Waitwhile powers Cleveland-based, family-run Sgro’s Barbershop with intuitive appointment scheduling

The Challenge

After the pandemic forced Sgro’s to close its doors for two months in 2020, the business had just 7 days to integrate reopening protocols set by the governor’s office and the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board.

No longer allowed to accept walk-in customers, Sgro’s Barbershop needed to find an appointment scheduling solution that was simple to implement and easy for customers of all ages to use.

Current Sgro’s Barbershop owner Trish Sgro with her father, Joe Sgro, who opened the shop in 1964.

The Solution

Sgro’s Barbershop owner Trish Sgro knew she didn’t have the staff or the time to field calls from customers asking for appointments all day long, so she “scoured Google” to find an intuitive appointment scheduling tool. When she found Waitwhile, she was immediately drawn to its simplicity.

“It took us maybe an hour to set up,” Trish said. After a quick pilot run with friends and family members, Trish trained her staff and set Sgro’s Waitwhile booking URL live, posting it to the business’s website. To get ready for reopening, Sgro’s announced its new appointment system on Facebook, Instagram, and through an email to existing customers. Immediately, customers started scheduling appointments through Waitwhile, which automatically managed the staff’s calendars.

Waitwhile not only allowed Sgro’s Barbershop to open its doors again safely, but it also elevated the customer experience. Customers can now book, cancel, or reschedule appointments on their own, and Waitwhile features enable Sgro’s to delight customers at every point in their journey.

With Waitwhile, Sgro’s Barbershop customers can search for and book appointments on any device.

The Result

Even after pandemic-related protocols were lifted, Sgro’s Barbershop chose to remain an appointment-only business. Sgro’s owner Trish Sgro had expected resistance to the change, but has instead found that customers and staff alike love the amount of control they now have. Waitwhile allows staff to easily set their schedules, gives customers flexibility, and eliminates wait times.

Plus, Sgro’s Barbershop has also been able to widen its appeal , attracting new customers from area salons who crave a traditional barbershop experience, but don’t want to sit and wait their turn. Trish Sgro also credits Waitwhile with increasing Sgro’s “cool factor rating” among technology-driven generations.

Today, Sgro’s centralizes all operations in Waitwhile, including appointment scheduling, customer communication, data collection, and operational analytics. Waitwhile plays an essential role in every part of the business:

• Customers can easily book an appointment and search for availability based on service, date, and barber. Staff can set their schedules, and rescheduling is a breeze.
• Once an appointment is booked, personalized confirmations and reminders are sent automatically. With two-way messaging, customers can let Sgro’s know if they’re running late or have any questions. When the unexpected happens – like a nearby road closure – Sgro’s can text or email customers to give them a heads up.
• Without a receptionist to collect payment, Sgro’s uses Waitwhile as a bookkeeping tool to ensure the daily customer count and revenue align.
• All customer data is stored in Waitwhile, giving Sgro’s a centralized tool to store and manage its client roster .
• Easy-to-understand analytics give Sgro’s Barbershop the insights it needs to refine operations. Sgro’s can see when the shop is busiest, which barbers are most in-demand, how often customers come in for a service, and more.

Trish Sgro,

Owner, Sgro’s Barbershop