Leigh Feldman is the CEO of Bishops Cuts/Color, a unisex hair shop concept with franchise locations in 21 states. Founded in 2001, Bishops provides customers with haircare services fueled by art, music, culture, acceptance, and community. Leigh was the CMO of Bishops and has been with the company for six years. Before that, he spent six years working for Rebel Industries as their Vice President and Group Account Director, and he was also Director of Media for Moonshine Events, a production company focused on large-scale experiential events such as What?! the Festival. He is also a Radio Talk Show Host at Entrepreneur Media. Leigh has been nominated for the 2024 OnCon Icon Top 100 awards.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- How Leigh Feldman joined Bishops Cuts/Color
- What to expect at a Bishops hair shop
- Leigh talks about his company’s unique differentiators and pricing structure
- The benefits of a Bishops franchise, and what the company looks for in potential franchisees
- Bishops’ commitment to inclusivity, its evolution, and the future of the haircut industry
- How Bishops markets and trains its stylists
In this episode…
In today’s competitive business environment, leaders who want to grow and scale their companies need to be innovative. With a customer-focused mindset, businesses can outperform other players in the industry. Is your business environment and processes designed to create a delightful experience that carves out a competitive reputation in the marketplace?
For the leaders at Bishops Cuts/Color, building an inclusive community is key to their business. The franchise trains a team of stylists to provide quality, unbiased services to all clients at an affordable price. Inspired by art, creativity, and the need for inclusivity, Bishops has built a hair shop business that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also process and systems-driven. Recent marketing trends indicate franchises that focus on their clients’ unique needs build massive leverage and increase their customer’s lifetime value. Combined with effective marketing, enterprises can focus on providing quality services at competitive rates and building an engaged, loyal community to help drive future sales and build a strong brand.
In this episode of the Top Business Leaders Show, Chad Franzen sits down with Leigh Feldman, the CEO of Bishops Cuts/Color, to talk about building a thriving franchise business. They also discuss the benefits of investing in a franchise, the role art plays at Bishops Cuts/Color, and the company’s employee training strategies.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Chad Franzen on LinkedIn
- Rise25
- Email the team at Rise25: support@rise25.com
- Bishops Cuts / Color
- Leigh Feldman on LinkedIn
- Juxtapoz Magazine
Sponsor for this episode…
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Episode Transcript
Intro 0:04
Welcome to the Top Business Leaders Show, powered by Rise25 Media. We feature top founders, executives, and business leaders from all over the world.
Chad Franzen 0:20
Chad Franzen here, co-host of the Top Business Leaders Show, where interview entrepreneurs and top leaders in the business world. This episode is brought to you by Rise25. We help B2B businesses reach their dream relationships, connect with more clients, referrals, and strategic partnerships, and get ROI through done-for-you podcasts. If you have a B2B business and want to build great relationships, there’s no better way to do it than to profile the people and companies you admire on your podcast. To learn more, go to Rise25.com or email us at support@rise25.com. Leigh Feldman is the current CEO of Bishops Cuts, Bishops Cuts/Colour, a unisex hair shop concept with franchise locations in 21 states. Hey, Leigh. thanks so much for joining me today. How are you?
Leigh Feldman 1:07
Well, thank you for letting me join you, I was actually able to go to rise 20 five.com. And check it out. It’s very cool the services they provide.
Chad Franzen 1:14
Thanks for checking it out, and for telling us about that. Yeah, we’ll encourage everybody to go there. But before we get started talking about Bishops, tell me how you got involved with them? Yeah, absolutely.
Leigh Feldman 1:27
I’ve been fortunate enough to be part of that organisation for six and a half years now. But I basically joined when I think I was about to have my second or third child. And I was working for a large tech company that starts with GE, and travelling quite a bit. And my wife was saying, do you plan to be a father to these children? And almost at the exact moment, I got a call from a friend who was working at Bishops. And he said, Hey, I think there’s actually going to be an opportunity for the CMO role. Would you be interested in interviewing and meeting the CEO, and I wouldn’t got coffee, but we had a meeting, we had a great time what was supposed to be a 20-minute meeting turned into two and a half hours, he ended up offering me the role and I joined as the CMO first and February 2018. And I was with them and helped guide them through two acquisitions through private equity and VC as we split the corporate enfranchising arm. And then as he sort of sailed off into the sunset, literally to Hawaii, I was promoted to the CEO role. And I’ve been in that for almost two and a half years at this point.
Chad Franzen 2:24
Well, good for you. So you mentioned you started, you had been working for a company that starts with GE, I suppose everybody can guess what that is? Can you tell us about?
