1851

When Michelle Bates joined the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatclipsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-a-great-clips-stylist-became-a-multi-unit-franchisee-2719732" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Great Clips</a> system as a stylist in 1983, she never expected the job would result in a decades-long career and multi-unit ownership. But as she reflects on a long, successful partnership with the brand, she couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out.“I don’t have a college degree — I have a cosmetology license,” Bates said. “But now, I’m a business owner. Where else can you do that? I always tell my employees that they can start as a stylist and work their way up to a general manager or maybe eventually an ownership position. There are so many possibilities with this brand.”Soon after joining the Great Clips brand, Bates took a salon management position in Orlando, assisting a new franchisee. Over time, she helped the franchisee open over 50 Great Clips salons, and Bates eventually took on an ownership percentage of the business.In 2020, Bates and her partner franchisee sold their salons, and she decided to pivot to a new phase in her career. Bates bought two of her own Great Clips locations in 2021 as co-owner alongside one of her former employees. Since then, they have opened an additional two salons.“Transitioning from being a GM to being a full-on owner was a huge change. I was proud to finally own a business, and it became much more important to me that I was associated with a nationally recognized brand.”“I didn’t realize how much I didn’t know until I became a full owner — leasing, build-out of a new salon, setting up payment terminals,” she said. “But it didn’t matter. I always had someone in Great Clips, Inc. that was a phone call away and could answer any questions I had. That is why I believe in franchising. It’s such a smart business move.”After decades of franchising and expanding nationwide, the brand has developed robust support systems to help franchisees succeed.“From the beginning, I saw the benefits of the franchise model,” said Bates. “Great Clips offered a strong brand, franchisor support, training and marketing plans. Becoming a franchisee gives you the knowledge and framework to hit the ground running.”But beyond valuable franchisor support, Bates’ ability to manage her staff has been critical to the success of her business. Despite a stylist shortage in the salon industry, Bates has been able to retain her employees by showing compassion and creating a fun, supportive environment in her salons.“I focus a lot on salon culture. People like to work for me because I promote a work-life balance and appreciate my employees.”Moving forward, Bates plans to build on her current locations and prime her employees for growth within the company.“Great Clips is an amazing brand with amazing growth potential,” she said. “The corporate company wants to see its franchisees and their employees succeed, and it shows.”The total investment to open a Great Clips salon ranges from $178,400- $376,900. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatclipsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-a-great-clips-stylist-became-a-multi-unit-franchisee-2719732" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.greatclipsfranchise.com/</a>.

How a Great Clips Stylist Became a Multi-Unit Franchisee

1851 Franchise

Michelle Bates shares her remarkable journey with the salon brand.


This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

how-a-great-clips-stylist-became-a-multi-unit-franchisee

Voodoo Brewing Co.

good vibes - Voodoo Brewing Co. - The Lighter Side of good vibes - 1851 Franchise

The Lighter Side of good vibes: Voodoo Brewing Co. Turns Down the ABV and Cranks Up the Flavor

lil-vibes-beer-voodoo-brewing-co-session-ipa-low-abv

New Vibes Just Dropped: The Vibes Sampler 6-Pack Is Here To Set the Tone

new-vibes-just-dropped-the-vibes-sampler-6-pack-is-here-to-set-the-tone

Sola Salons

Photo of Sola Salons lobby area with retail display in window

Inside the 2025 Sola Salons Franchise Disclosure Document: What Aspiring Owners Need to Know

sola-salons-2025-fdd-breakdown

Right at Home

How Right at Home Is Building Its Corporate Staff of Innovation To Drive the Future of Senior Care

how-right-at-home-is-building-its-corporate-staff-of-innovation-to-drive-the-future-of-senior-care

Woodhouse Spas

Woodhouse Spas Expands Its Luxury Wellness Brand with Franchisee Signing in New Jersey

woodhouse-spas-expands-its-luxury-wellness-brand-with-franchisee-signing-in-new-jersey

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

Hardee’s Lawsuit Highlights the Risk of Going Off-Model in Franchising

hardees-franchise-lawsuit-paradigm-investment-group

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Dave’s Hot Chicken Sold to Roark Capital in $1 Billion Deal to Fuel Global Expansion

daves-hot-chicken-sold-to-roark-capital-in-1-billion-deal-to-fuel-global-expansion

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises

homebuyers-keep-buying-and-thats-good-news-for-home-service-franchises

911 Restoration Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

911-restoration-franchise-deep-dive

Floyd’s 99 Barbershop Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

floyds-99-barbershop-franchise-deep-dive

Photo of Happinest Brands vans and teams standing together

Happinest Brands Closes Strong Q1 With Strategic Growth, System-Wide Enhancements

happinest-brands-q1-2025-growth

From Franchisee to Franchisor: How Howard Picker Is Using His Experience to Drive Sustainable Growth at Floyd’s 99

howard-picker-floyds-99-barbershop-franchise-franchisor-hot-seat

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

From Personal Care to Purpose-Driven Business: Why This Couple Is Bringing Griswold to Houston

from-personal-care-to-purpose-driven-business-why-this-couple-is-bringing-griswold-to-houston

The Top 20 Handyman Franchises To Invest in for 2025

top-handyman-franchises-to-invest-in

How a Great Clips Stylist Became a Multi-Unit Franchisee

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS