Welcome
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his is our special festival issue, and even if you’re not going to any of the big events, most of us will have a day here or there where there’s sunshine, bands, and beer - and the chance to completely chill out. On these occasions it’s great to let your hair down - or put it up - so we share some of our favourite looks. So back to work, and we talk about franchising, a great way to expand your business if you’re the franchisor, and a great way to get it off the ground if you’re a franchisee. Both sides share their experiences with us, a must-read if you’re thinking of going down this route to a new venture. And our Salon of the Month is SO… Hair, Nails & Beauty in Banbury, and owner Danni tells us how she built up this lovely business. If you want to show off your salon to our readers, do let me know, we’d love to hear from you!
Juliet
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Juliet Davies, Acting Editor
THe SaLON MaGaZiNE
thesalonmagazine.co.uk
July 2018 £3.50
July 2018 Business inspiration for salon owners
hairDressing aesthetics tanning Beauty nails
On the cover thesalonmagazine.co.uk
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Angelo Seminara for Great Lengths using Davines Products
Rock it! hot looks for cool weekenDs…
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Business THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING STANDARDS HIGH; THE NHF PUT THE PRESSURE ON THE VATMAN
Support systems… Alan Simpson, Contemporary Salons (see p56)
How franchising can help you achieve your business dreams
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FRANCHISING
All together now Franchising is a business model that can offer great benefits to both franchisor and franchisee. We speak with several entrepreneurs who have achieved great success with this system.
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inda Stewart, Owner of Rainbow Room International with Alan Stewart, told us that there are many great advantages of being a franchisor. “It allows a level of independence, not only for you as the franchisor, but for the franchisees too,” she said. “It’s also great for getting your brand name out there and getting people involved with your brand that have the same passion for the brand as you do and want to see it grow and succeed. “Having a franchise also allows for more career opportunities for your team. Team members have the chance to work their way up the ranks and eventually open their own franchise if they desire to do so. Although the franchisor takes a back seat in regards to how the salon runs its employees and some of the issues in the salon etc., the franchisor is still there to help the franchisee whenever they may need it and give them support and advise on growing the business in order for it to be its very best. It’s a really great position to be in where you can help others grow
Paul Simbler, HOB Salons
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and succeed and see them really flourish and thrive.” Saks, founded in 1974, have been pioneers in the franchising arena since 1981. “Being part of Saks means being part of strong community of professionals that are constantly evolving as we bring the very latest in hair and beauty to UK high streets and leisure clubs,” said Stephen Kee, Saks Managing Director. “We provide a proven business model that has created a large network of successful Saks salons but as well as that we offer a national brand name above the salon door, full brand guidelines, values and goals, comprehensive support, business expertise, and outstanding bestin-the-biz training. We even lend a hand securing bank financing and salon fit out – including expert interior design advice.” Saks is dedicated to helping franchisees take their business as far as possible. “That’s why we don’t just supply a tried and tested business model - but all the back up of a Head Office with business development, finance and marketing expertise,” added Stephen. “Plus there’s the support of an amazing network of even more amazing franchisees on tap!” The Westrow framework offers their franchisees support in every level of business, and takes care of some of the more daunting tasks of running a business. “What we can offer after 31 years of business experience is a proven and established award-winning business format with tried and tested systems of operation,” said Marc Westerman, CoDirector of Westrow. “Our brand name is recognised in the local area and has both longevity and credibility, which helps significantly with our relationships with product manufacturers and people and associations in the industry. “While it is our franchisees’ responsibility to run their business, we provide them with business development expertise and support in many areas. We handle
Alan Simpson, Contemporary Salons
negotiations with landlords on new sites and properties as well as renewing leases, where applicable, and help with shopfitting, design and furniture choices from the manufacturers we have built close links with over the years. We also have expert contacts in the fields of law, accounts and banking to ensure that any complex issues that arise can be dealt with effectively and efficiently.” Westrow offer measurable systems and management training from day one to ensure franchisees have the tools to run their business successfully. They also have access to PR, marketing, the in-salon Westrow magazine and social media to help brand build and drive footfall. “This is supported by branded marketing materials throughout the group, including new client packs, price lists, business cards, loyalty cards and Christmas cards,” said Marc. “We also change our salon marketing campaigns quarterly, and supply our salons with the graphics and artwork for their windows and salon interiors.” Alan Simpson, Managing Director and
FRANCHISING Stephen Kee, Saks
Sally Plain, Westrow Wetherby
founder of Contemporary Salons, said that taking on a franchise from an established and proven business model offers less risk than going it alone and therefore more chance of success. “There are countless advantages,” he said. “Systems are already in place offering guidance every step of the way, including support for staff training plus manuals covering everything from the brand ethos to salon standards. We also host an Annual Awards for the nine-salon group – we find that staff and franchisees enjoy the competition this generates and adds to that feeling of belonging. “A franchisee needs to be fully committed – we are all one family and work together to drive the franchise model forward each year. Salons have to maintain their high standards as if one salon slips, it effects the entire group as we all share a name.” When HOB Salons opened their first franchise in 2001, they had ten salon branches. “We were experiencing huge demand from clients and were keen to grow the group as quickly as possible, and the option of franchising new salons, alongside our own company-owned branches, was the logical way forward,” explained Paul Simbler, HOB Salons’ Director. “To begin with, our first franchise partner was one of our ‘home-grown’ talents; someone who had actually started with us as a junior stylist, worked his way up to manager, and wanted to take on the challenge of his own salon. Working