Leigh Feldman 2:33
If not, you can look it up online.
Chad Franzen 2:37
Can you tell us about kind of maybe some your experience that you’d had prior to joining Bishops that, you know, has been beneficial to you and helpful in terms of your success that you’re having now? Yeah,
Leigh Feldman 2:49
I mean, it’s really kind of the quote that guides me related to data. I mean, Bishops is a very much data driven organisation. A lot of our decision-making strategy, anything that we look forward to is based on data. And the experience I had before joining Bishops is really the idea of related to data, is it important because it’s measured or measured, because it is important. And I think what I learned is that so many people are reporting things to their management, their senior leadership. And a lot of things are not really key to the focus, or the core consumer, or the strategic direction KPIs that are being tracked. And so much work is being done just for the work, especially related to pulling and analysing data to make these decisions that you really have to again, step back and ask is this important because it’s measured, or measured, because it’s important. That’s one of the key takeaways that I took from there that I then brought to Bishops and said, Let’s strip out a lot of these things that don’t make sense for us, and the decisions we’re making to expand to the company and grow the company, and maybe have the company acquired. And I’m really thankful for my time at that large tech company and previously working at an ad agency, because it really taught me the idea of how do you slim down what you were doing and have a core focus? I know EOS is popular for a lot of entrepreneurs, but I do believe as a guiding management system. That is a great one.
Chad Franzen 4:09
Very nice. So as I mentioned, Bishops Cuts/Colour is a unisex hair shop concept with with franchised locations in 21. States. Can you maybe just give us a feel for what it’s like when when somebody maybe like myself, who has never been there would walk in there? What kind of a vibe what I see? Or what kind of a vibe would I experience? What would I see things like that?
Leigh Feldman 4:31
Well, the shop is actually specifically built to catch your attention in a variety of ways from the time you walk or drive by with our art on the windows, to get people to really what we call the fishbowl effect, they walk up to the window and they literally put their face against the window and go what is in there. And then again, the store is set up in a very specific way where we have our syndicated Bishops TV playing. So we have specific videos visually that are there to grab your attention. We have the audio side of the music as well, the shop is set up so that it can really create a community feel everything from our waiting room to the way this chairs or stations, they can be turns that people in chair can have conversation. And as far as what you’d see, it’s really anybody and everybody from your community. I mean, we really say that we are tolerant unless you are intolerant. I think the piece that makes us so unique as a hair shop, and we use that word specifically because people say, what’s a hair shop and we say, well, we’re a hybrid barbershop salon, we do all your services, anything you might need, but it’s really about the services you’re receiving. It’s not about who you are, is this a men’s cut, or a woman’s cut his kids cut, it’s really about the length of your hair. And again, what kind of services you want whether line design, colour term extension, some of the other services that we do in the shop, at the end of the day cuts in colour are our core focuses. But as far as what you’ll see, it’s really a smattering of your community, because we believe that we provide slum level services at appropriate market pricing in your area. And that’s what really brings in a lot of clientele. Because of that ala carte piece, you know that you’re going to be charged for whatever you want. And it’s going to be the same again, even if you identify as a female or a male or a child or somebody a little older.
Chad Franzen 6:09
So you have locations across 21 states, how many Bishops locations are there? We’re at 42. What would you say makes Bishops different? I mean, you’ve you’ve highlighted a lot of things that are unique about Bishops. What would you say maybe makes an experience at Bishops different than another hair salon franchise?
Leigh Feldman 6:29
I love that question. Because I’m asked it all the time. Why Bishops? Why should I go to Bishops? For most female identifying clients, I asked them, you know, hey, I love your hair colour. What do you pay to get this done? But what do you pay for a long cutter shortcut? You know, and then we’ll start to talk about gendered pricing. Do you think you should be paying more for that service, simply because you are a woman versus a man with long hair getting that same kind of style, but being charged less. Usually when it comes to colour because we have a large structural discount, we’re able to charge less for the colour services. So when a woman tells me I pay X amount of dollars, I say, I can’t give you an exact quote because I’m not a stylist, but you should come in for a free colour consultation. I’m pretty confident we can beat what you’re paying and do it a little better. For most male identifying clients who ask why Bishops. Why should I go there? I really just asked when’s the last time your stylist talk to you about your halo? And people will look at me like I am insane. Like I’m speaking a foreign language like I’m an alien, they’ll go and I’ve been getting my hair cut for 50 years. What are you talking about a halo? My barber, my stylist? My hairdresser has never talked about a halo. What does that go? Well, you should go into Bishops you’re really not getting salon level services, for the pricing, whatever it is you’re paying. Because ideally, someone should be talking to you about that. And for any listeners who are wondering what the hell is a halo. It’s the priority Ridge, it’s where the hair meets the top in the middle, so that you can find the balance and volume, maybe you’re losing some you need to go a different length in certain areas. Your stylists should be talking to you about that. So you can walk out looking and feeling the best you ever have.
