FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Barb Francis, President

Joe Francis Haircare Scholarship Foundation

(651) 769-1757

Web site:  www.joefrancis.com

$59,000 in Scholarships Awarded

to Cosmetology and Barber Students Nationwide!

Minneapolis, MN    November 2024: Sixteen deserving students from across the United States each received scholarships from the Joe Francis Haircare Scholarship Foundation. A total of $59,000 in scholarship awards making this the highest gifting year for the Foundation.

The Foundation is in honor of Joe and Flo Francis, well respected entrepreneurs, who never forgot their early struggles, and continuously looked for ways to help others succeed in the haircare industry. Over the past 27 years the Foundation has awarded 488 scholarships, a total of $671,300 in awards, to students enrolled in cosmetology and barber programs. The scholarships go directly toward tuition costs for cosmetology and barber education.

In memory of Joe and Flo Francis legacy, the Joe Francis Haircare Scholarship Foundation, awarded two $5,000 scholarships in each of their names.

Recipients of the $5,000 Flo Francis and the $5,000 Joe Francis awards.

Briana and Angel’s personal stories, and commitment to their education and career path are impressive. In addition, we recognize this year’s 14 additional scholarship recipients, each receiving $3,500 scholarships. Each scholarship recipient demonstrated a strong commitment to complete his or her barber/cosmetology education as well as financial need.

Congratulations to all our recipients!

In 1994, the Joe Francis Haircare Scholarship Foundation was started by a prominent industry expert, Rick Goldberg, a dedicated board member until his passing in 2013. It was Rick’s vision to establish this Foundation in recognition of the life and achievements of Joe and Flo Francis, founders of The Barbers Corporation and the franchise systems: Cost Cutters, City Looks Salons, and We Care Hair, now Regis Corporation subsidiaries.

Joe Francis’ story is literally one of rags to riches, beginning with his first job as a shoeshine boy for a local barber school.  His labors eventually led him to enroll as a barber student where his entrepreneurial spirit flourished and his lifelong career in the industry took off. He built state of the art hair salons and began franchising first as The Barbers Hairstyling for Men and Women, Inc.

He took his company public and established The Barbers Corporation. The Barbers grew to 1,200 franchise hair salons in the United States and Europe. Flo became Chairwoman of the Board of the Barbers International Corporation after Joe passed away in 1994. Under her leadership the corporation thrived and strengthened its position as a leader in the international salon industry. Together, they were recognized for their industry leadership and inducted into the International Franchise Association Hall of Fame. Joe was inducted posthumously into the National Barbers Hall of Fame. The impact of their tenacious entrepreneurial spirit on the haircare industry is forever their legacy.

Daughter, and President of the Foundation, Barbara Francis, announced, “My parents worked tirelessly to strengthen the industry and elevate the hairstyling profession. They believed it offered a path to self-fulfillment and reward.  Joe and Flo were determined to help deserving individuals launch their career, wanting to give back to an industry that gave them so much.”

Applications for future scholarships are accepted from January through June 1^st of each year, with award notifications made each September.  For more information, visit the Foundation’s web site:  www.joefrancis.com or email: contact@joefrancis.com.