Today we’d like to introduce you to Bruce Schultz.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My wife Heather and I pioneered the concept of luxury salons for men with the launch of Boardroom in 2004, when the industry was yet to exist. What started as an idea to build a single salon has now grown to 27 locations across Texas, including Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio and Austin, as well as in Nashville, Oklahoma City and Atlanta. Separately, we recently launched Brighton Barber Institute (BBI), a premier barber education program to develop the industry’s top future talent. With the men’s grooming industry now being a fast-growing business category, we recognized an increased demand for licensed barbers. BBI provides specialty training for licensed cosmetologists that enhance career opportunities and earning potential.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
As the first entrant in the industry, we certainly experienced some struggles along the way.
Heather and I were looking for our next entrepreneurial opportunity when we read an article about men’s grooming in the December 2003 edition of American Way magazine while traveling to visit family for the holidays. Building on the men’s grooming theme, we foresaw significant demand for an upscale grooming experience.
In eight short months, we progressed our idea through business plan, location selection, lease, and build-out. The first Boardroom opened in Southlake, Texas, in August 2004, with a mission to help men relax, look great and feel confident by delivering the ultimate relaxed grooming experience for men.
We liquidated our savings and retirement funds, as well as leveraged loans on credit cards to launch this first Boardroom location – we were all in and quitting was not an option. While raising three wonderful children and volunteering, Heather ran the salon operations, while I ran marketing, finance, helped with operations during nights and weekends, and continued to excel at a high demand corporate job.
A few months after opening our first salon, our team was in transition, and we were down to one stylist/team member. Heather and I needed to own all roles in the company, aside from cutting hair. We focused on rebuilding the team with individuals who shared Boardroom’s vision and core values. With the belief that strong teams create successful businesses and the desire to attract the best team members, we moved away from the traditional commission-only or booth rental business model. We created stable compensation plans and career growth by providing attractive base pay, commissions, bonuses, health insurance, paid time off, and the ability to advance into salon management and corporate roles. Since then, we’ve grown to 300+ team members and have become the preferred employer in the industry.
We pioneered the upscale men’s grooming market, in a field in which we did not have prior experience, based on the belief the underlying business fundamentals were strong and men were ready for a new experience. Boardroom created the upscale men’s grooming concept and built client loyalty by providing an experience, not a commodity that men were missing in their lives before 2004.
Boardroom’s business category was non-existent in 2004, the space now has many new entrants, most of which are expanding through a franchise based model. As the ‘original’ entrant in the industry, Boardroom’s corporate based model, proven concept both financially and as voted by client satisfaction is now the pursued and preferred tenant in the top markets.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Boardroom Salon for Men story. Tell us more about the business.
Boardroom is designed to be a comfortable, masculine, 1920s country club-inspired salon. Similar to a sophisticated men’s club, the salon features dark wood paneling, a relaxing lounge with oversized leather chairs, a pool table and a great vibe. We’ve built a reputation of excellence by providing exceptional hair, shave and spa services, accompanied with complimentary beverages. The Benchmark is our signature service, which includes: a tailored cut, rejuvenating paraffin hand dip, energizing shampoo and conditioning, scalp and hand massage, steamed towel and more.
Clients also have the opportunity to purchase an Annual Membership, which provides members the freedom of unlimited haircut services, plus 10 percent off all other services and products for one year. Memberships are honored at all Boardroom locations, making it convenient for frequent business travelers.
Pricing:
- The Benchmark Haircut (signature service), $60
- The Express Haircut (when there’s no time for The Benchmark), $43
- Traditional Hot Lather Shave, $55
- Hand Grooming, $30
- Foot Grooming, $45
- The Fountain Of Youth Coloring, $45
Contact Info:
- Website: www.boardroomsalon.com
- Email: info@boardroomsalon.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/boardroomsalons
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/theboardroomsalon
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/boardroomsalons
Image Credit:
Courtesy of Boardroom Salon for Men
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