Beth Nilssen
September 12, 2021 / Leadership

For this franchisee, a haircut proved that giving and receiving is one and the same

Great Clips has always worked to strengthen the people and communities we serve. And we're proud to contribute our time, talents, and resources to a variety of great causes. One of those causes is Wigs for Kids, a nonprofit organization that helps children and young adults dealing with hair loss by making high-quality hair pieces from donated hair.

Here’s a story about what happened when a mother and her son used their personal medical challenges to give back to others by visiting a Great Clips walk-in hair salon in North Carolina.

When Chance Bridgeman was four years old, he kicked hot embers from a backyard bonfire. The heat from the embers caused his sandals to stick to his feet, resulting second- and third-degree burns. Chance spent 17 days at a burn clinic. While there, he would go to the patients’ play room and notice children without hair. He asked what was wrong with the children, and his mother, Renee, told him they were very sick. Chance told his mother that one day he wanted to give them his hair.

Soon, Chance and his mother learned about Wigs for Kids and made a commitment to grow their hair long enough to make a donation. Fast forward to Chance’s 13th birthday this past spring when he and his mother went to their local Great Clips salon to get their hair cut together.

MORE: When a Haircut is More Than a Haircut

Salon manager Dani served Chance, and assistant manager David took care of Renee. “Chance and his mother held hands,” Dani said. “You could tell he was so sweet! His mom showed me a picture of the haircut Chance wanted; it was a surfer boy cut. It looked so great! By the end of their haircuts, we were all in tears!”

“We’ve been active participants in the Wigs for Kids program in all my salons since Great Clips made us aware of it,” said Great Clips franchisee Dennis Oliver. “Chase went through quite an ordeal, and because of that experience, he chose to give back to other kids. It’s truly inspirational. Our staff has the opportunity every day to have a positive impact on our customers by connecting with them. In this case, Chase and his mother had the impact on us. We’re proud that we got to be a part of it.”

This is just one example of how Great Clips franchisees connect with and support the people and communities they serve. Find out more about the variety of great causes supported through Great Clips’ community outreach programs.

MORE: Giving Is Good for the Giver

If you’re considering investing in a franchise business, check out the Great Clips Franchise website to find out how you can be part of this supportive and helpful community of walk-in salon business owners.

Beth Nilssen By Beth Nilssen on September 12, 2021
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