From Vision to Reality: Our Journey as BarberShopCo Franchise Owners

Our First Steps: Opening the First Store

In December 2022, we acquired our first BarberShopCo store in Mt Roskill. It was an exciting leap into a new chapter of our lives, and while we knew challenges would arise, we were ready to embrace them with enthusiasm.

Expanding to Store #2: A Natural Progression

By November 2023, we were ready to take on a second store in Epsom. Growth had always been part of our plan. As franchisees, we understood that success often means scaling up.

The transition was made possible by trust—trust in our incredible team, in ourselves as a couple, and in our ability to take a step forward with confidence.

Why We Chose BarberShopCo

Having lived in the UK and travelled through the U.S., we saw firsthand how dynamic and thriving the men’s grooming industry could be. When we researched the New Zealand market, BSC stood out as the leading men’s grooming franchise.

It wasn’t just about haircuts—it was the consistency, quality, and attention to detail in every experience that drew us in. BSC had built an environment where a simple haircut became an experience customers wanted to revisit.

Our Backgrounds: Bringing Unique Skills to the Table

Rob’s 12+ years as a franchise business manager gave him the expertise to maintain high standards while overseeing expansion. This experience naturally led him to owning his own franchise.

Meanwhile, Nina’s work as a sales and marketing coordinator for an IT company taught her how to connect businesses with customers creatively and effectively. Together, our skills created the perfect partnership.

Our Roles as Franchise Owners

• Rob: I handle the day-to-day operations, from floor management and rosters to KPIs and accounts. My focus is on keeping the stores running efficiently.
• Nina: I oversee marketing, social media, and customer relationships. I ensure our business has a unique personality and a strong connection with the community.

A Day in the Life of a Small Business Owner

Our busiest day is Saturday, which kicks off at 8 a.m. with one of us arriving early to prepare the store. A quick five-minute team meeting sets the tone for the day, and then it’s all about delivering great service to our customers.

We assist our team, clean between services, manage the till, and work on building client relationships during quieter moments. Even after the doors close, the work doesn’t stop—we handle accounts, timesheets, and review the day’s performance.

Our guiding principle? Always be present. Whether in person or through our team chat, we ensure our team feels supported every step of the way.

What We Love About This Journey

The connections we’ve built with our customers are incredibly rewarding. Seeing them return time and again, knowing they trust us to deliver, is a feeling like no other.

Success for us is twofold:

1. Pride in Our Achievements: Looking back at how far we’ve come as first-time business owners is incredibly fulfilling.
2. Creating a Legacy: Our ultimate goal is to provide financial stability for our daughter. Steady growth over the past couple of years has given us the confidence to keep pushing forward.

Our Greatest Achievement So Far

Breaking store records in our first year was beyond our expectations. The positive feedback from customers gave us the momentum to set ambitious goals that we originally envisioned achieving years down the line.

What It Takes to Be a Successful BarberShopCo Franchisee

In our experience, success in this role requires:

• Strong decision-making and communication skills
• The ability to inspire and influence your team
• Financial acumen, adaptability, and a willingness to learn

Advice for Aspiring BarberShopCo Franchise Owners

Spend time in the stores and get to know the brand. Build relationships with other franchisees and immerse yourself in the day-to-day operations. Being hands-on helps you understand your local community and form essential connections.

The support network within BarberShopCo is remarkable, from fellow owners to the head office. Leverage these resources to grow and thrive.

Owning and operating BarberShopCo stores has been a rewarding journey filled with growth, challenges, and success. We’re proud of the foundation we’ve built and excited to see what the future holds!