1851

When&nbsp;<a href="https://pigtailsandcrewcuts.com/geneva-il/kids-haircuts/pigtails-amp-crewcuts-geneva-ils-newest-childrens-hair-salon/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=pigtails-crewcuts-sensory-friendly-salon-gonzalez-2728843" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Marylou Gonzalez</a> and her husband, Juan, were searching for the right business to own, they never expected their personal experience as parents to lead them to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=pigtails-crewcuts-sensory-friendly-salon-gonzalez-2728843" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts</a>, the kid’s hair salon franchise.As a former elementary and special education teacher, Marylou put her career on hold to raise and homeschool her children. But finding a comfortable, child-friendly place for haircuts proved difficult for their son, who has sensory sensitivities. The themed chairs, TVs and fun atmosphere of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/pigtails-and-crewcuts/info">Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts</a> transformed the experience for him — but the nearest salon was 45 minutes away.That’s when they decided to bring Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts to their own community.Now, three years later, they’ve expanded into a second location, continuing their mission to make haircuts fun, welcoming, and inclusive for all families.1851 spoke with Marylou to learn more about her background, her franchising journey with Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts and her plans for the future:&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Marylou Gonzalez: I was an elementary and special education educator, and my husband is a District Operations Manager. I put my career on hold to raise and homeschool our children, but my husband always dreamed of owning a business.Over the years, we tossed around different ideas, and he did a lot of research. But the idea of opening a kid’s hair salon came from personal experience — out of necessity.Our son has sensory sensitivities, and haircuts were always a struggle. The fun, child-focused atmosphere of Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts — themed chairs, TVs, toys — made a huge difference for him. But we had to drive 45 minutes just to get him a haircut.We finally decided to take the leap and open one ourselves. There are so many families - like ours - who find kids' haircuts challenging for different reasons. We wanted to create a place where kids feel truly seen, parents feel understood, and everyone feels cared for.We also put together an amazing team that shares our mission and is passionate about working with kids. On top of that, we partnered with an amazing local occupational therapist, who trained our stylists to make haircuts easier for children with sensory challenges.Now, I’m beginning the process to officially certify our salon as a sensory-safe salon.1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Marylou: Franchising allowed us to open a business with the added benefit of a framework and support.As first-time business owners, we needed guidance, and we knew we would excel with a support system in place.1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Marylou: We wanted to fill a gap in the community and create a space that felt truly inclusive&nbsp; for all families. That was really important to us.What sold us on Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts was the people. From the very beginning, we felt an immediate connection with the leadership team. It was clear that they cared about their franchisees, and we could see that they had a strong business model and solid support team in place.Now, after being with Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts for three years, we’ve built a strong network with other owners. We constantly share advice and best practices, and support each other. It’s an amazing community of franchisees.Their mission also aligned with our own values — to make haircuts fun, memorable and inclusive for all families.1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?Marylou: We are excited to continue serving our community and offering a safe and welcoming space for all families.As for growth, we recently purchased a second salon in Brookfield, Wisconsin. It needed some work, but we’re using everything we’ve learned from our first location to turn it around. Right now, we are focused on building a strong and passionate team.1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Marylou: Sometimes, people choose a franchise thinking it will be easy because there’s a framework. But owning a business — even a franchise — is hard work. That said, it’s also incredibly rewarding.For us, the biggest reward is seeing the impact we have on families — especially those with kids who struggle with haircuts and often feel overlooked in the salon space. The pride comes from seeing happy customers and creating a space where families feel welcome and cared for. Every small win feels personal, and that’s what makes owning a business so special.Do your research and choose a company that aligns with your goals and values. That’s why Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts was the perfect fit for us, and we couldn’t be happier with our decision.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 www.pigtailsandcrewcuts.com. 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=pigtails-crewcuts-sensory-friendly-salon-gonzalez-2728843" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com</a>.&nbsp;

franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Marylou Gonzalez and Pigtails & Crewcuts logo

Pigtails & Crewcuts: A Sensory-Friendly Salon for Kids

1851 Franchise

A passion for inclusion and a desire to serve families led Marylou and Juan Gonzalez to bring the sensory-friendly salon experience to Geneva, Illinois.

How This Mother Turned a Personal Challenge Into a Franchise Success Story With Pigtails & Crewcuts

pigtails-crewcuts-sensory-friendly-salon-gonzalez

Children's Lighthouse

How Children’s Lighthouse Stands Out Among Other Children’s Education, Childcare, and Daycare Franchises

how-childrens-lighthouse-stands-out-among-other-childrens-education-childcare-and-daycare-franchises

The Growth Coach

The Growth Coach Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

the-growth-coach-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning

Why One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning Sees People as the Power Behind Franchise Growth

one-hour-heating-air-conditioning-franchise-growth

Lawn Doctor

Design with photo of John Perry and Lawn Doctor logo

How a 20-Year Industry Veteran Tripled His Sales With a Lawn Doctor Franchise

lawn-doctor-franchise-success-story-john-perry

Fitness Premier

The Secret to Fitness Franchise Success? It's Not Just the Workouts

fitness-premier-franchise-marketing-support

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Design with American and Federal Reserve flags against light blue background

Federal Reserve Expected To Cut Rates by Quarter Point, a Move That Could Boost Franchise Growth

fed-rate-cut-boosts-franchise-growth

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

graphic image of an 1851 franchisee spotlight brayden and johnny steven of teriyaki madness

Father-and-Daughter Team Bring Teriyaki Madness to Wichita, Kansas, With Big Expansion Plans

johnny-brayden-steven-teriyaki-madness-wichita

photo-of-laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

23-Year-Old Entrepreneur Brings Soon to Be Famous Chicken™ to Southern Oregon With 3-Unit Layne’s Chicken Fingers Franchise Signing

laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

How This Mother Turned a Personal Challenge Into a Franchise Success Story With Pigtails & Crewcuts

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS