Frank Zito recently opened his third Fantastic Sams, a full-service hair care salon, in Smyrna, GA. After working with the same company for 30 years, Zito decided that he wanted to do something different and apply his management background in a business of his own. With three successful salons, he continues to uphold a family-oriented business with impeccable customer-client relationships and a broad range of services.Q: What was your career before franchising?
A: I worked in management for almost 30 years. I had actually been with the same company since I graduated college and I’m a chemical engineer by training.
Q: How did you learn about Fantastic Sams?
A: My wife, Tania, and I were looking into different franchises like food, landscaping and beauty services. Women’s health and beauty stood out to us because it seems to be pretty recession resistant. No industry is recession proof but women are still going to the salon. We liked that Fantastic Sams was a full service salon and more than just hair care, focusing on cuts, color, waxing and more.
Q: Why did you decide to open your own business?
A: I wanted to do something different. I had worked for the same company for 30 years and liked the idea of working and managing my own business. Our Smyrna, GA Fantastic Sams is actually our third salon location with them. We bought one that was in distress in Hoover, AL and turned it around and another in Douglasville, GA that was for sale. We decided to open a Fantastic Sams in Smyrna because we really liked the location and community; there is a lot of opportunity for growth in that area.
Q: What was appealing to you about joining a franchise system?
A: We liked that Fantastic Sams already had a blueprint laid out for success. They have been great about training the staff and not all independent salons offer that. The corporate offices are very helpful in answering any questions that we have too. It’s a very structured environment and that helps our business run smoothly.
Q: With regard to your previous experience, what skills do you feel helped you in your business?
A: I’ve been in management for most of my career, so I think that has come in very helpful as a business owner. We retain our work force and maintain consistency. I give people motivation to work for a common goal and work efficiently. I also realize the importance of keeping everyone trained. From my experience in management, I know that it’s important to always have a plan. My wife and I work well together because we both bring different skills and background to the table. She is the operations manager and creates the culture in our businesses whereas I do more of the back end work, such as advertising and accounting.
Q: What obstacles have you overcome to get where you are today with your business?
A: Competing with other salons is a challenge that we face just like any other business. It can also be challenging to find a strong staff, but taking the time is worth it because it makes us a more successful salon in the end.
Q: What makes your business different?
A: Our customer service makes us different from other salons. We are a very family-oriented workplace and customers can see that in the way that we interact with them and among ourselves. We also offer more services than our competitors; we do a lot more than highlights and haircuts.
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