For Melissa and Matt Johnson, opening a business wasn’t just about owning a franchise — it was about creating a space where families felt welcome. After taking their son to a kids’ salon and feeling like the experience could be better, they started looking into opportunities to bring something special to San Antonio. In 2010, they opened their first Pigtails & Crewcuts, offering a fun and stress-free place for kids to get their hair cut.

Since then, they’ve expanded to two Pigtails & Crewcuts locations, learning along the way that running a business takes patience, persistence and a lot of community outreach. They’ve faced challenges, including unexpected competition, but their dedication to providing great service and building strong customer relationships has helped them grow. As they look to the future, the Johnsons are reflecting on what it takes to succeed and how they can continue to make a difference for families in their community.

1851 Franchise spoke to the Johnsons about their franchise journey. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Melissa Johnson: I was working in the corporate world at a company called Capital Group. In 2009, there was a major downturn in the market and, since it’s a financial mutual fund company, they had a significant layoff. I was among those laid off that year and I found myself at a crossroads — do I go back to a corporate job or look into starting a business?

At the time, my son was five years old and we used to take him to a child-focused business similar to Pigtails & Crewcuts. The experience wasn’t great — the staff wasn’t the friendliest and the place wasn’t the cleanest — but my son still enjoyed it because it was designed for kids. That got me thinking about child-related businesses as I explored options in San Antonio.

During my search, I came across a children's hair care concept. Since I was already familiar with the idea, I started looking into a company in Boston. I was seriously considering it and was even preparing to visit their corporate office. Then I discovered Pigtails & Crewcuts, which was opening a location near Austin, in Cedar Park.

On Labor Day, my husband and I drove up to see the business in person. I thought it was super cute, and after speaking with their corporate office, I decided to move forward. That’s how I got involved with Pigtails & Crewcuts.

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?

Matt Johnson: Honestly, we didn’t know much about franchising. We just knew that we wanted to own a business, but we also recognized that we didn’t know everything. One of the biggest benefits of franchising was having a support system to guide us through the things we weren’t familiar with. That was a huge advantage for us, especially since we were new to business ownership.

Melissa: Exactly. We wanted to go into business for ourselves, but the idea of starting from scratch — developing our own brand, name, logo and everything else — felt a little intimidating. With a franchise, all of that is already established and included as part of the franchise fee, which was really appealing to us.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Melissa: We knew we wanted a children's haircut concept, so we started comparing different options. When looking at costs, the first company I mentioned was a bit cost-prohibitive. They had proprietary characters as part of their concept, which made the build-out very expensive. Ultimately, that’s why we chose Pigtails & Crewcuts — it was more affordable. When we visited in person, we found it super cute and that sealed the deal for us.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Melissa: We've been in business since 2010, so we're deeply rooted in it. We started with one location, then opened a second. We've considered opening a third and it’s something we’d like to do, but we want to make sure the timing is right and that the location we choose is a good fit.

1851: What is one thing about your story you want us to know?

Melissa: Opening a business isn’t easy. I think a lot of people have the misconception that as soon as you open your doors, you’ll start making tons of money and get rich quickly — but that’s not the reality. It’s tough.

Matt: Everyone’s journey is different. For us, one of the biggest challenges was a competitor opening up nearby shortly after we launched, which significantly slowed our growth. Not everyone will face that exact situation, but many business owners encounter unexpected challenges. It’s important to be prepared for the unexpected and stay resilient.

Melissa: The concept is solid. Haircuts are something that can’t be transitioned to online purchases. A parent might learn to cut their child’s hair, but beyond that, people rely on salons. The concept itself works, but success takes patience, determination and hard work. It also requires a lot of guerrilla marketing to get your name out there. If you put in the effort and stay committed, everything eventually falls into place, and you build a successful business.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

Melissa: Basically, it just takes patience. You may not be successful overnight. Like Matt said, everyone’s story is different. Some people get lucky and take off immediately while, for others, it takes time, persistence and determination.

Matt: Our first location was the one where we ran into trouble with a competitor. With our second location, we didn’t have that issue, so we never hit that snag that slowed us down. I think the biggest thing I would tell people is to be prepared for the possibility of not making what they expect right away. It’s important to have operating capital available because that can make a huge difference in getting through those initial challenges.

Melissa: Getting your name out there is crucial. Marketing is so important. It drives me crazy when I see businesses open and then close just months later because people didn’t even know they existed. Sometimes, they don’t have a proper sign marking that they’re open and legitimate, or the script they choose for their signage is unreadable unless you’re standing right in front of it. Those details matter. The idea of "If you build it, they will come" just isn’t true. You have to put in the work to make sure people know you exist and actively get your name out there.

About Pigtails & Crewcuts: 

Pigtails & 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 & 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 & 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 & Crewcuts or to find a salon near you, please visit www.pigtailsandcrewcuts.com. To learn more about franchise opportunities with Pigtails & Crewcuts, please visit www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com.