Laurie is not a hairdresser, but she and her late husband Paul bought the business about eight years ago.
"We were looking for a small business on the side, because we were both employed in another business."
Paul found the franchise on line.
"It's already there, already set up, already known," says Laurie. The big advantage of such a business in this Covid era is that you can't get your hair cut on line!
"Plus it's all the chit-chat that goes with it and it's about learning to look after your own hair." People want to know how to keep their hair looking as it did when they came out of the salon, so that's where the salon's hair products come in.
"The cut has to be perfect to begin with, which is why we only employ qualified and experienced stylists. It's that 'wow' factor." All the staff can do hair styling and barbering.
The salon operates on a 'no appointments' basis, so you come in and join the queue.
There is a Just Cuts app you can download and use to check into the queue. They also have a late night on Thursdays.
Laurie says people are very aware of what they want in the way of a hair style, and that includes young children who come in with a photo of an All Black or someone famous with a style they want to copy.
Laurie has a home office where the business administration is done. At the studio she has been known to get busy with a broom or do reception.
"Being in the salon when we're really busy is such a buzz."
She says she finds the Just Cuts franchise is part of a community. "None of our owners are in competition: we all work together." They are often in touch with each other through social media.
Up until January Laurie ran three Just Cuts salons — Whanganui, Coastlands and New Plymouth. She recently sold the latter but retains Coastlands.
Last year's franchise awards were held via Zoom, but every salon was still able to participate.
"They posted every owner a gift box and there were boxes locked up with chains and the awards were inside those. As they worked their way through, they Zoomed on to whoever it was and said, 'right you unlock your box and this is the code for the padlock'.
"We all got dressed and we had the whole ceremony by Zoom, with Australian and New Zealand owners all on line together.
"I had no idea I was going to get that award." Laurie invited Joy and Russ from next door to help her celebrate.