Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids was founded by Scott & Linda Sharkey in 2003 in Greenwich, CT, with the idea of offering haircuts that are truly fun for kids from 0 to 14. The fun cars and colorful atmosphere make for an enjoyable experience for younger children, while the Xbox stations and tween lounge offer an exciting salon experience for older kids. Twenty-two years later, Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids is approaching 200+ franchise locations and is growing!
We recently spoke to Scott and Linda about launching and growing their business.
Can you please tell us a bit about your family?
We live in Westport, Connecticut. Linda is originally from Houston, Texas, and I am originally from New York. We started the business in 2003 in the town of Greenwich, CT just with the notion of opening a single hair salon for kids. We have three kids, Julia is 29 (just got married), Jack is 25 (went to the University of Texas), Hannah is 20 and currently goes to the University of Texas. Linda also went to University of Texas.
How did you decide to launch the Sharkey’s business?
Scott: As our family grew, we decided to move out of NYC and move to the suburbs as we could not afford to raise our children in NYC given the high costs of living and schooling. I had just sold my business. We were one of the original companies to invent and print barcodes back in the 1980’s.
We sold the business in 2000 and decided to open a kids hair salon in Connecticut, where we had moved, just on a whim. It was Linda’s idea. She came out of the advertising industry, working for companies like Saatchi & Saatchi and Grey Advertising. We organized four focus groups in Connecticut, and within four months we opened our first Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids. And the rest is history…
Can you please describe the franchising model?
Linda: Scott and I own and operate our corporate salon in Westport, CT. This is the only corporate owned store in the Sharkey’s brand. This location is used for testing new products, concepts, and any redesigns. The other 170+ locations throughout the United States, with an additional 102 in the build-out stages, are franchises. We also have one Sharkey’s Vocational School in Israel.
What separates Sharkey’s from other children’s haircut places?
Scott: At Sharkey’s, all haircuts come with a wash, cut, blow-dry, fun cars or gaming stations, choice of videos, mini-cures, Sharkey tattoo, lollipops, and a balloon! Sharkey’s really sets itself apart from the competitors with our well-planned design and unequaled entertainment factor. We don’t just cater to the youngest of children or one gender – we have positioned ourselves in the market as the only kid’s salon for kids of all ages (0-14), and adults as well! This allows Sharkey’s to have the highest & longest retention rate in our industry. We have extremely high brand loyalty among our young customers and their parents, and our well planned and designed salon keeps the kids coming to Sharkey’s for many years.
Love that you cater to older kids as well. Can you share a bit more about that?
Linda: Sharkey’s is the only kids’ salon designed with the older kids in mind. Our salons are designed to help parents by creating a fun atmosphere that caters to their children. The older kids enjoy our Xbox stations on 40” TV’s and they also enjoy sitting in our private Tween Lounge. And of course the 0-6 year olds can sit in a Dodge Police Cruiser, Barbie Jeep, Frozen Jeep, Lightning McQueen Race Car, Buzz Light Year, Fire Engine, #8 Dale Earnhardt Race Car while watching their favorite cartoons.
Amazing! How can people learn more about becoming a franchisee?
Scott: Go to SharkeysFranchisingCompany.com and fill out an application to receive information on our Passive Ownership Franchise.
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