Sy Sperling, founder of Hair Club for Men who single-handedly launched a multi-billion dollar hair loss industry passed away Wednesday after battling a lengthy, undisclosed illness in Boca Raton, Florida. He was 78.
Born in 1942, the New York businessman and philanthropist, known for his famous slogan, ‘I’m not only the Hair Club president, but I’m also a client,’ founded the hair company in 1976.
He retired in 2000 after he sold Hair Club to a private equity firm for $45million. He spent summers in Vancouver and winters in Hillsboro Beach, Florida with his wife Susan.
Hair Club for Men founder Sy Sperling passed away Wednesday in Boca Raton, Florida, at the age of 78 after battling a lengthy and undisclosed illness
Sperling is survived by his wife, Susan (pictured), daughter Shari Sperling, son Andrew Sperling and sister, Rosalie Slute
At 26 years old, Sperling was newly single and losing his hair.
He felt self conscious about his receding hairline and thought it would ruin his chances of finding a woman.
The New York businessman and philanthropist retired in 2000 after he sold Hair Club to a private equity firm for $45million
After trying comb overs and toupees, he went as far as weaving human hair into his own only to find that it all came out when he took a shower.
Sperling needed to find a more permanent solution that would stay in place during intimate moments.
‘If you’re dating and going to be having special moments, how do you explain, ”I got to take my hair off now?”’ he asked.
He finally learned the weaving technique from his stylist and quit his job in swimming pool sales to open his own salon in New York City in 1968 using $10,000 in capital from credit cards.
He did find love with his new wife and they perfected the weaving technique using a nylon mesh fitted to the scalp.
The first commercial for Hair Club for Men debuted on national television in 1982 and featured testimonials from customers.
A second commercial was filmed featuring Sperling, where he said the famous line: ‘I’m not just the president, I’m also a client.’
It aired late at night, when commercial time was the cheapest, and swept the nation.
Soon, the company got 10,000 calls a month and by 1991 there were 40 franchise locations.
By 1993, the commercial was airing 400 times a day. It cost Sperling $12million annually in advertising but raked in up to $100million a year in sales.
Sperling founded Hair Club for Men in 1976 and was known for his award-winning slogan, ‘I’m not only the Hair Club president, but I’m also a client’
At 26, Sperling was balding and single but he did find love and perfected the weaving technique using a nylon mesh fitted to the scalp and eventually started Hair Club for Men
In 2000, he sold the company for $45million to a group of private investors who then sold it to Regis hair company for $210million in 2005.
The Hair Club still offers similar solutions to Sperling’s initial product, but has added topical treatments like Rogaine and transplantation surgery.
Aside from the hair business, Sperling made countless public appearances ranging from lecturing about business and entrepreneurship at the Wharton School of Business, to appearances and interviews on national radio stations, newspapers, magazines and talk shows including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien, Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous.
He also co-hosted Saturday Night Live and Wrestlemania.
Sperling hosted his own radio show on WSBR in Boca Raton, Florida, called How To Succeed in Business and was a 1992 INC. Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year Award winner.
Aside from the hair business, Sperling made countless public appearances ranging from lecturing about business and appearing at Wrestlemania X in 1994
Sperling co-hosted Saturday Night Live in 1994. He’s pictured center with Lorne Michaels to his left and Kelsey Grammer to his right
Sperling was most proud of his charitable contribution in the form of Hair Club for Kids, in which Hair Club for Men provided hair free of charge to children under 18 who lost their hair from chemotherapy.
It was this program that changed the lives of thousands of children nationwide.
He was also the honorary chairman for City Relief, an organization that provides Meals on Wheels for the homeless and sponsored other philanthropic causes.
Sperling was a lover of animals, a devout vegan and was at the forefront of animal rights for decades.
He is survived by his wife, Susan, daughter Shari Sperling, son Andrew Sperling and sister, Rosalie Slute.