1851

Debra Sawyer would describe herself as a mom, cheer coach and businesswoman. But to the <a href="http://www.sportclipsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-debra-sawyer-brought-a-womans-touch-to-sport-clips-guy-themed-concept-11214" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sport Clips</a> support team, and the more than 16,000 stylists the company and its franchisees employ, she is also a role model. Sawyer currently owns 16 <a href="http://www.sportclipsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-debra-sawyer-brought-a-womans-touch-to-sport-clips-guy-themed-concept-11214" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sport Clips</a> units with another set to open in April. She individually employs more than 150 female stylists which puts her in the top 10 of the roughly 480 franchisees that make up Sport Clips, a network that was&nbsp;recently rated the number one haircutting franchise in the nation by Entrepreneur Magazine.&nbsp;She also sits as President on the Sport Clips Team Leader Advisory Council (TLAC) made up of the brand&rsquo;s most influential franchisees as elected by their peers. Currently the board is working on an initiative implementing new technologies system wide.&nbsp; To say Sawyer&nbsp;is an integral part of the Sport Clips organization would be an understatement. She is part of what makes Sport Clips great.

Sawyer first entered the franchise world 11 years ago, with two young children in tow. Growing a new business, while working a full time job and raising a young family can be overwhelming, to say the least. What attracted her to the Sport Clips Franchise was the flexibility and work-life balance that the semi-absentee ownership model provides. The fact that it was not an owner-operator model allowed her to keep her work and family commitments, while growing a business on the side.

While there has been progress in gender equality,&nbsp;the fact is that women still bear a heavier load than their male counterparts when it comes to balancing work and family. Working mothers are faced with extra pressure in trying to juggle it all.

&ldquo;Typically the majority of responsibility of the family falls on the woman and stress comes from trying to meet your family&rsquo;s needs while working. But the opportunities are there. That is what I found in the Sport Clips Franchise,&rdquo; Sawyer said.

Sawyer&#39;s advice to anyone looking to get into franchising is to pick something that you are passionate about and spend time learning the ropes. The fact that Sport Clips is a semi-absentee business model allowed her to take the time to learn the industry while simultaneously growing the business. &nbsp;

&ldquo;Pick a franchise that you can get behind,&rdquo; Sawyer added. &nbsp;

Debra&rsquo;s strong commitment to&nbsp;Sport Clips&#39; values&nbsp;are evident in the way she nurtures and develops leadership in the women she employs. She attributed part of her success in leadership to being a woman. She found that she is able to relate to her mostly female staff because she understands firsthand the delicate balancing act that working mothers experience. She has a strong desire for them to succeed at striking this balance.&nbsp; And her team is flourishing under her leadership, as evident by her continual growth, adding her 17th store this April, and by the unequivocal enthusiasm and commitment her staff demonstrates daily.

For the working mother, and really for anyone who is trying to juggle a multitude of responsibilities, Debra has some practical advice, &ldquo;Focus on the most important item that will make the biggest impact on your business. Do this first thing each day before the drama of the day takes over. I work until 11 am each day on my most important issue that needs to be addressed. I will not schedule meetings or calls before then. That way I know I at least get my most important issue accomplished each morning.&rdquo;&nbsp;

For the female entrepreneur, franchising offers a lot of advantages and benefits. And likewise, the franchises benefit from women stepping into leadership positions. Sawyer is a testimony to that. The contributions women are making are becoming a driving force in the business world as more and more women pursue new and exciting entrepreneurial opportunities.&nbsp; &nbsp;

How Debra Sawyer Brought a Woman’s Touch to Sport Clips’ Guy-Themed Concept

1851 Franchise

With almost half of franchises having a woman in an ownership position, women are a driving force behind the brands they represent. Debra Sawyer of Sport Clips is a prime example of a woman leader thriving in a male-focused concept. 


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-debra-sawyer-brought-a-womans-touch-to-sport-clips-guy-themed-concept

Mellow Mushroom

Mellow Mushroom Ranks No. 1 in Customer Experience and Customer Loyalty Among Pizza Chains in MarketForce Casual Dining Report

mellow-mushroom-market-force-report-2025

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing - Jeff Hunter - Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

Air Force Veteran Jeff Hunter Trades Corporate Life for a Successful Franchise Future with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

benjamin-franklin-plumbing-franchise

Comfort Keepers

From Coast to Heartland: Why One Comfort Keepers® Franchisee Keeps Expanding

from-coast-to-heartland-why-one-comfort-keepers-franchisee-keeps-expanding

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

Filta Franchise - David Hoover Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

From Stadiums to Sustainability: How David Hoover Is Scaling Impact With Filta

filta-franchise-david-hoover-scaling-impact

TruBlue Home Service Ally

Be a Community Hero: How TruBlue Franchisees Are Changing Lives Beyond Business

be-a-community-hero-how-trublue-franchisees-are-changing-lives-beyond-business

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

How a Steady Economy Could Help Franchisors Plan Their Next Move

how-a-steady-economy-could-help-franchisors-plan-their-next-move

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

U.S. Government Shutdown - Impact on Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Government Shutdown Stalls SBA Loans: How the Shutdown Could Impact Franchises

government-shutdown-impacts-sba-loans-tourism-franchises

Subway Franchisees Resist Expensive Remodel Directives

subway-franchisees-resist-expensive-remodel-directives

image  of Happinest franchise collection and all their brands that work together. 

The Happinest Advantage: A Marketing Partner Invested in Your Bottom Line

happinest-franchise-marketing-strategy

Ty McBride on Turning Preservan Into a Franchise: No Shortcuts, Just Persistence

ty-mcbride-on-turning-preservan-into-a-franchise-no-shortcuts-just-persistence

Baker McKenzie: A Global Law Firm with a Leading Franchise and Brand Expansion Practice

baker-mckenzie-a-global-law-firm-with-a-leading-franchise-and-brand-expansion-practice

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025

early-childhood-education-child-care-franchises

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

Top Education Franchises To Consider for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Education Franchises To Consider Investing In for 2025

top-education-franchises-investment-opportunities

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Barb Volk and KidStrong logo

Why This Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner Is Developing KidStrong Franchises

kidstrong-franchise-owner-barb-volk-2025

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

How Debra Sawyer Brought a Woman’s Touch to Sport Clips’ Guy-Themed Concept

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS