Snip-its News - Connecting Moms - Featured Mom Joanna Meiseles

Connecting Moms - Featured Mom Joanna Meiseles

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Can you tell us about your company Snip-its?

Snip-its is an innovative hair care and branded entertainment concept designed specifically for kids. With its colorful salons, custom cast of animated cartoon characters, interactive computer game Play Stations, the 'Magic Box' and a complete line of hair care products specially formulated just for kids, Snip-its has changed the dynamic of children's hairdressing, turning what has been considered a traditionally mundane and often unpleasant experience into a fun-filled, animated adventure.

Back in 1993, I sought a hair salon that catered to my young children, but instead of a salon, I discovered a business opportunity. That's because at each hair salon I visited, I either found (1) stylists not wanting to deal with wiggling, squirming kids (2) suboptimal cleanliness standards, or (3) little or no originality in the design - a few books, crayons, a toy here and there or maybe a video (the same one your kid has probably watched a thousand times at home) - nothing innovative. I knew there had to be a better way to crop kid's hair while entertaining, so that kids would be captivated rather than tearful, and parents would be fascinated rather than fearful.

After two years of extensive research, planning, developing a cast of entertaining characters and creating the Magic that would become the essence of the concept; I opened the first Snip-its salon in Framingham, Massachusetts.

What are some other fun services and products does Snip-its provide?

We offer a full range of basic hair care. We do not offer chemical services, since we do not recommend chemical treatments for kids. In addition to haircuts, we offer birthday parties for girls, including Glamour Parties, Hollywood Parties, and Style-a-Doll Parties, plus other cute things like "mini-manicures" and spa-style treats. For boys, there's colored gel and spiked styles. All salons also sell a complete line of branded hair care products formulated just for kids. Snip-its products are all-natural, ultra-gentle, and irritant-free. Check out our number one seller, Morning Miracle Spray-On Mousse at www.snipits.com.

What are some key ideas implemented in your salons to help children get through the commonly difficult experience of getting a hair-cut?

The whole salon is designed with the child in mind. Throughout each store are our signature cast of cartoon characters that are wholesome and designed to make children feel more comfortable during their visit, such as Snips (scissors), Curly Comb, Flyer Joe Dryer, Maranga Mirror, Jean Luc le Spritz, etc. They all provide a positive and fun-filled atmosphere in the salon. Kids know this isn't their parents place. Kids immediately feel at ease upon entering the fun environment. Where most salons have stylists that usually dread having to cut a child's hair, our stylists are all specially-trained and enjoy working with kids. That makes a huge difference. The stores are set up to cater towards the child, as well as the parent. There is a chair for mom or dad at each station to be close at hand during haircuts. Each child also gets a prize at the end where a swatch of hair is placed into the "Magic Box" in exchange for a prize as a reward for a job well done. We also provide our own computer games for kids while getting their haircuts.

What age groups do you cater to?

We cater towards younger kids, from their first haircut (usually between ages 1-2 years) to about 9 years. Ages 3-7 years is the sweet spot for us.

What year did you open first salon?

We opened our first salon in 1995 in Framingham, Massachusetts. We now have 52 salons in 21 states in the U.S., and growing.

How were you able to expand your first Snip-its salon in Framingham, Massachusetts, to a nationwide chain?

I opened five salons on my own in the Greater Boston area. Each salon was successful and then in 2003, we began franchising. Qualified entrepreneurs can now open their own Snip-its store by call us toll free (877-SNIPITS) or filling out an inquiry form at www.snipits.com. We are looking to expand rapidly and there are lots of opportunities.

How long does the franchise process take?

From the time a person signs the papers to opening their doors, it takes approximately 6 months (more or less depending on real estate availability).

How many children do you have and what are there ages?

I have 4 children. Ben is 16 and was my inspiration for Snip-its. I also have Brandon who is almost 15, Justin 4, and my little girl, Jacquelyn (we call her Quin). She is 2 ½.

How do you manage to balance work, family and personal time?

I actually write about this quite a bit in my blog (The Great Working Mom Adventure). It's a balancing act for any working mother. I find that many entrepreneurs can be control freaks, and while I am kind of one too, it's important to let my team do their jobs to help us succeed. I try not to spread myself to thin and have babysitters at home to help and at work my team manages a lot, so I don't have to be everywhere and doing many things at once. My life is incredibly busy, and totally fun. I try and find time each day to unplug and relax, whether doing a yoga class or sitting down and drinking a cup of nice hot tea- just to rejuvenate.

What was your career before creating Snip-its?

My first entrepreneurial venture was right out of college opening a shoe store in my college town in North Carolina. I met my husband in college and he moved to Boston. So I sold my shoe store and got married. I then worked for one of my shoe vendors as a manager of a shoe store in Boston. The idea for Snip-its came to me after I started having children. I took my son for his first haircut and had my first "Aha" moment.

Do you have anything new in the works?

No, I'm focused on Snip-its. Snip-its is growing so quickly and there are constantly new challenges; especially with our franchising. It's a fun, fun business, and there are many facets to it, so I'm never bored.

What are some general words of advice you would like to share with our ConnectingMoms community?

Be happy. Be positive. Always try and focus on the good stuff.

For those moms who hope to become entrepreneurs, make sure you're passionate about what you do; because it's not easy. Entrepreneurs sometimes can have blinders on at first. When I first opened my Snip-its salon, I thought that it would be a huge success and there would be lines out the door, but there were days where I would come into work and all the hairdressers called in sick, or when there were no customers at all. You have to be able to weather some difficult times to get to the good stuff, and there are always challenges. Just make sure you are passionate about whatever it is you choose because it's easy to want to throw in the towel.