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After almost two decades at Sherwin-Williams,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lonnie-mcgowen-jr?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-a-former-sherwin-williams-vp-found-his-next-chapter-with-an-image-studios-franchise-2731702" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Lonnie McGowen</a> had built a highly successful corporate career, including becoming the company’s first African American male vice president. But along with the title and responsibility came 80-hour workweeks, constant travel and a growing realization that something important was slipping away.“I was tired, I was worn out, but I was just doing what I knew to do, which is to push forward,” McGowen said.&nbsp;When his wife, a nurse working night shifts in Dallas, told him she rarely saw him anymore, it became a turning point. McGowen began searching for a path that would allow him to maintain financial success while reclaiming time and a sense of personal ownership.That search eventually led him to franchise ownership with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.imagestudiosfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-a-former-sherwin-williams-vp-found-his-next-chapter-with-an-image-studios-franchise-2731702" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">IMAGE Studios</a> in Dallas, a move that also reframed how he thinks about leadership and business.<h2>From Student-Athlete to Corporate Executive</h2>Born in Texas and raised partly in California, McGowen learned early lessons about discipline and leadership as a student-athlete at San Francisco State University, where he served as basketball team captain during his final two seasons.“That’s where I learned how to compete and really cut my teeth on leadership,” he said.After graduating with a degree in business management, McGowen joined Sherwin-Williams as a management trainee in an entry-level role. Over the next 17 years, he steadily advanced through sales, human resources and executive leadership positions, relocating multiple times as the company tapped him for larger responsibilities.At the height of his corporate career, McGowen served as vice president of human resources for Sherwin-Williams’ Southwestern Division, a $2 billion operation where he helped oversee more than 8,000 employees. He also established the company’s first African American network group and partnered with the CEO on national initiatives.“It really gave me a worldwide experience at a high level,” McGowen said.Still, the pace eventually became unsustainable.<h2>A New Opportunity</h2>In December 2019, McGowen and Sherwin-Williams mutually parted ways. He and his wife planned to flip homes, launching an LLC and preparing to pursue real estate investing. Two months later, COVID-19 shut everything down.“I’m right back to square one and now I’m thinking, ‘What did I do?’” McGowen said.&nbsp;A connection with a franchise broker soon introduced him to the salon suite concept and, specifically,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/image-studios/info">IMAGE Studios</a>. After meeting the corporate team and learning more about the brand, McGowen was sold.“I fell in love with the concept,” he said. “It kind of saved my life really, in a sense, that I was able to find something quickly … but really it gave me financial freedom and freedom in my time.”<h2>Why IMAGE Studios Stood Out</h2>McGowen evaluated several franchise categories, including gyms, restaurants and large legacy brands. What set IMAGE Studios apart was a combination of market fundamentals, design quality and corporate culture.“Dallas is a powerhouse when it comes to beauty,” he said, pointing to the number of major beauty companies headquartered in the area. He was also drawn to the physical environment of IMAGE Studios locations.“The aesthetic of the buildout for IMAGE Studios is so different than any other organization,” McGowen said. “All the glass and just the upscale quality of material that they use to build out — I knew that was something I wanted to associate myself with.”Equally important was the people. McGowen immediately felt welcomed and supported, noting that the team was very receptive to new ideas. This helped IMAGE Studios feel less like a leap into the unknown and more like a strategic next chapter.<h2>Applying Corporate Leadership to Franchise Ownership</h2>McGowen says he uses his corporate experience every day as a franchise owner, especially when it comes to culture.“One of the things I learned about corporate America, particularly at Sherwin-Williams, is that they preach culture,” he said. “Culture is not easy. It takes a lot of work. It starts from the top down.”Rather than simply leasing suites to anyone interested, McGowen personally meets with prospective beauty professionals to understand their goals, communication style and values.“If they’re going to disrupt the culture, then I don’t want them,” he said. “But if they’re going to add to it and I feel like they’re just overall a decent person and I can tell that they love their craft and they love their clients and their customers, then my guess is they’re going to treat their colleagues the same.”McGowen says building a strong, trustworthy team has allowed him to step away with confidence. It has also made it easier to enjoy time off and take vacations, knowing the business runs smoothly in his absence.<h2>Training and Infrastructure that Reduce Risk</h2>For McGowen, IMAGE Studios’ structured training program was another major differentiator.“Before you step a foot out in opening your business, we’re going to take you through a 12-week module course,” he said. “For me, that was huge because I wanted to understand what I was doing before I start doing it.”The training covers everything from culture and recruiting to touring prospective tenants, selecting vendors and managing the buildout process. Franchisees also validate with existing owners who have already opened studios.That level of preparation resonated with an executive accustomed to data, systems and repeatable processes.“You’re not going through it by yourself,” McGowen said.<h2>A Message to Other Executives</h2>McGowen believes franchising, and IMAGE Studios specifically, can be a strong fit for corporate leaders ready to reinvest their experience into ownership.“First, understand what your priorities are,” he said. “What is it that you want for you and your family, and then align that with the goals and priorities of the franchise?”For him, the priority was freedom. Today, he’s enjoying slower mornings, meaningful relationships with his studio professionals and the satisfaction of building something that’s truly his.To find out more information on the costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/image-studios.">https://1851franchise.com/image-studios.</a>&nbsp;

