Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue III, 2017 | Page 8

Chairman’sNote
Passionate About Franchising
T
o say that my husband Joey and I are
honored to be named as the chairs of the
2018 Multi-Unit Franchising Conference
would be an understatement. The resume
of the 2017 chair, Guillermo Perales, who has 750
units across multiple brands and industries, was a
bit overwhelming. But when we heard Guillermo
share his story this past April at Caesars Palace (he
started with one unit financed by an SBA loan), it
became clear that even though we only have 42
stores and are passionate about one brand and one
industry, we all are passionate about franchising.
I started with Supercuts in 1980 when our brand
and the franchising program were
in their infancy. It was an exciting
time to be in business and experi-
ence the drive and energy of the
people who started our concept.
But I did not start with Super-
cuts as a franchisee, and certainly
not as a stylist. I was a bookkeeper
with no experience, an education
in hospital administration, a past
in restaurant management, and a
new mom looking for a job that
paid well without working nights
or weekends.
I had worked there only 3 years when Candi
Overman, who had hired me, gifted me a piece of
a new shop, and in 1983 my journey as a franchisee
officially began. Later Joey and I started our own
company and have been working together ever
since. Since the beginning, my husband has been
my partner. At night, after his day job as a CPA for
a national accounting firm, he would help me un-
derstand how to set up books for new companies
and new locations.
We share this because although there are in-
credible leaders in franchising like Guillermo and
other past chairs like Michael Kulp, Aziz Hashim,
and of course our mentor, Gary Grace, there are
many more franchisees like Joey and me. We work
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MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE IS S UE III, 2017
hard on our salons and have raised our kids enjoy-
ing the flexibility that making your own hours can
give you. We keep learning and growing so we can
pass on the information and the opportunities to
the people who work with us.
This annual conference is where we come to
learn, to grow, and to stay current in an ever-
changing world. We have formed relationships
with franchisees and suppliers who have made a
big difference in our business. At the first Multi-
Unit Conference in Los Angeles, I met a vendor
who was setting up Wi-Fi for customers. That
doesn’t sound so exciting now, but it was super ex-
citing 17 years ago.
Who knows what you will learn
at next year’s conference? You may
learn about a new brand looking
for a franchisee just like you. You
may learn about a supplier who
can help you grow your company
to the next level. Certainly you
will hear from expert, sophisti-
cated franchisees who can share
their experience with financ-
ing, the joint employer rule, and
the state of franchising, among
many other topics. You might also
hear about the challenges of working with your
spouse—even if he is the most wonderful husband
and partner.
Come celebrate with people like yourself—
people who, regardless of industry, store count, or
location want to be better franchisees and better
business people. Celebrate your achievements and
your future with us at the next Multi-Unit Fran-
chising Conference April 3–6 at Caesars Palace in
Las Vegas.
Cheryl & Joey Robinson
2018 Conference Chairs