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After a career in tech and data analytics,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillerydsimmons?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=hillery-simmons-pigtails-crewcuts-chicago-franchise-2730200" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Hillery Simmons</a> began to ask herself what was next. AI was reshaping her industry and the long hours were starting to lose their appeal. She still wanted to work — just differently. Franchising offered a new path, one that could give her ownership and a chance to make a tangible difference in her community. With&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=hillery-simmons-pigtails-crewcuts-chicago-franchise-2730200" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts</a>, she found a mission-driven brand that aligned with her goals, fit into her lifestyle, and inspired her to imagine a future filled with color, growth and purpose.1851 spoke with Simmons to learn more about her path, what drew her to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/pigtails-and-crewcuts/info">Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts</a> and her plans for the future.&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Hillery Simmons: I grew up in St. Louis, and my parents are both from the Chicago area. When I eventually moved to Chicago, it just felt like home. The Midwest has its own culture, and I feel really rooted here.1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Simmons:&nbsp;In the course of my career, I’ve been in data analytics, mostly in the tech and digital user interface space. I like my job — it’s interesting — but AI is really changing the world. And I'm getting older. Tech is famous for ageism, and I started asking myself, “What's next?”I still feel ambitious. I get frustrated when I don't have opportunities to grow. I was feeling stuck and wanted something that would make me feel like I had ownership and a stake in something. I also wanted a future path that didn’t require working 40 or 50 hours a week.1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know now that you're in it?Simmons:&nbsp;I started looking at franchising specifically with a semi-absentee model in mind so I could continue working while building something new. I still wanted the support and stability of my job, but I wanted to own a business I understood.Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts checked all the boxes. It fills an unmet need in the community. I’m divorced and don’t have kids, so one of my questions was, “Can I do this without a spouse, without children around me?” I don’t know what it’s like to take a child to get a haircut. But when I talked to a lot of other franchise owners, that really encouraged me. I was able to understand the dynamics, and it helped me feel confident I could do this.I also loved that it came with a built-in community. Both the headquarters and other franchisees made me feel like I wouldn’t be doing this alone.1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about the company?Simmons:&nbsp;When you're looking into franchising, price point really matters. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t think I could pull it off — but it's still scary because it’s new. Even though there’s a storefront and real estate component, the investment level was something I could manage.Another thing I thought about was lifestyle. I work from home and don’t currently have a car, so I loved the idea of something I could build near where I live. You can do this in the middle of the city, and it felt like it would really fit into my life. That mattered a lot to me.1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?Simmons:&nbsp;Ideally, I’d love to open five salons. The team has been really great in being flexible and helping me plan around those goals.Eventually, I’d also love to explore the possibility of opening a location in St. Louis.1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Simmons:&nbsp;One of the things that really solidified my decision was tied to something I already do. I often donate to foster care organizations in the Chicago area around the holidays. It occurred to me — what if I could offer haircuts to foster kids? That felt really good. It helped with the sense that I don’t have kids of my own, but I could still create something meaningful. That was the final piece that clicked into place.1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Simmons:&nbsp;When I started talking to a franchise consultant, I didn’t think it was the right time. But I knew I’d feel better if I was moving toward a goal — it didn’t have to be fast. Sometimes, you just have to jump in and trust the professionals.About Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts:&nbsp; Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts is a kids' hair salon franchise designed with family in mind. Franchising since 2005, it has become a premier destination for children’s hairstyling and a stress-free experience for parents. Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts provides a range of hair care services for boys and girls aged zero to 12, and offers a custom line of child-friendly hair products, hair accessories, toys, and gifts. Each salon is a fun, engaging space where children can feel comfortable and enjoy their haircuts, complete with activities, event areas and a family-friendly atmosphere. With over 80 locations across more than 20 states, Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts is continuously expanding and establishing itself as a leading franchise in the growing niche market of children’s hair care. To learn more about Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts or to find a salon near you, please visit www.pigtailsandcrewcuts.com. To learn more about franchise opportunities with Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=hillery-simmons-pigtails-crewcuts-chicago-franchise-2730200" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com</a>.

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