Merle Norman Studio Owner Reviews

Business thrives for our franchisees as they love working with us


“The opportunity that Merle Norman has given me to run my own business and to be an independent woman and to be very successful, I am very proud of it. I am very proud to be here and be who I am.”

– Tracey Fogel, Studio Owner, Colorado Springs, Colorado


“We have a product that we can sell with complete confidence. You’re going to get your money’s worth and see results from skincare. We’re on trend, and we’re not your grandmother’s make-up anymore.”

– Kim Kelly & Kris Kline, Studio Owners, Montrose, California


“Because Merle Norman is a family-run company, you’re going to find that the support you have from the home office is greater than maybe the support you would have from an extremely large corporation. Merle Norman Cosmetics may be one of the few franchise companies that offer a 60/40 reimbursement on corporate-approved advertising. So what that means is, I go spend a thousand dollars in advertising, and they will comp it back to me and give me credit on my account up to 60%. Where can you find a company to franchise with and be comped those types of advertising dollars? Potential franchise owners need to know about this amazing opportunity that Merle Norman offers. Your advertising dollars will go farther.

“If you are going to open a brick and mortar business in this day and age, why not do it with a company that’s been in business almost 90 years — rather than just some new, up-and-coming company that might be hot for a quick minute and then might not make it? I do think that the heritage of Merle Norman is something to be valued. They have been producing cosmetics from start to finish, from product development to the time that it goes in the package, for more than 86 years here in the U.S. This is the kind of company that you are partnering with when you decide to take a big risk and a big leap of faith and say, ‘I’m going to open a business.’”

— Meredith Poland, multi-unit Studio owner, Indianapolis, Indiana

barbara-norris Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio franchise“The greatest reward in my business is being able to help other women be confident and look their best. You have a network of women who, honestly, end up becoming your friends because they come into your store. And pretty soon, you’re not only building confidence with the other women, but I now am more confident than I’ve been in my life. Not to mention the fact that I look better than I’ve ever looked in my life because of the skincare and the makeup.

“Customers can come into our stores, and we’re nothing but Merle Norman. We’re all one brand, and we’re more personalized. They go to Sephora and Ulta, and it’s just a ‘Walmart’ of this, that and the other. There are too many name brands, and it’s confusing. And if you’ve been in those places, they’re kind of dirty. Everybody’s sticking their fingers in the lesson material. We don’t have that. We’re immaculately clean. We pride ourselves on that. too. And you’re just not going to find that anywhere. And at a drugstore, they don’t get to try before they buy. They buy it. Well, I have had numerous customers come in and say, ‘Oh my goodness. I got this foundation at the drugstore. I paid this for it. And it’s horrible. Oh, I just love yours.’  And even though they know ours may cost a little more, it works. They’re actually saving money and getting a better brand.”

— Barbara Norris, multi-unit Studio owner, Scottsdale, Arizona

renee hitt merle norman cosmetics studio franchise“I love the independence of owning a Merle Norman franchise. I love being able to put my mark on something but still have a corporate identity. The most important thing though, to me, is that I help people feel better about themselves. I like to say, our goal is to help you be the best version of you.

“I always say we’re ‘the Starbucks of cosmetics.’ You’re going to pay a little bit more for something you could get for a dollar. You can get a dollar cup of coffee, or you can go to Starbucks and get a four dollar cup of coffee. It’s all about how you feel while you’re in there.

“I have a passion for helping people feel better about themselves, and this has been my vehicle for doing that. The product is something I believe in; the company has integrity and values that I can stand by. We’ve lived a very comfortable life doing it. We’ve raised our children; they went to private high schools, and they were active in all the things they wanted to do. We’re a really successful studio. Both my daughters work in the business with me now, which is so rewarding. We are truly a small family business.”

— Renee Hitt, Studio owner for 28 years, Brookfield, Wisconsin

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