At Work With Frannie's Kids Full Family Hair Salon
March 28, 2008
How would you describe your business?
"We offer a full service hair salon to families and children and we are open everyday including Sunday," said owner Frances Freeman.
"For most of the 15 years that I've been here, we've have been specializing in cutting kids' hair. We have a large playroom in the back filled with toys and video games for the children. Recently I've expanded the services I offer and brought in a stylist to work who can color, cut, and style hair for adults. We also offer manicures and pedicures. We are able to wash, cut, dry, and style hair for moms and dads while the kids play in the backroom with the toys and videos. We find that children don't get upset when they come here -- they cry when they leave!"
What makes your business special?
"We've always specialized in cutting children's hair. We have special chairs for them. The kids get to choose to sit in either an airplane, squirrel, or horse. We wash, cut, then dry hair and the child sits under a dryer that looks like Daffy Duck.
"If a kid doesn't want to sit on one of the chairs, they don't have to sit. We will let them go into the play area and watch TV or play video games and we will cut their hair as they sit playing the game. When a child is very active and won't sit, we run after them as they play. Our girls are very patient and well trained.
"We usually start cutting the hair of kids at 8 months old, or even younger, if needed. I've done a 6-month-old. We give haircuts for kids are autistic or who have other disabilities. They are children, and that's how they are treated. After a haircut they get balloons and lollypops -- if that's what the parent wants.
"The cost is a modest. Some places will advertise for a haircut of $10 and everything else is extra. But we include everything. For girls with shoulder-length hair a full haircut -- including a wash, cut, blow dry, and curling or braiding the hair -- is $14 and no more than $18 for longer hair halfway down the back. For boys, a haircut can be from $7 to $12 and for adults a haircut is $25 and up.
What goals do you have for the business?
"To grow the business and bring in more children and the adults especially the moms. I want the moms to know that they can come in with their children and they can pamper themselves with a manicure or pedicure while the children play in another room having a good time."
How has your business changed?
"I have been cutting children's hair for 34 years. When I started I was new. There was no children's hair salon. Now there are many. So we are changing our concept to expand from just kids to adults and have the moms come in to have a relaxing time while their hair is being styled, or having a manicure and have the kids come with you to have kids playing in the next room."
What was your most important deal?
"Moving this past July from my original place where I'd been for 15 years. I moved across the street on
What was the most important thing you've learned in your business?
"To respect the customer. I don't believe that a parent should come into a place, pay for a haircut then be expected to purchase something else for the child."
What advice would you give to someone considering your line of work?
"Hire people with patience, because without patience you couldn't do this job and most beauticians out there don't want to do kids."
Is there anything else you would rather be doing?
"No. I've been doing this for 34 years. I have no desire to switch over. When I expanded to a full family service, I hired a beautician who cuts the hair for adults."