The idea of owning multiple stores when you buy into a franchise is appealing. So why do so many people fail at it? Here are some guidelines for economy of scale that we use in our children's salons:
- Never open multiple stores at one time: Your steepest learning curve will be at your first location. If that location is successful, number two, three and four become easier.
- Find the right people and trust them: At Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids we call these people “charismatic connectors”. They have the organizational skills, leadership skills and understand numbers - and the ability to manage multiple locations for you!
- Make sure the numbers work: At our children's salons we have a number that tells us how many services a day you should do before you even think about opening another Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids salon. You should never move forward to opening another salon until you hit those metrics.
- Know your customer: After your first location you should have a rock solid idea of who your customer is: where they live, how much money they have and WHY they are your customer. This should give you a blue print for your second location.
- Never stop learning: They say in business that the only constant is change. Now more than ever that holds true. Ways of marketing change daily, customers are fickle, and brand awareness is vital. If you like a challenge, you should do well!
Owning multiple locations is an exciting way to build a future income stream for yourself and your family. Just remember one thing, business is a marathon and not a sprint!
The Shear Madness Franchise Advantage!
Shear Madness Franchising franchises 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 challengean 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!
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I was recently on a website where franchisees can go to complain about there franchisors. The common theme amongst the complaints was that the franchisor made a lot of promises that they didn't keep, the numbers weren't adding up like the franchisor said they would and they weren't being trained properly.
Of course, it's important to understand that when you buy a franchise, you'll need to wear a lot of hats! Not only are you the head of operations, but you will need to recruit the best employees and constantly train them, give customers great service, track the numbers and watch your expenses and keep your finger on the pulse of your business.
There are lots of reasons that franchises fail. Running a business is not for the faint of heart. But if you bought into a franchise, you bought into a system or process that has succeeded at some level. So my suggestion is if your franchise is not performing like you want it to, make sure that you are following the system! Franchisees often get their business up and running and then begin to change or modify existing services, advertising, products and even the quality and consistency of the customer service that they are delivering. This not only can lead to poor franchise performance, but can unfortunately be a violation of the franchise agreement as well. Yikes! So long story short, you'll definitely want to be sure to follow the franchise system you invested in, as it's a proven model for success!
The Shear Madness Franchise Advantage!
Shear Madness Franchising franchises 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 challengean 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!
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There are lots of moving parts to a franchise, including your franchisor's opening assistance, training and ongoing support. All of the aforementioned are important to your success as a franchisee, and the best way to measure these are to talk to current franchisees.
As important as all these factors are, many people looking to buy a franchise fail to look at what is arguably the most important component of all: the customer. More specifically, how many customers are there for your concept where you want to open? Or, how many times will they come back in a given year, and how long can you hold on to them? This is called customer long term value, or CLV, and it can be the difference between your success or failure.
Think about this, would you rather own a business where your customer comes back twice a year, or 8 times a year? Will they come back for the next 2 years, or the next 8? Will you be able to create a loyal customer or one that only needs your service once or twice per year?
Customers are fickle! Make sure that you have lots of them in your trade area, and that the franchise you are looking at can hold on to them for a long time.
The Shear Madness Franchise Advantage!
Shear Madness Franchising franchises 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 challengean 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!
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kids hair salon,
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best kids hair salon,
smart investments,
small business success,
owning your own business
I often
get contacted by people who want to buy a franchise or business to be their own boss, take control of their destiny and live the American dream! Well, that's all well and good. But I'd like to take a moment and add a small bit of wisdom from one who has been there and has interacted with lots of people who who have also been there.
It takes time. Three years to be precise.
While some can do it a little faster and some might do it a little slower - on average it's going to take you about three years. If you were to pin me down, or get upset with me, or even tell me I'm crazy, I wouldn't mind. As a matter of fact, I really can't explain it other than to to tell you that after countless observations, research, and doing it myself, three years is about what it takes to create a business that gains enough traction for the owner to rightfully claim their business is on it's way to being successful.
So the bad news here is this: If you're going to quit your job, make sure that you have lots - and need I say it again - LOTS of working capital. Because you may have a long runway. The other option is to keep your job and run your business on the side. This option will test your business skill, your ability to manage and find the right people, and trust them.
The good news here is: owning your own franchise or business can allow you to be your own boss, allow you to control your own destiny and allow you to live the American dream.
But like I said, it's going to take you about three years to get there.
Shear Madness Franchising franchises 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
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It's a mystery! As a business owner, you just can't figure it out. You have a great location in a high traffic area, and you have a great store with a product or service that you KNOW the people of your community need or would love. However, you just aren't getting people to come through your door. What do you do?
I was thinking about this the other night when I was out with my family. We have an extremely busy intersection near our home, along with a nice shopping area where hundreds (if not thousands) of potential customers drive by every day. As we were looking for a little time to kill, we decided spur-of-the-moment to visit one of the stores that we had passed by every day for over a year, but had never visited before. After we had spent a little time there, we were all impressed with what the store had to offer - and wondered why we had never been enticed into shopping there before. After my spouse and I talked about it for a while (as we always find marketing and why people do the things they do to be of interest), I came up with the following...