Chad Franzen 7:55
So how does Bishops kind of you mentioned the affordable prices a couple of times there? How do you balance kind of that high quality service with prices that people can afford?
Leigh Feldman 8:05
Yeah, I mean, it’s partly due to the margins that we have on our structural discounts with our partners, any of the vendors that are in store, we have continuing education. And we have a base model structure that’s really great for any franchise owner to set up to run a location. The continual education part is really interesting, because stylists traditionally are neglected. As far as the ability to learn more, you know, once they graduate school, and they’re kind of kicked out by the button, go, Hey, go out on your own and figure it out, which is not unlike other college programmes. I know in the undergraduate space, reverse stylists, they’re really told, Hey, go and figure this out, go and figure out how to market for yourself how to do some of these other services that you maybe didn’t learn. And Bishops sort of works with those stylists to come in and provide that continuing education so they really can become well rounded in all facets of their craft.
Chad Franzen 8:52
So you talked a little bit about franchise franchising? How many of the locations that are currently operating are owned by franchisees?
Leigh Feldman 9:02
Yeah, we’re 100% of franchise network. So all of them are owned by franchisees.
Chad Franzen 9:08
What are the benefits of operating a Bishops franchise?
Leigh Feldman 9:11
Yeah, that’s a great question. And again, what I’m often asked opposed to why Bishops. Why should I go to Bishops? It’s why Bishops. Why should I own a Bishops? And I think the biggest piece is it’s sort of low entry to tech, anything and everything for managing the business can be done from your phone, all reports, all spreadsheets, payroll, anything from that can be done from your phone. So there’s really no knowledge of the vertical that’s needed to actually run the business. Yeah, you hire a manager kind of runs the whole show. So it’s that sort of semi executive semi-absentee model, where you can say, hey, I’ll manage you, you manage this team, you just ladder up those reports. I can see them on my phone. And you know, as long as everything’s running as far as staffing, everything else can kind of do it on its own on the tech side. There’s also no accounts receivable there’s no real inventory. Your team brings their own tools. It’s commission-based, so labourers Gale’s with each dollar that you have. I mean, it really makes itself great. And then you have us as the franchisor, who I truly believe provides more support than any other network or system in place. As far as acting as an aspirin and really taking out the headaches that an owner might have for running a business things like your listings and reputation management, posting on social media, responding to client reports, all of those things that you sort of get bogged down in, when it actually comes to running a business. We take care of that for you as the franchisor. So that combination of these things of really not having to know or know how to do the work, plus the support you receive. I think that’s the reason why people should look at buying in Bishops franchise location.
Chad Franzen 10:44
What does Bishops look for then in a potential franchisee?
Leigh Feldman 10:48
Yeah, I mean, we’re looking for people that are really process driven, they understand what it takes to follow a roadmap. This is not our first rodeo Bishops has been around for 23 years at this point. So we know what it takes to be successful. We’ve built that out and Operations Guide and marketing plans. So we really need people that are process driven, can understand those things. But obviously a personality we want somebody that is sort of integrated into their community, they know how to build a safe space, a community space, a place where people of all walks of life want to go. And if you have that, you’re going to be pretty good within our system.
[continue to page 2]
Chad Franzen 11:24
So beyond that, what does it what does it take to you know, invest in a Bishops?
Leigh Feldman 11:31
Yeah, on the low end, depending upon market, you’re looking at around $278,000. And on the high end, you’re looking at around 489. The biggest difference is that we as a franchise network, don’t necessarily provide a shop in a box might like most franchise locations, we allow you to customise it and pick the things that makes sense for you and your market, the look and feel that you want to create for your area. So you see quite a big swing on the build out based on what you select for what you want in your store. So that’s the discrepancy that you see from the 287 to the 489.
Chad Franzen 12:03
Is there has ever been a time where Bishops has demonstrated a commitment to inclusivity. And maybe even like sacrificed its own its own on its own business end to do so Oh,
Leigh Feldman 12:15
I don’t know about sacrificing on their own business. And but inclusivity is part of our core ethos, you know, we are a hair shop for all accepting convenient, and really now at this point ahead of trends. And that accepting piece is so pertinent to who we are and the customers that we serve, we have locations in the south, where clients have driven eight plus hours, while in the middle of their transition to get their first haircut after transitioning, knowing that we are listed and registered as a safe space. So that inclusivity that piece as far as acceptance, and knowing that everyone is welcome. Again, we say we are tolerant unless you are intolerant, people really know that they can find a Bishops said no again. But that’s a safe place where they can go for any type of service that they might want. We’re
Chad Franzen 12:58
headed towards the end of the calendar year 2023. How is Bishops evolved during the past year?
