Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Courtney.
Alexis, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In 2005, I was a high school math teacher, pregnant with my second child, looking for a career change. My husband enjoyed his job and was climbing the corporate ladder, not interested in making a change for himself but willing to support me. I wanted to be in control of my time and my income and small business seemed to be an option. My husband and I started looking for business opportunities in our community thinking we could create something or buy an established business. It just so happened my daughter, who was 2 years old at the time, needed her first haircut. My cousin had told me about a children’s hair salon called Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids. I called the store, booked an appointment, loaded my daughter into the car and headed out. The minute I walked into the store I knew I wanted to be a part of the concept. My daughter immediately ran up the slide, was thrilled to pick out a pink car and was gleaming at the end of the haircut. I called my husband and told him all about it. I don’t know many men who think of children’s hair care when they think of business opportunities. He said, “No”. I was persistent and after 2 months of the discovery and education process with the founders of the concept, we bought our first Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids. We opened another 2 stores by the end of our first year and in October 2008 we opened another two stores. Fast forward to 2014 when the founders, Larry and Cookie Shelton, approached my husband and I and asked if we would be interested in buying the franchise. We chose to do so and have now grown the concept to 71 franchisees with 55 stores open and another 175 stores to open in the US and Canada in the next three years. We are thrilled to have four franchisees in the Atlanta area with stores open in Tucker, Kennesaw, Alpharetta, and Chamblee. With another six store to be opening around Atlanta in the next three years.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Any time you open a business there are always bumps in the road. Finding the right location is critical for our concept. The next step is getting the word out about what we do and why a customer would want to come to a Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids. The final step is hiring and building a team that is passionate about working with children.
Please tell us about Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids.
Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids is a children’s hair salon providing a fun atmosphere for kids and a stress-free environment for parents. We know all children are different and have many different needs. We have the tools to help them through what may be a stressful situation. We know children need an environment where they can be themselves which is why we have an indoor slide right as you walk in the door. Fun fantasy chairs such as a Spiderman car, princess car, and horse saddle are among a few of the chairs you may find in your local Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids. We take walk-ins and appointments which is very easy with our app and online booking.
When you enter the salon your child may not want to get off the slide in order to get their haircut but the cars and the television should entice them. Communication is a key component of our service, making sure the parent gets the haircut they were looking for.
What I am most proud of as a company is what we are able to do for children with special needs. We have many clients who have told us they can’t take their children anywhere else for a haircut because the same care is not present.
There are other concepts similar to us but we are a company built by founders who had no intention of franchising. When they did, they wanted each franchisee to be successful. This tradition continues, many people think franchise owners are millionaires. Our franchisees are everyday people, many with children who want to make a difference in their community. We are different because of the care our owners give to their customers and the desire to give back to their community.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have meditated more. Owning a small business is difficult. You hurry up to wait and there are a lot of ups and downs. I would have marketed more with bigger discounts and I would have tracked my marketing more carefully.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4316 Lawrenceville Hwy. Tucker, GA 30084
1615 Ridenour Blvd. Kennesaw, GA 30152
13077 Highway 9 Milton, GA 30004
5070 Peachtree Blvd. Ghamblee, GA 30341 - Website: www.haircutsarefun.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CookieCuttersTucker/, https://www.facebook.com/CookieCutters.Kennesaw/
https://www.facebook.com/CookieCutters.Alpharetta/, https://www.facebook.com/CookieCutters.Chamblee/
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