1851

The path that led couple Alex Farina and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-laurie-m-rilling-63993a18/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=nikita-hair-signs-new-franchisees-in-frisco-texas-2719117" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dr. Laurie Rilling</a> to become franchisees with Nikita Hair is a fun one. It’s full of chance encounters, moving to new places and, most importantly, teamwork.The duo have known each other since their high school days in Long Island, when they dated. After going their separate ways, the universe brought them back together, and now they call Frisco, Texas home. Rilling is a clinical neuropsychologist and Farina is a veteran hair stylist. Farina has decades of experience in working with some of the industry’s top brands, participating in hair shows, and teaching up-and-coming stylists the ins and outs of the industry.&nbsp;“I bring a lot of experience in the hair world to our business,” said Farina. “I also have an unwavering passion for the industry, having been a stylist for so long. I love what I do, and I’m excited about the opportunity to bring Nikita Hair to the Frisco area.”The duo makes a great team, and Farina’s experience in the industry as well as Rilling’s work as a psychologist is an ideal combination for establishing a salon that creates the atmosphere Nikita Hair provides its clients.&nbsp;“Dallas is a booming market, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring the Nikita Hair brand there with Alex and Laurie at the helm,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-lyman-356a5b44/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=nikita-hair-signs-new-franchisees-in-frisco-texas-2719117" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Andrea Lyman</a>, CEO of Nikita Hair. “They make such a great team, and we’re confident that they’ll be able to grow the brand in the market through its proven business model and strong experience that they bring to the table.”<h4>How Teamwork Makes the Dream Work at Nikita Hair</h4>Farina and Rilling were first introduced to the idea of franchising by the seasoned salon franchise pro&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-kartarik-093ab96/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=nikita-hair-signs-new-franchisees-in-frisco-texas-2719117" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mark Kartarik</a>.&nbsp;“I had a lot of interaction with Mark when I was at Regis, and he approached me about the opportunity to franchise with Nikita Hair,” explained Farina. “I always thought a franchise would be a great way to open a salon, especially for me because I am so much more interested in providing a great culture for stylists and clients, and being able to operate off a blueprint that’s proven to be an effective business model was really appealing. The values and philosophy of Nikita Hair are so much aligned with my own, that it really made sense to become a franchisee with the brand.”Farina and Rilling value Nikita Hair’s unique environment, for franchisees, stylists and clients. “What really sealed the deal for us was opening a salon that already had a concept and culture in place from the second the guests walked through the door until they left,” said Farina. “Plus, as a first-time business owner, I felt that the route of franchising would give me the support I needed to feel confident and comfortable in taking these first steps in entrepreneurship.”As they start their new journey as franchisees, Farina and Rilling bring complementary strengths and professional experiences. While Farina is getting his first taste of what it’s like to own a business, Rilling comes from a family of entrepreneurs.“My family previously owned their own business, so I have that experience and entrepreneurial background,” she said. “In fact, when Alex and I dated in high school and college, he worked in my parent’s dry-cleaning business.”Although they haven’t opened the doors of their salon yet, Farina and Rilling know they have already been set on a pathway to success.&nbsp;“Mark has had so much experience in growing brands, and we’ve never seen him involved in something that wasn’t successful, so we know Nikita Hair was the right fit for us,” said Farina.&nbsp;In addition to Kartarik’s recommendation&nbsp; of the brand, Farina and Rilling also appreciate the target customer of the brand as well as its Amazon-proof business model. “Services by Nikita Hair bring a sense of affordable luxury to the target market,” said Farina. “We’re not at a low price point, but we’re also not charging $100 for a haircut. We’re right in the middle of that price range. We also love that we’re joining a brand that offers in-demand services. Clients are always going to need their hair done, whether it’s a cut, style or color, and we’ll be here to serve them every step of the way.”<h4>How Farina and Rilling Hope to Give Back to the Community and Bring a Sense of Togetherness to Clients and Stylists</h4>Farina and Rilling bring a unique type of ownership to the Frisco community. “One of us has a lot of experience in the salon industry and understands the heart and soul of a stylist, and how those stylists are fueled by their passions,” explained Farina. “And Laurie’s understanding of human nature and human behavior helps us in creating a culture that is unique and unlike anything else in the area.”Rather than creating an environment in which stylists are on their own and don’t feel like they are part of a team, Farina and Rilling want to create a family-like atmosphere. “I think even with COVID, people still have a pent-up desire to be together, and we want to offer a sense of togetherness for both our stylists and clients at Nikita Hair,” said Farina.Rilling added that both she and Farina bring a sense of world experience to their salon as well. “We have long been interested in fashion and hair, and we always had the most cutting-edge haircuts and styles growing up,” she laughed. “We also enjoy the sense of community here in Frisco. We’ve both lived in many different cities, and we know that this is our home, and it's a&nbsp; great place to live and raise a family. There’s so much growth just over the horizon, and we're excited to be opening a business here.”The couple is also excited about the opportunity to give back. Nikita Hair is involved in many initiatives to combat world hunger and provide nutritional assistance to orphaned children, through A Hand to Children. “We want to have a positive impact on our community, and I think partnering with a brand that already puts forth so much effort to change the world further cements the idea that we made the right choice in signing with Nikita Hair,” said Farina.Farina and Rilling said they are looking at their growth alongside the brand with a “start small, think big” mindset. “I would like our salon to become the template for what other salons may look like for Nikita Hair,” said Farina. “I want to make sure that we have a successful formula and are running our first location like a well-oiled machine so that we can help the brand establish a format for use at other salons down the road.”&nbsp;Through the journey to entrepreneurship, and their own personal relationship journey, the two said that they want to remind others that patience pays off, in many ways. “The first day I walked into beauty school I knew that I wanted to open up my own salon,” said Farina. “The patience of waiting that long shows that things don't’ happen overnight, but if you work toward your goal and you have a dream then you can make it really come true.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Farina and Rilling said they plan to open their Nikita Hair location in late July or early August.Total investment necessary to franchise with Nikita Hair ranges from&nbsp;$189,500 - $297,800&nbsp; including a $43,500 franchise fee.&nbsp;

