VETERANS IN FRANCHISING from FRANCHISING USA

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Veterans in Franchising december 2018

www.franchisingusamagazine.com

120 Feet Below Sea Level: How Being an Army Engineer Diver Prepared Me for Entrepreneurship

Franchising:

The Best Career Path for Veterans Then and Now

Innovative Program For American Heroes Franchising USA

SAME DRIVE. DIFFERENT BATTLEFIELD. TAKE THE NEXT STEP > VETFRAN.COM OFFERING FINANCIAL SUPPORT, TRAINING & MENTORSHIP Veterans interested in franchising can take their skills learned in the military to successfully own and develop small businesses. Learn more and support veterans in franchising at www.vetfran.com.

• 650 franchise companies participating • 151,000 veterans and their spouses found careers in the franchise industry • 5,100 veteran franchise owners

V e t e r a n s i n F r a n c h i s i n g S u ppl e m e n t december 2018 Our Veterans in Franchising special supplement has become a regular feature of Franchising USA. To share your story in the next issue, please contact Vikki Bradbury, Publisher Phone: 778 426 2446 Email: vikki@cgbpublishing.com

Contents On the Cover

Veteran Profiles

42 120 Feet Below Sea Level: How Being an Army Engineer Diver

Prepared Me for Entrepreneurship

42 Kyle Bradley, Owner/Operator,

Pedal Pub in Columbia, MO

46 Franchising: The Best Career Path for

Veterans Then and Now 40 Innovative Program for American Heroes

44 Will Beale, Owner, Club Pilates 46 VetFran 48 uBreakiFix

Veteran News 40 PROSE Launches Innovative Program For American Heroes Franchising USA

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veteran news PROSE LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE PROGRAM FOR AMERICAN HEROES The healthy nail boutique franchise salutes those who have served with an industry-first PROSE for Heroes program for customers and prospective franchisees or greater) complimentary upgrades to gel polish and 20 percent off all retail products. The PROSE risk-free membership program is one of the brand’s top features, delivering an exclusive way to receive manicures and/or pedicures that can be transferred to family and friends.

Members develop a personal relationship with their experienced artists, as well as have a reliable destination to freshen up and recharge.

PROSE, the healthy and enriching hand and foot care brand, announced today the launch of PROSE for Heroes.

A comprehensive program offering active, reserved, retired members of the military, first responders of police departments, fire departments and EMTs, as well as their immediate families a more affordable customer experience and business opportunity. For these hero guests and their families, PROSE has designed personalized membership programs that make their high-quality services more accessible. The PROSE for Heroes program also honors American heroes who put their lives on the line every day by providing them with an opportunity

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to own a PROSE franchise at a more affordable rate.

“I have always had deep appreciation for the protectors of our country. Every day, the brave secure our communities, schools, churches and our lives as we know it.

PROSE was created to serve all hands and feet and I am grateful for the opportunity to create a very special membership designed with all of them (and their families) in mind,” said Dave Crisalli PROSE founder and CEO. “This unique program also presents a very exclusive business opportunity for our military men and women and first responders who are natural leaders and strong team builders, all qualities vital in a PROSE franchisee.”

Through PROSE for Heroes, these stars and their spouses and kids will also be eligible for up to a 10 percent discount on a monthly membership and package memberships ($120 per year savings

PROSE is looking for hero entrepreneurs to serve communities across the U.S. All active, reserved, retired military men and women, and first responders will receive 20 percent off the PROSE franchise fee and may be eligible for special financing support to open their boutique. In addition, the franchise fee for a PROSE boutique to be opened on a military base or other government site will be waived.* PROSE’s healthy, enriching and on-trend services and consumer experience have captivated the interest of many potential franchisees and market developers across the country. The cornerstone of PROSE’s creation is the commitment to designing a better way to create beautiful hands and feet every day.

PROSE is seeking qualified market developers and franchisees to join the brand and currently has opportunities nationwide.

