Fantastic Sams franchisee featured by Press Enterprise

A fantastic cut above
Lack of hair styling experience didn't keep Marilyn Tokatly from opening five salons

By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL

Marilyn Tokatly, 56, didn't have hairstyling experience before she opened her first Fantastic Sams franchise a decade ago. Nonetheless, Tokatly's Corona store was one of the five highest earning Fantastic Sams locations nationwide.

Tokatly worked as a corporate recruiter in Los Angeles, then as a sales manager for Jenny Craig. She said both experiences have helped her manage her five Fantastic Sams stores. She recently opened a store off De Palma Road in Corona and has a license to open a sixth. Tokatly has become a model franchise owner for the hair salon chain, said Jennifer Metzger, regional director for Fantastic Sams.

As a franchise owner, Tokatly has bought a license good for 10 years to own and operate each store. She pays Fantastic Sams a flat fee each week.

Q: How did you get started?

A: At the time I had a very young daughter. She was in second grade, and I was working in a sales management job which was requiring a lot of my time so she was in day care a lot. So I went to a company called the Entrepreneur Source, and they kind of match you up with your background and what you're interested in and they actually presented the salon idea to me ... I still work as many hours, but it's flexible.

Q: What lessons have you learned?(Read More)