Wilmington Business Profile: Fantastic Sams Cut & Color

WILMINGTON, MA — When the opportunity to bring a Fantastic Sams franchise arose in 2008, owner and Wilmington resident Mike Boudreau could not pass up the opportunity to bring the salon to his home town.

Located at 217 Main St., Fantastic Sams is a full service family hair salon. The business offers cuts, colors, perms, highlights and facial waxing.

Patch caught up with Boudreau to speak about his business.

What made you decide to open this type of business? And why this location?

I was looking for an alternative to the traditional 9-5 job and found Fantastic Sams when I was investigating franchises. I opened this salon in Wilmington (I own four) because I live in Wilmington and this particular location was newly built in 2008.

What do you like best about running your business?

I like the hair business because it’s a “feel good” business meaning that clients are spending money to make themselves look better and therefore they hopefully feel better.

What has been your biggest struggle?

The business is very competitive and each year it gets harder and harder to find experienced hair stylists

Politics and small business: how does government affect your business?

The two biggest issues affecting my business is health care (I offer company paid insurance but unfortunately it is not exactly “affordable”) and sometimes the increasing minimum wage. I try to keep prices down but wages makes that hard to do. I am all for my hair stylists making more than the minimum wage but unfortunately sometimes it comes into play (especially during slow periods).

Name another local business you’d send customers to:

DRP Appliance Repair

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