To learn more about PROSE ownership opportunities in the U.S., please visit myprose.com/own. To learn more about the PROSE for Heroes franchise opportunity in the U.S., please email heroes@myprose.com. * *Please note, California franchisees are not eligible.

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profile: Kyle Bradley, Owner/Operator of Pedal Pub in Columbia, MO

120 Feet Belo

How Being an Army Engineer Diver Prepared Me for Entrepreneurship In 2009, I enlisted in the military to fulfill the role of an Army Engineer Diver.

My dual love for the water and serving my country went hand-in-hand with my newfound career.

From Virginia to the Middle East, I traveled across the globe which allowed me to learn about myself and develop vital skills that I would use long after completing my tour.

As an Army Engineer Diver, I was trained to work and lead a team to undertake reconnaissance, demolition and engineering tasks 120 feet below sea level.

Nine years later, I hung up my gear and began my transition to everyday civilian life – beginning with my higher education.

After I graduated, I knew my discipline and experience from the military would be best served through entrepreneurship, so I started my search for a franchise concept

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ow Sea Level: that would complement my skills and military knowledge.

I came across Pedal Pub and knew this was an opportunity I could bring to my hometown in Missouri. I was always seeking an adventure and found happiness in the adrenaline rush of the excitement and unexpectedness of the military. Pedal Pub is exhilarating and fun concept that allows me to fulfill my adventurous passion. I just never knew how much I’d be able to leverage my experiences during my time in the military and how that would help me grow a business and lead it to success.

Commitment is Crucial Commitment to the military is not for the faint at heart. From being separated from family and friends to the high-risk assignments, you must be dedicated to the job while also making sure you’re fully aware of what you signed up for.

Commitment, passion and personal drive will keep you afloat and keep your mind focused on the task at hand and end goal.

As an entrepreneur, I’ve invested in my business and if I’m not committed to it, it won’t succeed. You have to train your mind to find different routes and paths to new solutions rather than letting current issues fester and grow. Continue to think big and never be satisfied with the goals you have achieved but instead strive to create more to challenge yourself.

Adaptability Increases Efficiency While in the Army, each solider always

planned for the unexpected and made necessary changes in an instant. It was essential our team adapted to ever changing surroundings — from finding new ways to communicate to developing new strategies to ensure we reach our end goal. We learned from everything we did to better prepare for the future, while making the overall safety of our country the number one priority. Adaptability was the only way to overcome the challenges and roadblocks we were faced with.

Without it, it’s quite possible we would’ve failed.

There are always going to be unexpected hurdles you will have to overcome as a business owner. Competition in the area, government permits and laws, and even disgruntled guests can all pose a challenge to running your business successfully.

Find new ways to become efficient and adapt to challenges and changing environments to ensure your business comes out on top. Use every challenge and issue as a learning experience to help you grow your business.

Teamwork Moves the Needle Forward Being part of the military, for me at least, meant I was doing something bigger than myself – it felt as if I had a real purpose in life. Every task and job assigned is for the betterment of the whole group and even the country — repeated success will always be the end result when a whole team is working efficiently and productively together. Your team can offer different perspectives and lend their

“The lessons and skills you’ve learned throughout your life experiences will help you to build a successful business and allow others to grow and learn under your leadership.”

strengths where you might lack.

As an entrepreneur, I’ve learned my business cannot succeed without the help from others. Respect every individual and utilize their strengths to take your business to the next level. You’ll be able to create a strong bond within your team and build strong relationships in an environment where people are able to take pride in their accomplishments.

If you’re an established entrepreneur or just getting your business started, it’s important to remain dedicated, adaptable, and work as a team so your business can operate at peak performance. The lessons and skills you’ve learned throughout your life experiences will help you to build a successful business and allow others to grow and learn under your leadership.

Kyle Bradley is the owner and operator of Pedal Pub of Columbia, a Minneapolis-based party bike franchise providing customers with a uniquely fun, social, and exciting two-hour experience of sightseeing.

