2020 Innovation Award MVP Winner Bryan Frnka Shows How To Launch a New Location!

Bryan Frnka, the 2020 Innovation Award MVP winner, is the managing member of HS Ventures, which operates 13 service brands: 11 Amazing Lash Studios, 1 Palm Beach Tan salon, and 1 Scissors & Scotch barber shop. He’s 45 and has been in franchising for 19 years.

Frnka discovered success in franchising when he converted three tanning studios to Palm Beach Tan locations nearly two decades ago. He did so well he decided to try another brand. He found what he liked with Amazing Lash Studio and opened a location in Austin before taking on the San Antonio and New Braunfels markets. He’s since added Amazing Lash Studios in Las Vegas, Reno, and Denver, and is an area developer for Nevada and Oklahoma.

It was in the San Antonio market where he turned to innovation. “Rather than waiting to hire staff just before the studio was ready to open, we hired them as soon as we began construction,” he says. He also launched a digital lead-generation campaign more than 2 months before the soft opening. The staff worked the leads and had 1,200 customers ready to be booked on opening day. The result? His first month’s revenue was more than four times the average studio’s first 30 days.

Last year, Frnka added Scissors & Scotch to his portfolio, opening his first location in Austin, and says he’s not done growing. Always open to new opportunities, Frnka says he’s already working on adding Scissors & Scotch locations in the Austin market and, perhaps, two other Texas markets.

PERSONAL

Key accomplishments: 2017, 2018, 2019 Franchisee of the Year for Amazing Lash Studio; 2019 Trail Blazer for Amazing Lash Studio; 2020 Multi-Unit MVP Award for Brand Innovation.

Biggest current challenge: Recruitment staffing.

Next big goal: Development of San Antonio and Houston for Scissors & Scotch.

Hardest lesson learned: Rapid expansion while undercapitalized.

Favorite business book: Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits!: 4 Keys to Unlock Your Business Potential by Greg Crabtree and Beverly Blair Harzog.

What’s your passion in business? Building teams.

MANAGEMENT

Business philosophy: Hire qualified people and give them the resources they need to be successful.

Management method or style: Coaching, affirmative.

Greatest challenge: Moving too fast.

How close are you to operations? Daily.

How do you train and retain? Training and investment never ends.

COVID-19

What are the biggest impacts of Covid-19 on your business? Staffing.

How have you responded? Constant recruitment to counter attrition.

BOTTOM LINE

Annual revenue: $7.2 million.

2022 goals: $9 million.

Growth meter: How do you measure your growth? Top-line revenue.

Vision meter: Where do you want to be in 5 years? 10 years? I’m always open to opportunities. I’m looking at some acquisition opportunities right now with some other brands. I’m planning to add two more Scissors & Scotch locations in the San Antonio market.

MVP QUESTIONS

Why do you think you were recognized with this award? I believe it was because of my innovative pre-opening (staffing and marketing) techniques. Our pre-launch strategy produced record-breaking top-line revenue and membership sales in the first 90 days, resulting in a much faster path to profitability for franchisees.

How have you raised the bar in your own company? As a company we have surpassed all revenue goals YTD. More importantly, in my opinion, we are going above and beyond to protect both our customers and guests through these uncertain times.

What innovations you have created and used to build your company? We have created many continued education innovations thanks to Regional Trainer Wendy Coker, which have allowed us to grow the company from the core out. Staying focused on our stylists who have been with us for years while furthering their careers with Amazing Lash is a huge part of our success.

What core values do you think helped you win this award? Consistency, commitment, and compassion.

How important is community involvement to you and your company? Community involvement is important to us. We are proud sponsors for Sky High and the quest for ending childhood cancer.

What leadership qualities are most important to you and your team? Integrity and gratitude.