O’Brien Has Been Involved with Growing the Haircare Franchise Since 1999
Karen O’Brien has been tapped as president for Floyd’s 99 Barbershop, a full-service haircare franchise. She has played a role in the franchise’s expansion since its inception in 1999, serving as vice president of administration, corporate entity manager, and senior director of special projects and board director. O’Brien carries an extensive background in customer service and business management, from the banking industry to the recreational and service sector. This experience provides her with unique insights into the wants and needs of clients.
“Besides ongoing expansion to bring our business model to as many people as possible, I am excited to continue developing this brand across several key areas, such as digital innovation to enhance our clients’ ability to get in and out of the chair with exceptional convenience, as well as innovative educational opportunities to ultimately be known for creating the most successful stylists and barbers in the industry,” O’Brien said.
Mutual connections at the Colorado Rockies Major League Baseball team introduced her to Floyd’s owners during start-up, and O’Brien was immediately entranced with the sense of community and intimate connection between the employees and clients.
When the haircare brand started franchising in 2005, she developed a plan that defined its operational system and client experience to ensure a scalable, sustainable business model. She also learned all she could about franchising to be certain that the Floyd’s model could withstand this growth. O’Brien loves the salon industry’s diverse, creative opportunities and appreciates how it fosters self-expression, artistic innovation and a sense of community, making it an attractive and dynamic space for all.
Co-founder Rob O’Brien released a statement regarding the announcement. “She developed systems and processes that we still use throughout the company today, laying a solid foundation for growth. She has a clear understanding of our collective vision for this company we’ve built and knows exactly what is needed to execute and bring our ideas to life.”
Defining Leadership
As a proven leader, Karen defines leadership as “having a clear vision for the future and the strategic plan to achieve it, particularly when it comes to maximizing the founders’ vision for the brand.” She explains that she wants to earn the trust of an organization through honesty, transparency and ethical decision-making while fostering a team in which everyone feels empowered and accountable for achieving specific goals.
Prior to investing in a franchise, O’Brien’s urges candidates to pursue a business that aligns with their passion and values; she adds that loving people and being dedicated to building relationships are important traits for involvement in the beauty industry. She also emphasizes the importance of resilience.
About Floyd’s 99 Barbershop
Floyd’s was established by brothers Paul, Rob and Bill O’Brien. The haircare brand is known for its welcoming environment, signature rock ’n’ roll poster wall of music memorabilia, and diverse stylists and barbers. Floyd’s operates 140 locations in 15 states, according to a press release.
