Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids Comes to Gahanna
Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids opened this past May in Stoneridge Plaza (1257 N. Hamilton Rd.). Seven months later, this family-oriented business is reaping the benefits of operating a small business in Gahanna.
“When I was searching for a place to open my business, it was obvious that Gahanna was the right fit,” explained Pavel Poplaukhin, owner of Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids. “The business occupancy rate is high here with very few commercial vacancies, demonstrating a lot of local consumer loyalty for small shops. A hair salon for our youth needs to be in the right place where families feel comfortable bringing their kids. There are also several schools nearby to help ensure the success of Sharkey’s.”
A cascade of vibrant colors illuminates Sharkey’s interior, topped off with a glimmering disco ball. From the moment they step into the salon, this entertaining, image-oriented business creates action-filled experiences for its customers.
“Young adults can play video games. We offer a variety of show options from Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+ for customers to choose from,” shared Poplaukhin. “We’ve found a way to capture the entertainment preferences of our customers and even involve those who are waiting.”
Young patrons at Sharkey’s can get a haircut sitting inside chairs transformed into a fire truck, police cruiser, racecar, or an off-road, four-wheeler. Older youth can sit in more traditional, yet still colorful, salon chairs. After photographing their new look in an oversized Instagram frame, customers receive a balloon and lollipop to celebrate their visit.
“It’s critical for youth-oriented businesses to establish a strong reputation within the community. To that end, Sharkey’s sponsored an outdoor Halloween event at The Goddard School. We also helped sponsor a walkathon and provided complimentary gift cards at a local middle school,” said Poplaukhin.
Poplaukhin is a first-time business owner who sought a career change after spending 19 years as a scientist. The Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids franchise appealed to his entrepreneurial side, and he saw an opportunity gap in Gahanna to offer haircuts and image support for older kids and even early teens.
“I started planning this business before the pandemic took hold, and I waited until May 2021 to open the shop. I was committed to my business plan. I must appeal to parents who have extremely high standards and expectations for a business like mine. That’s why it’s so much fun to run this exciting business in Gahanna,” explained Poplaukhin.
To learn more, visit: www.sharkeyscutsforkidsgahanna.com/.