To learn more about franchising with Pedal Pub, visit https://www. pedalpubpartybikes.com/.

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Veteran Profile: Will Beale, Owner, Club Pilates

How Managing Logistics Onboard U.S. Navy Ships Prepared Me for Franchise Ownership Growing up in Washington, D.C., I was surrounded by U.S. government professionals and military personnel from a very early age.

My father was in the National Guard and when I graduated from high school, the military became the clear choice as it

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married two of my interests – serving our country and traveling abroad.

I quickly rose up through the ranks and was offered a leadership position as an officer candidate which, in turn, granted me a scholarship to college. While at George Washington University, I learned valuable skills such as work ethic, leadership and organization that would positively impact my military career and entrepreneurial journey in the years to come.

Managing a ‘Floating City’ After graduation from college and eight months of Navy Logistics training in Athens, GA, I was stationed in San Diego as a Department Head of an Aviation Squadron which deployed onboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.

My primary responsibility was oversight and management of 72 aircraft, fixed and rotary wing, aboard the ship while it conducted flight operations in the Western Pacific and abroad.

Over the next 20 years, the military provided me with many different opportunities, each time with increased accountability and responsibility. As I became more senior in rank, I would spend the majority of my career in policy, procurement and supply chain management for naval aviation, ships and submarines. It was in these roles that I authored Naval Logistics Policy, procured naval aviation airplanes, and oversaw all logistics and supply chain management of new construction ships and submarines.

In my last position within the US military, before I retired in mid-2018, I was the Director of Industrial Supply Chain Operations for four public Navy Shipyards. While responsible for the daily management of logistics, supply chain management, and material support at each of those shipyards, I learned invaluable skills that would directly translate to my future role as a business owner. From leadership skills to system integrations and processes, my position taught me how to see the big picture and how to manage and lead people towards a common goal.

Throughout my career in the military, I learned a lot from the people I worked for and with but it was through my time spent as a manager where I took away a vast amount of knowledge when it came to people skills – how to lead them, how to listen to them and most importantly how to inspire them to be the best they can be.

Following My Entrepreneurial Spirit As I reflect on my time spent in the military, I am reminded of how this experience taught me indispensable tools that I continue to utilize as a franchise owner today. As a military veteran, reentering the workforce can be an exciting and challenging time. For many veterans, the desire to utilize the skill set mastered in the military means embarking on a journey of business ownership as there are clear parallels between the two. For me, before I finished my service, I began to think about what I really wanted to do when I ‘grew up’. This was fueled by the question that kept repeating in my

head ‘who am I and what is my why?’ - a question many veterans grapple with after their service.

During my transition towards the business world, I took a ‘Boots to Business’ class that opened my eyes to the world of franchising for the first time. As I started researching different franchise opportunities, I knew I wanted to invest in a concept that would get me outside of an office and out into the community.

With my roots deeply tied to the healthy, outdoor lifestyle of San Diego, I began to realize that fitness was the right path for me. With a desire to help people get and stay in shape, my path became clear to me.

“The best way to find a career post-military that you are passionate about is to determine what inspires you and what your passions are. From there, your path is narrowed down and you can focus on opportunities that will be fulfilling.”

Tips for Overcoming Challenges and Advice for Veterans Considering Entrepreneurship While my transition to business ownership has been exciting and fulfilling, many veterans struggle with challenges and are in need of strong advice when it comes to considering if entrepreneurship is right for them.

• Start early – make sure you begin your research early on in the process and allow adequate time to analyze each component of your next venture so you won’t feel the ‘I am always behind’ burden • Determine your ‘why’ – the best way to find a career post-military that you are passionate about is to determine what inspires you and what your passions are.

From there, your path is narrowed down and you can focus on opportunities that will be fulfilling.

“As I reflect on my time spent in the military, I am reminded of how this experience taught me indispensable tools that I continue to utilize as a franchise owner today.”

• Utilize resources– one of the biggest assets when re-entering the workforce is those in your network, whether that be former colleagues, friends, family, etc.

Make sure you are actively networking with others in industries, in the market you wish to open your business, etc.

• Stay positive – this can be a very challenging time for veterans but making sure to keep a positive attitude is half the battle. Keep in mind that there have been many others before you that have navigated these challenges and lean on them for support if needed.

While there are many avenues that veterans can choose when re-entering the workforce, franchising lends itself extremely well to the skills learned while serving. From systems and processes to adaptation and integration, franchising and the military mimic each other in many ways. Whatever avenue you choose, by following the above tips to overcome common challenges, you will be on the right path to your next journey.

Will Beale is a Navy veteran who specialized in policy, procurement and supply chain management for aircraft carriers, ships and submarines. He is now the owner and operator of Club Pilates, the nation’s largest boutique Pilates concept. www.clubpilatesfranchise.com

“While there are many avenues that veterans can choose when re-entering the workforce, franchising lends itself extremely well to the skills learned while serving.”

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Veteran Profile: VetFran

Franchising:

The Best Career Path for Veterans Then and Now In order to help make his idea a reality, Don said he wanted me to inform the Department of Defense that when service men and women returned from the Gulf, they could give him a call and he would help them become franchise owners, either through a Dwyer Group franchise or another brand. I told Don I would handle it, but in the back of my head I doubted this idea was going to succeed.

It was 1991. The Gulf War was coming to an end and tens of thousands of service men and women were returning to the United States. Don Dwyer Sr., founder of The Dwyer Group, one of the world’s largest parent companies of home service brands, (now known as Neighborly), realized that veterans would need opportunities to transition into the civilian workforce.

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Through many ups and downs, the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) VetFran Program, which supports veterans and their spouses’ abilities to have access to owning a franchise through education, financial assistance and mentorship, would one day become that opportunity.

Twenty-seven years ago, as I struggled to stay alert at a very early morning breakfast with Don Dwyer, he shared an idea that he had just dreamed up in the shower. The idea would allow franchisors to give hope and opportunity to thousands of deserving veterans.

Upon contacting the Department of Defense numerous logistical issues came to light, but Don insisted I persevere. Don instructed me to describe his idea in a brochure and he wanted the brochure to be given to every solider upon re-entry into the country. He wanted me to find a way to get the IFA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to sponsor the project, as well as call every franchisor we knew to tell them about the project and why they needed to be involved. I also needed to convince every franchisor to contribute $1,000 to help with expenses.

And Don gave me 30 days to get it all done.

Initially, everyone resisted the idea and said it would never succeed. But, as time passed, people came around. VetFran eventually won the support of the IFA, SBA and the Department of Veterans Affairs, but not without Don personally funding the project. When he decided we needed a national spokesperson to introduce VetFran, Don personally paid $25,000 to hire a famous general for that role.

“Today, more than 600 franchise brands voluntarily offer financial discounts, mentorship and training to veterans who want to open their own franchises.”

A dozen or so franchisors supported VetFran by offering discounts to veterans who qualified to buy a franchise, and several dozen veterans became franchisees during the next couple of years. However, the program lost steam once the war ended, and then Don died prematurely and so did VetFran.

Several years after Don’s death, his daughter, Dina Dwyer-Owens, was CEO of The Dwyer Group and she was elected to the IFA Board of Directors. One of her goals, especially as chair of the IFA board, was to revive VetFran. The IFA agreed and so did hundreds of franchisors.

Although it has been years since I have been personally involved in the VetFran program, I have followed its progress as it has evolved into the program Don envisioned. Today, more than 600 franchise brands voluntarily offer financial discounts, mentorship and training to veterans who want to open their own franchises. VetFran’s most recent survey shows more than 238,000 veterans and military spouses have been able to find opportunities within the franchise community. More than 5,600 veterans have become franchisees through the program.

