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

Before entering the world of franchising, Shana Adler 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 Pigtails & Crewcuts location in Montclair. Adler completely transformed the salon, revamping an existing business. Over six years, with substantial support from the Pigtails & Crewcuts' headquarters, she navigated the learning curve of business management. Her efforts have paid off, and she is now preparing to open a second Pigtails & Crewcuts location in the Teaneck area. 

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. 

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

Shana Adler: 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. 

It's been almost six years. The Pigtails & 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: 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: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

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

Adler: I would love to own 3 or 4 locations, that’s my long term goal. 

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: 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. 

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. 

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

Adler: Hard work pays off. I had every reason to think I couldn’t do this — I got divorced, I have four kids, all of the odds were against me — but that just made it so giving up wasn’t a choice. 

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

Adler: 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 & 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.