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contents

MARCH 2021

30

MEET LONNIE ATKINSON

18 Women are Killing it in Franchising

38 POOL SCOUTS

Seth Lederman

22

Q&A: KITCHEN SOLVERS Continuing to Strive for New Innovations: An Interview with Kali Morgenthaler Camantha Magoon

26 Paths and Opportunities for Women

in 2021 Eddie Rodriguez

30 Q&A: VILLAGE JUICE “Just Start Where You Are:” An Interview with Lonnie Atkinson on Why 10% of Something Is Better Than 100% of Nothing Camantha Magoon 34 SCHOOLEY MITCHELL

6

42

Experiences rapid growth amid pandemic

MARCH 2021 | WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM

Female Franchisees Find their Niche

42 THE DRIPBAR CEO on a Mission to Educate America on IV Therapy

48 Q&A: ROCKBOX FITNESS From Her Background to Her Ideals, April Fisk Shows Up and Never Stops Putting In the Work

Camantha Magoon

52

Q&A: STRICKLAND BROTHERS An Interview With the Executive Assistant of the Fastest Growing Quick Lube Franchise in the US

Camantha Magoon

60

78 56 PILLAR TO POST HOME INSPECTORS®

90 PAYROLL VAULT

In a Male-Dominated Industry, Widow Carries on in Her Husband's Memory

Rhonda Sanderson

Female Franchisees Embracing Freedom

60 GREAT CLIPS Beth Nilssen: Helping People Find Their Full Potential

64 GUIDANT FINANCIAL

Women In Business

70 OASIS SENIOR ADVISORS CC Childree Finds the Right Place with Oasis Senior Advisors Corporate Team

74 Q&A: FETCH! PET CARE An Interview with Jaime Deason

78 THE WOMEN OF FRANDEVCO 82 TUTOR DOCTOR Using Social Platforms as a Catalyst Amid COVID-19 Changes — From Classroom to Online 86 THE WOMEN OF A PLACE

98

94 ATWORK An Interview with Unnati Patel-Hall

98 WSI Our Business has Never Been More Relevant 102 FLOOR COVERINGS INTERNATIONAL After a String of Corporate Layoffs, Debbie Learns it’s Never Too Late to Follow Your Business Passion

106 BODYBAR PILATES An Interview with Kamille McCollum 110 Q&A: THE NOW An Interview with Gara Post

114 FRANCHISE FASTLANE Carey Gille: Franchising Maven

Bill Polk

120 MOXIE A “look good” “feel good” business story!

AT HOME FRANCHISE WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

7

148 ITRIP Women-owned Businesses Blaze Trails in Private Accommodations Industry

156 FRANFUND Sherri Seiber: Helping Others Become Their Own “Boss Lady”

160 Q&A: SIGNARAMA

An Interview with Samanthia Cook Terence West

164 ACCELERATED WASTE SOLUTIONS Quickly Becoming a Leader in Women-Owned Franchises

165 ACCELERATED WASTE SOLUTIONS

156

AN INTERVIEW WITH SHERRI SEIBER

124 GUIDANT FINANCIAL

170 AUTHORITY BRANDS Highlighting some of the female franchise leaders and owners

174 DEKA LASH Using Beauty Tech to Instill Confidence in the Everyday Woman

178 KOALA INSULATION

Committed to Great Service Allison Zorich

Karay Hamer Is Striving Toward Success with a Smile on Her Face

128 PAUL DAVIS

182 Why Women Rock in Franchising

Ofelia Lucas is Just One of Many Women in the Network Who Excel n the Restoration Business

136 CREATIVE COLORS INTERNATIONAL “Mrs. Fix It” Joins the “We Can Fix That” Franchise Family

140 Q&A: PAYROLL VAULT Cathy Carroll Helping Businesses in PA to Count the Dough with Payroll Vault

144 IFRANCHISE GROUP

eautifying America One Lawn at a Time B

8

Q&A with Cynthia watson Rick Morgin

Mark Siebert

MARCH 2021 | WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM

Nancy Criconet

186 Q&A: OASIS SENIOR ADVISORS Rashonda Ambrose’s Advice to Women Aspiring to Embark on Owning a Franchise

Marilyn Imparato 192 FETCH! PET CARE The Business of Pets Creates Self Employment

John Ovens

196 GYMGUYZ Barbara Garey Uses Her Passion

To Help Others

204

224

212 200 Self-Care Isn't Just a Movement;

It's a Business Scott Milas

204 LUNCHBOXWAX The Women Behind the Wax

The LunchboxWax Team

208 COLOR WORLD HOUSEPAINTING

Meet the Women Owners

212 KIDOKINETICS Terri Braun brings the fun to your kids

216 TUTOR DOCTOR From Corporate America to Business Owner

220 LASH LOUNGE Supporting Female Business Owners

Meg Roberts

224 ZOUP! T wo Generations

of Independent

Women Find Success

Christina Trecapelli 228 ROCK AND ROLL NANNYSHARE Early Childhood Education in the Times of a Pandemic

Christopher Vuk

232 Q&A: PAYROLL VAULT An Interview with Tricia Petteys

236 Q&A: MODERN MARKET An Interview with Renee Israel

240 GNF WORLWIDE:

Change is the Reason

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PLANNING ON ATTENDING A TRADE SHOW IN 2021?

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welcome

NOTES

O

ur last Women’s History Month Edition was published March 1, 2020. Twelve days later a Pandemic National Emergency was declared in the USA. Markets dipped, fear gripped the nation and a new reality washed over the world like a tsunami. Then we started to gather up the pieces of our lives and slowly climb out of the morass.

Women across the country held their family together, rolled up their sleeves and made sure their kids continued learning. Today we are on the verge of reopening the world.

Sometimes, it can seem like a lifetime ago to think of the prepandemic world. As a country, we have been making major strides toward gender equality.

We now have our first female Vice-President. Women have surpassed men in obtaining college degrees. Women have flocked to many formerly maledominated occupations such as law and medicine. A record number of women candidates

were elected to Congress.

Women have always worn a multitude of hats and during the pandemic many decided it was time to add another; entrepreneur.

Female business ownership, business creation and entrepreneurship has skyrocketed. A combination of

working from home, teaching the kids, keeping the family together and the million other plates that are spinning on sticks has created a hyperinterest in entrepreneurship in the USA. Post pandemic franchise and business ownership will skyrocket and female

"Part-time entrepreneurship is often called “sidepreneurship.” The rate of growth in the number of sidepreneurs is far greater than for all ventures. This reflects the proliferation of ways in which adults earn money on the side and increasing ease in finding these opportunities."

12

MARCH 2021 | WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM

"Four million new jobs and $981 billion in revenue would be added if average revenue of minority women-owned firms matched that of white women-owned businesses."

entrepreneurs will be at the vanguard of this.

Unsurprisingly, a combination of necessity, flexibility and opportunity entrepreneurship — each of which represents a very different type of businesswoman — is driving the interest in franchising. Necessity entrepreneurs cannot find quality employment or are unemployed. Their only viable employment option is to start a business. This definition also includes women who, though employed, need to supplement their income. A strong stock market coupled with government lending to business has fueled this type of entrepreneurship during the past 12 months. During good economic times, necessity entrepreneurship declines.

