LolliLocks : Inspired Locks Just for Kids!

“Discount hair chains and salons whose focus wasn’t primarily on children, were the only options when it came to cutting your child’s hair,” said Tammy Rohde, co-founder of LolliLocks. We all agreed that a children’s haircut experience could be something special. Our children deserve that. So we spent a year and half researching, dreaming and creating not only the sweetest place for children to have their hair cut or styled, but also the best experience for their parents as well.”

Along with co-owners Anne Franklin and Martine Yano, Rohde has come a long way since their first LolliLocks location opened in September of 2001 in the south Denver suburbs. The trio is now opening their 5th location this fall... one that is planned to be a larger prototype of 2,000 sq. ft. and include a private soda shop inspired party parlor. They claim that their success is in LolliLocks’ attention to details that are important to today’s busy families. “We are all moms of young children and work hard to create a wholesome, full-service salon experience that starts and ends with sweet customer service. We also value long-standing relationships with our loyal clientele, high quality service and product offerings and cleanliness”, said Rohde.

“Of course we have learned a lot along the way, but we initially put a lot of thought and effort into creating the exclusive children’s concept behind the business,” said Rohde. “From our name to our design theme, we carried the ‘sweet’ theme throughout the salon and we really pushed for a Pottery Barn meets Disney sort of feel to appeal to both children and their moms. Our high end fixtures include vanity shaped cutting stations, distressed wood product display armoires, and custom character chairs.”

If the children-focused environment and picket fence play area isn’t incentive enough, the convenience sure is. Taking children to a salon meant for adult clients makes the entire haircut experience stressful and draining on mom and dad. “LolliLocks caters to busy moms who frequent full-service salons themselves. We take appointments, stylist requests and employ a full-time LolliGreeter/Salon Manager at our front desk” said Rohde.

“We also offer the largest selection of childrens’ hair accessories, our signature, comprehensive line of SweetSuds and SweetStyles childrens’ hair products, as well as jewelry and related gift items. It’s a one-stop boutique salon experience for our customers.”The special services that LolliLocks offers are the icing on the cake for everyone. In addition to haircuts, LolliLocks specializes in hair styling for special events and pictures, manicures and ear-piecing. They also offer special packages such as the 1st LolliCut package, FancyLocks and the perfect birthday celebration for your little princess! Every girl’s cut is finished with special style, clips, ribbons, and sparkle spray. Close to 50% of LolliLocks clients are boys who love getting their haircut on a dinosaur or motorcycle. They also receive complimentary hair color spray and request lots of LolliLocks own SweetStyles Pomade for the surfer look. “Providing first haircuts and dealing with the occasional hair emergency (my son just cut off my daughters precious locks) is a special and sensitive thing for parents. We are privileged to service these wonderful families and develop a loyal relationship with them.”

Back to the parents, LolliLocks treats them to hairstyling classes. “They work one-on-one with our stylists in this hands-on class to learn everything from basic school styles to more elaborate up-dos and braiding techniques. These classes have become so popular that we are all booked up and have a waiting list!” said Rohde. As they continue their expansion and open two additional Arizona locations by the end of 2006, LolliLocks is utilizing Shortcuts Enterprise software to keep them at the top of their niche. “The centralization of all service and product offerings, as well as the system-wide reporting and marketing possibilities, made Shortcuts the logical next step for us. We have always felt that technology was an important aspect of our business, and Shortcuts keeps us ahead of the curve. We are also able [with Shortcuts] to integrate our LolliBucks gift cards and LolliLoot Customer Loyalty Cards into the software,” said Rohde.

Down to the sweet swirl lollipop that children receive after their hair service, Lollilocks truly is a sweet treat for kids and their hair!