Pigtails & Crewcuts

When&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-arnold-9986561a2/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=heather-arnold-pigtails-crewcuts-franchise-success-2728981" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Heather Arnold</a> walked into a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=heather-arnold-pigtails-crewcuts-franchise-success-2728981" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts</a> salon looking for a place to get her son’s hair cut, she had no idea she was about to find her next career. After more than a decade in the corporate world, commuting long hours and struggling with mom guilt, she knew she wanted something different — something that gave her more time with her family while still allowing her to build a successful future.In early 2020, Arnold and her husband opened their first&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/pigtails-and-crewcuts/info">Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts</a> location in&nbsp;<a href="https://book.pigtailsandcrewcuts.com/103460/home?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=heather-arnold-pigtails-crewcuts-franchise-success-2728981" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Clermont, Florida</a>. Just weeks later, everything shut down. Then, in May, right before they were able to reopen, she gave birth to their second child. Juggling a newborn, a toddler and a new business in the middle of a pandemic wasn’t easy, but Arnold pushed through. She used the downtime to strengthen her team, focus on operations and set herself up for long-term success. Now, four years later, she’s preparing to open her second location in Davenport, proving that resilience, the right support system and a passion for what you do can turn even the toughest challenges into a thriving business.1851 Franchise spoke to Arnold about her franchise journey and plans for the future. Here’s what she had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Heather Arnold:&nbsp;Many years ago, I worked in corporate for an energy company as a mid-level manager. My office was about an hour away, so my commute was long — an hour there, an hour back. I did that for over a decade, about 12 years.When my husband and I started a family, I struggled with mom guilt. I had to put my son in day care at just 3 1/2 months old and return to work. Because of my commute, I missed the mornings with him, and by the time I got home, he was ready for bed. I wanted more flexibility, but my company didn’t offer remote work options. So, I decided to leave.At the same time, my husband and I started discussing business ownership. We wanted something structured — franchising seemed like a safe entry point since neither of us had experience running a business from scratch.Fast forward about a year. My little one needed a haircut. I Googled a place and found Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts. We went in, and I noticed a sign about franchise opportunities. That got the wheels turning. We reached out to [Vice President of Franchise Development]&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-holliman-2132313/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=heather-arnold-pigtails-crewcuts-franchise-success-2728981" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Michelle [Holliman]</a>, [Franchise Development Coordinator]&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-swanson-ab4a3a143/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=heather-arnold-pigtails-crewcuts-franchise-success-2728981" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Hannah [Swanson]</a> and others at the corporate office. We loved what we heard and decided to move forward.1851: When did you open your Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts salon?&nbsp;Arnold:&nbsp;We’re opening our second location now. Our first location, in Clermont, Florida, opened in February 2020. We had to close in March but were able to reopen in May 2020.To make things even more interesting, we opened three days before I had my second child, so I couldn’t even be there for the reopening. It was a wild time.Now, we’re about to open our second location in Davenport, Florida, which is set to open this summer.1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?Arnold:&nbsp;I didn’t have a lot of information about franchising before we started considering other options. I knew I didn’t want to stay in the corporate world — I didn’t want to be locked into an eight-to-five or nine-to-five job anymore. I was ready to try something new, but I didn’t know much about franchising. I just thought it might be an easier starting point than opening a business from scratch and hoping it succeeded.We worked with a franchise broker for a few months, well before I left my corporate job. That process helped us understand more about franchising — things like costs and what you get out of it. We didn’t find the right fit through that method, but it gave us some foundational knowledge. It wasn’t until we started talking to Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts that I really understood how involved they were and what kind of support they provided. That level of support was a major reason we decided to move forward with them.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Arnold: I’ve always loved children. I was an education major before switching to business in college, and I worked in preschools and babysat for years. My corporate job was the complete opposite — it was in energy, which was very boring for me. So, I was excited to get back into something involving kids.What really stood out to me about Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts was the support from the corporate team. A lot of franchises let you buy in, use the name, and then you’re on your own — they collect their fees, but the ongoing support is minimal. With Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts, it was different. They are there for you three months in, three years in — even 10 years down the line. We still use their resources regularly. That level of involvement and support was a huge factor in our decision.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Arnold:&nbsp;Of course, financial success is always a goal, but for me, success means keeping the brand focused and ensuring everything we do aligns with Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts’ branding. We want our customers to love us and be happy with every visit. I also want my employees to be happy.One of the biggest things I emphasize is work-life balance. I do everything I can to help my team get the right schedule, take time off when needed and support each other. That teamwork and flexibility were a major reason I left my corporate job, and I want to create a positive culture for my employees.Growth-wise, we’re opening a second location. Our Clermont salon is in Lake County, and our new Davenport location will be in Polk County, so they serve different communities. Interestingly, we already have customers from Davenport visiting our Clermont location, so we’ll have a built-in customer base when we open. It’s funny to think we already have regulars before even opening, but it’s exciting.1851:&nbsp;Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Arnold: I think we’re one of the few salons that opened right before, during or just after the COVID boom. Everything we went through was completely different from most of the other salons in the system. We came out strong, and I believe there’s not much that can bring you down if you just keep pushing forward. We could have taken it as a sign to quit, but instead, we used that time to market, strengthen our team, hire and train. That downtime ended up working to our advantage.It also helped that we’re in Florida, where there were fewer restrictions, so we could get back to business faster. We had a tough start, but we came through it successfully. At the end of the day, challenges will happen, it’s all about how you handle them and keep moving forward.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Arnold: Do your research. Take the time to really understand the brand before signing on. Find something that speaks to you. If you don’t care about what the company does or what it stands for, there’s no point in doing it. I wouldn’t buy into something that doesn’t interest me at all because this is something you’ll be doing every day. You’ll be in it day in and day out, so it’s important to choose a brand that aligns with you. Otherwise, you might end up disliking what you’ve invested in.About Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts:&nbsp;Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts is a kid’s 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&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pigtailsandcrewcuts.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=heather-arnold-pigtails-crewcuts-franchise-success-2728981" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.pigtailsandcrewcuts.com</a>. 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=heather-arnold-pigtails-crewcuts-franchise-success-2728981" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com</a>.&nbsp;