How a Former Sherwin-Williams VP Found His Next Chapter with an IMAGE Studios Franchise

Former Sherwin-Williams VP Finds Ownership with IMAGE Studios

1851 Franchise

After almost two decades in corporate leadership, Lonnie McGowen found a new path to ownership, flexibility and long-term growth through IMAGE Studios’ salon suite model.

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<a href="https://www.imagestudiosfranchise.com/">IMAGE Studios</a>, the 135-unit luxury salon suites franchise, is targeting growth in Houston to expand on its presence in the Lone Star State. With six locations already thriving across the Greater Houston area,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/image-studios/info">IMAGE Studios</a> is planning further expansion to meet climbing demand, driven by a diverse beauty culture.“We have been in the city of Houston for seven years now,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzielumley">Lizzie Webb</a>, Vice President of Operations. “Texas was one of our first markets when we began growing beyond our home state, so we’ve always seen the potential. For us, the people and energy of Houston all align perfectly with IMAGE Studios to represent an amazing opportunity.”From its initial location in Katy, IMAGE Studios has strategically developed across Webster, Cypress and more to strengthen its presence, and it has additional Houston-area openings on the horizon.This expansion comes following a monumental year. In 2025, IMAGE Studios opened its 100th location and closed the year with 35 total openings and 50 units awarded systemwide. This growth solidified IMAGE Studios’ presence in 28 states and represents meaningful momentum as it continues to grow nationwide. Houston, which represents a prime market with a high concentration of entrepreneurial talent, will be a key part of this trajectory.With a population of&nbsp;<a href="https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/texas/houston">2.4 million</a>, Houston offers a large customer base for franchisees and a large potential client base for their tenants. While the city is sprawling, Webb views it as a collection of distinct, micro-neighborhoods, which allows franchisees to adjust and create a hyper-local experience.“Houston is a million small communities,” Webb said. “I think that the locations we have are reflective of the communities that they’re in. We have locations in the established suburbs like Magnolia, Katy and Webster, and we have others closer to downtown areas like Memorial. They all have very different vibes, but they’re all tailored to their communities.”This flexibility aligns with a significant shift in how tenants view salon suites. In years past, the category was largely viewed as a destination for hairstylists. Now, hairstylists and barbers still represent a meaningful portion of the business, but studios are also being filled by beauty and wellnessproviders like massage therapists, estheticians, lash and brow artists, nail techs and more. IMAGE Studios is creating pathways for these beauty and wellness professionals to own and scale their own businesses in Houston.The current footprint in Houston and across Texas as a whole is robust, but the white space available for new development is significant. As existing franchisees continue to expand their portfolios, IMAGE Studios is looking to expand their footprint in the greater Houston area.&nbsp;The decision to accelerate growth in Houston is driven by a recognition of the market’s scale and the caliber of beauty professionals within it.“I’m always just knocked out by the size of Houston, and I’m knocked out by the incredible people,” Webb said. “They have such a spirit. The professionals I’ve met are so inspiring — the way they’ve set up their businesses for themselves and their families. Continued growth across Houston will only allow us to serve even more of these passionate individuals.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/image-studios">https://1851franchise.com/image-studios</a>.&nbsp;

Building on its strong presence and the region’s diverse, entrepreneurial culture, the luxury salon suites franchise is targeting Greater Houston as part of its next wave of growth.

IMAGE Studios Targets Houston, Noting Extensive Expansion Potential 

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How a Former Sherwin-Williams VP Found His Next Chapter with an IMAGE Studios Franchise

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