Why This Successful CEO and Military Spouse Invested in a Pigtails & Crewcuts Franchise

Michelle Penczak, the new Pigtails & Crewcuts franchisee in North Carolina, is no stranger to entrepreneurship and resilience. Her inspiring story begins with difficult times. Married to Sean, a pilot in the Marine Corps, she faced the challenges of frequent relocations and the difficulty of finding stable employment. 

“I had previously worked as an assistant to a lobbyist in D.C., so no matter where in the world the military took us, I thought I should always be able to find a job because of my experience,” said Penczak. “Come to find out, that was not the case. Being a military spouse kind of felt like a black mark on your application. I applied for hundreds of positions, but nobody wanted someone who wasn’t going to be there long-term.”

But Penczak eventually found an opportunity where geography didn’t matter. She began working for a remote assistant company, rising to a managerial position before the company unexpectedly went bankrupt overnight. Pregnant with her first child and with her husband on his second deployment, Penczak decided to take matters into her own hands. 

“I was going to work on my own and take my clients with me,” she said. “That was the birth of Squared Away.”

Launched in November 2017, Squared Away is a remote executive assistant firm predominantly employing military spouses. Today, it boasts over 450 employees across the U.S., Japan and Germany, and ranks #297 on the Inc. 5000 list. 

As Squared Away grew, Penczak realized she had built the company up to the point where she could step away. So, she began looking for a new venture, one that would give her the opportunity to spend more time with her family. 

“I wanted something that I could do with my husband and my boys, who are eight and five,” Penczak said. “Something they would enjoy learning and being a part of.” 

When the Penczak family relocated to North Carolina from Hawaii in November 2023, Michelle realized there were no Pigtails & Crewcuts nearby — the salon where her son had gotten his first haircut.

“He really loved the experience and was always excited to go,” Penczak said. “There was nothing remotely similar in Eastern North Carolina. I really started thinking about how hard it was to find the right haircut experience as a mom for your kids. The more I read about the Pigtails franchise opportunity, the more I loved the brand.”

Pigtails & Crewcuts offers a variety of services catering specifically to children and their families. These include specialized kids’ haircuts, first haircut packages that commemorate the milestone with souvenirs and various styling services like braids, blowouts and up-dos. Additionally, they provide shampoo services, nail polish applications and ear piercing in a kid-friendly environment. The salons also host birthday parties and other events, creating a fun and engaging atmosphere that is designed to foster lifelong memories. Locations even offer haircuts for parents that can alleviate stress by making good use of a family’s time.

The focus on family extends to the business model, with a flexibility and work-life balance that caters especially to entrepreneurs like Penczak who value their personal time and family moments. 

“I loved the fact that there was a playbook, but a freedom to make it your own,” Penczak said. “It's a family place. The support structures in place are absolutely incredible. Everyone is willing to answer all of my questions.”

Penczak was also drawn to Pigtails & Crewcuts not only for its service model but also for its values. “The culture is amazing,” she said. “I’ve always been a proponent of having an amazing culture and taking care of people. If I was going to branch out, it was going to be with a company that had the same type of culture I had built at my own company.”

Now, Penczak is gearing up to open two Pigtails & Crewcuts salons — one in Wilmington and one in Jacksonville. And as her husband continues his active-duty service, Penczak looks forward to integrating her family into the business and creating a positive impact on the communities, particularly among fellow military families. 

“We are very close to several military bases so we really want to take care of the military community here,” Penczak said. “I am very excited to keep giving back to the community that has my heart.”

This marks Pigtails & Crewcuts second foray into North Carolina — the brand entered the state earlier this year with a signing in the Raleigh suburb of Holly Springs. Looking ahead, Pigtails & Crewcuts has a focus on expanding in Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah and other states. Alongside single-unit opportunities, the franchise supports multi-unit owners by providing a clear development schedule, large protected territories and discounted franchise fees. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Michelle into the Pigtails family as we continue to expand our presence in North Carolina,” said President and CEO Wade Brannon. “Our franchise has always been about more than just haircuts. It's about building a community and enriching lives. For aspiring entrepreneurs, Pigtails & Crewcuts offers not just a business opportunity, but a chance to make a positive impact on both their families and the families in their community.” 

For more information on franchising with Pigtails & Crewcuts, visit: https://www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com/.