From Corporate Hustle to Business Owner: How Motherhood Led This Franchisee to Pigtails & Crewcuts

How Motherhood Led Heather Arnold to Open a Pigtails & Crewcuts

1851 Franchise

Balancing a brand-new business with a toddler and a newborn on the way, Heather Arnold opened her first salon in 2020. She’s now preparing for location number two.

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In Happy Valley, Arizona,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/a-safe-haven-for-kids-haircuts-yvette-stumpf-marks-four-years-of-pigtails-crewcuts-in-phoenix-arizona-2729794">Yvette Stumpf</a>, a franchisee with&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com">Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts</a>, the 85-plus unit kids salon franchise, is turning an ordinary haircut experience into a learning and community engagement opportunity. Stumpf, who earned an education degree before starting her family, came to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/pigtails-and-crewcuts/info">Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts</a> after spending time as a stay-at-home mom. As she has grown her business, she’s blended her own passion for learning and reading with her care for her community and the families in it.“I’ve always been an advocate for education; I think that ignorance is not bliss,” she said. “It benefits everyone to be educated. I like Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts because it’s a part of the community with the mom-and-pop type feeling, and one of my goals was to give back. That’s always been near and dear to my heart. With these two things in mind, the Little Free Library was the perfect idea. I’m in a great little shopping center, and people from neighboring establishments come check out the book selection, too.”When Stumpf started the Little Free Library, she built it with her kids’ own used books. Over time, though, those have been “checked out,” and the community has kept the Little Free Library alive.“I didn’t do this because it draws people back to the salon,” she said. “I did it because it makes the community more kid-friendly and more family-oriented. It’s being utilized.”<h2>A Lifelong Advocate for Education</h2>Stumpf’s passion for reading goes back to her own childhood. With a Colombian mother and Hungarian father, she grew up in a multilingual household."I speak three languages, and it was English that helped me move forward," she said. "When I was younger, my parents didn't help me separate all three languages. When you speak the other two, you don’t use pronouns. You just conjugate the verb. School for me was beneficial because English explained the pronouns, and reading was a big component to figure it all out."As a child, reading felt like a chore for Stumpf because she was navigating the language learning aspect in addition to trying to understand the story itself, but over time, she came to love “reading to read.” Encouraging her own children to read for pleasure showed Stumpf a new side of things.“My kids love books so much,” she said. “Reading is one of their ‘fun things’ to do. We go to the bookstore, and I can’t say no to books!”This informed her current understanding of how kids approach reading, and it was a key driver for her not only to establish the Little Free Library but also to incorporate the Yoto Player, a screen-free audio player, into the salon experience.&nbsp;“A lot of parents don’t want their kids to have phones, iPads or TVs now,” she said. “With the Yoto Player, a kid can hear a story and use their imagination to visualize what’s happening. It’s also a helpful tool for the kids who have a sensory need. With the Yoto Player, they’re able to sit there and focus on the story. Maybe it’s the vibration of the box or the voice of a specific reader, but they love these stories.”“I think the books and Yoto Player are a natural fit for kids — especially all the different kinds of kids,” she continued. “We have the hardcover books with sensory elements, and the Yoto Player as an auditory option for kids who have different sensory needs. Some kids like visuals, some use their imaginations and some like to be read to. It’s about mixing it up so we can serve everyone.”<h2>The Little Free Library as a Shared Community Investment</h2>Stumpf spurred the literacy push in her salon and community, but its continued success has been driven by the passion and contributions of the entire community.To stock the Little Free Library initially, she drew on her own family’s collection of children’s books, but the response from her team and community was immediate.“Even our stylists were getting excited about the books,” she said. “There are beautifully illustrated books that the kids get really excited about. We had clients who got so engaged with the Little Free Library that they were just glowing and so happy about these books. It’s awesome.”Over time, co-tenants at the shopping center have gotten involved in the effort, too. For example, there is a Bricks &amp; Minifigs location in the same center, and they have contributed Lego books to the Little Free Library.“That helps because our neighbors are encouraging reading, too,” she said. A couple of people locally have pitched in, and it’s been so worth it.”<h2>Purpose Beyond Profit</h2>The Little Free Library and Yoto Player may have brought more attention to Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts of Happy Valley, but Stumpf said that was never the point. For her, giving back is simply part of how she wants the salon to show up in the community.“We like giving back. It benefits us, but to me, it’s not a monetary benefit,” she said. “In the long term, it’ll be great for the kids. It’s something for the mind and the heart.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/pigtails-and-crewcuts.">https://1851franchise.com/pigtails-and-crewcuts.</a>&nbsp;

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Yvette Stumpf brings literacy into her Happy Valley, Arizona, kids salon with a Yoto Player and a Little Free Library outside the shop.

Pigtails & Crewcuts Franchise Owner Champions Children’s Literacy in Salon and Beyond

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<a href="https://www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com/">Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts</a>, the children’s hair salon franchise, is targeting Miami and the rest of the Southeast Florida market for franchise development. Currently, the franchise has a strong presence in Central Florida, but no existing locations in the southern part of the state.&nbsp;“Our existing Florida locations are doing fantastic, so there’s a lot of validation,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-holliman-2132313/">Michelle Holliman</a>, Vice President of Franchise Development. “All of southern Florida is still available, and they have great demographics. We’ve been doing market analysis and we see a lot of kids and population growth, and the median and average household incomes really match our target audience.”&nbsp;Florida's population has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thecentersquare.com/florida/article_4c96744e-c143-11ef-829c-bb17727f2977.html">grown by over 8% since 2020</a>, with Southeast Florida being the most densely populated region in the state,&nbsp;<a href="https://floridadep.gov/southeast">home to more than 7 million people</a>, about one-third of Florida's total population. Almost 30% of households in&nbsp;<a href="https://statisticalatlas.com/county/Florida/Miami-Dade-County/Household-Types">Miami-Dade County</a> alone have children under the age of 18.&nbsp;“You have so many different types of families in Southeast Florida. There’s so much diversity in different types of hair and the opportunity to be able to cut children's hair in that market is fantastic,” Holliman said. “This would be great not only for our haircuts, but also for our other services, like ear piercing. We do a lot of different things that would match the market.”<a href="https://1851franchise.com/pigtails-and-crewcuts/info">Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts’</a> existing Florida owners have been successful, and most have expanded. For example, Warin Epstein has grown to five units in Central Florida, while&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmarnold2018/">Heather Arnold</a>, who started with one location in Clermont, added a second in Davenport last year.&nbsp;“The franchise system has been a very important part of our growth,” Epstein said. “From branding to operational tools, the support provided by the corporate team helps us daily. Having access to established systems, vendor relationships and marketing resources is the exact reason we looked to get into the franchise space and not go it alone.”The franchise encourages prospective Florida owners to talk to these franchisees themselves to get a real idea of what it's like.&nbsp;“They do a fantastic job not only explaining their experience of what it took for them to open their own business, but also what kind of support they get,” Holliman said. “I tell my franchise prospects, I want them to give you the good, the bad and the ugly of what it means to own a business.”<h3>Why Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts Succeeds No Matter Where It Goes</h3>One of the best things about opening a children’s hair salon is that demand never goes away. No matter the situation, kids need haircuts.&nbsp;“You might go six to eight weeks to get a haircut, but you need a haircut,” Holliman said. “It’s a service that any family needs. We make the experience worthwhile. That's why our customers love coming to Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts. Getting a haircut might be scary for their child, or their child might have sensory sensitivities. We make them feel more comfortable. And that's the beauty of our brand.”Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts wants to ensure it's offering that experience in markets it believes would be a great fit. Southeast Florida is wide open, and there’s plenty of room for single or multi-unit operators to reach as many families as possible in areas like Miami, St. Pete, Tampa, Sarasota, Naples and more.&nbsp;To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/pigtails-and-crewcuts">https://1851franchise.com/pigtails-and-crewcuts</a>.

The franchise has already seen success in other parts of the Sunshine State. Now, it is looking to expand in southern areas like Miami, where there are no locations yet and plenty of opportunity.

Pigtails & Crewcuts Sees Southeast Florida as a Strong Market for Kids Hair Salon Franchise Development

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From Corporate Hustle to Business Owner: How Motherhood Led This Franchisee to Pigtails & Crewcuts

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