Adapt. This is what our franchise had to do due to the challenges that they faced with our present circumstances. Owners had to make sure they were in accordance with new guidelines as ordered by their state’s Cosmetology boards. John and Susan Roberts are the owners of Salons by JC Southlake in the Dallas area. They opened their location in July of this year at fifty percent capacity. Their leasing keeps gaining momentum as they use COVID-19 to their advantage.

The advantage

“We used COVID-19 to our advantage when leasing,” stated John Roberts. Targeting salon professionals that were ready to be on their own and who were unsure if their traditional salon would reopen was a key factor in their leasing momentum. “We started advertising for ‘private, clean spaces’ for stylists and their clients. This worked out great for us.”

Susan and John Roberts, owners of Salons by JC Southlake

Beauty professionals were searching for a clean and contained space where they would feel safe while working. “The majority of our suite owners came from large salons where shampoo bowls and other areas were being shared. This caused concern for cross-contamination.”

The importance of the concierge

John and his wife, Susan share the concierge duties at their Southlake location. Being at the location every day gives them the opportunity to share the front desk duties and also complete various tasks. “We love our salon space and it shows when we are giving tours,” stated John. “We make sure to reply to all calls, texts, and emails as soon as possible”.

Sharing the role of concierge has allowed John and Susan to discover the needs of their suite owners. “We have found that most suite owners just want someone that they can talk to or express a concern to without filling out a form or sending an email making them wait for a reply that may take days or sometimes weeks,” stated John. “They love being able to walk to the front desk or send us a text and know that their issue will be resolved right away.” Taking such great care of their location is encouraging their suite owners to motivate their friends to move over to the Southlake location. “We have everything that the suite owner wants from ample parking, free laundry, a large break room/training room, and a “Sonic” ice machine. No one else has that.”

The ideal space for a beauty professional

“Although the pandemic is scary this business model is a great solution,” stated John. Salons by JC prides itself on creating the perfect space for its salon suite owners to thrive. “It provided the perfect space for our guests to get their services done without fear that people are going to be close by contaminating their space.”

As suite owners, you have full control over your space. You control your environment and have the time to keep it clean and sanitary providing a healthy area for your clientele. This allows your guest to be comfortable as they receive their service.

“We walked everyone through our process of making sure that the salon is cleaned daily, face masks are required, and all COVID requirements were being met and would be enforced at our location.”

Words of advice for new franchisees

We asked John and Susan to share some nuggets of wisdom to new Salons by JC franchisees that are working on opening their locations in 2021. Some key points he touched on were; be patient, utilize the Salons by JC franchise network, ask more questions, and talk to the corporate office. “Know that this is not an overnight process and that it takes time. Slow and steady is the key,” stated John.

Salons by JC is the premier salon suite franchise in the U.S with over 120 locations in 26 states and Canada. For more information about the Salons by JC franchise, contact us here.

Blog written by:

Marlene Romo Flores – Salons by JC Franchise Marketing Manager

“The Garden State” is the newest home to the Salons by JC salon suite franchise. The addition of New Jersey to our already illustrious portfolio brings a ray of light during this pandemic of 2020.

Northern New Jersey

Garret and Mike Bedrin, the 2017 Franchisees of the Year and owners of The Bedrin Organization based in New Jersey, will open the 1st salon suite in Bergen County in Wyckoff, NJ in November. “We are beyond thrilled to bring seasoned beauty professionals of New Jersey the opportunity to own their own business”, stated Garret Bedrin.

The Bedrin’s are 3rd generation retailers and commercial real estate developers and have had their pulse on New Jersey’s small business economy for over 70 years. “There is no doubt that professionals in the beauty, health, and wellness industry are some of the hardest working and talented professionals who deserve the right to own their own business. We have fought for these rights in Newark at the State Board of Cosmetology and in Trenton at the Department of Consumer Affairs. Even after 5 years of doors slamming in our faces, we never gave up. We are excited to open our doors and share Salons by JC with our local neighborhoods.” In addition to Wyckoff, the Bedrin’s plan on opening up a location in Paramus and Ridgewood in 2021.

Southern New Jersey

Meanwhile, in the Southern part of New Jersey, Jim McGuiness is working to develop locations in Shrewsbury, Middletown, and Marlboro. “We are very excited to open up new Salons by JC locations in New Jersey. This is a great market for salon suites given the population density, household incomes, and the number of salons. Most surrounding states already embrace salon suites. New Jersey is late to the game and beauty professionals have been waiting for our state to adopt similar practices like New York, Connecticut, and Maryland”, stated McGuiness.

The New Jersey Cosmetology board received many requests from salon suite providers and in 2019 decided it was a good idea to approve the “newest” concept in salon ownership. “The approval requires adherence to specific guidelines and requirements. We feel the opportunity to enter the market and provide salon ownership is a great opportunity and responsibility.”

“The pre-opening interest in our Shrewsbury location is excellent and we look forward to creating the premier salon suite design and opportunity for beauty professionals to build their business and free themselves from the traditional salon model. This is an exciting time and we are proud to enable this change”, stated an excited McGuiness.

A Long Time Coming

“We are thrilled that the State of New Jersey has opened up the opportunity for salon suites to expand. We have three of the best Salons by JC franchisees in the country that are developing the state”, stated Salons by JC President, Steve Griffey.

Garret and Mike Bedrin are former franchisees of the year recipients for their work in North Carolina. “They own 3 beautiful salon suite locations that have been incredibly successful. Their goal is to open 16 salons in Northern New Jersey. In the Southern part of the state, Jim McGuiness has stores in development in Shrewsbury, Middletown, and Marlboro. Jim and his family have developed 3 successful salons in Maryland and Connecticut. They will bring an incredible amount of experience and support to the salon community in New Jersey”, stated Griffey.

Each salon suite is fully equipped to cater to our salon professionals needs

Vice President of Operations, Drew Johnston added, “Salons by JC is committed to bringing the best in facilities and customer service to salon professionals across the country. The Bedrin and McGuiness families are fully committed to delivering on the vision and mission of Salons by JC in their home state of New Jersey.”