Page 46 - Tropic Magazine Issue 21

TROPIC • BEAUTY

Inspiring journey

STYLE GURUS
In just three years, Chris
and Tracey Johnson have
transformed their Hairhouse 2
salon at DFO Cairns into
Australia’s best. Why did you decide to buy in to the
Hairhouse brand at DFO in Cairns?
The story of Chris and Tracey Johnson’s We purchased a Hairhouse franchise due
journey to becoming owners of the to the support provided by head office in
Hairhouse salon at DFO is one of courage, Melbourne. Actually, it’s not head office
teamwork and tenacity. at all, it’s more aptly named “support
The couple was living in Western Australia centre” because that is exactly what
when they decided to make a risky leap of they do. There are hundreds of years of
faith, move to the other side of Australia combined experience to draw on from
and become Hairhouse franchisees in within the support centre, including a
Cairns - their very first business venture. salon department, buy-in, marketing, HR
More than three years and a whole lot of and store construction to help with any
hard work later, Chris and Tracey have questions we might have.
just won the honour of being named
Hairhouse Franchisee of the Year at the
company’s annual awards night. What do you love about running and
Tropic caught up with Chris and Tracey owning the business?
to find out more about their successful Owning your own business We’ve put a lot of hard work and effort
– and sometimes challenging – path to gives you the ability to into this store as it was a bit run down
national success.
direct what sort of culture when we purchased it. We’ve done a lot
of renovations and painting, replaced a
you want to develop lot of equipment including new chairs
amongst your team to and wash basins, which the clients notice
make your brand grow and appreciate. We have also improved
the standards in everything we do, which
in turn results in a better service for the
Tracey Johnson
Hairhouse client. Owning your own business gives
you the ability to direct what sort of
We also have a dedicated business culture you want to develop amongst your
manager who supports Queensland team to make your brand grow. When
stores and every other franchisee is you are in the driver’s seat, you’re making
very friendly and supportive of any new decisions on how to steer your business
franchisee. It is like a big family and it’s into the future. The first year was
also good that both founding owners are extremely tough and very overwhelming
still heavily involved in the running of as Chris and I didn’t come from a
the business. They know franchisees on a business background. But working
first name basis.
1 together through it as a powerhouse team

46 • Tropic • Issue 21