Ericka Elton

Experience

• 

  Great Clips Inc.

  Jan 1996 - Jan 2008

  Oversaw operations across 8 locations within the Minnesota market, ensuring seamless management of all facets of the business.Managed the performance of both the management team and employees, focusing on driving sales growth and optimizing customer success.Maintained strict adherence to the Great Clips franchise agreement, guaranteeing consistent brand standards and operational excellence.Spearheaded the identification of potential development sites, conducting thorough assessments to identify prime locations for new ventures.Led lease negotiation processes, utilizing strong negotiation skills to secure favorable terms and conditions for the company.Directed the build-out activities of new locations, coordinating with various stakeholders to ensure timely and efficient establishment.Implemented strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, streamline processes, and improve overall performance.Collaborated with cross-functional teams to achieve business objectives, fostering a culture of teamwork and achievement.Analyzed key performance metrics, identified areas for improvement, and devised actionable strategies to drive continuous growth. Show less Managed training and development initiatives for 89 salons and 15 franchise groups across the mid-west region, contributing to a cohesive and skilled workforce.Spearheaded impactful training programs resulting in a consistent year-over-year sales increase of 10%, enhancing overall business performance. Developed comprehensive employment programs to effectively train new employees, fostering the creation of successful and high-performing salon teams. Facilitated specialized training sessions for stylists, focusing on technical skills, as well as salon management training to equip employees with diverse competencies. Managed regulatory processes and implemented strategic corrective actions, ensuring alignment with industry standards and achieving desired outcomes. Established valuable industry connections to bridge the recruitment gap between salons and potential staff, facilitating effective talent acquisition. Designed tailored performance management plans for franchise groups, enabling them to drive organizational excellence within their respective salons. Revamped and updated recruitment materials for Great Clips Inc., providing franchisees with comprehensive resources to attract and hire top-notch talent. Led New Franchisee Orientation sessions, equipping new partners with the knowledge and tools required for a successful partnership with Great Clips Inc. Acted as an ambassador for Great Clips Inc. by performing on stage as a platform artist at industry trade shows, showcasing the brand's excellence. Show less

  • Operating Partner

    Jan 2006 - Jan 2008

  • Franchise Training and Service Representative

    Jan 1996 - Jan 2006
• 

  Regency Beauty Institute

  Jan 2008 - Jan 2015

  Regional Operations Manager

  Held responsibility for the comprehensive oversight of operations across a network of 10 schools spanning a 5-state region. Led a team of 10 directors, ensuring strict adherence to state and federal regulatory standards, optimizing the student experience, and achieving successful student outcomes, completion rates, and graduation success. Spearheaded the recruitment process, interviewing, hiring, and nurturing a skilled and dedicated team of educators, fostering a culture of excellence and growth within the organization. Provided strategic direction for all campus operations, setting and meeting targeted goals while ensuring educational outcomes remained at the forefront of decision-making. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to create and implement policies, processes, and initiatives that enhanced operational efficiency and elevated the quality of education provided.Conducted regular assessments of student progress, utilizing data-driven insights to identify areas for improvement and implementing targeted interventions. Maintained open lines of communication with regulatory boards, facilitating compliance and ensuring all educational activities were aligned with established standards. Acted as a key liaison between the organization and external stakeholders, fostering relationships that supported the achievement of organizational objectives. Show less

• 

  Great Clips Franchise

  Jun 2015 - Mar 2019

  Director Of Operations /Multi-unit

  Successfully managed operations for a portfolio of 14 locations within the Charlotte market, ensuring consistent performance and achievements across the board. Led a dynamic management team and staff, aligning efforts with strategic goals to meet and exceed performance standards and sales targets. Spearheaded recruitment initiatives, conducting interviews, making hiring decisions, and fostering the professional growth and development of staff members across all locations.Championed a customer-centric culture, driving customer experience excellence through accountability, targeted coaching, and continuous development. Maintained strict adherence to Great Clips' franchise standards and requirements, upholding brand consistency and operational excellence. Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams to implement innovative strategies, processes, and initiatives that optimized operational efficiency and enhanced overall business performance. Analyzed key performance metrics and data, identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing actionable plans to drive sales growth and customer satisfaction.Nurtured a collaborative and high-performance work environment, promoting teamwork, open communication, and a commitment to achieving collective goals. Show less

• 

  Maaco Corporation

  Jul 2019 - now

  Responsible for overseeing 88 locations and leading a dedicated team of 3 employees. Proven track record of driving operational excellence, optimizing processes, and achieving impressive business outcomes. Skilled in strategic planning, team leadership, and cross-functional collaboration. Committed to delivering exceptional results while maintaining a customer-focused approach.Led operations for a vast network of 88 locations, ensuring consistent operational standards and performance.Managed and mentored a team of 3 employees, fostering a culture of collaboration and high performance.Implemented process improvements and quality control initiatives that optimized operational efficiency and service delivery.Collaborated with cross-functional teams to drive strategic initiatives and achieve organizational goals.Monitored financial performance and resource allocation to ensure budget adherence and cost-effective operations. Show less Successfully managed and mentored a team of 3 employees, driving operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and business growth. Adept at implementing strategic initiatives, optimizing processes, and ensuring adherence to quality standards. Strong communicator and collaborator with a commitment to achieving organizational goals and delivering outstanding results.Operational Leadership: Led a high-performing team of 3 employees in executing operational strategies, enhancing productivity, and consistently meeting or exceeding performance targets.Process Optimization: Streamlined workflow processes and implemented best practices to improve overall operational efficiency, resulting in cost savings and increased profitability.Customer Satisfaction: Prioritized customer experience excellence by fostering a customer-centric culture and implementing initiatives that led to enhanced service quality and customer loyalty.Quality Assurance: Ensured strict adherence to Maaco's quality standards and guidelines, maintaining consistency in service delivery and upholding the brand's reputation for excellence.Strategic Planning: Developed and executed strategic plans to drive business growth, expand market share, and capitalize on emerging opportunities within the automotive industry.Team Development: Provided coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to team members, fostering a motivated and skilled workforce.Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including sales, marketing, and finance, to align operations with broader organizational objectives.Problem-Solving: Proactively identified operational challenges, conducted root cause analyses, and implemented effective solutions to improve performance and mitigate issues. Show less New unit openings manager working within the franchise services team. Built relationships with new and existing franchisees to ensure successful openings of new and resale locations. Significantly improved resales performance year over year which resulted in double digit increases for new owners. Project management with franchisees for new center opening, including site evaluation, equipment, supply order and delivery. New center training onsite for opening of center. Developed processes and systems to effectively support franchisees from site evaluation thru grand opening. Created online operations manual for franchisees to access for most up to date content. Curriculum development for training content to provide to franchisees on learning management system. Show less

  • Senior Director of Operations

    Jan 2025 - now

  • Regional Director of Operations -south

    May 2022 - Jan 2025

  • Regional Operations Manager

    Feb 2021 - May 2022

  • New Center Openings Manager

    Jul 2019 - Feb 2021