Franchise Offers Sports Theme With Haircuts For Men, Boys

MUSKEGON, MI (Wednesday, March 28, 2007) - For a businessman who has sold his family's electronic circuit board manufacturing company in Free Soil, Stacey Patulski is now entering an unlikely new business venture.

From producing electronic components for the automotive, consumer and industrial control sectors, Patulski now will be cutting hair. Well, more specifically, his professional staff will be cutting men's and boys' hair through the West Michigan introduction of Sport Clips.

The national hair-cutting franchise with a sports theme will open its first West Michigan outlet in a strip center in front of the Lakes Crossing on Harvey Street in Norton Shores. The Sport Clips, across from The Lakes Mall to be opened in late June, will be the first of four Patulski plans to open in Muskegon and Kent counties, he said.

Patulski -- a 36-year-old businessman from Spring Lake -- formed SMP Holdings LLC to own and operate the hair-cutting shops. Patulski recently moved to Spring Lake after he and his family sold Amptech Inc. in Free Soil, a company his mother founded in her home in 1980.

"I was looking for a change of pace," Patulski said of buying into the Texas-based franchise. "I was looking for an enjoyable venture. This is a business I can work on, not in."

Each outlet will have a manager and seven full-time employees. After Norton Shores, SMP Holdings has plans to open in Grandville and Gaines Township, which is in south central Kent County along the new M-6.

Sport Clips was founded in 1995 and has grown to 400 outlets in 32 states. It is a hair-care franchise with a sports theme dedicated to serving men and boys.

The company Web site features photos of young, attractive female stylists dressed in various sports related outfits -- from referee's stripes and warm-up suits. There is sports memorabilia on the walls and ESPN on large flat-screen televisions.

In each of the markets, Sports Clips attempts to have marketing agreements with professional sports teams. Late last year, the company announced Sports Clips was the "official haircutter" of the Chicago Bulls.

Patulski said he would pursue similar agreements with the Muskegon Fury and new Muskegon Thunder, along with the Grand Rapids Griffins, White Caps and Rampage. The marketing agreements puts Sports Cuts advertising in sports arenas and professional athletes making personal appearances in the shops.

The basic "varsity" hair cut costs $15, but the MVP service includes a cut, neck and shoulder message, shampoo and facial steam towel for $20.

Patulski said that the Sports Clips stylists are primarily women cutting men's hair. He said it is a place where fathers can be with their sons.

"Everyone can cut hair," Patulski said. "But I like the marketing and customer service of this company. The first time I experienced it, I was sold. This is a great place for guys and I love sports. This is a perfect business for my personality."

There is another male hair care business model and franchise opportunity making its way across the United States. At Bikini Cuts in Salt Lake City and Sexy Scissors in Austin, Texas, the stylist are in bikini outfits. Critics have called this type of shop "the Hooters of Hairdressers."

View all Sport Clips Press Releases

This article has been read 354 times.

Printer Friendly