According to Enterpreneur.com’s “2021 Franchise 500 Ranking’’, Salons by JC is the fifth greatest salon suite company in North America. Since 2011, the business has evolved from a single site in Texas to more than 100 locations in the United States and Canada. This includes the ten facilities that stand in Minnesota. Surely, Cottage Grove would wish to gain a slice of such an advanced franchise. In what used to be an MGM Wine and Spirits store, Salons By JC Cottage Grove will take shape.

Salons by JC started business in 1997 when entrepreneurs Jack Griffey and Cecil Miller founded the company “for entrepreneurs’’. For the last 24 years, the company has proceeded with their operations alongside one mission; “We’re committed to providing the premiere atmosphere for salon professionals to take control of their career through business support, education, and empowerment.”

In addition, Salons by JC values the “support of [their] franchisees and salon professionals, empowerment through education, and a commitment to bettering [their] community.”

Salons by JC reflects their mission and values through their provisions to salon professionals, customers, and franchisees. First of all, the company leases private salon suites to professionals. In each room, the amenities that their cosmetologists, estheticians, massage therapists, and other specialists need are readily available. Essentially, Salons By JC creates appropriate settings for professionals to perform beauty services in. Additionally, the business teaches those who lease a suite from them. “From professional business coaching to high-quality ongoing education, resources to help you reach the peak of your ambition, and more, we empower you to live the life you’ve always wanted and reach the highest goals you can set,” Salons By JC’s website reads.

Salons by JC ministers to customers as well. Whether the common person wants to improve their hair, nails, or skin, they can book an appointment at a Salons By JC. Lastly, the corporation serves their franchisees. They claim that franchisees could experience majestic profits leading an “ideal franchise for new or experienced business owners.”

Karen Ruckdashel and Ron Ruckdashel are set to be Salons By JC’s newest franchise owners at the forthcoming Cottage Grove location. The married couple of 28 years lives in Hastings, MN. “Creative” is a word that Karen would use to describe herself. After graduating high school, she attended Hastings Beauty School. Then, she pursued a career in beauty for over three decades and counting. Ron is a “logistical” mechanic and engineer, as labeled by Karen. In an interview with The Journal, she illustrated how their relationship was complimentary. “We really have skill sets that balance each other out really well.”

Their gifts in art and knowledge will come in handy as they piece together a Salons By JC. Ruckdashel’s motives for starting the franchise lay in her desire to start something new in her extensive career. She couldn’t possibly retire from the beauty community just yet. Her passion for cosmetics was overpowering. “The salon suites, for us, is kind of a capstone for my career. To be able to take all of the years and miles of education and development in my industry and provide a space for new business owners to come in and I can help them…not just be a landlord but someone who can be a… resource for them…It was a way to give back to the industry, I think,” Ruckshadel explained.

With their intentions identified, the couple targeted Cottage Grove soil to plant their business in. Ruckshadel admired how the area wasn’t “congested” with retail. Rather, she viewed Cottage Grove as a “retail hub” with “just enough” shops. Secondly, Ruckshadel was aware that beauty professionals lived in Cottage Grove. However, they are commuting outside of their hometown to work in larger salons. When questioned why she selected Cottage Grove to work in, she replied, “…In knowing enough people in the industry and just recognizing that there’s a lot of licensees that are living rural and suburban that are driving 20-30 miles to a salon to do their work. It just made sense to me.”

Finally, Ruckshadel deemed Cottage Grove as worthy of a fresh cosmetic shop. “Cottage Grove deserves to have a really beautiful, luxurious salon environment for the community…[ to] bring a little more, add a little more.”

Ruckshadel has hinted at granting Cottage Grove a “modern” and “upscale” Salons By JC. The first thing that the public can expect from it are aesthetic touches. Sliding barn doors, tiles, wood accents, and a branding wall will decorate the interior of the building. Also, a deionization machine will be installed for circulating and cleaning the air. This is important because many cosmetic chemicals can be released inside of salons. Staff members’ and customers’ health will be benefitted as a result of the deionization machine. Thirdly, the site will hold 42 suites. Further information specific to Salons By JC Cottage Grove’s rooms is recorded on their Instagram page. “These suites are opening this spring and are fully equipped and fully customizable so that your own individual style and brand can shine.”

A final structural feature to anticipate from Salons By JC Cottage Grove is a commons area. It will be multi-purposeful, treating guests and professionals alike. People will be able to purchase snacks, pour a coffee, or spend their lunch break there. At other times, it will be used as a classroom. Ruckshadel hopes to arrange demonstrations, product advertisements, and lectures for her professionals in this future lounge.

“I’m really big about education,” Ruckshadel clarified.

Another aspect one can expect from Salons By JC Cottage Grove is a lengthy menu of services. It is estimated that approximately 40% of their appointments will consist of specialty services and the remainder will relate to hair care. This is because numerous people that work on lashes, brows, skincare, massage therapy and microblading are leasing rooms from the Ruckshadels. Karen added with animation in her voice, “We’re going to have a cosmetic injectionist here for fillers and Botox…I’d love to have a Chiropractor in there.”

Salons By JC Cottage Grove won’t just render appointments, though. Ruckshadel is scheming beauty events that will engage the franchise with the community. She shared one notion with The Journal, “…Offering the opportunities for dads to come in and learn to do their little girls’ hair.”

Last, but certainly not least, Cottage Grove residents can expect that Salons By JC will comply with COVID-19 prevention practices. On their Instagram, they vowed to act precautiously. “Our suites ensure cleanliness, privacy, and social distancing.”

Currently, there are 17 different beauty salons operating in Cottage Grove. How will Salons By JC contrast from these competitors? The Journal asked Ruckshadel for her views on the matter. To begin with, Salons By JC will be the only place with private suites in Cottage Grove. Also, a full-time concierge will be hired to their staff. This concierge will perform as a “cruise director” for the franchise. Situated by the entrance, they will have the duty of greeting/directing clients, answering any questions, and aiding professionals. Finally, in the Ruckshadels’ opinion, Salons By JC displays a profound kind of extravagance. They trust that Cottage Grove residents will notice this distinction. “I’m so confident that people will find a marked difference in the level of luxury…” Salons By JC Cottage Grove has been encapsulated to be a whole new experience in the region. Even so, it will not open to the public until late Spring of 2021. Leading up to that season, the Ruckshadels are aiming to occupy more suites with professionals, receive their building permits from the city, and then complete a 90-day renovation. To follow the franchise’s journey, one can navigate to @salonsbyjccottagegrove on Instagram. “We are really excited to be a part of the Cottage Grove community,” Ruckshadel wanted to inform Cottage Grove residents.