the build out process is the lease!

Networking: Franchising can be a little like a group of trusted friends, and should be a great environment of sharing and building each other up. Franchise owners who work with other franchises and communicate what works and what doesn’t will have a competitive advantage over those who don’t!  Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids provides several different avenues for franchisees to talk to each other, get input and advice.  Some are round the clock, others monthly, but learning from each other is a must in this ever changing world.

Training Support: Great franchise systems have worked hard to develop many training resources to help you achieve success. For example, with Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids, we provide our franchisees with in-store training with stylists, and encourage opportunities to network with other franchise owners. Because of this, you’ll have access to a wealth of business knowledge at your fingertips.

Building your Store: One of the benefits in buying a franchise is the franchisor's expertise  in designing the layout of a prospective business, working with the right contractors, and knowing how much furniture and equipment will be needed. Again, this helps a business owner save time, money, and keeps the headaches to a minimum!  Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids salons are the most professional looking salons in the industry.  Accomplishing this look is a breeze for a new franchisee!

Minimizing Risk: Ultimately, as a potential owner of a franchise, the success of your store will be up to you. But through being a part of a franchise system like Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids, the risk of starting a new business is significantly reduced. Sure, there will still be challenges that come your way, but as a franchisee, you’ll have greater confidence and know-how in how to succeed. 

When an individual buys into a franchising opportunity with Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids, they won’t be going at it alone. Our team excels at being a partner who wants our franchise owners to succeed! 

If you are interested in learning more about our franchise opportunity you can call Jim Otto at 888-984-6636 and attend a free webinar explaining our company and opportunity in much more detail - you also can find more information by downloading this:

In Franchise systems there is a rule of thumb.  Twenty percent of your franchisees will be great, sixty percent will be average, and twenty percent will be underperforming locations.  Then within that top twenty percent there will be a few superstars.

What makes a franchisee a superstar?        

1. Use What is Provided - They use the tools the franchisor provides to their full extent.  Most franchisors provide tools for their franchisees to use.  These might be personalized web pages per location, advertising design, marketing calendars, discounted printing services, etc.  The star knows and uses what the franchisor provides.  AND if the franchisor doesn't provide something they need - they are not afraid to ask for it!  Many times they find out about a new resource they had overlooked or the franchisor adds something as a result!

2.  Not Afraid of Franchisor Input - They contact the franchisor about ideas they have for product or sales ideas they have.  Franchisors have been in this business much longer than a franchisee.  Many times a franchisee has an idea they think has never been tried - however many time it has already been done.  Contacting the franchisor makes whatever idea the franchisee has - BETTER!  Because if it has been done or tried it either succeeded or failed and the franchisor can guide the franchisee as to whether to throw the idea out or how to make it better.  They can also point out potential problems or successes that need to be thought through before going forward.

3.  Answers Franchisor Correspondence - The star reads all correspondence from the franchisor and consistantly is among the first to answer!  They make decisions quickly and don't wait until the last minute to answer - many times the franchisees who don't answer correspondence and wait - never get to it as the emails, mail, just pile up and they forget.  Usually missing out on opportunities or direction the franchisor has provided.

4.  Plans Ahead - Franchise Systems have to plan well in advance for marketing and product introductions and promotions.  The Star franchisee plans well in advance as well.  They make sure that supplies are on hand when needed, and products are in place for any promotions the franchisor is offering.  They also add to these offerings with ideas of their own to increase sales.

5.  Works Hard - The Star Franchisees in a Franchise System realize that success takes work!  Even though they bought a franchise with proven success this does not happen without work and effort on the franchisees part.  Businesses do not run on their own without supervision and guidance.  Even the owner who is not onsite must be aware of what is going on and the location must also know that the owner cares about the business.

6.  Invests the Capital it Takes to Build the Business - Word of Mouth is the best advertising a business can get.  Successful Franchisees realize this and also realize that this takes time.  They are willing to put in the working capital neccessary to keep the business at its best at all times until the word is out and the business can sustain itself.  A business may break even early, but it really takes about 3 years before it is entrenched and well recognized within its area of operation.

7.  Uses the In Store Systems -The Star Franchisees within a Franchise System make sure that they understand how their business is to operate using the in store methods that the franchisor has provided.  They are the ones that ask and ask and ask again making sure they understand how operations are to go.  They are smart but realize that there is a learning curve that is shortened drastically because they bought into a franchise.  They realize that the franchisor has the experience and that systems that don't make sense must be there for a reason.  They ask so they understand.  Customers want to visit happy and efficient operations!

     Royalty Payments are well worth it - the star realizes that they could not hire an employee with the knowledge of the franchisor for what they pay in a royalty.  They make sure that they get their money's worth out of this payment.  Use what the franchisor provides!  It is amazing that many franchisees in a system will flounder and struggle just because they don't pick up the phone, answer emails, or follow the system.  They pay a royalty and complain that it is not worth it, when in reality they are not taking advantage of what the franchisor is offering them.  

This article was written by the CEO of the franchise Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids.  Franchise systems are not equal and many provide tools that others don't.  If you are thinking about investing in a franchise - find out what those tools are.  Ask other franchisees if they are using them and how valuable they are!

Are you thinking about becoming a franchisee?  You may enjoy reading The Top Four Considerations when becoming a Franchisee:

Kids Hairstyles can lead to a great business!

Would you like to own your own business?  Many say it, but few actually do it!  There are many opportunities out there but choosing one that is a fit for you is most important.

If you Googled Kids Hairstyles and ended up here - maybe you are to look at owning your own Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids.  As a franchise business we are constantly making changes to this web site and our systems to help our franchise owners get more awareness online about their salon.

Kids LOVE to come to Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids! Not only do they get a great haircut done by a "kids' hairstyle expert"!  But, they also get to choose the station they sit at - maybe in a car, or a big kid's chair, they also have lots to look at and do while waiting for their special time.  We have an inviting retail - toy - section.  This ads fun for the kids, convenience for Moms needing a gift item, and as bonus revenue for the owner!

With a franchise training and hand holding are what you get as a new business owner!  There is nothing more important to owning a business.  Doing things right the first time save time, aggravation and a WHOLE lot of money!

So if you just stumbled here and this sounds intriging - check out the rest of this web site, make sure and check out our customer site as well www.shearmadnesskids.com and then download this FREE information on Franchises (no obligation - we promise not to contact you until you want to be contacted!).

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!

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.

Download more information about finding a great franchise HERE!

If considering this segment is it best to go it alone or join a franchise system? -

• 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.
• 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!
• 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!
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• As with any business endeavor it is best to have a coach. With a franchise you have a built in business coach.