Sport Clips Haircuts Testimonial: Lancaster, PA

Before owning four Sport Clips Haircuts locations in Pennsylvania, Bill Riiff spent decades in leadership roles that demanded focus and structure. He served as an air traffic controller in the U.S. Air Force and later worked his way up from an hourly associate to regional vice president at Walmart, overseeing billions in sales and thousands of employees.

After retiring in 2022, Bill wanted to stay active but also do something that still felt meaningful. “I’d been a Sport Clips client for almost 20 years,” he said. “When I moved to Lancaster, I went in for a haircut like I always did. On my third visit, I met a guy stocking shelves and greeting clients. We got to talking, and it turned out he was an owner with nine stores. That conversation changed everything.”

The two shared a military background and quickly built a connection. “He explained the business, and we had a lot in common. He was prior military too. It just resonated with me,” Bill said. “When I went through Discovery Day, I fell in love even more with the support network the company offered.”

Building on Structure and Support

Six months later, Bill purchased his first three Sport Clips locations in the Lancaster area. He had never been an entrepreneur before, but his experience in leadership and operations gave him a foundation to build on. “I went from signing the papers to owning three stores overnight,” he said. “I would have fallen flat on my face if I didn’t have other team leaders willing to help me. I have never found a team leader who wasn’t willing to share advice.”

That openness made an impression. “I’m constantly talking to team leaders on a daily basis,” Bill said. “We share what’s working, help each other with challenges, and put together calls and resources to make things better for everyone.”

He now owns four Sport Clips stores and continues to expand. The business has grown, but he points to quality of life as the biggest reward. “It has far and away exceeded any expectation I ever could have had,” he said. “I never would have thought that these three stores could have given me this kind of quality of life. I’m living my best life.”

Staying Involved in the Community

Bill’s stores have become a familiar presence around Lancaster. He works with local schools, veteran groups and youth programs, and his team takes part in events like St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraisers, where they provide free haircuts to support children with cancer. “I love visiting schools, being part of events and helping where we can,” he said. “It’s fulfilling to use the business to give back.”

He also partners with the Lancaster Stormers baseball team, often appearing at games with his team and handing out free haircut coupons. “I go to the games, I recognize these people and I truly enjoy it,” Bill said. “It’s fun to be part of something local that connects us with the community.”

A Focus on People and Legacy

As an owner, Bill keeps his approach simple: hire the right people, create structure and protect the culture. “I look for managers who are organized, who bring a positive culture and who are family-oriented,” he said. “People like to know where the guardrails are. Discipline isn’t the enemy of enthusiasm. It’s what lets people thrive.”

At 59, he says he has found the right rhythm. “I’m in my stores every day, not because I have to, but because I want to,” he said. “Sometimes I need to get out of the way because I’m there so much, but I just love it.”

Bill also sees ownership as something that can grow into a family legacy. “I’m all about legacy,” he said. “My kids are in college now, and they’re starting to see the life I’ve built with this. I believe I can grow this company well enough to leave something meaningful for them. It brings families together.”