What franchise owners are saying . . .
1. What has been the greatest reward for you as a franchise owner?
All in all, my experience with Chatters has been an unexpected pleasure.
I was fortunate enough to have several years working with Chatters
before signing on the dotted line; years to get to know the company
and understand what they were doing and where they were headed.
2. What drew you to becoming a Chatters’ franchisee?
After working with the Chatters organization in a business relationship,
I learned the company was expanding into my home town. I jumped at
the opportunity to become a partner in a franchise which was a huge
selling point for me. I would never have started this type of business
without the support of a franchisor.
3. Would you recommend franchise ownership as a couple pursuit? Why?
My life partner is also part of my work life. She is a business coach,
corporate trainer and motivational speaker, experience that has come
in handy in keeping our store staff trained, focused and goal-oriented.
4. Describe the support you can expect from Chatters head office that
can improve your day to day operations?
With a franchise, I didn’t necessarily have to be there full-time.
As a veteran of the retail industry, I knew as long as marketing was
there, the merchandising was good and the salespeople on the floor
knew how to sell our products, success would follow—and I see that
at Chatters.
6. What advice would you give someone considering franchise ownership?
Find out everything you can about the franchise you’re interested in:
the market they serve, their track record, the competitive advantage
they can offer. I know Chatters invests significant research into
opening a new location. Finding a franchisor that will offer you
the support you need is the biggest advantage to franchising.
7. You are a multiple salon owner. What made you take the leap to multiple
salon ownership?
My experience with Chatters in my first store was being able to see
what’s working in other markets across the country and this gave me
the confidence to expand my portfolio. If you can find a good system
and follow it faithfully, you will be rewarded. I run my stores “by
the book” because I know what went into writing that book.
8. How important is hands-on ownership in terms of employee
engagement?
Retaining committed, well-trained employees is so important. Again,
I can draw on the franchise resources to help keep staff motivated,
whether through training programs or opportunities for advancement.
I rely a lot on my managers and staff to keep things running smoothly.
Greg McArthur
Multiple Franchise Owner
1. What has been the greatest reward for you as a franchise owner?
The greatest reward of being a franchise owner other than the money
would have to be the fact that I am not doing it on my own. Chatters
has a good structure set in place to accommodate the franchisees.
2. What drew you to becoming a Chatters’ franchisee?
About 10 to 15 years ago I met with Jason and Ken. It was that meeting
that drew me in. I said to myself if these guys are running the show
I am getting in.
3. Would you recommend franchise ownership as a couple pursuit? Why?
Well that would all depend on the couple. In our store we run it as
a family affair and it has brought us all together. We enjoy being
together making decisions together and benefiting together.
4. Describe the support you can expect from Chatters head office that
can improve your day to day operations?
Well there is a lot of support in many ways. I like the fact that we
have a great marketing team, that’s one less thing I have to worry
about.
5. Has Chatters as a franchisor met your expectations? If so, how?
Yes. There so many reasons. One main reason is that we have five locations
and we are still growing.
6. What advice would you give someone considering franchise ownership?
If you use the resources and support staff that head office has in
place everything will run smooth.
7. You are a multiple salon owner. What made you take the leap to
multiple salon ownership?
My first location being so successful enabled us to open all my other
stores without too much worry and every time we opened a location there
was a team from head office that really helped out with all the details.
8. How important is beauty industry knowledge to ensuring your success
as a franchisee?
Not that important, anyone that has business skills can ensure success.
9. How important is hands-on ownership in terms of employee engagement?
The benefit of hands on ownership would have to be on how much we can
shed of the payroll. A bit more work but in the end it pays off.
10. Chatters is continually evolving. How does this translate into
benefits for your team and your operation?
If Chatters continues the way it is….will keep going up up up …
11. Chatters is a 2-time Global Salon Business Award inner. How has
this recognition impacted you on terms of customer validation?
To be
honored at that level shows the customer that we’re no joke, we’re
big and we’re here to stay.
Moe Elkadri and Richard Elkadri
Multiple Franchise Owners
1. What has been the greatest reward for you as a franchise owner?
Getting the store open and having the best grand opening day for any
Chatters store. Surpassing all our budgets so far.
2. What drew you to becoming a Chatters’ franchisee?
I was searching for a franchise for 5 years. In the end it was mostly
the Chatters people and business model that they have developed over
the last 20 years.
3. Would you recommend franchise ownership as a couple pursuit? Why?
It can be either. I do recommend having family support but not necessarily
ownership.
4. Describe the support you can expect from Chatters head office that
can improve your day to day operations?
There’s nothing that you can’t get from Head Office. Every aspect of
the operation is supported from ordering business cards to monthly
financial analysis.
5. Has Chatters as a franchisor met your expectations? If so, how?
Yes most definitely in all aspects. From signing the deal to stocking
the shelves and now our day to day support.
6. What advice would you give someone considering franchise ownership?
Follow the Chatters service and retail manuals. Staffing is very important
and customer service is critical.
7. How important is beauty industry knowledge to ensuring your success
as a franchisee?
Not critical in my opinion. You will learn as you go. Inventory management,
cost of goods profit margins, pre-sells and customer service are all
essential to the retail and service business.
Rosemary Buckingham
Chatters St. John's