Katie Yeargan, VP of Franchise Development, Waxxpot
Franchise veteran Katie Yeargan has held leadership roles at three of the world’s largest salon brands, including Supercuts, Great Clips & Sports Clips. With firsthand insight on how each of these organizations excelled (or stalled), Katie has deep insight into principles and practices that can focus and invigorate operations in practically any model.
Franchising is in her blood! Katie’s parents were among the early Supercuts franchisees back in 1980 and she certainly swept her share of hair as her family business grew from a single store to a dozen profitable locations within Northern Calif.
That frontline family business experience helped launch her corporate career, in which she successfully tackled a wide range of projects including:
- securing financing for important acquisitions,
- acting as a consultant to private equity groups,
- transitioning large business entities,
- developing and implementing compensation plans, and
- capitalizing on substantial growth opportunities.
As a principal at The Franchise Connection, Katie shepherds emerging brands along the path to mastery in their operations standards, marketing plans and development strategies. With an experienced operator’s eye, Katie ensures that the brands she supports are hyper-focused on providing the kinds of structures and processes that enable franchisees to succeed and encourage them to give stellar validations!
As a valuable collaborator and vibrant speaker, Katie’s professional passion is instilling leadership teams with the tools and mindset to build better businesses so their families and employees can experience the benefits of franchising that so positively reshaped her own family.
Outside of work, she devotes her personal time to yoga, meditation, and devouring historical fiction, as well as to spoiling her two dogs: Fiona, her inseparable shadow and Aramis, her devoted protector. Above all, however, she and her husband Erik are deeply proud parents (and bonus-parents!) to the five adult children in their blended family. All of whom are probably tired of hearing about business and leadership by now!
Guest appearances by Katie Yeargan: