Gillespie Brings More than Two Decades of Experience to the Role
Phenix Salon Suites, a California-based salon suite franchisor, promoted John Gillespie to international managing director for the United Kingdom and Europe. The promotion comes as the brand continues to grow internationally. With this new position, he will be responsible for the development of new salon suites in Europe and assisting international franchisees. Gillespie brings more than 20 years of experience to the role. He joined Phenix as operations director for the U.K. and Europe in 2020.
“I’m very excited about the possibilities that this new position presents. It’s incredibly rewarding to be able to open a gateway for individuals to become entrepreneurs. The Phenix business model allows franchisees to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams with ease, which is something I’m very proud to be a part of,” Gillespie said.
He looks forward to introducing Europe to this model and opening new doors for entrepreneurs. Gillespie loves being able to make an impact on the community and seeing the satisfaction on people’s faces when they open a business.
Since joining Phenix, Gillespie has seen the brand become more flexible and adaptable to different markets. “Since not all markets are the same, Phenix has developed a consistency, which will benefit the brand in the long run,” he said.
Phenix’s leadership team is thrilled to have Gillespie take on this role. “John has been instrumental in building excitement for the brand as well as the industry on the international stage. John’s efforts were paramount in our launch in the U.K. with the highly successful opening of our first international location in Manchester, U.K. and our newest location in Birmingham, U.K. scheduled to open in the fall of 2023. Phenix is positioned to dominate on the international front with John leading the charge,” said Brian Kelley, president and CEO of Phenix Salon Suites.
Gillespie’s Background
Growing up, Gillespie had family members in the hairdressing industry and spent much of his life in salons or barber shops. The salon space has always been like a second home, and he became familiar with daily operations over the years. After developing his own hair care line and gaining experience working for health and beauty companies, Gillespie wanted to expand his portfolio, leading him to Phenix Salon Suites.
When he toured a Phenix franchise location, Gillespie knew the concept would thrive on an international scale. Phenix eventually expanded to Manchester, demonstrating Europe’s need for a salon suites concept, he said.
Salon Industry Trends
Gillespie notes that the salon industry is trending towards self-employment as more workers want to have more control over their work-life balance. He understands the desire for a more streamlined approach to running a business and believes that this trend is here to stay. By offering a simple and effective approach to entrepreneurship, Gillespie believes that Phenix is well-positioned to stay ahead of the curve.
International Expansion
Gillespie believes that new franchisees should trust the business model and follow the process to gain the confidence to be successful. Franchising offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to start a business with a proven model, allowing them to leverage the company’s expertise, experience, and resources, he said.
He urges entrepreneurs considering international expansion to know their market and understand the country they want to expand into. He added that candidates who aren’t familiar should find someone who is to guide them throughout the process. Gillespie believes that they should go for it and believe in themselves. “The international market is ripe for success. The key is to take the chance and seize the opportunity, as it can be a game-changer for those looking to take their business to the next level.”