Knockouts delivers one-two punch for men's beauty

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Photo Courtesy of Knockouts in Wauwatosa

Owners John Goeden and Scott Burns stand with the stylists and massage therapist employed at Knockouts’ Wauwatosa location.

Photo Courtesy of Knockouts in Wauwatosa

Owners John Goeden and Scott Burns stand with the stylists and massage therapist employed at Knockouts’ Wauwatosa location.

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Yep. The women working at Knockouts Haircuts for Men are attractive and their uniforms show off that fact.

But the controversy that swirled around the business before it ever opened its doors has been proved overblown, its owners said.

Just months after a November soft opening, Knockouts is drawing about 400 clients a month, mostly men who appreciate a little pampering and take pride in their grooming, but a surprising number of kids and a handful of women, too, owners Scott Burns and John Goeden said.

They take pride that the business has already developed repeat customers, and hope to one day pull in 800 to 1,000 clients each month.

The salon goes beyond the typical 10- or 15-minute haircut and shave offered at most barbershops. The menu of services includes the basic cut and mustache/beard trim, highlights and hair coloring, six types of massage, waxing and manicures and pedicures.

"We're all about the pampering," Goeden said. "We want the gentlemen to feel they are No. 1."

The black and red colors, televisions at every station and sports-themed photos make the environment more comfortable for men than that found at most woman-focused salons, they said.

And, "The gentlemen just really love talking with the girls," Goeden said.

Both owners live nearby: Burns is a Brookfield resident and Goeden lives in Wind Lake. They've partnered before, working together at Goeden's printing business.

The decision to get into the salon business started when Goeden was on a business trip in Atlanta and needed a haircut. He stopped by a Knockouts there, and was hooked.

The Tosa location is the first Knockouts franchise to open in Wisconsin, but the duo plan to open 12 total, mostly in the Milwaukee and Madison markets.

The Mayfair Road location was a great place to start, they said, because it's on a well-trafficked road and near a busy mall.

Getting started took patience, though. They've owned the franchise for three years, but had to wait it out while the city recovered from flooding and then was socked by an economic downturn, Burns said.

If you would like to suggest a business to be featured in the Business Spotlight, send an e-mail to news@cninow.com or call (262) 446-6643.

JUST THE FACTS

BUSINESS: Knockouts Haircuts for Men

ADDRESS: 2751 N. Mayfair Road

PHONE: (414) 443-0084

WEBSITE: wauwatosako.com

OWNERS: John Goeden and Scott Burns

OPENED: November 2010

TYPE OF BUSINESS: men's hair salon

HOURS: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays

ETC.: Police and fire officers and people in the military get a 15 percent discount on all services.