Leigh Feldman 13:04
Yeah, I mean, we went through our acquisition with private equity. So now we are in full support mode for the current stores in our system, increasing top-line revenue, a UVs, looking at new vendors to bring in that have greater margins and superior product for next year. And then obviously we’re expanding we’re heavily invested in our franchise sales development groups, working with certain networks to make sure that we bring in owners that we know understand the Bishops ethos and award them territory licences and markets that make sense for our Bishops location to exist.
Chad Franzen 13:34
How do you and how does Bishops view kind of the future of the hair cut industry?
Leigh Feldman 13:38
Oh, it is right now and $86 billion industry and just growing. So I think most people are going to continue to choose the sort of community-minded artists driven energetic space over those value chain chop shops salons, that you see that pop up that really have no brand, no identity, outside of what you see on the TV commercial promoting them. Bishops is really one where you create something specific to your market, you build people and teams that are local to your area. And you really support those in your community by creating a fun environment. Everyone always talks about the value of an experience and Bishops is certainly a place that provides that. I think that’s why people will continue to choose US versus other places that you might call sterile.
Chad Franzen 14:21
Tell me a little bit a little bit more about the artists driven environment. Where do you guys kind of kind of get the art what role does that art play more specifically?
Leigh Feldman 14:31
Oh the art creates the sort of vibe as you said earlier, the environment to the space so much so. So we partner with local muralist to build out murals within each shop location. We have a partnership with a national ad magazine called Juxtapoz magazine that assists with finding artists in markets. And then the owners get to select from sketches and drawings and sort of award the opportunity to design and paint and instal the mural or art in the space.
Chad Franzen 14:56
So you and you talked about how some custom versus have travelled eight hours to come and have their hair come and have their, you know, receive your services there at Bishops. How do you guys kind of get the word out to those people, it must be quite quite the experience that they’re willing to do to do that to drive eight hours.
Leigh Feldman 15:17
Yeah, there’s certainly some groups that we work with to make sure that we’re registered on Safe Space sites, so that people from marginalised communities can find places that they know they can go and trust to not be judged, or in sadly, some severe cases not be physically harmed for going in and requesting certain things based on how they identify. So we work with those registry groups to make sure that they know that every Bishops is a place for anyone to come to and that all are welcomed.
Chad Franzen 15:42
Is there something that you guys do to maintain that nonjudgmental environment?
Leigh Feldman 15:46
It’s a major part of our training. I mean, we immediately suggest to store owners to cut anybody from the team that does not understand the core values of who we are and who we serve.
Chad Franzen 15:57
So let’s say you, you have a very you have, you’ve just hired a very talented and incredibly talented stylist, but they don’t really fit the values. What’s the next step that’s taken?
Leigh Feldman 16:10
Well, I think it’s a question of that individual. Are they open to sort of becoming more accepting of people in the lifestyle that they choose? Or is it something where they say this is who I am, and this is how I’m going to be forever and even being exposed to different people with different backgrounds, different nationalities, different religions, different sexual orientations? If that would open their mind up to realising that people are people. And if they say I am judging these people in the way that they live, they are not welcome at as part of our team.
Chad Franzen 16:40
Okay, sounds good. Is there anything that I haven’t asked you about Bishops that you’d like to share? No,
Leigh Feldman 16:45
I think we’re looking for tonnes of new people to expand Bishops and states we are in currently in states we are not. And so we are always welcome to the conversation of somebody who wants to work with creatives and create a space in their community where people can gather and really experience fun art youthful energy and get people walking out the door, feeling the best the best they ever have about themselves in the way they look.
Chad Franzen 17:09
Sounds great. How can people find out more about Bishops? You know, either as a customer or a potential franchisee?
Leigh Feldman 17:16
Yeah, I hope people visit us online. www.bishops.co. That’s bi s h o p s.co. So www.bishops.co.
Chad Franzen 17:29
Okay. Hey, Leigh, it’s been great to talk to you. Great to find out more about bishops. Thank you so much for your time today. Really appreciate.
Leigh Feldman 17:35
Well, thank you, Chad. I really appreciate you having me. on everybody.
Outro 17:39
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