From High-Tech Engineer to Five-Location Beauty Empire: The Pitari Family's Lash Lounge Success Story

Portland, OR – When Sandro Pitari decided to leave his successful career as an electrical engineer in the high-tech industry, he had a clear vision: build something of his own while making a meaningful impact in his community. What he created alongside his daughter Maria has become one of the most successful franchise operations in The Lash Lounge system – a five-location empire that's transformed the Portland beauty landscape.

From Corporate Life to Entrepreneurial Vision

"I got excited about having something of my own – something I could build independently," Sandro explains. "But I also knew I needed guidance since I had never been a business owner before." His engineering background gave him a strategic mindset that would prove invaluable in franchise ownership.

The decision to invest in The Lash Lounge wasn't taken lightly. After thorough research, Sandro saw the tremendous growth potential in the lash extension industry. "Given my background and mindset, I had always envisioned becoming a multi-unit owner. From day one, I purchased five licenses with a clear business plan to open five locations within five years."

That bold vision paid off spectacularly. Not only did the Pitari family achieve their five-year goal, but they're now considering further expansion across Oregon.

A Family Business Built on Shared Values

What makes the Pitari success story even more compelling is the family partnership at its heart. Maria, who joined the business after graduating college, brings fresh perspective and operational excellence to complement her father's strategic vision.

"My favorite thing about working at The Lash Lounge is that every day is different," Maria shares. "It allows me to wear lots of different hats, meet all kinds of people, and it's really grown my understanding of how to run a business and build a community – for both our employees and our clients."

The father-daughter team has created a management structure that maximizes both their strengths. Sandro focuses on high-level strategy and growth planning, while Maria handles day-to-day operations as general manager. Together, they've built a team of over 40 employees across their five locations.

Record-Breaking Performance and Industry Recognition

The results speak for themselves. In 2022, one of their salons achieved the highest revenue in The Lash Lounge system – a remarkable accomplishment given the brand's hundreds of locations nationwide. But perhaps even more meaningful was when Sandro received the Franchisee of the Year award, recognition given to just one franchisee out of the entire system.

"That award represents all the hard work our entire team has put in," Maria reflects with pride. "It really marked us establishing ourselves as the leader in lash extensions throughout the Portland area."

The Lake Oswego location reaching major revenue milestones demonstrated that their success wasn't limited to one market – they could replicate their winning formula across different communities.

Empowering Women, Building Community

Beyond financial success, the Pitari family takes tremendous pride in the impact they're creating for women in their community. "We now have a little over 40 employees, and they come from all walks of life," Maria explains. "It's amazing to come together as a team and work toward a shared goal: helping our clients feel beautiful, confident, and making their lives a little easier."

The business model creates meaningful career opportunities for women while serving a growing market of clients who value both convenience and quality. "I think with any business where you see clients on a recurring basis, you really get to know them – not just as clients, but as people," Maria adds. "It's really nice to be part of that kind of connection."

Enhanced Support Through Head to Toe Partnership

Since The Lash Lounge joined the Head to Toe beauty vertical, the Pitari family has seen significant improvements in franchise support and growth opportunities.

"Since we've come under the Head to Toe umbrella, I've seen real improvements in the resources being allocated to different departments – especially the marketing team," Maria notes. "We've been able to expand into new marketing channels and really establish our brand voice in places where we weren't as present before."

Sandro adds a strategic perspective: "One of the changes I've noticed is that there seems to be more room for growth – and more investment. I believe those investments will give The Lash Lounge a significant advantage over the competition going forward."

A Proven System for Success

The Pitari approach demonstrates how The Lash Lounge franchise model can accommodate different ownership styles and growth ambitions. Their systematic approach includes:

Strategic Leadership: Sandro operates from a "30,000 feet" perspective, focusing on financials, staff evaluation, and long-term planning while staying connected through regular salon visits.

Operational Excellence: Maria and their assistant general manager Chantal ensure consistent day-to-day operations across all locations, with dedicated salon managers at each site.

Community Focus: Each location is tailored to serve its specific market while maintaining brand standards and quality service.

The Growing Opportunity in Beauty

For entrepreneurs considering franchise opportunities, the Pitari family's experience highlights the tremendous potential in the beauty industry. "This industry is growing, and it's going to continue to grow," Maria emphasizes. "It's a great space to be in."

The lash extension market represents a sweet spot in beauty services – recurring revenue from loyal clients, growing consumer awareness, and services that genuinely enhance customers' daily lives.

Keys to Franchise Success

Based on their experience building one of the system's top-performing operations, the Pitari family offers clear guidance for prospective franchisees:

Commit Fully: "As with anything in life, you really get out what you put into it," Maria advises. "If you're willing to commit, work with the system, and build a great team of employees to support you, it can be incredibly rewarding."

Think Strategically: Sandro's engineering background taught him to approach business systematically, but the franchise model provides the proven framework for success.

Build Strong Teams: With over 40 employees, the Pitaris understand that success depends on hiring and developing excellent people at every level.

Looking Forward

The Pitari family's goals reflect both ambition and purpose. "My goal for The Lash Lounge is to continue expanding in the Portland area and throughout Oregon," Maria explains. "I want to keep building something that not only creates employment opportunities for women, but also continues to serve as many women as possible."

For Sandro, the satisfaction comes from multiple levels: "I feel backed by the brand. And on a personal level, I feel like I'm really making a difference for my employees – providing them financial stability – and also helping generate employment across the greater Portland area. At the same time, we're delivering great service to our local community."

Their success story demonstrates that with the right franchise partner, clear vision, and commitment to excellence, entrepreneurs can build businesses that achieve both financial success and meaningful community impact.

The Lash Lounge currently has franchise opportunities available in select markets. The brand specializes in professional lash extension services, combining expert techniques with a luxurious salon experience that keeps clients coming back for convenient, confidence-boosting beauty solutions.