Ross the Boss: 34 Years of Success or Survival?
"What's a guy like me doing in the hair business?"
By Ross R. Badgett, III (Ross the Boss), President & Founder of Ross the Boss/R&Co

"I made a deal with the Lord... I said, 'If you let me be successful, anybody who knows me knows I'm not smart enough to do this alone.' ...He's kept his deal even when I haven't." -Ross the Boss

Join us for the kick-off to a month-long celebration of family business in greater Knoxville! On Friday, November 9, 2012, Ross the Boss, successful local businessman and household name for 34 years, will speak. With an infectious charisma and enthusiasm for his work, Ross R. Badgett, III, has been described as a model of possibility. His company, Ross the Boss/R&Co, is a family-owned business with 12 full-service salons and spa. We believe you will be inspired by his candor, integrity, and unique story.

In a desire to "get off the road" and see his family more often, in 1978, Ross bought two bankrupt hair salons from his barber. Although he knew almost nothing about Knoxville and even less about hair, Ross sold his house in Searcy, Arkansas, and moved his family to Knoxville. Resolute and without compromise, Ross knew he wanted to be a father and husband and glorify God by the way he conducted himself and his business. On November 9, Ross will share his personal journey, including buying into a franchise and then buying his way out, how he expanded into other cities only to realize that for him bigger was not better. Among other things, he found quality of life to be more important than being big. "That a man should eat, drink and enjoy the fruits of his labor for these are gifts from God" (Ecclesiastes 3:13).

From a "Leave It to Beaver" kind of life, frozen pizza dough and tennis shoes on the go (say what?) to an entrepreneur who met his destiny with a pension for marketing and rhyme…Ross the Boss - the man, the business - was born. He is proof that great legacies are realized when possibility meets opportunity. Will you be ready the next time opportunity meets you? Your story awaits.

Meet Our Speaker: Ross the Boss

Ross R. Badgett, III, serves as “Boss” of Ross the Boss, Inc. dba as Hair by Ross the Boss and Co. and R&Co Salons, and the Spa at R&Co. For 25 years Ross was Director of Reuben Allen College, a school of cosmetology, along with his wife of 46 years, Le. Together, they have three children, one of whom works in the business.

Ross served on the Board of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce and the International Chain Salon Association (multiple terms). He has been both a deacon and elder at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church and a "very short-term" missionary on trips to Spain and Mexico. He also served as an officer in the Air National Guard in Oklahoma and in the Air Force Reserve in Memphis.

A lifetime athlete, Ross is active in tennis and has been on 13 state championship tennis teams. He also was founder and president of the Knoxville Youth Soccer League.

Coffee, Light Breakfast, & TLC Served.