Why Sports Clips is Genius

Recently I received a coupon for one free haircut at Sports Clips.  I figured it was just a store that operated like Great Clips or any other of the cheap in and out barbershop/salons.

I was wrong.

I was first tipped off that this was going to be very different when I walked up to the store.  Outside was a cute girl wearing what appeared to be a NFL referee jersey.  It wasn't until I got closer that I realized this was the Sports Clip employee uniform.

"Hi!"

She said.

"Are you here to get a haircut?"

How she could have guessed that I needed a haircut I can't imagine.  Although it might have had something to do with the complete lack of a trim or shave for 3 months.  My head looked like a particularly abused mop.

We stepped inside and I was immediately struck by how different an establishment this place was.  There were at least 12 high definition flat-screens, all showing ESPN Sport Center.  I have made clear in previous postings that I do not care at all for any sport.  Particularly not football.  At the time I took this all to be a gimic as validation to jack up the price of a haircut, but since I was getting it for free, it didn't matter.

I looked up at options above the register.  They all contained phrases that revolved around sports.

Varsity, Junior Varsity, Senior Varsity, "The Triple Play," "The MVP Experience."

I could feel indignation and a not insignificant rage fit coming on but I kept it in check.

The young stylist sure earned her paycheck by being welcoming and ushered my back to one of the chairs.

Up to this point I was just trying to keep my rage and hatred of the American Sports worship down.  I confess I didn't really notice any of the diligence or attention my stylist was putting into my haircut.

She finished blowing all the loose hairs off my head and shoulders.  I was about to pay when she said that we were not finished.

"We still have to do your shampoo and massage!"

I could care less about a wash, but I will never turn down a massage.

I was escorted further back into the store and seated into a massage chair.  I then reclined backward so as to rest my head in the wash basin.  The stylist began to wash my hair and then flipped on the massage chair.

Instantly all of my tension vanished and I achieved what must be the first step of the Buddhas climb to Nirvana.

It was while I was in this near mindless state that I was further comforted by having a warm towel wrapped around my face.

Bliss.

I felt lost in the cradling arms of a poem by Milton or Burns.

It was while in this state that I had an epiphany.

Sports Clips has done something amazing.

Prior to Sports Clips, were I to go to nine out of ten of my friends and tell them that I just paid $22.00 for a haircut, shampoo and massage, I probably wouldn't be invited to that years cookout.  That is probably the quickest way to publicly emasculate yourself.

But, if you disguise the Salon and Spa like treatment with a rough exterior like SPORTS, then you can get away with anything.

This could open the door for all kinds of business plans bent around marketing what was previously viewed as girly but enjoyable experiences to men.

I left Sports Clips, I'm ashamed to say, with the biggest smile on my face.  While I don't think I will go back for regular trims ($20 is pricey), I might make an occasion out of it.

Mark my words, give it a year and there will be a "Hard as Nails" manicures for men, with a gun shop inside.