Pigtails & Crewcuts

Before entering the world of franchising,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shana-adler-76a503186/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-special-education-teacher-became-a-thriving-multi-unit-pigtails-crewcuts-franchise-owner-2726776" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Shana Adler</a> spent a decade as a special education teacher, with no prior business ownership experience. Her journey into franchising began somewhat serendipitously when she took over an existing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-special-education-teacher-became-a-thriving-multi-unit-pigtails-crewcuts-franchise-owner-2726776" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts</a> location in Montclair. Adler completely transformed the salon, revamping an existing business. Over six years, with substantial support from the Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts' headquarters, she navigated the learning curve of business management. Her efforts have paid off, and she is now preparing to open a second&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/pigtails-and-crewcuts/info">Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts</a> location in the Teaneck area.&nbsp;Adler’s long-term goal is to own multiple locations, which she believes will offer more flexibility and time for her family. Her story emphasizes the rewards of perseverance and hard work, particularly for those who rely on their business for success, and she advises potential franchise owners to commit fully and trust that their efforts will be fruitful.1851 Franchise spoke with Adler about her journey into franchising and her plans for the future.&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Shana Adler:&nbsp;Before franchising I had nothing to do with business ownership. I was a special education teacher for 10 years. My path is somewhat unconventional and I stumbled upon the opportunity. There was an existing salon in Montclair; it wasn't doing well. The owner was looking to get out of it. I decided to take it over and completely revamped it from the bottom up. It's a different process when you're fixing up an existing business as opposed to starting fresh. In some ways it is easier and in some ways it is more difficult.&nbsp;It's been almost six years. The Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts home office is super helpful because I did not have a clue what I was doing at some points. But now it's going great and I’m at the point where I am getting ready to open a second location.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?Adler:&nbsp;I didn't really know much about franchises one way or another before I got into this. Most people don't know the difference between franchising versus independent business ownership. Most people see a brand with a lot of locations and assume there's one guy behind all of it who's probably filthy rich, but in reality there's probably some exhausted mother behind each one who's actually working really hard.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Adler:&nbsp;I stumbled upon the opportunity initially, but I love the handholding and the help I’ve gotten from the brand from the beginning. I got A-to-Z help in every way. That help is still available to me now, but I don’t need to rely on it as heavily.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Adler:&nbsp;I would love to own 3 or 4 locations, that’s my long term goal.&nbsp;Up until recently, I was working a very stressful demanding nine-to-five job in addition to running my salon. What I hope to achieve is to have up to four stores in the future and be able to really dedicate myself fully to my salon business, achieving more flexibility so I can be more available for my kids.1851: Tell us about your journey in becoming a multi-unit franchisee. Did you plan for this growth from the beginning?Adler:&nbsp;When I first started, I never dreamed that I would open another one. I was working hard to get through each day and each month. I was always checking if there was enough money in the bank account to pay rent; sometimes I was just trying to make it through the week. I was in that space for about the first year, building our reputation back up within the local community, cleaning up with the staffing, the management and processes.&nbsp;Then, the business started doing well. The past couple of years have just been really hands off. Now, I don't go into my salon a lot. When I go in, I give hugs and hang out with everyone and bring donuts, but I'm definitely not on the ground a lot anymore. I have more time.Even so, it never dawned on me to open another one until about a year or two ago, the corporate team reached out to me and said “Shana, your numbers are amazing! Why are you not opening another location?” I was so overwhelmed with life before that so it wasn't an option because there were not enough hours in the day. But now that the business is doing so well, and I have more time, I decided to take the plunge. I left my other job to dedicate myself full-time to my business, and I’m working on getting the second location open now which is really exciting.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Adler:&nbsp;Hard work pays off. I had every reason to think I couldn’t do this — I got divorced, I have&nbsp;four kids, all of the odds were against me — but that just made it so giving up wasn’t a choice.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Adler:&nbsp;For a lot of people, business ownership can be a side gig or a fun project. They don’t necessarily need it to work out, so if the going gets tough, they can leave it behind. But I needed this, and if you need something to work out, you can make it happen. Your hard work will pay off.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=how-this-special-education-teacher-became-a-thriving-multi-unit-pigtails-crewcuts-franchise-owner-2726776" 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=how-this-special-education-teacher-became-a-thriving-multi-unit-pigtails-crewcuts-franchise-owner-2726776" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com</a>.

From Teacher to Franchise Owner of Pigtails & Crewcuts

1851 Franchise

Shana Adler hadn’t considered business ownership, but she couldn't pass it up when there was an opportunity to purchase an existing business. Six years later, she is opening a second location.

This brand page has been paid for by PIGTAILS & CREWCUTS. 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 This Special Education Teacher Became a Thriving Multi-Unit Pigtails & Crewcuts Franchise Owner

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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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How This Special Education Teacher Became a Thriving Multi-Unit Pigtails & Crewcuts Franchise Owner

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