1. We didn't recognize the brand: Even though the store was one we passed by every day, we didn't recognize the sign of the store and unfortunately had nothing to pull us into the store. Take for instance "Hobby Lobby" or "Michaels". The logo is instantly recognizable, and when you see the sign - you more than likely know what's inside. True, these are national brands that have a huge amount of marketing dollars behind them in order to build brand recognition But smaller brands who may not have those expansive resources can still work on getting the brand out to the immediate community through flyers, advertising in local papers, advertising at local sporting events, parades, guerrilla marketing efforts, etc.
2. The exterior of the store was bland: Don't get me wrong, the exterior of this particular store is very nice. But there was nothing to actually communicate to us what was inside the store. No posters or window displays to attract our attention and help us understand what was actually waiting inside. Some local stores that we didn't know anything about prior to visiting, actually were able to get us to walk through the door through a cool window display, a banner on the outside advertising what's inside, or some kind of poster in the window showing more about what to expect inside the store.
3. Awareness of Service or Product Costs: Sometimes as a customer, we've decided not to visit a store because we don't really know how much the services or products may cost. It isn't until we look up a menu (for a restaurant) or find a sale advertisement in a local newspaper that we decide to pay the store a visit. For example, I love coffee shops. However, it wasn't until my local "Dunkin Donuts" sent me a flyer in the mail advertising their drinks that I was suddenly made aware that they were even in the community. And seeing that their drinks were comparable to what I was already spending, I was enticed to give them a try. After their effective marketing and great service, I now go there frequently.
Do you have a store that needs more customers? Take a look at the exterior from a different viewpoint - use some of the tips above to communicate!
Shear Madness Franchising franchises 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! We provide poster designs (to help communicate who we are), do photo shoots so our franchisees always have content to communicate with their potential customers! We know that most 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
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why buy a franchise,
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Guerrilla marketing,
small business success,
owning your own business,
advertising your business
There has possibly never been a better time to start a franchise business, ever. Not only is the franchising model proven, but with a pro-business administration in Washington, the regulatory, and tax environment, along with consumer spending power has never been better! Please don't take my comments as a political endorsement of any politician or political party. I simply think that the facts stand on their own.
For example:
- 4.1% unemployment rate is at historic lows
- Consumer sentiment on the economy is high and improving
- The stock market is at record highs
This begs the question, will the good times continue? And if so, what franchises should I be looking at? A good place to start is by asking yourself what type of business you see yourself operating. You'll also need to give an honest personal assessment in regards to the type of hours you'd like to operate, what you enjoy doing and what you're truly passionate about. Then you will want to look at franchises with strong brand recognition, a good track record of performance and a good reputation between past and present franchisees.
Do your homework, make sure your significant other is on board, and get your financing in place. Then go for it! Because the way I see it, there's never been a better time to start a franchise, ever!
Shear Madness Franchising franchises 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
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When I was a Stock Broker, we would always start one place when we were looking for companies to invest in - and that was at the top! Of course we had certain qualifications that we looked for in management teams, but we always, without fail, looked at their level of education.
Now this isn't meant to make anybody feel bad. We all know or have heard stories of men and women without so much as a high school education making millions through hard work and perseverance. But here's the thing: I challenge you to find any Fortune 500 company in America where the CEO doesn't have a Master's Degree in Business Administration (or MBA). Why is that? Because in order to get an MBA in this Country, you have to prove that you have the ability, discipline and desire to learn at a higher level. People with MBAs in this country earn about 25 to 30% more then undergrads, because of all the reasons mentioned above.
So the point is this: we as Stock Brokers always wanted to invest our money with intelligent people who had shown they not only had the credentials - but the drive to succeed. Shouldn't the same apply to franchising? Wouldn't you prefer to make a wise investment into a franchise run by really smart people?
Some other traits of great franchise management teams are:
- The are focused and plan strategically.
- They have solid knowledge of not only their concept, but the industry that they're in.
- They are goal and result oriented.
- They are bound by a mission statement.
- They are competitive and excellent communicators.
So that's why I can confidently recommend that when choosing a franchise, you might really benefit from doing what I used to do when I was an stock broker...and that's simply starting at the top!
Shear Madness Franchising franchises Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids salons. We have worked with franchise stores in providing franchisee support (in order to encourage continual growth and franchise success), and have sometimes seen the unexpected happen! When it does, our staff (which has years of business experience and a robust resume that includes an MBA) can 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!
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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 currently looking for franchise prospects throughout the United States - and especially Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Lincoln, Denver and St.Louis! 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 franchise investments, great marketing strategies, resources for small businesses, the franchise selection process, 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
Topics:
franchise buyers,
buying a franchise,
Shear Madness Haircuts for kids,
how to begin a business,
reinvent your career,
Business Tips,
successful franchisees,
small business how-tos,
business growth,
franchising,
franchise research,
evaluating a franchise,
business success,
business ownership,
sales,
franchise management team,
smart investments
Some of our readers may recall that the Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids Salon Franchise in Albuquerque was voted Best of the City in 2014, 2015 AND 2016. We are excited to say that they've done it again, and have been voted by readers as Albuquerque The Magazine's Best of the City for 2017! This is quite an honor to be sure, as numerous votes were cast in order to spotlight those businesses, organizations, restaurants, and people that help make Albuquerque such a great place to live!
Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids in Albuquerque is noted as not being just another kids' salon, but as a unique place where mounted cars for styling chairs, televisions and Xbox games at every station help make the haircutting experience fun and special. Additionally, Shear Madness also has an award-winning YOUniquey Boutiquey where kids and parents can shop a fantastic selection of toys, jewelry, kids hair products, hair accessories and more. And to top it off, by mixing in ShEAR Dazzled Ear Piercing (a unique ear piercing experience), the La De Da Spa, themed parties, and a great styling staff - customers are sure to find something to bring a smile to their face!
Kimberly Abeyta, owner of the Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids in Albuquerque says that, "We are grateful for being voted 'Best of the City Children’s Salon' 4 years in a row! Thank You Albuquerque for making Every Child Matter!" Kimberly also notes how hard the Shear Madness team works to bring smiles to their customer's faces each and every day by building up personal relationships and striving to create a special memory and fun atmosphere for kids and parents alike. Additionally, Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids in Albuquerque has really perfected the art of not only giving a great haircut, but also hosting fabulous kids Birthday parties! For example, the spa party concept has been a real hit in Albuquerque. Girls are treated to wearing spa robes, getting mini manis, twisty updos, glittery makeup, and a glitter tattoo. They sing Karaoke and get to choose a headband from the YOUniquey boutiquey to take home!
Janon Otto, CEO of Shear Madness Franchising noted that, "Shear Madness in Albuquerque has always been so concerned with excellent customer service since day one! We are so proud of this store, the stylists are excellent, the parties - the best, and now they are doing an excellent job with ear piercing as well! We see this store continuing to build its clientele and remaining - The Best in Albuquerque!"
Shear Madness Franchising franchises 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
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Albuquerque,
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every child matters,
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best kids hair salon
I was recently looking through a research report about what types of people make the best franchisees. The answer may surprise you, although intelligence, business skill, and former experience as a business owner are highly valuable characteristics. However, the fact that you have an MBA did not get you to the top. Neither did the fact that you may have been a CEO of a fortune 500 company. Instead, the report listed Sales Executives as the top candidates to become successful franchisees.
As I began to examine their reasoning, I saw that Sales Executives have the following traits:
- In a way Sales Executives are already small business owners. They believe in their product and have to go out everyday and sell it. In addition they understand that they are paid to produce, unlike people who have been on a salary their whole life.
- Sales Executives don't cower when times get tough. To anyone who has lived on commission you know the sales cycle can be brutal. However, you conquer these cycles by working harder when needed - always believing that things will get better.
- Most of all, Sales Executives relish the thought of unlimited earnings potential. It's what motivates them to get out of bed everyday.
What the article failed to mention was one other thing that is consistent with all great franchise owners. Great franchisees understand that they are not in the product or service business, they are in the Relationship business. Building a relationship with your customers where they understand the purpose of your business, and building relationships with your employees so that they can deliver that good or service to those customers, is the key to great franchisee success!
Shear Madness Franchising franchises 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
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In previous blogs we have discussed the importance of being able to manage people and create a great team in your franchise. This doesn't happen over night, and depending on the industry you're in it may take months or even years. The key to all this may be your ability to identify the one or two employees who have the ability to lead. Identifying individuals who are the ultimate team players may very well be the key to your business success. A recent Harvard business report calls these individuals "charismatic connectors". These employees will become your Managers and free up your time so that you can work ON your business and not IN your business. They will help save you hundreds of hours of time, and be your wall against you working in your business handling problems. By letting them handle the problems, this helps free you up to work on growing your business.
These ultimate team players have the following characteristics:
- They have the ability to engage any type of personality! Ultimate team players communicate with everyone equally.
- They don't show favoritism! Every team member has something to offer and these ultimate team players have the ability to bring that out.
- Their enthusiasm is contagious!
- They show tough love. No one respects anyone that they can run over. These ultimate team players have the ability to put their foot down when necessary, and they can do it in such a way that the others on the team don't show resentment. Instead, they show respect.
- They lead by example, often working long hours and going the extra mile because they like what they do.
Team building is essential in any organization, and building a great team in your franchise business may well depend on identifying those one or tw0 people who can lead others and your business to new heights.
Shear Madness Franchising franchises Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids salons. We have worked with franchise stores in providing franchisee support (in order to encourage continual growth and franchise 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!
Would you like to sign up for our Monthly newsletter? If so, click HERE!
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 franchise investments, great marketing strategies, resources for small businesses, 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
Topics:
franchise buyers,
buying a franchise,
Small Business Franchise Information,
Business Tips,
successful franchisees,
small business how-tos,
growing a small business,
business growth,
franchising,
franchisee support,
evaluating a franchise,
business skills,
franchise success,
business ownership
