the ten friends story
the ten friends story
Ten friends blow dry & style house is the brainchild of founder, Cathleen Stoelting, whose passion for hospitality was a driving force behind creating the ten friends brand in 2015. She loved the concept of the blow dry salon but wanted to raise the bar on what the guest experience, styling techniques and environment could feel like. Cathleen was also passionate about the opportunity to grow and develop the very best young artistic talent and create an amazing team.
The focus at ten friends is on healthy, gorgeous hair. And on transforming the day for every woman who walks through the door. Cathy and her team have crafted a guest experience that is both sophisticated and relaxing.
The reaction from guests has been extraordinary. One key to driving the success of ten friends is the Smarty Pants subscription program. Many Smarty Pants members forgo washing their hair at home and instead visit their ten friends salon every week. The guest experience is that addictive!
Not only have Cathy and her team succeeded in raising the bar for the blow dry experience, they have decided to build the ten friends brand through a new franchising opportunity. “Franchising is in my DNA,” explains Cathleen, who spent most of her career growing the McDonald’s brand by working closely with the restaurant chain’s franchise partners. Since 2015, she has put her expertise to work at ten friends to develop a sophisticated and scalable business model for helping her franchise partners succeed as they open their own ten friends salons in new markets.
our philosophy
At ten friends, we elevate the art and craft of styling because we think our guests deserve healthy, gorgeous hair. Because we know that when a woman looks good and feels great about herself, she is ready to take on the world and make it a better place.
We do this work in welcoming spaces that live and breathe old-fashioned, kindness, compassion and friendliness. Every member of the ten friends team is focused on uplifting our guests and helping them feel their absolute best.
Cathleen Stoelting, Founder
Ten friends blow dry & style house is the brainchild of founder, Cathleen Stoelting, whose passion for hospitality was a driving force behind creating the ten friends brand in 2015. She loved the concept of the blow dry salon but wanted to raise the bar on what the guest experience, styling techniques and environment could feel like. Cathleen was also passionate about the opportunity to grow and develop the very best young artistic talent and create an amazing team.
The focus at ten friends is on healthy, gorgeous hair. And on transforming the day for every woman who walks through the door. Cathy and her team have crafted a guest experience that is both sophisticated and relaxing.
The reaction from guests has been extraordinary. One key to driving the success of ten friends is the Smarty Pants subscription program. Many Smarty Pants members forgo washing their hair at home and instead visit their ten friends salon every week. The guest experience is that addictive!
Not only have Cathy and her team succeeded in raising the bar for the blow dry experience, they have decided to build the ten friends brand through a new franchising opportunity. “Franchising is in my DNA,” explains Cathleen, who spent most of her career growing the McDonald’s brand by working closely with the restaurant chain’s franchise partners. Since 2015, she has put her expertise to work at ten friends to develop a sophisticated and scalable business model for helping her franchise partners succeed as they open their own ten friends salons in new markets.
Cathleen Stoelting, Founder
our philosophy
At ten friends, we elevate the art and craft of styling because we think our guests deserve healthy, gorgeous hair. Because we know that when a woman looks good and feels great about herself, she is ready to take on the world and make it a better place.
We do this work in welcoming spaces that live and breathe old-fashioned, kindness, compassion and friendliness. Every member of the ten friends team is focused on uplifting our guests and helping them feel their absolute best.
management team
management team
frank zito
director of franchise development
As a third-generation hairdresser, Frank comes from a family rooted several decades in the beauty industry. With a passion for inspiring others toward a similar career, Frank spent seven years as the Admissions Leader for the prestigious Paul Mitchell Cosmetology Schools. In this role, he also served as a member of the National Admissions Team that trained and implemented admissions systems and strategies for more than 100 Paul Mitchell Schools nationwide. Frank has also cultivated life-long relationships with owners and partners of the Paul Mitchell School’s group, the largest collection of cosmetology schools in the country, which has undoubtedly contributed to the success of the Ten Friends brand. As director of franchise development, Frank is responsible for guiding franchise candidates on a journey to becoming franchise partners. From there, Frank will serve as a success coach to our franchise partners, further rooting our systems and values for their continued growth.
lindsay zito
franchise artistic director
Lindsay is our passionate, on trend style expert. Over the past decade, Lindsay has established herself as a true visionary of the beauty industry. Along with honing her craft behind the chair for six years, she served as National Educator for John Paul Mitchell Systems, the worldwide, billion-dollar hair care company founded by Paul Mitchell and John Paul DeJoria. In this role, Lindsay traveled to regional salons to coach, educate and inspire stylists in product knowledge and the latest techniques in hair cutting and styling. Most recently, Lindsay was invited by the creative director of Davines, Joseph DiMaggio, to be part of his Runway Styling team, where she lends her expertise and skill during New York Fashion Week. As franchise artistic director, Lindsay is the heart and soul behind Ten Friends proprietary “art of styling,” and works directly with the artistic lead, as she implements and oversees the artistic training, development and vision.
frank zito
director of franchise development
As a third-generation hairdresser, Frank comes from a family rooted several decades in the beauty industry. With a passion for inspiring others toward a similar career, Frank spent seven years as the Admissions Leader for the prestigious Paul Mitchell Cosmetology Schools. In this role, he also served as a member of the National Admissions Team that trained and implemented admissions systems and strategies for more than 100 Paul Mitchell Schools nationwide. Frank has also cultivated life-long relationships with owners and partners of the Paul Mitchell School’s group, the largest collection of cosmetology schools in the country, which has undoubtedly contributed to the success of the Ten Friends brand. As director of franchise development, Frank is responsible for guiding franchise candidates on a journey to becoming franchise partners. From there, Frank will serve as a success coach to our franchise partners, further rooting our systems and values for their continued growth.
lindsay zito
franchise artistic director
Lindsay is our passionate, on trend style expert. Over the past decade, Lindsay has established herself as a true visionary of the beauty industry. Along with honing her craft behind the chair for six years, she served as National Educator for John Paul Mitchell Systems, the worldwide, billion-dollar hair care company founded by Paul Mitchell and John Paul DeJoria. In this role, Lindsay traveled to regional salons to coach, educate and inspire stylists in product knowledge and the latest techniques in hair cutting and styling. Most recently, Lindsay was invited by the creative director of Davines, Joseph DiMaggio, to be part of his Runway Styling team, where she lends her expertise and skill during New York Fashion Week. As franchise artistic director, Lindsay is the heart and soul behind Ten Friends proprietary “art of styling,” and works directly with the artistic lead, as she implements and oversees the artistic training, development and vision.