Flexibility entrepreneurs start their own businesses because workforce policies do not accommodate their caregiving responsibilities or they desire more control over when and where they work.5 Opportunity entrepreneurs see possibilities in the market that they want to exploit. They are more likely to enter the market in good economic times than in bad. These businesses tend to have a higher rate of survival and better growth prospects than their necessity and flexibility counterparts. During good

economic times, opportunity entrepreneurship rises.

While the number of womenowned businesses grew 21% from 2014 to 2019, firms owned by women of color grew at double that rate (43%).

Numbers for African American/ Black women grew even faster at 50%. Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (41%), Latina/Hispanic (40%), Asian American (37%) and Native American/Alaska Native (26%) businesses grew more slowly than for women of color in general but faster than overall women owned businesses and all businesses.

Warren Buffett famously said “Never bet against America” and I would echo

that sentiment and add the following “Never bet against American women”. The era of the Pandemic will soon end but the foundational shift to female entrepreneurs in franchising is only just beginning. It is not an era which has a beginning and an end, it is the new normal.

Nick Neonakis

Editor, Franchise Journal

The growth rates of several key metrics for women-owned businesses showed continued progress when compared to all businesses over the past five years: • The number of women-owned businesses increased 21%, while all businesses increased only 9%

• T otal employment by women-owned businesses rose 8%, while for all businesses the increase was 1.8%.

• Total revenue growth of women-owned businesses was about the same as for all businesses: 21% and 20% respectively.

WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

13

FOUNDER

NICK NEONAKIS DESIGN DIRECTOR

Pete Neonakis DIGITAL DIRECTOR

Abel Beyene ART DIRECTOR

Marty Greenbaum

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Chantae Arrington

SENIOR DESIGNER Patrick Elsner

MANAGING EDITOR Brenda Lesch

VIDEO PRODUCER Matt Panepinto

DEPUTY EDITOR Faizun Kamal

CONTRIBUTORS Valerie Brown-Dufour Nancy Criconet Marilyn Imparato Vanessa Iurman Seth Lederman LunchboxWax Team Camantha Magoon John Ovens Bill Polk Meg Roberts Eddie Rodriguez Rhonda Sanderson Mark Siebert Christina Trecapelli Christopher Vuk

SENIOR EDITOR Bill Polk ONLINE EDITOR Seth Lederman STAFF WRITER Megan Neonakis SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Abel Beyene ASSOCIATE EDITOR Mariel Miller ONLINE EDITOR Mike Ciccarelli

14

MARCH 2021 | WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM

FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM

If you want to get ahead in franchising, The Franchise Journal has the most concepts and tactics to help you become a business owner.

Share with your friends. franchisejournal.com

The Small Business Trends Alliance (SBTA) is a group dedicated to supporting small businesses with data trends and insights. To achieve this goal, SBTA companies conducted a joint email survey from December 1, 2020 to December 18, 2020 of more than 2,400 current and aspiring small business owners nationwide. Respondent ages ranged from 18 to over 70. The SBTA includes Guidant Financial, Deluxe, MyCorporation, Flippa, AP Intego, and FRANdata. Unique content may contain opinions and statements supported only by the company hosting the content and should not be taken as the opinion of other companies within the SBTA.

A DIVISION OF KEYSER

DON’T HAVE A REAL ESTATE DEPARTMENT?

WITH F.R.E.D.

NOW YOU DO WHAT’S F.R.E.D.?

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F.R.E.D. IS ALWAYS

ON YOUR SIDE

As a franchise-focused division of Keyser, F.R.E.D. gives you all the power and resources of a commercial real estate brokerage, with a focus on franchising.

F.R.E.D. only represents tenants, never landlords, so you know we’ve always got your back and are ready to negotiate aggressively for you and your franchisee.

From site selection, to lease negotiations and hanging your official “Now Open” sign, F.R.E.D. helps remove the hassle by coordinating with construction, legal, and your landlord throughout the entire process at no cost to you or your franchisee.

CHAT WITH F.R.E.D. ROCCO FIORENTINO

rf@keyserco.com 609.206.4300

TY BREWSTER

tbrewster@keyserco.com 623.332.3201

OR VISIT US ONLINE www.keyserco.com/fred 602.9.KEYSER

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Women

are Killing it in Franchising

by Seth Lederman, Consultant, The Franchise Consulting Company

A

lthough there remains a gender gap in the United States, women have come into their own as business owners over the past several decades. According to the State of Women-Owners Business Report, nearly 9 million femaleowned businesses create more than $1.3 trillion in revenues. Once more, they employ nearly 8 million workers across the United States.

Statistics also show that between the years 1997 and 2013, while the number of business operations increased by 41%, 59% were womenowned. And a place where they are killing it is in the franchise industry, where 20% plus percent are womenowned and an additional nearly 25% are co-owned by women and men.

18

“A CONFIDENT WOMAN, A WOMAN WHO TRULY KNOWS HER WORTH AND HER POWER IS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH.” — Mandy Hale

Growth of Women in Franchising

The data tells us that not only do women occupy their fair share of franchise ownership, but the numbers are increasing daily. The growth rate in franchise ownership has more than doubled that of all other business ownership types, with a five percent increase in 2019 alone. So what is it that is attracting women to franchise businesses, and what makes them the ideal type to succeed?

What Makes Women Good Franchisees?

There are many reasons why women are not only flocking to franchise ownership and killing it once they put up their “open for business sign.”

But chief among them is that women are very skilled at multitasking and prioritizing.

Although a franchise gives you the playbook about how to open and operate the business, it takes a whole lot of piecing things together to get them up and running. And then additional attention to detail to maintain success for the long-term.

Women Tend to be Great at Organizing

Women tend to be better organizers by nature. Typically, out of necessity, they know how to multi-task, prioritize what needs to be done immediately and what can be put on the back burner. They also have a

keen eye for details, which is often overlooked. Their instincts give them a leg up on keeping things on task, on time, and on budget, all of which are essential characteristics for any business owner but especially ideal for franchise business owners.

Women Tend to Think on Their Feet

Often women have many plates in the air in their personal life, so they get very proficient at moving quickly and adapting. They are experts at improvising and thinking creatively outside of the box.

Women understand that there is more than just one way to get a job done and approach every situation with a fresh eye and the will to find a solution.

Because they tend to think very quickly on their feet, women can pivot when necessary.

Women Tend to Have Stronger Communication Skills

One of the biggest reasons people either succeed or fail at business ownership is their ability to communicate effectively. Women tend to have strong communication and networking skills. They tend to create and form relationships with people, which breeds loyalty. When you are a franchise owner, there is a great need to get along with people and build bridges across all business functions.

Having strong people skills

and likability is key to creating lasting customer relationships and loyalty to keep a business going strong.

Women Tend to be More Fiscally Conservative

Women tend to run a household, which anyone who has ever done so could attest to, is not easy. Working under tight budgets and being conservative is a skill that women tend to develop through personal practice.

