Pigtails & Crewcuts multi-unit franchisee, Caroline Dover opened her first salon in Greenville, SC in 2016. Since then, she has grown her business to include a second salon in Five Forks, SC, and she recently made the decision to open a third location. When she decided that franchising was the route she wanted to take for small business ownership, she did a lot of research on the best possible industry for her lifestyle. At that time, she owned a Pilates studio in the Greenville market, so she needed a concept that would compliment her portfolio, but also allow her the flexibility to run multiple businesses. She found Pigtails & Crewcuts after one of her Pilates clients mentioned the idea of opening a children’s hair salon. Franchising with Pigtails & Crewcuts has not only allowed Caroline to scale within the brand, but she now owns a third business in the construction space.
Caroline shares that Pigtails & Crewcuts is a unique business for several reasons:
“Pigtails & Crewcuts places a strong emphasis on its Core Values like integrity and respect and building positive relationships. This culture is reflected in every aspect of the business, from customer interactions to internal operations. The franchise operates on a peer-to-peer network model, fostering collaboration and support among franchise owners. This network allows for the sharing of best practices, resources, and support, creating a community-driven approach to success. Pigtails & Crewcuts prioritizes life-work balance for its franchise owners and employees. This includes flexible scheduling, family-friendly policies, and a supportive work environment that values personal well-being alongside professional success. The business model provides a steady stream of income for franchise owners through various revenue streams, such as haircuts, retail sales of hair care products, birthday parties, and other services tailored to children and families. The franchise office provides unwavering support to every member of the franchise network. Whether it’s guidance on operational matters, marketing support, or simply being available to pick up the phone and help, this support system ensures that franchise owners feel empowered and equipped to succeed. Within the franchise network, genuine friendships and camaraderie are fostered among support team members and franchise owners. This creates a positive and uplifting work environment where individuals feel valued, understood, and supported by their peers. There’s a strong sense of solidarity within the franchise network, where everyone has each other’s backs. Whether it’s celebrating successes, navigating challenges, or offering a helping hand in times of need, the culture emphasizes mutual support and collaboration as keys to collective success.”
Caroline currently runs her locations on a semi-absentee basis, because she has a fantastic team in place. She shares that her day-to-day life 8 years into the business is much different than when she first opened her doors.
“At first, I was at the store every day. I swept the floors, answered the phones, and filled in wherever I could to let the staff to focus on haircuts. When I was not at the salon, I was busy attending business association meetings and working on marketing. Now, I rarely go to my stores although I check in with them daily. I have amazing teams that don’t need me to micromanage them. This way I spend my time working ON the business not IN the business. I love the flexibility to be able to travel and spend time with my grandkids and family.”
Through Pigtails & Crewcuts, Caroline has gained so much more than business ownership. “I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the sheer enjoyment I’ve found in running Pigtails & Crewcuts,” she said. “I never expected that alongside growing my business, I’d also be growing personally and forming such meaningful connections. After over 8 years with the franchise, I’m still thrilled with my choice and relish the challenges of expansion and development. Making a positive impact on the community, our customers, and the lives of my staff continues to be incredibly rewarding.”
Caroline was recently highlighted in an article for Franchise Consultant Magazine, and you can learn more about Caroline and her franchising journey here in her testimonial video!
Are you interested in a scalable business model that offers semi-absentee ownership and a great work-life balance? Contact us today to learn more about Pigtails & Crewcuts!
