As an external auditor, Jeremy Aydell had the opportunity to work with many businesses. The experience opened his eyes to the benefits of being a business owner and he decided it was something he wanted to do himself.
Aydell and his wife Lori both had backgrounds in accounting and finance and were confident they could succeed in the business world. So when they had a chance to become a Sport Clips franchisee in 2010, they jumped on it.
AT A GLANCE
Top executives: Jeremy Aydell and Lori Aydell
Address: Various locations
Website: www.sportclips.com
“I wanted to invest in something that was recession proof, that you couldn’t outsource or buy on the internet,” Aydell says. “A haircut was the service that came to my mind, and Sport Clips was by far the most appealing concept. It was fun and the company shared the same values that we have—most notably, to treat others the way they want to be treated.”
Since opening their first Sport Clips franchise in 2010 in Denham Springs, the Aydells have grown to 15 locations in Louisiana and Mississippi, with their 16th expected to open later this year in Central’s Shoe Creek development at 14375 Grand Settlement Blvd., Suite C.
“We think this is going to be a fantastic location for us and we hope to be a pillar in the Central community for years to come, just like we have been in our other communities,” Jeremy says.
So what makes owning 15, soon to be 16, hair salons so great? The Aydells say it’s their workforce of about 130 employees. “We would not be successful without our great staff,” Jeremy says. “We are a place where cosmetologists can go to grow their career.”
ASC, LLC—the entity through which the Aydells operate their Sport Clips locations—was recognized last year for its workforce development efforts by the International Franchise Association as franchisee of the year. “Professionally, financially, personally—the growth factor of our team members is really gratifying,” Lori says.
“Our team members put in the work to advance their careers,” Jeremy adds. “We just give them the same tools that we were given along the way to be successful.”
And what are those tools for success? First, Aydell says, a strong work ethic is important.
“Putting in the long hours in the beginning helped us grow rapidly,” he says, referring to keeping his accounting job while operating the first eight locations. “Since then, we’ve adopted a ‘work hard, play hard’ culture where team members obtain a good work-life balance.”
Their accounting backgrounds have proven helpful, too. “It laid a good foundation in helping us make decisions on when and how to expand,” Lori says.
Their financial know-how came in handy in navigating challenges that have popped up over the years: the 2016 flood, numerous hurricanes and the coronavirus pandemic.
The Aydells are excited about their ability to be a positive force in the communities they serve, especially in Livingston Parish where they both grew up.
In 2022, they created the Louisiana Clippers Youth Sports Organization, which currently offers softball and basketball programs for girls. They plan to expand and form boys’ basketball teams soon. “A local recreational tax in Livingston Parish was not renewed several years ago,” Jeremy says. “We wanted to create something to fill that gap.”
As the Aydells continue to grow their Sport Clips venture, they also hope to continue making an impact on communities across the area. “Sport Clips has 1,800 locations nationally, but as independent franchisees, we’re just a local small business,” Jeremy says. “We’re invested in the communities where we operate.”
