How did Jason Olsen take a lightbulb idea of improving salon suite experiences to a nationwide franchise with 120 locations?

In this episode of Retail Retold, Chris Ressa sits down with Jason, the founder and CEO of Image Studios, to explore his remarkable journey from running a $100M used car dealership to building and scaling his business. Jason shares how the 2008 recession pushed him to rethink his future and the lessons he learned in creating a recession-resilient, asset-light business. From negotiating leases and launching on credit cards to creating a franchise model that empowers beauty professionals, this episode is a masterclass in entrepreneurial grit, real estate savvy, and franchise growth.

What you'll hear:

• How Jason pivoted from the auto industry to the beauty and real estate space
• Why salon suites are a recession-resistant business model
• The key strategies behind scaling from one location to a national franchise
• Insights on site selection, lease negotiation, and supporting franchisee profitability

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jason Olson and Image Studios

02:02 The Journey to Founding Image Studios

05:59 Lessons from the Automotive Industry

11:53 Building a Unique Business Model

15:56 The Launch of Image Studios

22:11 Franchising and Expansion

30:01 Current Operations and Future Growth