Pillars of Franchising magazine - Issue 3 February/March 2022

All About Women

Dear Pillars of Franchising Community:

This issue is all about women in franchising. As the number of women in the space continues to grow, we want to acknowledge the opportunity franchising affords to women and families. In our last issue, we featured Dawna Blum who found financial independence for the first time in her life through her Wild Birds Unlimited franchise. In this issue, we feature three amazing women who have made a difference in their own lives and in their franchise systems.

As you read this issue, here are some important facts about women in our space. According to the 2013 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report (commissioned by American Express OPEN): More than 8.6 million women-owned businesses generate over $1.3 trillion in revenues and employ nearly 7.8 million people in the United States.

Between 1997 and 2013 the number of businesses in the United States increased by 41 percent while the number of women-owned businesses increased by 59 percent, 1.5 times the national average. Women-owned businesses exceed overall sector growth in eight of the 13 most populous industries.

Women-owned businesses are highly concentrated in health care and social assistance, educational services, other services, administrative support and waste management services.

Our cover story this month is about WNBA legend Jackie Stiles whose trailblazing career opened doors for other female athletes. She is stepping into franchising through her Next- Gen Fitness franchise, and we plan to follow her story as she navigates her new “team.”

We also interview Mandy Rowe of TrueREST float spa who has learned from her father and is taking her experience to elevate the business. Her use of social media has gained the business quite a following, and she is definitely bringing her youth and energy to the business.

Jane Plitt, a pioneer in the Women’s Movement herself, brings to us the story of Martha Matilda Harper who is the uncredited founder of the modern retail franchise model. Plitt tells us about Martha and her accomplishments and why it is important to tell the stories of women in history.

This issue is packed with must-read articles of some truly amazing women. In addition, our Million Dollar Mentors, Kristin Selmeczy, Jerry Akers, Ray Pillar and David Kajganich share their perspectives on the women in their lives and businesses and their outlooks for the new year.

We also have informative articles from Nancy Friedman, the Telephone Doctor, on customer service; Susan Scotts on franchise education; Michele Rempel on marketing; Harold Kestenbaum on legal issues; Kelly Krueger on funding; Michael Ianuzzi on tax/finance; Nancy Chorpenning on the power of a circle of women and our very own Million Dollar Mentor, David Kajganich on leadership. We welcome Karen Kimsey-Sward as a contributor and we have added Franchise 247 as a sponsor.

Join us on our social media, subscribe on the website and join us every Thursday at 4:00 CT for the Pillars of Franchising live stream! We look forward to serving you, and remember… The Dream Starts Here!

Elizabeth Denham Editor-in-Chief