Hammer & Nails is the nation’s first luxury grooming lounge, with more than 45 shops in the United States and rapidly growing. The revolutionary grooming concept for men is raising the bar in self-care. Using only high-quality, non-toxic products for all of its services, it’s a one-stop shop that provides the total man’s grooming experience with haircuts, skin care, shaves, beard grooming, hand/foot care, and more.
Gray Bowman is one of the concept’s newest franchisees, with plans to open three Hammer & Nails shops on the highly coveted Long Island in Jericho, Manhasset, and Carle Place between 2025 and 2027.
However, Bowman wasn’t always in the franchise business, forging his path, ultimately leading him to Hammer & Nails. Originally from San Diego, Bowman proudly served in the United States Navy. He then completed a military internship and converted it into a full-time position at the renowned Blackstone in the heart of New York City. He fell in love with New York and honed his business acumen there. All roads led to franchising only a few years later, where he could merge his passions for serving others, business, and entrepreneurship.
Franchise Chatter (FC): You took an unusual path into franchising, including service with the United States Navy. Let’s start at the beginning – how did you end up here?
Gray Bowman (GB): I grew up in San Diego and attended the University of Arizona. I then joined the Navy, intending to become a SEAL. After my service, I had the opportunity to complete a military internship with Blackstone in New York City, which turned into a full-time position. During this time, COVID-19 struck, which, of course, changed everything.
I moved to Costa Rica, where I worked remotely and explored the world. After my time there, I moved back west to be near my parents in Lake Tahoe to assist my mom as my dad became sick with Alzheimer’s. While there, a friend from the SEAL Teams opened a Hammer & Nails shop in Reno, Nevada. He invited me to a Whiskey Night at his shop, so I stopped by to check it out and immediately fell in love with the concept.
FC: How did your military service impact your journey to franchising and entrepreneurship?
GB: My military service shaped everything about how I approach business and entrepreneurship. Serving in the Navy for 10 years taught me discipline, resilience, and how to lead under pressure – skills that directly translate to running a successful franchise. In the military, you learn to build systems, execute with precision, and take ownership of outcomes. That mindset naturally aligns with the structure and standards of a franchise model like Hammer & Nails.
More importantly, the camaraderie and sense of purpose I experienced in uniform are things I wanted to carry into civilian life. Hammer & Nails isn’t just a grooming shop. It’s a place where men can feel seen, taken care of, and part of a community. That mission spoke to me. I’m building something that reflects those same values of service, excellence, and brotherhood.
FC: What attracted you to Hammer & Nails as a concept?
GB: I immediately fell in love with the concept during that Whiskey Night in Reno. I saw something no one else was doing – a barbershop where men could be comfortable. Hammer & Nails was removing a barrier to entry to grooming – whether it be facials, manicures, pedicures, or anything else – and making men feel comfortable in their skin.
From a business perspective, a few things stood out. The membership concept provides recurring revenue. And grooming isn’t something that you can outsource to robotics or AI. It’s something that will always need to be done by a real human person. It’s recession-proof. The grooming market is booming. The U.S. grooming market alone in 2023 was estimated between $47B-$49B in annual revenues. It’s a phenomenal industry to invest in.
And, Hammer & Nails offers special pricing incentives for military veterans like myself to open shops and pursue our own entrepreneurial ventures, which is incredibly attractive.
FC: Why did you pick Long Island for your three shops?
GB: When I started looking at Hammer & Nails, I was immediately connected with Don Yurick, the Hammer & Nails Area Representative for the Northeast. Under Don, the Northeast region is booming, and I knew I wanted to be part of that explosive growth.
Connecticut alone is seeing huge success, with three Hammer & Nails shops already open (Westport, Darien, and Greenwich) and plans for two more opening in 2025 (Fairfield and Stamford). Units have also been signed for West Hartford (opening 2026), Glastonbury (opening 2027), and Branford (opening 2028). There are also shops in Whippany and Ridgewood, New Jersey that are thriving.
After talking with Don about all this success across the Northeast, I chose Long Island for a few reasons. First, after spending so much time in that area while working for Blackstone, I knew there was a huge market for business commuters. Potential members who want to look good and need to look polished for their jobs are in demand. It’s also a very dense market, which is great for demand.
FC: If people are interested in following your lead and learning more about becoming a Hammer & Nails franchisee, what should they do?
GB: I highly encourage anyone interested in exploring Hammer & Nails to learn more. It’s an exciting time to be part of a growing brand in such a big industry full of potential. If you’re interested in pursuing an opportunity with Hammer & Nails in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Rhode Island, you can contact Don Yurick at don@hngrooming.com.
