FEATURED FRANCHISEES
MICHELLE BOTTINO
Michelle Bottino, Fully Promoted Franchisee, St. Charles, Illinois
Michelle Bottino is the owner of Fully Promoted St. Charles, Illinois, a leading distributor of branded apparel and promotional products. She acquired the franchise in 2018 and has leveraged her experience in sales and marketing to grow the business into a million-dollar location. Last year, Michelle developed and launched an internship program to support community organizations focused on adults with disabilities. The 12-week program gives differently-abled adults an opportunity to learn new skills, interact with the community, and earn an hourly wage. Since the program’s launch in 2023, Michelle has worked with local organizations and six different schools in her community to identify interns. Four interns have graduated from Michelle’s program, including Callie, a 32-year-old young woman who is hearing impaired and has autism. Callie was the first graduate through Michelle’s program and became a permanent part-time employee. Callie has a penchant for crafting and has leveraged her talents to support Fully Promoted St. Charles where she operates the heat press, transfers designs to T-shirts and other products, and assists with packaging and cutting material. Callie aspires to open her own Etsy shop to sell her crafts, and Michelle is supporting her in that endeavor. Michelle was recently awarded Fully Promoted’s Humanitarian Award for her ongoing commitment to her community through her internship program and work with local nonprofits.
88 FRANCHISING WORLD / September 2024
ANGELICA OLEA AND DERRIK ROBERTS
Angelica Olea and Derrik Roberts, Grasons Franchisees, Gilbert, Arizona When you combine great leaders and smart business strategies, you get a winning franchise like Grasons of Gilbert. Angelica Olea and Derrik Roberts are at the forefront of this exciting new venture. They’re showing how powerful it can be when brands within the same family work together. Angelica isn’t new to the franchise scene. As the Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth & Development for Assisted Living Locators, another key member of Evive Brands, she’s helped grow the brand to over 150 locations. She’s a pro at helping franchises succeed and is now bringing her expertise to the world of estate sales with Grasons of Gilbert. Working with her is Derrik Roberts, who comes from a strong background in production and operations at Boeing. Together, they’re making Grasons of Gilbert a go-to name in Arizona for estate sales and more. This new Grasons franchise joins other locations in Arizona, expanding the brand’s presence and services. They’re part of Evive Brands, a group known for its robust support system that significantly benefits its franchises. The platform offers a network of preferred external vendors that provide critical services like insurance, HR, and business consulting, ensuring operational efficiency and cost savings. The platform includes business mentorship and team training support, enhancing skills and knowledge across the franchise. This comprehensive support structure is crucial, making it easier for franchisees like Angelica and Derrik to focus on what they do best — serving their customers with top-notch estate sale services.