Women can see the big picture and are willing to start small and grow. It isn’t that they don’t have the same “plan of greatness,” it is that they know that they have to nurture a business the same way they would their family.

And they also understand that overspending can put you in a bad situation. When possible, they prioritize where their dollar is going and realize that you have to reinvest to grow. That makes them tend to spend their money wisely for the long-term. A conservative nature is preciselywhat it takes for opening, operating, and developing a franchise - and franchisors know it!

Resources for Women Looking to Break Into Franchise Ownership

Because women’s characteristics make them good business owners, many franchisors target women to start and run franchises across many industries. The WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

19

availability of resources, such as granting aid financially and educationally, attracts women into franchise ownership.

Organizations such as the Association of Business Centers and the Small Business Association have workshops, mentoring programs, seminars, and financial assistance programs to help women become a franchise owner.

Just decades ago, women tended to gravitate toward feminine-typical franchises in industries such as beauty and health. Today there are boundless opportunities for women to become franchise owners across many sectors.

More and more franchisors value the characteristics that make women ideal owners and throw advertising, marketing, and resources to entice women to take a chance at ownership.

Profiles of New Women Franchise Owners

Tracy Toomer

Tracy has a long history of organizational and executive success in the workplace.

Although most of her experience was centered primarily in the restaurant and hospitality industry, she also has worked in the health and fitness world. When COVID hit, and she found herself without the job security she craved, she decided to switch gears and become a franchise owner. She is now successfully growing her franchise and enjoying a

20

MARCH 2021 | WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM

job and financial security when most employees are finding it difficult to find gainful and lasting employment.

“As a business executive looking to become an entrepreneur during COVID, I was a bit nervous and unsure. I worked closely with Frannexus, a franchise consultancy that knows how to put one at ease and allows the data to help clients make the best decisions for their careers. I am over the moon excited about the new Franchise Family that I bought into. My values and the core values of the organization are in sync, and I can be myself, have a work-life balance, and be successful at the same time.”

—Tracy Toomer, Franchise Owner

Jennifer Robinson

Jennifer has extensive experience working in human resources. She wanted a life where she had more control over her financial future and employment security, so she sought advice from Frannexus in 2019 and started down the road to franchise ownership.

"I had been in the job market for almost a year (with no luck), and my spouse was working in the personal training/fitness space. We had numerous conversations regarding owning a business and even made calls to get information on a few franchises. Still, fear of the unknown always prevented us from moving forward. I was referred to Frannexus, a franchising consultancy, by an acquaintance. I had never heard of a franchise

consultant, but I reached out - with significant hesitation.

After meeting and working with the team to vet and select a franchise concept, I'm so grateful that they were our guide throughout the journey.

The processes and tools they use as part of their "intake" process are comprehensive.

Throughout the concept vetting process, Frannexus remained by our side. The road to business ownership is stressful. However, having a franchise consultant to lean on made it easier to take the leap.

We are now in the process of developing two units of a concept that we love!”

—Jennifer Robinson The opportunities for women in the workplace continue to expand, which includes business-ownership. Nowhere is it more apparent than in the franchise industry. Women tend to have highly coveted characteristics, so more and more franchisors jump on the bandwagon to attract talented women to join their franchise family.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Seth Lederman, a Franchise Acquisition and Development Specialist, is a Multifaceted entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in small business success, including ownership and sale of his own business enterprises. He is a frequent contributing author to The Franchise Journal and is on the exclusive Forbes Business Council.

Contact him at 312-307-1297 or at seth@ thefranchiseconsultingcompany.com

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Q&A

Continuing to Strive for New Innovations: An Interview with Kali Morgenthaler of Kitchen Solvers

by Camantha Magoon, Communications & Content Specialist, FranDevCo Solvers brand and was moved by her drive to advance and not remain stagnant in her career.

Q: How did you get started in Franchising?

KALI:

KALI MORGENTHALER

is the Director of Marketing for the kitchen remodeling franchise, Kitchen Solvers.

In her role she works with franchise partners on building their marketing strategy and runs almost all of the brand’s digital advertising in-house. I interviewed Kali to learn more about the Kitchen

22

MARCH 2021 | WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM

I come from a corporate background. Before Kitchen Solvers, I worked for a multi-billion dollar global education company that sold education products for testing. I was a senior product marketing specialist for a $20 million product line and was able to gain experience through a large organization that had a full, in-house marketing team. From a corporate perspective, you start to run on this hamster wheel where the same problems occur and you go through the process of solving them only to have to jump through more hoops and approvals and it’s hard to truly make a difference in that role. I missed that aspect, so I began looking for a way to achieve that in my career. I ran into Kitchen Solvers early in my search and

I fell in love with the culture of the brand. On a career development side of things, I was scared to work for a smaller company on the chance that I would lose out on all the resources a big corporation has, but I was excited to see that Kitchen Solvers already had a lot of that in place. Since leaving the corporate world, I've brought the experience of a huge marketing budget and team to our Franchise Partners.

I teach them how to market like a big corporation, but optimize their marketing spend with smaller local marketing budgets to create a good return on their investment.

Q: Who do you consider your female role models?

KALI:

I have a lot of female role models. One in particular is Rachel Hollis, a self-motivator.

I love how she gives tactical advice to striving towards one’s ever-changing goals. I am also motivated by one of my previous managers, and now a mentor and friend. I was lucky to work with Lenys Kramer,

who was a trainer, a co-worker, and then my manager later on in my corporate role. She had that servant leadership style where she would drop everything and help me. She’s always been very empathetic and a good leader, and she empowered me to do my best work while teaching me that I also wanted to help other people.

Q: Do you have a

favorite quote?

KALI:

“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” It resonates with my decision to move my

career into franchising versus a stable corporate career. It is also something I like to remind myself as our brand continues to strive for new innovations and new marketing tasks to get the best ROI for our Franchise Partners. I am a perfectionist at heart, but I’ve learned that sometimes progress needs to be achieved over perfectionism, and risks need to be taken to gain reward.

Q: What is something you are excited for in the coming year with Kitchen Solvers?

KALI:

This past October we piloted a marketing platform that allows us to manage our Franchise Partners’ marketing in-house. It was an obvious pilot where we saw such great performance that we moved forward with it. This year, I'm most excited to have a full year of driving lead generation on behalf of our Franchise Partners, starting immediately after they return from training.

Taking a lot of the marketing tasks off of their plate and helping them reach their goals is what motivates me.

For Franchising Information To learn more about opportunities available with Kitchen Solvers franchising, visit their website at kitchensolvers.com or reach out to kitchensolvers@frandev. co!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR FranDevCo’s Communications & Content Specialist, Camantha Magoon, has a background in Linguistics and Anthropology from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan.

WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

23

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Paths and Opportunities for Women in 2021

by Eddie Rodriguez, Consultant, The Franchise Consulting Company

T

o reach the age of 50 is a huge milestone to celebrate! For some people, it’s also the birthday they start to dread. Not because of aging or children leaving the nest, but the chance of finding an executive level job after being downsized after age 50 is greatly reduced. According to an article in Harvard Business

26

MARCH 2021 | WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM

Review, older women truly are being phased out of the workplace. Many women, even in their early 50s, are being demoted, losing their jobs and are not able to find another one. Although they have long histories of successful careers and are strong and confident, their responsibilities are being assigned to younger workers, their compensation is lowered because of reasons that aren’t explained and promotion opportunities disappear that were once there.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the U.S. economy lost 140,000 net jobs in December 2020, with 156,000 women leaving the workforce (men gained 16,000 jobs during the same time period). Women lost more than 5.4 million net jobs since the pandemic began in early 2020 and account for 55.0% of overall net job loss, with nearly 2.1 million fewer women in the labor force in December 2020 than there were in February 2020 before the pandemic started.

These facts and statistics don’t surprise me at all. I hear stories that back the statistics up every week when talking with my clients. Many women

are struggling to stay employed until retirement.

One of my current clients is a very smart lady who is in her early 50s. She found me on LinkedIn and through an article I wrote for an earlier issue of this publication. She worked as a media executive for years and was downsized.

After looking for another corporate position, she decided to start her own business from the ground up. That business did not work out and she lost money. Her husband passed away, she has one daughter in college, and her other daughter is leaving for college soon. There are still many expenses and retiring early is not an option or a wish.

She knew it was time to figure out a plan for the next phase of her life without reentering the corporate world.

When she talked with her children about her options, one daughter expressed interest in business ownership down the road, maybe taking over a business from her mother.

My client wants to start as the owner-operator of her business, then transition into a semi-absentee/part-time role by hiring a general manager to

report to her. When we talked in-depth about her goals, they included being financially independent, having the freedom to build a business on her terms, and not having a boss to add extra stress in her life. I explained the great news is there is another option that meets her goals: franchise ownership!

It is time to kick start the next phase of her life and not only prove to herself that she can succeed but show her daughters that after a couple of major life events, the best is yet to come! Purchasing a franchise has so many benefits including proven business models, support from the franchisor, extensive training and technology to support the business, researched territories to avoid too many competitors, financing options and the opportunity to grow from one location to many or to own multiple brands.

There are several types of franchise ownership:

1. OWNER-OPERATOR where

you handle all roles, “cook and bottle washer”.

2. SEMI-ABSENTEE, where

you work a limited number of hours in the business, an average of 10-15 hours per week, and manage it from your phone and computer, and

3.

AN EXECUTIVE MODEL, where you are primarily an investor and can truly manage the business from a computer and a phone. My

client desires to move from the first model to the second model over time, which is very doable with many brands. The opportunities truly are endless.

I’m showing franchising options to her this week and can’t wait to see where she lands! I do know she will be successful. Her focus, energy

and excitement alone will carry her far!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Eddie Rodriguez is a serial entrepreneur who has built multiple successful businesses and has been a franchise consultant for 12 years. Contact Eddie at 305-460-9925 or at eddie@ thefranchiseconsultingcompany.com.

WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

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promoting sustainable living

ecomaids is the leading innovator of environmentally responsible, nontoxic residential cleaning services for families throughout the country.

supporting our local communities saving the planet, one spotless home at a time

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create your future.

Why PrideStaff?

A Thriving and Essential Industry • The staffing industry consistently outpaces the growth of the U.S. GDP and generated over $160 billion in annual revenue last year.

• Staffing firms employ over 17 million Americans each year.

Large Protected Territories • PrideStaff provides you with some of the largest protected territories in the staffing industry.

Ongoing Training and Back Office Support • Fully committed to your success we provide ongoing training, back office support to help your business run smoothly, and more than a 1:1 ratio of offices to corporate support staff.

Best-in-Class Satisfaction and Service • According to ClearlyRated, an independent staffing industry satisfaction firm, PrideStaff consistently ranks in top 1% for Client and Talent satisfaction.

Our Mission: Consistently provide client experiences focused on what they value most.

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Q&A

“Just Start Where You Are:” An Interview with LONNIE ATKINSON on Why 10% of Something Is Better Than 100% of Nothing

by Camantha Magoon, Communications & Content Specialist, FranDevCo

of a healthy lifestyle that emphasizes both taste and enjoyment. In my interview with her, Lonnie discusses how VJCo. began franchising and why it was the right step for her and the brand.

Q:

How did you f ind yourself in the Franchising Industry?

Lonnie: I started the

LONNIE ATKINSON is one of the co-founders of Village Juice Company, a Healthy Fast-Casual Restaurant that delivers authentically fresh, delicious drinks and eats, embracing the value

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company with my husband Nathan and our long-time friend Clyde Harris back in 2015. We began selling coldpressed juices and almond milk out of a tent at our local farmers market and moved to a food truck from there.

We stumbled across a lot of local people excited about what we were doing, and we received a lot of press because we were the first cold-pressed juice company in our area, which helped expand our business. From there we tried selling some raw vegan

snacks and desserts, and we saw a community that was hungry - pun intended - for healthier food, so we decided we'd open a brick-and-mortar location. In 2016, we opened our first restaurant in WinstonSalem and it was a huge success. The younger college demographic quickly become loyal customers. They were more knowledgeable about this way of eating and living, and they helped to boost us as we were educating our regular community on the benefits of eating healthy.

Then In 2017, Wake Forest University approached us and asked if they could put our juice in their campus. Both my husband and our business partner attended Wake Forest, so it was a dream to have something we created in their alma mater. We sold juices at a few of their locations and then they approached us again and asked if we’d be interested in opening a

restaurant on campus. Before then we had never thought about opening another location. At that time, we were still in the learning phase of running our own restaurant, but we thought this could be a great way to branch out and potentially learn more.

In the end, we went for it.

While that was happening, Elon University also reached out about putting us on their campus, so we signed with both, and in 2018 and we got our feet wet with learning how to teach somebody else to make our food and to run the business. From there we saw a real opportunity and realized our business was something that we could scale through franchising. Overall, franchising was the right next step for our concept because this is something I'm so passionate about. I started the company to educate people and help those who had gone through some of the same struggles I had with finding healthy eating options and

realizing how good I could feel.

I wanted other people to know there were options out there and I also wanted to be an option for them.

Q:

Tell us more about the charitable causes you support?

Lonnie: We have a lot of projects we support that are focused on food insecurity. I can tell you about one of our favorites: H.O.P.E of WinstonSalem, Help Our People Eat. My husband is the current President and it was started locally. The cause provides meals in underserved areas for children. On the

weekends, many children who live in low-income areas might only have access to the meals they receive at school, so HOPE goes directly into the neighborhoods to provide meals to the children, as well as f resh produce to their parents so they can cook healthy meals. They deliver over a thousand meals every weekend. It’s near and dear to us because it's also what we're trying to do as a brand.

We're not just selling a $9 juice. We want everybody to have access to healthy food, so we do a lot with that organization because we believe they're making an impact here locally.

“I STARTED THE COMPANY TO EDUCATE PEOPLE AND HELP THOSE WHO HAD GONE THROUGH SOME OF THE SAME STRUGGLES I HAD WITH FINDING HEALTHY EATING OPTIONS AND REALIZING HOW GOOD I COULD FEEL.” — Lonnie Atkinson, Co-Founder, Village Juice Company WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

31

Q:

What is new with Village Juice Co. this year?

