Living the Sport Clips Haircuts Values: Treat Others the Way They Want to Be Treated
For families of children with special needs, finding people who understand the unique challenges their children face can make all the difference. That’s something Kerry and Chris Callahan struggled to find as they navigated a world of unknowns and misunderstandings. Callahans’ son, Devin, has autism, and due to his sensory needs, simple tasks like a haircut often turned into an emotionally draining experience for the family. They fought to find a place where Devin would be comfortable, and where an overwhelming but necessary task felt manageable. Then they found the team at Sport Clips Haircuts in Clay, New York.
From the beginning, the Sport Clips team met them with patience, understanding, and a willingness to adjust to their client’s pace. It wasn’t just a one-time visit; for almost a decade the Callahans have trusted this team to create a positive experience for their son. Over the years, the team got to know the family personally. They learned about the Callahans’ deeper story and their involvement in the special needs community.
Chris and Kerry are on a mission to be a resource for those around them – striving to be everything they wished existed when they were the ones searching. This past July, the couple organized the inaugural Big Hearts Big Fun Day event: a free, inclusive community event designed around the needs of people with disabilities and those supporting them. With countless activities, sensory-friendly zones, and a community resource fair highlighting local support organizations they created an environment that meets families and individuals where they are.
As they began organizing the event, they didn’t have to look far for support. Sport Clips Team Members Mindy, Chasity, and Cara were all-in and volunteered to be part of the day. They showed up early, jumped in wherever they were needed, and helped make the event run smoothly, filling gaps before anyone had to ask. The Sport Clips team went above and beyond to support the Callahan’s mission to serve their community.
A Stylist with a Personal Connection
Each Team Member had their own reason for getting involved, but Mindy Mathis’s connection goes deeper than the event itself. When Mindy began her career in the haircutting industry, she did what a lot of young professionals do and practiced at home. One regular in her chair was her younger cousin who has special needs. The unique dynamic provided opportunities for her to learn what worked and what didn’t, helping her understand how to tailor the experience to his individual needs. Now 18 years later, Mindy is still cutting his hair and credits her understanding and adaptability to her cousin. To Chris and Kerry, what changed when they found the team at Sport Clips was the way their son was treated: “They always engage with him, recognize his sensory needs, and create an environment where he feels comfortable and respected. What used to be a dreaded experience has become something we know will be handled with compassion every single time.” Having a cousin with sensory sensitivities means Mindy doesn’t have to guess what a family needs; she knows what it feels like to be the one searching for people who get it.
Values in Practice
It’s easier said than done – treat others the way they want to be treated. Mindy and the team at Sport Clips in Clay brought this value to life in a way that went far beyond the service they provided. They took the time to listen, understand what their client needed, and then chose to show up for them in a meaningful way. After spending so much time looking for people who would meet them halfway, the Callahans found a team willing to go even further. That’s the difference between knowing the Sport Clips values and truly living them.