Biographer Edwin Klein Releases 'Joe Francis, An American Entrepreneur'

ST. PAUL, Minn., May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Joe Francis, An American Entrepreneur: His Journey from Mazeppa to Moscow, by Edwin Klein, is the biography of St. Paul native Joe Francis (1933-1994), founder of The Barbers Inc., one of the most successful franchising enterprises of the 20th Century. Proceeds from every book sold benefit The Joe Francis Hair Care Scholarship Foundation, which helps deserving students train for successful, long-term careers in the hair care industry.

Joe Francis began his business in 1957 with a one-chair barbershop. In 1963, he founded The Barbers Inc., and over the next 36 years, the company grew to more than 1,000 franchise salons worldwide, including salons in Russia after the fall of the Iron Curtain. The brands under The Barber Company included The Barbers, Cost Cutters, We Care Hair and City Looks International. Among Francis' accolades were Minnesota Entrepreneur of the Year (1990), Inc. Magazine U.S. Entrepreneur of the Year and International Franchise Association Hall of Fame inductee.

Francis came from humble beginnings, starting as a shoeshine boy in his uncle's West St. Paul shoe repair shop. From there he opened his first barbershop with the intention of making a name for himself in the business world. Going against the critics and naysayers of that time, who said he could not franchise hair salons, Francis developed an innovative franchise system. His stated goal was "to make poor men rich" - and that included women, who enjoyed prominent leadership roles in the franchises.

John Paul DeJoria, founder & CEO, Paul Mitchell Systems, commented, "I would say Joe Francis was, beyond any question of a doubt, a pioneer in the hair care industry and a brilliant leader."

The origins of Joe Francis, An American Entrepreneur were in a coffee table book Francis' wife Flo commissioned Klein to write as a memento for franchisees and family. Sensing a bigger story relevant to entrepreneurs and American history buffs alike, Flo asked Klein to write a full biography, the proceeds of which would benefit the scholarship fund.

"This isn't just a biography of a man in the 'hair care' business; it's a story about the triumph of overcoming a struggle with poverty, challenges and grief. It's a story about unending optimism and determination; it's about the 'American Dream' in its finest form," stated Klein.

Klein writes biographies of entrepreneurs in all walks of life. He is the founder of several businesses, including a national franchise organization, United Snack Group, Inc.

On Wed., June 2, from 4 pm to 5 pm, Klein, along with Florence Francis, wife of the late Joe Francis, will be delivering a talk, "Start a Franchise: What You Need to Know Before You Leap," at the James J. Hill Reference Library, 80 West Fourth Street, St. Paul, Minn. The lecture will explore the opportunities and challenges associated with starting and operating a franchise and include insights into the career of the subject of Klein's book, St. Paul native Joe Francis. To register for the event, visit http://tinyurl.com/26dw6w5. Admission is $25 for Library members, $35 for non-members and $25 for students with coupon code "barbers."

The book is available for $22.95 + shipping & handling from http://www.joefrancis.com.

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SOURCE Edwin Klein