Lonnie: We're opening a

franchise in the mountains

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of Virginia and Harrisonburg.

I'm really excited to get them open in June. Additionally, we are implementing a multi-faceted approach to our expansion. In 2020 we reached a national master licensing agreement with Aramark, a billion-dollar food service provider to schools and universities.

This agreement will lead to sustainable growth and continued brand awareness via universities and traditional franchising. We've also been researching and developing new products like salad dressings, and working to make them shelf-stable, so they can be available for wholesale, and we are in the process of rebranding all of

our plant-based desserts. We believe we have some of the best plant-based desserts out there. It’s a segment of the market that has a lot of opportunity, so I’m looking forward to that.

For Franchising Information To learn more about opportunities available with Village Juice Co. f ranchising, visit their website at https:// www.villagejuicecompany. com/ or reach out to villagejuiceco@f randev.co!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR FranDevCo’s Communications & Content Specialist, Camantha Magoon, has a background in Linguistics and Anthropology f rom Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan.

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Schooley Mitchell Experiences Rapid Growth Amid Pandemic

PICTURE THIS – you are a business decisionmaker who has done a great job of leading organizations and departments for some time now. You have run a tight ship. When possible, you have cut costs. But 2020 hit and revenues dropped and an order has come down decreeing that you must further trim your budget. You just don’t see how it can be done.

Schooley Mitchell® has built a 20-year legacy on helping business owners and decision-makers execute their mandates of reducing costs.

As one of the fastest-growing franchise concepts in North America, Schooley Mitchell Franchisees use proprietary software, marketplace insight and unparalleled vendor clout to significantly reduce clients’ expenses. Both in good economic times and in periods of uncertainty, organizations of all sizes and industries must ensure their costs are optimized. Schooley Mitchell helps them do just that.

Schooley offers a proven, recession-proof model that

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emboldens entrepreneurs to utilize management and consulting expertise to help organizations adapt to changing times and improve their business systems in a cost-effective manner.

Schooley Mitchell has experienced rapid growth despite the unprecedented economic challenges of 2020. In fact, over the last six months, Schooley Mitchell has welcomed 10 new franchise placements on average per month, illustrating the brand’s resonance and the value proposition of organizational cost control. From coast-tocoast in both the U.S. and Canada, Schooley Mitchell Franchisees have worked with manufacturing companies,

financial institutions, professional services firms, high-tech startups, non-profits and mom-and pops, helping organizations across North America reduce their expenses and operate more efficiently.

Schooley Mitchell is committed to the success of its Franchisees, investing in tools, resources and expanding its corporate staff to meet the growing needs and demands of an expanding franchise system.

This coming year, Schooley Mitchell will be rolling out new consulting categories to help our Franchisees access new clients and revenue streams, while continuing to develop our tools and resources to bring even more success to

our Franchisees. Schooley Mitchell has also developed our corporate appointment-setting program, providing a steady flow of qualified leads for our Franchisees, which has proven crucial particularly during their ramp-up periods.

Schooley Mitchell has over two decades of experience in the market and a proven and scalable model that allows Franchisees to build successful consulting businesses from the comfort and safety of their own home. And without the limitations of assigned geographical territory, Schooley Mitchell Franchisees have the flexibility of growing their businesses by obtaining clients across the U.S. and Canada.

With a holistic and customizable approach, Schooley Mitchell looks to continually develop sustainable cost management cultures for their clients. In a year like 2020, with disruption abounding across the globe, this proposition has resonated with clients more than ever before.

Schooley Mitchell’s cost reduction service can be executed completely virtually, meaning Franchisees do not have to meet face-to-face with clients to build successful businesses. By utilizing video platforms to meet with clients and with our software and online portals, Schooley

Mitchell Franchisees have transitioned seamlessly to the remote business nature of our current time. With expectations that virtual business will continue in the coming year, Schooley Mitchell is positioned to meet its Franchisee’s and clients’ needs moving forward.

The future is bright for Schooley Mitchell and its Franchisees as the business world continues to change and decision-makers continue to look for innovative ways to reduce costs.

Business is great and Schooley Mitchell continues to look for more in 2021.

BUSINESS IS GREAT AND SCHOOLEY MITCHELL CONTINUES TO LOOK FOR MORE IN 2021.

WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

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Why Schooley Mitchell?

10 New Franchises Per Month…

For The Past 6 Months There’s A Reason For That 4 Great Systems 4 Multi-Million Dollar Tools 4 Great Exit Strategy 4 Low Investment; High Profits call: 1-888-6477 email: development@schooleymitchell.com sign-up: smfdportal.com

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Female Franchisees Find their Niche with Pool Scouts Pool Scouts’ women franchisees are using their passion for customer service to excel in an industry traditionally saturated by men.

T

hree of Pool Scouts’ female franchisees — Tiffany Consoli, Michelle Stern and Heather Pontius — are taking the industry by storm and proving themselves as successful entrepreneurs.

Consoli, who was Pool Scouts’ very first franchisee in Raleigh, North Carolina, was looking to

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start her own business after spending years working in retail management. She was drawn to the brand because she was interested in a serviceoriented business and found Pool Scouts to be the right fit. “If you’re passionate about service, this business really allows you to hone in on it,” said Consoli. “We’re really able

to focus on that homeowner and their needs in this business. Being a homeowner myself, I’m able to relate to that experience, and I have the opportunity to start building a relationship with my clients.

That’s what has been the most fun for me.”

She says it has been her willingness to do research and

openness to develop knowledge and garner the skills of the industry that have brought her such success. “Franchising requires ambition, dedication and the ability to lead — all characteristics of today’s business-minded women.”

Stern, who owns her Texasbased business with her husband Steve, attributes her success to her experience of learning how to navigate maledominated environments in the military. Her attraction to the brand was based on the element of teamwork Pool Scouts offers and the ability it's given her to be able to support her clients through service.

“I’ve worked in historically male-dominated environments my entire career, from the U.S. Navy to the tech industry,”

said Stern. “As a female, I’ve achieved success through personal influence more so than via a position or title. I’ve always believed that it takes a team working together to create success, which means everyone succeeds through the help and support of others, not as a one-woman show.

As I talked with the people on the Pool Scouts teams, both at the corporate office and other franchise owners, I got a good feeling about the brand’s level of support — that this was a strong team I’d like to be a part of.”

Pontius, who is a single mother of two and the owner of a Pool Scouts territory in Columbus, Ohio, says she’s always felt motivated by opportunities. She was drawn to the support that the brand provides and has never felt limited to what she can do in her business.

“I signed on as a woman in this business because I had confidence in the brand,” said Pontius. “Women shouldn’t feel limited in any space, they can do whatever they set their mind to.”

One commonality between these women is that their

passion for customer service drives their success and engagement in this business.

Angela Paules, chief marketing officer of Buzz Franchise Brands, Pool Scouts’ parent company, says pool cleaning and maintenance services are businesses focused on people, and that’s what makes women in this industry such successful entrepreneurs.

