Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about succession, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
Iran into Floyd’s 99 Barbershop by chance. I was training for an Iron Man when I met a random guy on a bike and we started talking about franchising. He invited me to sit down the next day to look at the franchise disclosure document (FDD) for Floyd’s. My wife and I owned a salon, so I already had experience in the industry. Once I saw the FDD and the branding, I fell in love with the rock ’n’ roll vibe. The rest just fell into place. My first Floyd’s opened on Dec. 11th, 2007, in Boulder, Colo., on the corner of 28th and Pearl St. It was a cold day, snowing and our HVAC went out the night before. We tried to open and stay open for a couple hours until it was decided that it was too cold. It was not great start. We got everything fixed and the shop was a huge success in January.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
This is incredibly difficult to answer. I’ve had so many experiences with new markets in Austin, Texas, and Lexington, Ky. When I first purchased the Austin market, I walked into the shop that was already opened and had to introduce myself to the team when I was just 30 years old and most of my new employees were older than me. It was my first time in Austin, my first time purchasing a company and my first year working with Floyd’s. I was in way over my head, pretended I knew what I was doing, and it somehow worked out.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life?
“Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go of what you can’t change. Kiss slowly, play hard, love deeply, forgive quickly, take chances, give everything, and have no regrets. Life is too short to be anything but happy.” — Unknown
What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
Floyd’s has been great from start to finish. They offer support for site selection, training, construction, grand opening, and ongoing training. Beyond the expected support, they are also like a family, they help walk you through almost anything you have questions on. The brand is unique, it’s that simple. You can walk into any other barbershop brand and not know which one you walked into. Floyd’s is different, the vibe is unmistakable. The music, hard wood floors, stainless countertops and the coolest part of it all, the poster wall. This has been an amazing opportunity; it changed my life. It’s a great company, like family. Hair is a certainty, it keeps growing. It’s like death and taxes, its guaranteed.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. What factors did you consider when selecting your franchise, and how did you determine it was the right fit for you?
I’m very much rebellious and rock ’n’ roll. It’s a perfect fit.
Can you share a significant challenge you faced while establishing your franchise? How did you overcome this obstacle, and what did this experience teach you about running a successful franchise?
We’ve faced multiple challenges over the years such as the 2009 financial collapse, a recession and of course, COVID. We managed it as a team. Floyd’s was always there for support and during COVID they even offered some financial support. Overall, we had to communicate, focus and work through the problems one at a time.
Looking back to when you first started your franchise, what was one aspect that completely took you by surprise? This could be related to the franchising process, customer interactions, or day-to-day management that you hadn’t anticipated.
I really didn’t have any surprises. I was already on a franchise development team for Noodles and Co., so I had prior knowledge of the process.
In hindsight, what advice would you give to potential franchisees about selecting a franchise that aligns with their personal and professional goals?
I would recommend that anyone looking to franchise take their time and do their homework. The next most important item to focus on is your relationship with your new potential partner. If it doesn’t feel good, it won’t be good.
How do you balance adhering to the established systems of your franchise with the need to innovate and adapt to your local market? Can you provide an example of a successful adaptation or innovation you implemented in your franchise?
Haircare is pretty standard across the industry. Floyd’s is already unique enough that it stands out from the crowd.
What are your “Five Things I Wish I Knew Before Opening a Franchise”?
I’m not sure I have 5 things. Prior to opening my first Floyd’s I worked with Noodles & Co. on their franchise development team. I would say the most important thing is to trust the process. The franchisor has already made all the mistakes, there is no need to reinvent the wheel. This all comes with building that relationship with the franchisor, Floyd’s was easy in that respect. The O’Brien family made it easy. Payroll is always more difficult than you expect. Make sure you spend the time understanding your states taxes and processes. I don’t have a specific example on this, only that I have franchises in multiple states and the labor laws are always different. It is just important to make sure you do the right thing. The more time you put into your business the more you’ll get out. Over the years we’ve hired people to do the tasks I once did myself. The more you have your hands in the business the better you’ll do and feel. Make sure you have enough money to accomplish your goals. If you are not full committed, you won’t be happy with the results.
As your franchise has grown, what have been the key drivers of its success? Looking forward, what strategies do you plan to implement to ensure continued growth and sustainability in an ever-evolving market?
At the end of the day, it is all about your employees. If you aren’t treating them with respect and creating an environment where they can thrive, you may be doomed.
Off-topic, but I’m curious. As someone steering the ship, what thoughts or concerns often keep you awake at night? How do those thoughts influence your daily decision-making process?
Staffing these days is what worries me the most. We are making strides right now but it’s really been a struggle the last two years. Learning how to navigate this post-COVID world is the next big stressor. Every day we work on staffing, optimizing our POS functions and scouring job websites for resumes.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
This is tricky, there are so many issues in the world today that need to be addressed. I think the biggest issue facing the United States is mental health. COVID did not help anyone, our youth had their education rocked and our younger generations are struggling because of social media. Again, this is a very difficult topic but overall, I think mental health is the biggest concern for the U.S. I think limiting social media could be a fix to this problem.
How can our readers further follow you online?
https://www.floydsbarbershop.com/
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!