Nikita Hair Signs New Franchisees in Frisco, Texas

1851 Franchise

Opening a business together has been a long time coming for married couple Alex Farina and Dr. Laurie Rilling. Now, as they prepare to open the first Texas location of Nikita Hair, they reflect on how they got to this point and how the brand’s philosophy encouraged them to join.

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

nikita-hair-signs-new-franchisees-in-frisco-texas

HomeTeam Inspection Service

HomeTeam Inspection Service Highlights Strong Franchisee Performance and Tech Innovation in Successful Second Quarter

hometeam-inspection-q2-2025-growth-expansion

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Celebrates 40 Years With Growth, New Franchise Signings and Charitable Milestones in 2025

two-men-and-a-truck-celebrates-40-years-with-growth-new-franchise-signings-and-charitable-milestones-in-2025

Express Employment Professionals

Express Employment Professionals Offers 50% Off Its Franchising Fee in Select Markets

express-employment-professionals-offers-50-off-its-franchising-fee-in-select-markets

Woodhouse Spas

image of woodhouse spa building franchise spa treatment

Woodhouse Spas’ Culture of Excellence, Support Further Elevates Top-Performing Franchise Opportunity

woodhouse-spas-supportive-franchise-culture

Sola Salons

Image of sola salons franchise spa industry interior of a franchise building

Sola Salons 2025 FDD Savings: How Data-Driven Adaptation Has Cut Costs for Franchisees

sola-salons-2025-fdd-savings

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

Planet Fitness Franchisees Donate $100K to Support Texas Flood Relief - 1851 Franchise

Planet Fitness Franchisees Donate $100K To Support Texas Flood Relief

planet-fitness-texas-flood-relief

McDonald’s Is the Latest Franchise To Bet Big on Beverages with 500-Store Premium Drink Test

mcdonalds-is-the-latest-franchise-to-bet-big-on-beverages-with-500-store-premium-drink-test

Friendly’s Parent Company Acquired by Multi-Unit Franchisee as More Owners Take the Lead in Brand Acquisitions 

friendlys-parent-company-acquired-by-multi-unit-franchisee-as-more-owners-take-the-lead-in-brand-acquisitions

Subway - John Fitzpatrick Named CEO - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Subway Names Jonathan Fitzpatrick as New CEO, Effective July 28

jonathan-fitzpatrick-subway-ceo-leadership-change

AI Is Reshaping Franchising: $100 Billion Valuations and Hyper-Localized Advertising

ai-is-reshaping-franchising-100-billion-valuations-and-hyper-localized-advertising

Home Halo Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

home-halo-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

How Food Franchises Are Innovating To Win Over Health-Conscious Consumers

food-franchises-winning-over-health-conscious-consumers

Jollibee -Launch-Story-Brand-Page-Deep-Dive-2025

Jollibee Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

jollibee-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

BODY20 Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

body20-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

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

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

DevHub - Meet the Supplier - 1851 Franchise

DevHub: Scalable Digital Marketing for Franchises and Multi-Location Brands

devhub-meet-the-supplier

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

graphic image of a franchisee spotlight jeff kinkade of trublue home service ally

After Building One Home Services Business, Jeff Kinkade Is Doing It Again — This Time With His Son

jeff-kinkade-trublue-north-johnson-county

Navy Veteran and Professional Artist Couple Open Caring Transitions in Texas

Navy Veteran and Professional Artist Couple Set Out to Build a Purpose-Driven Business With Caring Transitions in Texas

navy-veteran-and-professional-artist-couple-set-out-to-build-a-purpose-driven-business-with-caring-transitions-in-texas

Nikita Hair Signs New Franchisees in Frisco, Texas

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS