Exquisite Threading is a salon chain that specializes in threading, a hair removal technique (involving twisted thread) that’s been popular in Asia for over 6,000 years and is now starting to amass devotees in the United States.
Anwer Khan, Exquisite Threading’s founder (who is originally from Kuwait), noticed that although threading was gaining popularity nationwide, Wisconsin didn’t have a salon that focused on it. So he decided to open the first one.
Anwer started the business small in 2008 — a cart in a local mall. But in just a few weeks, there were two- to three-hour wait times to get in.
“It was typical to have a crowd of 40 to 50 women standing around the cart,” says Anwer. “I think people really valued that the service was quick, hygienic, and affordable.”
As demand continued to surge, Anwer decided it was time to expand. The following year, the business moved from the cart to a 3,000-square-foot storefront in the mall.
“We were then able to serve more clients and create a more comfortable environment for ladies to come in,” says Anwer.
Business kept booming. Today, Exquisite Threading has 120 employees and seven locations across Wisconsin, Ohio, and Missouri.
Exquisite Threading needed a more robust point-of-sale (POS) system that could grow along with its business. It started using Square in 2010 to take payments, and since then has become a power user of Square’s other features, including Square Appointments, Feedback, Square Loyalty, Square’s Email Marketing Service, and has even taken a business loan through Square Loans.
“Square has really catered to our needs over the years,” says Anwer. “It’s made our lives more productive. It’s so flexible and easy to use. Square really understands the needs of our business.”
Exquisite Threading has worked closely with Square’s development team since 2012, testing new products and features, especially Square Appointments. Anwer’s been happy with the results.
“Our customers love the fact we have appointment scheduling software,” he says. “The option to book online has not only streamlined our appointments by eliminating confusion and double-booking, but has also reduced the amount of no-shows. This of course translates to more revenue.”
Square Appointments has also helped streamline management tasks, making things like adding new employees, changing the price of services, and managing employee schedules a lot easier, even when on the go.
Recently, Exquisite Threading helped shape Square’s new multilocation Appointments tool, which lets clients book appointments online for businesses with multiple locations. The feature also makes it simple to set up a new location in the system.
“You don’t have to re-create a new menu for all the services. Add a new location, add the name from the list of employees, enable their hours, and you’re done. That in itself is an amazing feature.”
Square looks forward to continuing to support Exquisite Threading as it continues to grow its business.