“While Pool Scouts is obviously a pool cleaning business, what's more important is that it's a people business — a customerservice business,” said Paules.

“Women generally have a natural nurturing quality, and many have customer service experience somewhere in their careers. These skills translate seamlessly into running a business like Pool Scouts, where managing a team and providing an exceptional customer experience are the keys to success.”

To learn more about franchising with Pool Scouts, visit PoolScoutsFranchise.com.

WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

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MAKING WAVES IN THE POOL SERVICE INDUSTRY

Pool Scouts is a refreshing take on the pool service industry, meeting the need for a more professional pool cleaning and maintenance solution in a booming home services industry. Pool Scouts is growing fast with 32 territories awarded last year, more than doubling the overall total. There are now 65 Pool Scouts territories awarded across 8 states. With a strong pipeline of qualified candidates, demand is not slowing down. Call today to secure your preferred territory!

Ranked One of Entrepreneur’s Top Franchises in 2021 Recurring Revenue Business Model World-Class Marketing & a Fun Brand

Full Training & Support No Experience Needed

$

Low Cost of Entry A Fast Growing Industry

“Pool Scouts provides processes and systems along with a phenomenal support team to

”

help me grow my business. Together we will professionalize the pool maintenance industry!

David Muirhead, Franchisee (Northern Virginia)

POOLSCOUTSFRANCHISE.COM 844-40-SCOUT

BRANDS POWERED BY

Pool Scouts Franchising, LLC | 2829 Guardian Lane, Suite 100 | VA Beach, VA 23452. This information is not intended as an offer to sell a franchise or the solicitation of an offer to buy a franchise. It is for informational purposes only.

The filing of an application for registration of an offering prospectus or the acceptance and filing thereof by the New York Department of Law as required by New York law does not constitute approval of the offering or the sale of such franchise by the New York Department of Law or the Attorney General of New York.

©

Recruiting Specialists

We’ve added EXECUTIVE SEARCH to our popular model

MORE POSSIBILITIES SAME LOW PRICE

TAKING EXECUTIVE RECRUITING TO THE NEXT LEVEL While we will still maintain our staffing services in our CORE niche, expanding into Executive Search opens up more possibilities, for the same, low price franchise offering, thereby exponentially increasing franchisees ability to maximize ROI in a home based, low overhead, professional model.

With the Patrice & Associates Executive Search channel, franchisees can: Create an additional revenue stream to impact ROI Place professional, management and C Suite positions both in and outside of hospitality Take advantage of industries and job functions that are booming RIGHT NOW! Secure higher fees

Examples of Recent Executive Search Placements include: Multi Store Operations Supervisor, Brand Grocery Store Chain Executive Chef, Hospital Chief Operating Officer, Lawn Care Company Director of Marketing, Nationwide Dry Cleaning Company Director of Finance, Global Entertainment Company

About the Pandemic Patrice & Associates has continued to service its clients throughout the Pandemic and beyond. With more and more businesses beginning to resume operations, they are calling on us to help them re-staff and backfill positions in our CORE niche of Hospitality and Food/Beverage. We’re getting leads for new clients every week that want our help. As the economy rebounds, we’ll be there to help our client’s staff back up!

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

THE DRIPBaR CEO on a Mission to Educate America on IV Therapy

SHANNON PETTERUTI

has used her passion and entrepreneurial spark to lead THE DRIPBaR, an IV therapy concept, as CEO and into the forefront of the IV infusion industry. Petteruti and the people behind THE DRIPBaR have dedicated themselves and their brand to the physical and mental health of clients and to the research that is breaking new boundaries in the IV therapy community.

To further their mission of helping others reach their maximum health using the IV therapy drips, the brand has also launched a franchise opportunity to offer even more people these alternative health solutions. Plus, with one of the

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larger selections of IV support and lifestyle drips available, Petteruti and THE DRIPBaR have created a brand that can provide alternative health solutions for everyone and every lifestyle. The IV vitamin drips have the ability to help with health conditions ranging from the common cold, to headaches, cancer or even to help slow the signs of aging while also having options for clients looking to feel more energized and refreshed.

Petteruti has used her professional career to focus on helping others achieve their maximum health and has had several successful businesses focused on this mission. After graduating from Simmons College as a Sigma Theta Tau International Honors graduate with dual bachelor degrees in business management and nursing, she went on to become a board-certified nurse practitioner and earn a Master’s degree in nursing. Petteruti has now worked in the healthcare landscape for 20 years, using her education and passion to boost the success of her businesses.

For her first business venture, Petteruti wanted to focus on birth, child development, and helping families so she launched Bellani Maternity out of her garage. Within the first year, Petteruti was able to successfully grow her new business to $1 million in sales.

Bellani Maternity went on to

become an award-winning company with Petteruti leading the way as CEO. After six years in this role, Petteruti transitioned from the leadership role to continue her education in anti-aging, functional medicine, IV vitamin therapy and USP 797 sterile compounding training as she wanted to pursue her growing passion for nursing and more patient-centered care. In 2014, this led to Petteruti to take on the role of CEO of Intellectual Medicine 120, a concierge medical practice with a keen focus on personal health care instead of sick care. In this leadership role, Petteruti grew Intellectual Medicine 120 sales by 33%, reduced the cost of goods by 24%, and maintained the loyalty base at 78%. Petteruti has proven her success, expertise and dedication to the personal health care industry in her past roles as CEO, and now brings these tools to the table as CEO of THE DRIPBaR. In 2021, Petteruti will lead the way with as many as 40 locations expected to open by the end of the year.

WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

So, You Think You’re

NEWSWORTHY

by Rhonda Sanderson, CEO, Sanderson & Associates

In 1991, a feature story with a fabulous photo appeared in both Entrepreneur and Inc. magazine in the same month.

Two months later a different story about the same company, a San Luis Obispo startup called Juice Club, appeared in the Los Angeles Times. Within six months, the small juice company received a significant investment from Starbucks and became Jamba Juice.

The rest, as they say, is history.

In those days I wrote the story, had great photos taken, and then “sold” the story verbally to editors and reporters with whom I had long standing relationships.

That particularly story took six months to get ink.

Reporters laughed at me. “Why would I buy juice and pay a premium? I can get it at a grocery store; a whole container for half the price.” When they did finally listen to my “pitch” they took my written version and facts, did a thorough interviews with the founder(s) and created their own version of the story, hitting on topics and issues that were germane to their beat.

I had to work hard to develop those relationships that were based on trust and reliability.

Could that editor/reporter trust that the information I was giving them was true? And for reliability, could they count on my client then getting to the interview or phone when I said they would? Could the editor/ reporter reach them after the piece was finished and fact-check with them? If promised an “exclusive” could that media source count on not being double-crossed?

This trust does not happen overnight. It took months, sometimes years to build. I am NOT a patient person, but in this case, patience was a must.

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Today the messaging methods are different, but the principals are the same.

story. A compelling story is certainly better than someone just bragging about his/her accomplishments. I used to tell clients “no one is proud of your success except your mother.” I was joking and it was harsh-but I needed the franchisor to have honest and real expectations. I needed to educate him/her on the facts.