with someone who knew our brand, and someone we trusted to adhere to our standards of hairdressing and service, was really valuable to us when taking that initial scary step into something new. “When choosing a franchise partner, ask yourself: do they agree with your brand and your values? Do you trust them to meet and exceed your standards, and represent your brand in the same way as you do? And perhaps most importantly, could YOU work for THEM? - if the answer to the last one is no, and you can’t see them being a great boss, then their team won’t want to work for them either!” Overall, it’s been great for HOB Salons and we’ve never regretted taking the franchise route; and if you have really strong infra-structures in place to provide the support they’ll need in all areas of the business, I would recommend it to other salon owners too.” Salon Director Wil Fleeson operates the franchises for Rainbow Room International in Buchanan Street and Stirling. “One of the biggest benefits of joining Rainbow Room International and being a franchisee was that I was able to set up my own salon without having a huge amount of personal finance, it’s already a tried and tested formula so for me there wasn’t any risk involved,” he told us. “As well as this I was and still am surrounded by a great support network, where I can draw on the experience of Rainbow Room International Founders, Alan and Linda Stewart, as well as the other Rainbow Room International franchisees. Having
the Rainbow Room International name above the door was fantastic for attracting clients.” Will found the process from the initial idea to the opening of the salon with Rainbow Room International was really simple. “I had proved myself over the years achieving my goals and attending franchising meetings and jumping through all of the required hoops,” he said. “Rainbow Room International financed the whole thing, found the site and fitted the site out. For me it was just a case of making the salon work and taking it to the next level, which was a huge responsibility but also a huge honour. As a franchise owner it’s really great that Alan and Linda are always there and if I need anything at all I always have their support.” Claire Denyer of Saks Kings Hill, agrees. “Working for Saks as a stylist and loving the Saks way of life as much as I did it was the natural choice to become a Saks franchisee,” she said. “I felt assured that becoming a Saks franchisee would have huge benefits. Having a brand behind me with proven results minimises risk, and I knew the support and guidance from Head Office would be second to none. This coupled with the opportunity of ongoing management training, networking opportunities and the sense of belonging to a national community filled me with confidence. “To run a successful franchise salon takes more than just hiring the right people. It’s an attitude and a belief in the
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FRANCHISING brand and my team fully embrace and believe in the Saks brand, values and ethos. I ensure that every team member is trained in the brand philosophy and we embrace these values in everything we do; offering every customer a very special experience every time they visit the salon. “As the franchisee, I also fully embrace the ethos and lead by example in everything I do. I fully utilise national campaigns issued by head office. By piggybacking head office national marketing I am able to strengthen the results of my local marketing. It really is a win-win situation” Sally Plain, the franchisee at Westrow Wetherby, is celebrating 15 years in business in 2018. “Owning a franchise is exactly the same as having your own business, with the added benefit of adopting a readymade, successful commerce model,” she explained. “Business support is continually available throughout the set up stages, as well as ongoing. One of the biggest benefits, of course, is the brand. By opting in to a franchise you are partnering with a ready-made and well-respected brand, one that has its own established reputation and a dedicated following, while at the same time retaining your own identity and individuality. You will benefit from a long-standing mission statement, core values, a business strategy and direction, which wouldn’t be in place for a lone salon starting out from scratch.” Sally also recommended that if you are looking to specialise in, and succeed within, a particular area of hairdressing, look for a brand name that is recognised
Marc Westerman, Westrow
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within your preferred geographical area, or that is known within the industry. “Before taking on a franchise, I would advise that you do your homework and research the location, demand, and competition,” advised franchisee Amanda Day, of Contemporary Darlington and Contemporary Yarm. “Ensure that you can afford it, as you possibly won’t make any profit in at least the first year, but you will have running costs, staff wages, your own living expenses, payments to franchisor, to pay. Don’t borrow money if you can help it - if the venture doesn’t work, you will be still left paying the loan; ensure you can afford to walk away and lose the money.” Franchising has many advantages. Statistics show that a large percentage of new businesses fail, whereas the same percentage of franchises succeed; with a franchise, the brand is already established and experienced, therefore the element of risk is lower. Belonging to a bigger organisation provides help and advice, a shared cost when it comes to marketing and training, plus better purchasing power for products and materials. “As with any venture, there can be drawbacks,” added Amanda. “As a franchisee, you are contracted to pay a percentage of your takings to the franchisor, even if you aren’t making a profit – this can be difficult when you are first starting out but will obviously get easier as profit increases. Joining an existing brand means that you may also have to comply with fixed company procedures and criteria, which might not suit if you prefer complete flexibility.” Nick Fadi was working for HOB Salons
Amanda Day, Contemporary Salons
as a Salon Manager, having worked his way up from stylist, when he took the decision to become a franchisee. “I was enjoying managing a salon and was successful, but I felt I had more to give and wanted the opportunity to build my own business,” he said. “HOB Salons is run like a family business and I had an excellent relationship with the three Directors, so I didn’t consider other companies - staying with HOB was the natural choice. “From the start of my hairdressing career, it wasn’t just about the hair - it was about being a businessman, and I think this approach is key for anyone wanting to franchise. One of the best parts that I’ve discovered is the joy that comes from developing a team and watching them grow; it’s different from doing it as a manager because, as the business owner, you feel more responsible for them and have more freedom and autonomy to make decisions regarding their employment and career path. Being a HOB franchisee means I can fully utilise the HOB Academy education and HR support available and allow my team to take full advantage, which means they receive career development and support whilst I am more free to concentrate on being a good boss and growing the business in other areas.” Nick has two franchised salons so far and is looking to take on his third, with the hopes of growing to four or five I the future. “For me, it’s definitely the right path to my business empire!” he said.
Nick Fadi, HOB Salons