Already successful entrepreneurs and professionals, Shayne and Larissa
Malone realized the next step to reach their long term
personal and financial goals was to diversify their investments. However, not wanting to start from
ground zero,
they turned to franchising and began to look for a proven business model
with well-developed systems in place.
Larissa explains, “We know how hard it is to create something from
nothing. We did not want to reinvent the wheel. We didn’t want to
have to figure it out all by ourselves. We wanted to go into business
for ourselves but not by ourselves.”
As they narrowed down their search, they soon realized a
semi-absentee business model was best suited for their goals. Shayne says, “We quickly ruled
out the food industry because of the high overhead and paper costs. We found
the haircutting industry to be more straightforward and aligned with the type of commitment we
were seeking. It also has a recurring demand, making it better able to
withstand the macroeconomic ups and downs many other industries face.”
Of their search, Larissa adds, “We kept hearing about
Sport Clips everywhere we turned, from Pandora to Facebook to local media. The brand’s national marketing
campaign was well targeted and really stood out above the rest. We found
the brand to be fun and engaging and well positioned for significant growth.
Our interest was piqued.”
Shayne continues, “The more we looked into the brand, the more excited
we got. Finding a business model that will give us the ability to scale
up was very important. The Sport Clips model, with its
manager structure and
commitment to responsible growth, is designed with multi-unit ownership in mind.”
Larissa goes on to say, “We also appreciated that they are not trying
to be everything to everyone. They have their niche and they are committed
to consistently delivering that championship experience people have come
to expect from the brand.”
The Malones are looking forward to the opening of their first store in
2018, having secured a lease, and are currently in the process of building
out the site. So far, they have found the
Team Leader Training and support teams to be top notch. Larissa comments, “We appreciate that we can rely
on Sport Clips and their proven model and systems to help with the learning
curve. Everything has gone so smoothly and they are very thorough.”
The Malones are focused on the big picture. Already setting their sights
on multi-unit ownership, their 2018 grand opening will no doubt be the
first of many. Both strong entrepreneurs, together they make a dynamic
team. With experience in management, the Malones are looking forward to
developing their team and enhancing their stylists’ careers, as
well as their clients’ experiences. Shayne has a keen understanding
of his area’s real estate market and business climate, which will
be an asset as they expand. Larissa brings with her marketing expertise,
which will prove invaluable. Their complementary skill sets and professional
experience will transfer well to their new roles as Team Leaders.
They have some advice for someone considering making the jump into franchise
ownership: “Clearly define your goals and what you want out of the
venture. If you have a clear picture of those, then you will know the
right opportunity when you see it. Because we defined our end game, we
knew the Sport Clips offering was the right fit right away. We felt it
in our gut, it was that clear.”
To learn more about the Sport Clips offering and how it aligns with your
personal and financial goals,
click here.