At any given time, hundreds of emerging franchisors are proud of their concept and accomplishments. Each thinks his/her creation is the biggest, best, newest, most innovative (all words to stay away from in PR, by the way).

In my next column I will explain how you can be one of those who gets the press.

Trust and reliability are the key elements to a relationship with any member of the media. Or any business relationship for that matter!

However, the traditional media I used to help build companies like Jamba Juice, Two Men and a Truck, Jimmy John’s and many more, is all but gone.

According to a site called 24/7 Wall Street, as of 2019 over 2,000 newspapers have closed, a staggering figure given that the industry was once among the largest employers in America.

So, what is a young, newer franchisor to do? How to get noticed? When it comes to PR as a form of lead generation or brand-building there is one simple formula. Tell a

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rhonda Sanderson is a franchise expert who has owned and operated Sanderson & Associates and Sanderson PR, both specializing in, traditional, social media and crisis PR in the franchise space since 1986. She has authored many articles, helped grow numerous franchise chains is considered one of the Top 30 Small Business Influencers (Fit Business) in the U.S. Find her at Rhonda@sandersonpr.com or on LinkedIn where she is the author of Franchise Stars at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonda-sanderson-a6b658/

WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

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FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM/SUBSCRIBE C O N TA C T U S I N F O @ F R A N C H I S E J O U R N A L . C O M

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Q&A APRIL FISK

From Her Background to Her Ideals, Shows Up and Never Stops Putting In the Work

by Camantha Magoon, Communications & Content Specialist, FranDevCo

Q: Can you explain how your

background led to you being in Franchising?

APRIL: My world has been

APRIL FISK is the

President of RockBox Fitness, a state-of-the-art boutique fitness studio that combines confidencebuilding boxing and kickboxing, with strengthening functional exercises in a fight-club meets night club atmosphere.

I had the opportunity to interview April and she had a very inspiring story for not only women in Franchising, but anyone striving to achieve success in their career.

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Franchising for about 16 years, but what led to it was just my love for sports and fitness. I grew up in the sports world: I played volleyball, basketball and ran track, so I’ve always had a passion for staying active.

It’s always been a part of my life, at least one way or another even in the times when I tried to for it not to be. I went to college and played basketball and volleyball at a Division III school, and then started having babies very quickly after. I was working as a fulltime Head Volleyball Coach at a college, as well as the Senior Women's Administrator, but wanted to take a little bit of time away to go be with my kids and not have so much on my plate, so I left that position and responded to a newspaper ad for a company called Snap Fitness who was looking to fill a part-time data entry position. I thought that this would be perfect since there's no thought process and I can easily do this and not

“AT THE END OF THE DAY PEOPLE WON'T REMEMBER WHAT YOU SAID OR DID, THEY WILL REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.” —Maya Angelou

have to come home and think about it. I actually called and asked for an interview and a woman named Heidi Davis said they had closed the interview process and already had all their applicants, so the position was no longer available; however, we ended up talking for 30 minutes and afterward she said, “why don't you come in and interview tomorrow?” So I went in for the interview and got hired on the spot. Two weeks later it was full-time, which is just kind of my nature. Thinking I was going to go part-time was a nice thought, but not really in my DNA. In total I was there for 13 years, but took a little break in the middle as my family moved out of state and then came back. This timeframe really gave me the opportunity to work in almost every area of the business, and it was exciting to be a part of the journey of building a company.

When I left the company I was the VP of International Development and Operations, and I was able to witness the company’s growth from 25 clubs to over 1500 locations worldwide as well as building multiple brands. After being a part of the growth with Snap Fitness, I was ready to take on my next challenge and execute the knowledge I’d gained, so I found myself at Orangetheory Fitness where I became VP of International Operations. This move was great because I went from building something to then being a part of a company that was already established.

They are a fantastic boutique fitness brand that has built a great product and structure which makes them wellknown and desired by the consumer. Following my work

“I REALIZED I MISSED BEING PART OF SOMETHING NEW AND SCALING IT, SO WHEN COVID HIT A LOT OF CHANGES HAPPENED AND ROCKBOX FITNESS PRESENTED ITSELF AS AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO TAKE ON.” —April Fisk, President, RockBox Fitness

with them, I realized I missed being part of something new and scaling it, so when COVID hit a lot of changes happened and RockBox Fitness presented itself as an incredible opportunity for me to take on.

Now I find myself President at RockBox Fitness, and what has me excited about this concept is being able to be on the building ground again and use my experience and knowledge to lead a brand to become successful.

Q: What do you love most about RockBox and your role?

APRIL:

I really do love working with our franchisees.

I love being able to build a really strong team here with a great culture where we are all chasing the same goal and loving what we do and continuing to show up. My team pokes fun at me because I often say, “What do we do?

We show up.” That's been something that has always been a part of my world; making sure you show up every day to work hard because we get the opportunity to impact so many people from franchisees, members and potential members, to suppliers and partners. That’s what drives me to be able to impact others, and franchising is the perfect way to be able to do that every day.

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and bad. I think it’s important as a leader to be humble, and not forgetting how you got to where you are keeps you humble. Being a leader also takes a lot of hard work! We should be lifelong learners and shouldn’t ever think we’ve arrived. That is what keeps you striving for greatness.

Q: Any Final Thoughts?

APRIL:

Nothing in life comes easy. I'm passionate about leadership and glad to be in a position where I am able to encourage and give opportunities to women, and I

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think if I hadn't been given the opportunity to work with some of the people in my own career, then I wouldn’t be the leader that I am today. So in the end I'm thankful for the people that have helped mold me into the person that I am, both good

For Franchising Information To learn more about opportunities available with RockBox Fitness franchising, visit their website at https:// rockboxfitness.com/ or reach out to rockboxfitness@frandev.co!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR FranDevCo’s Communications & Content Specialist, Camantha Magoon, has a background in Linguistics and Anthropology from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan.

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Q&A

An Interview With the Executive Assistant of the Fastest Growing Quick Lube Franchise in the US

by Camantha Magoon, Communications & Content Specialist, FranDevCo Strickland, and when it comes to her work she is the queen of multitasking. From putting together territories for candidates, to running the numbers and the evaluations for proposed franchise sites, she is always on the work grind and readily available for Stickland Brothers’ Franchise Partners. Read my interview below with Tanicia about the rapidly expanding concept and her views on women in franchising.

Q: What do you love most about your role and Strickland Brothers?

Tanicia: I love our strong

TANICIA IVEY is the Executive Assistant for Strickland Brothers 10-Minute Oil Change. She works oneon-one with the Founder, CEO & President, Justin

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family-oriented values that continue to evolve even as we grow! Everybody that we work with from our Franchise Owners to vendors, and beyond, is like family.

If somebody has an idea or needs help with something, we all come together to figure it out. It makes things a lot easier when working because you have so much support in addition to the culture and

morale of everyone around you. It’s a great aspect to have within the brand. We work hard here at Strickland Brothers, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

Q: Do you have a female role model?

Tanicia:

My mom because she has done a lot in her life.