Many franchisors now look for opportunities to sell franchises to veterans because they are disciplined and orderly, they get things done and they are conditioned to follow an operational system. This is why so many franchisors support VetFran. Here is what just some of these many franchisors associated with the program have said about it: “Through the years I’ve found that veterans have the exact qualities that make a great franchisee and I’m always proud to work with them.” - Tariq Farid, Founder of Edible Arrangements

“Veterans know how to follow systems and procedures, have a strong work ethic

and tremendous integrity. All of this translates very well into owning a small business.” - Gary Findley, CEO of Restoration 1 and bluefrog Plumbing + Drain

“Not only are we giving these veterans the chance to begin their own ‘American Dreams’ as business owners, but they also turn out to be some of our most dedicated and successful franchisees.”

- Shannon Hudson, Founder and CEO of 9Round Franchising, LLC

Clearly, VetFran has turned out to be a program that benefits many, both veterans and franchisors alike – just like Don originally envisioned.

About the author Dr. John P. Hayes, Titus Chair for Franchise Leadership at Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida, has written numerous bestselling books about franchising and teaches at franchise expos worldwide.

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Veteran Profile: uBreakiFix

Veteran

Gene Thornton

Uses Air Force Background to Succeed with uBreakiFix At age 18, Gene Thornton learned that less than one percent of U.S. citizens serve in the Armed Forces. Led by a desire to serve something greater than himself, Gene decided to join that one percent and enlist in the U.S. Air Force.

Serving as an intel analyst and airman for six years, Gene spent the majority of his time at Air Mobility Command Headquarters at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. For Gene, the transition from military to civilian life wasn’t easy—as is the case for so many American veterans.

“There are many challenges when leaving the service,” Gene said. “But the best thing about the transition is that no matter what obstacles lie ahead, the military has trained you to improvise with what you have, overcome adversity, and adapt to every situation,” said Gene.

On the brink of homelessness, Gene got connected to uBreakiFix through a friend of a friend. He started as an entry-level store technician and eventually worked his way up to management before finally opening his own franchise location in Stuart, Fla. in 2016.

“I found myself at a standstill in life and

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“I found myself at a standstill in life and very nearly became homeless. When I reached out to the uBreakiFix community, it changed everything.” - Gene Thornton very nearly became homeless,” he recalls.

“When I reached out to the uBreakiFix community, it changed everything. I was once again part of something bigger than myself, surrounded by a team of people who shared my values for service and integrity.”

Gene affectionately calls uBreakiFix Stuart his “baby,” and is currently laying the groundwork to open additional stores in the area. Like many veterans who work with uBreakiFix, Gene appreciates the ability to lead his own business in his own community, while still benefiting from corporate support and a close-knit company culture.

Founded in 2009, uBreakiFix services anything with a power button, including smartphones, game consoles, tablets, computers, drones, hoverboards, and everything in between. The franchise operates more than 460 locations across North America and has partnerships with leading technology companies like Google and Samsung. At the store level, uBreakiFix provides on-the-job training and ongoing corporate support. Though tech expertise is not required to franchise with uBreakiFix, Gene enjoys getting to work with his hands.

“You’d be surprised at how many people come in and think their broken phone is a lost cause,” Gene said. “It’s really gratifying to take a negative situation and turn it into something positive, either due

to the quality of the repair, the speed with which it was finished, or even just the kindness and candor of a technician who truly wants to help get your day back on track.”

In Stuart, the community is grateful to have a veteran-owned business, and Gene is grateful to them—and to the military background that helped condition him for life’s challenges and set him up for success.

“The military paved a road for me that wasn’t always the smoothest, and certainly wasn’t the easiest,” said Gene. “But I cannot deny that it made me stronger. I am eternally thankful for the hardships that made me who I am today and for uBreakiFix for helping me find myself along the way.” uBreakiFix offers 20 percent off of its franchise fee for U.S. veterans and was recently named one of Entrepreneur’s Top Franchises for Veterans.

Veterans looking for new opportunities can visit ubreakifix.com/franchising.

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