Today we’d like to introduce you to Mindy Ratcliff.
Hi Mindy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a wife and mother of seven (7) amazing children. I was a stay at home mom for 18 years. I had no plans to work with so many kids still at home, but my husband was ready to leave his high-pressure corporate rat race job. He was looking to open a business and stumbled upon the salon suite concept. It seemed to fit our needs allowing him to continue working full-time while I oversaw the business part-time while raising the family. Once we started building the salon, I realized I needed to learn a lot about running the business and began to take a more active role in it. I discovered how much I loved leasing, encouraging entrepreneurs like us, and walking alongside beauty professionals as they start their own businesses! We opened Salons by JC Round Rock in 2014 and Salons by JC Austin Lakeline in 2017. I became the full-time Concierge-Manager for Lakeline which allowed my husband to finally get out of corporate America. We purchased three more Salons by JC’s in Houston in 2018 and just bought into another location in 2022. Our success is based on our love for helping others be successful in business. This is of course, the American Dream! We are so grateful for the success of Salons by JC! Our luxury brand that is customer service-focused stands out in the industry. We care like no other model. We have helped countless small businesses reach their potential by giving them a platform to succeed. Connecting with our suite owners has been such a gift to me and I love watching them thrive.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Learning to hire well and be selective in who we lease too, took time. We hit bumps along the way, but we learned from our mistakes and have overcome the challenges.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Salons by JC as a franchise continues to grow and improve to meet the needs of our small business owners. The franchise is constantly trying new marketing tools, designs within the salons and making personal connections that set us apart from other suite concepts.
I am most proud of our continued local community involvement in Cuts for Cancer every year and Hello Gorgeous! of Hope that provides services and wigs for those battling cancer. I am also extremely proud to have such a high success rate of owners that have expanded their businesses inside our suites. These expanded business owners realize that our support allows them to be relieved of the headaches that most office space rental just doesn’t cover. We truly take care of the details so they can run a successful salon with employees.
Customer Service is our main focus to our suite owners and their clients!
John & I received Franchisee of the Year in 2020! It was a fantastic way to look back on one of the toughest years we may see in our lifetime and realize we had overcome huge obstacles.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
There are many successful business owners. Watching those who are doing well, asking lots of questions, and being real with yourself of what you can most improve on, is essential to success. I love conversations with other Franchise owners whom I can collaborate with. Our suite owners have that opportunity too.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.salonsbyjc.com
- Instagram: @salonsbyjc_roundrock
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Salons-by-JC-Round-Rock-1424261097848428
