Hairstyling chain weaves a strong family culture
Every year for more than three decades, Visible Changes has taken its top hairstylists on a company trip to destinations around the world.
They have been to Italy, France, Tahiti and Australia, and all across America. This year, the Houston hair salon chain took 70 employees to Montana, where they spent two weeks bonding and relaxing.
“I like to call it our family reunion,” Chief Operating Officer Meagan McCormack said. “My parents are both from New York, and when they moved to Houston, we didn’t have family down here. So they took their employees on a family trip.”
Treating employees like family has propelled Visible Changes to its sixth appearance on the Chronicle’s Top Workplaces list.
The company ranked No. 5 among large companies on the list of Houston’s top places to work, based on an employee survey conducted for the newspaper by Energage.
Visible Changes, founded by John and Maryanne McCormack in 1977, began with 15 employees and one salon at Greenspoint Mall.
Today, the company manages 720 employees and operates 13 salons in major malls across Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.
The second generation of McCormacks — Meagan and her brother, Johnny — now run the company, which serves more than 1 million customers a year. Haircuts and styling range in price from $25 to $80.
“We really are a family culture,” Meagan McCormack said. “That’s what separates us from the bunch.”
Visible Changes became one of Houston’s top workplaces by focusing on its employees. The company provides benefits, such as a 401(k) match, as well as incentives, such as midyear and year-end bonuses. In addition to the company trips, top stylists can earn extra money, jewelry and even cars.
The company also offers continuing education in hairstyling, including a variety of hands-on sources and 15 advanced classes each year.
“We’re big on education,” Meagan McCormack said. “We’re all about helping our employees grow.”
After Maryanne McCormack was diagnosed with breast cancer nine years ago, Visible Changes launched a charity called “Thair For You,” which has provided nearly 6,000 free wigs to cancer patients.
xThe charity has helped give stylists a sense of purpose beyond giving customers a great haircut, Meagan McCormack said.
“It’s really rewarding for our hairdressers,” she said. “Sometimes, they get a little emotional, but this is why we do what we do. We like to give back.”