My parents met in the army, and as I grew up, my dad remained in the army until I graduated high school. My mom had to do a lot on her own while he was in the field or in Korea, but she still went to school and became a nurse all while raising three kids.

She is truly amazing!

Q: Why do you think women make great franchise business owners?

Tanicia:

It has a lot to do with how much motivation women have. As women, we have many roles, and we’ve come a long way from the lives women had in our history books. We are able

to have family and career goals, and it's awesome to see so many women make the decision to become a Strickland Brothers’ Franchise Owner and use it as a platform to accomplish great things.

It shows how evolved we've become and it shouldn’t be overlooked how powerful and strong women are, even in a traditionally male dominated industry like Quick Lube.

“WE ARE ABLE TO HAVE FAMILY AND CAREER GOALS, AND IT'S AWESOME TO SEE SO MANY WOMEN MAKE THE DECISION TO BECOME A STRICKLAND BROTHERS’ FRANCHISE OWNER AND USE IT AS A PLATFORM TO ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS.” — Tanicia Ivey, Executive Assistant, Strickland Brothers

Q: What is something you’re excited for in the coming year with Strickland Brothers?

we have set the bar high and strive to become a household name while keeping our values f ront and center.

Tanicia:

For Franchising Information To learn more about opportunities available with Strickland Brothers f ranchising, visit their website at www. stricklandbrothersf ranchise. com or reach out to sboilchange@f randev.co!

Our growth initiatives continue to explode both corporately and with our franchising efforts.

We continue to open new corporate locations and are currently assisting many Franchise Owners in various stages of site selection and construction and it’s been amazing to witness and be a part of! We have awarded close to 150 units in less than a year, with goals of opening 50 new locations across the US in 2021 alone. Collectively,

ABOUT THE AUTHOR FranDevCo’s Communications & Content Specialist, Camantha Magoon, has a background in Linguistics and Anthropology from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan.

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Mobile App-Driven

Retail

Routes

Lockers

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Site Selection // Financial Analysis // Store Design & Buildout // Comprehensive Training Existing Cleaner Acquisition Assistance // On-Going Operations & Marketing Support Individual financial results may differ from results stated in Item 19.

*

FRANCHISE INQUIRIES < Kira Kusky // kira.kusky@thinkhuntington.com (Jo Gonzalez // jo.gonzalez@thinkhuntington.com)

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

T

In a Male-Dominated Industry,

Widow Carries on in Her Husband's Memory

by Rhonda Sanderson, CEO, Sanderson & Associates

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hey say to expect the unexpected when going into business for yourself. Of course, curveballs will be thrown your way, some more extreme than others. Jacqueline Gathers has seen more than her share.

But where others may have taken a step back – or even stepped away completely – she has stood tall. In 2016, Gathers and her husband, Joseph, purchased a Pillar To Post Home Inspectors® franchise. Joseph, a military veteran, and former human resources professional, had been diagnosed with cancer in 2014, but underwent chemo and radiation and had seemingly beat the disease in 2015. However, the cancer returned in an aggressive manner, forcing Jacqueline to retire in January of 2017 from her 30-year career as borough administrator/ manager with the New York City Housing Authority to care for Joseph, who unfortunately passed away that March.

That left Gathers at a difficult crossroads.

“I considered liquidating the business, but instead I decided to get it up and running,” the then 56-year-old Gathers said. “As a female business owner in a male-dominated field, it hasn’t been easy but this franchise is part of my husband’s legacy that I decided to continue in his memory.”

Now, Gathers, a Staten Island resident for over 20 years, has completed over 300 inspections and is in the midst of hiring another full-time

“AS A FEMALE BUSINESS OWNER IN A MALE-DOMINATED FIELD, IT HASN’T BEEN EASY BUT THIS FRANCHISE IS PART OF MY HUSBAND’S LEGACY THAT I DECIDED TO CONTINUE IN HIS MEMORY.” —Jacqueline Gathers, Franchise Owner, Pillar To Post inspector who should be on board this April 1st.

Added Gathers, “I was elected as a board member for the Bedford Stuyvesant Real Estate Board. My business received Better Business Certification last year. I have also begun educating first time home buyers on the importance of the home inspection via non- profits.

“I joined and became part of networks such as our local Neighborhood Housing Services, Impact Brooklyn and Grow Brooklyn and I’m hoping to get my son, Timothy, licensed next year to bring him on board as well. These are all marketing tips that are part of the Pillar To Post Home Inspectors’ training and ongoing support programs. I like to think I would have known to do these things myself, but it’s been great networking with other franchisees and following

franchisor programs to build my market.”

Despite the pandemic and other issues facing our society, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) reported that home sales for December of 2020 increased by 22.2% over December 2019.

“When performing an inhome inspection now,” said Gathers, “we adhere to strict guidelines, such as having a minimal number of people present, wearing a mask, disinfecting door handles or other items, and often performing the task without realtors or homeowners present. One of our new tools is our PTP360 tour that virtually takes the homeowner through their home with our inspector noting and detailing any issues that need repairs. The realtor and the homeowner do not have to be present for this inspection to take place. So, for many of

them who needed a home inspection, but wanted to reduce interaction with others during the pandemic, this state-of-the-art report was the perfect solution. There is also an option that provides blueprints on this tool.

Pillar To Post is very familyoriented. Although my husband is no longer with us, I am excited the path I have laid for myself and for our son. Having the No.1 brand name in home inspection is the biggest plus. I started out with an excellent reputation by brand and by my personal history here, and just continued in that vein over the last 2 years.”

About Pillar To Post Home Inspectors® Founded in 1994, Pillar To Post Home Inspectors is the largest home inspection company in North America with home offices in Toronto and Tampa.

Nearly 600 franchises located in 49 states and nine Canadian provinces. Long-term plans include adding 500 to 600 new franchisees over the next five years. For further information, please visit www. pillartopostfranchise.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rhonda Sanderson is a franchise expert who has owned and operated Sanderson & Associates and Sanderson PR, both specializing in, traditional, social media and crisis PR in the franchise space since 1986. She has authored many articles, helped grow numerous franchise chains is considered one of the Top 30 Small Business Influencers (Fit Business) in the U.S. Find her at Rhonda@sandersonpr.com or on LinkedIn where she is the author of Franchise Stars at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonda-sanderson-a6b658/ WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

BETH NILSSEN

Helping People Find Their Full Potential

W

hen Beth Nilssen started her career in franchising nearly 14 years ago, it’s fair to say that she stumbled onto something unexpected. Nilssen had graduated from university a few years prior with the intent of going into broadcast journalism, only to quickly pivot when an internship helped her realize

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that the journalism field wasn’t right for her. When she connected with Great Clips, though, it became clear that unexpected opportunities can lead to great things.

“I suppose, based on my own experience, I will always have a soft spot for people who are looking at getting into a career or business that they didn’t originally intend to pursue,” Nilssen says. “How many of us correctly identified our long-term pursuits when we were 17 or 18 years old? I certainly didn’t!”

And now her role as Director of Franchise Development at Great Clips allows her to connect with people who are evaluating a different opportunity for themselves.

“It’s one of the parts of my job that I enjoy the most,” says Nilssen. “I get to connect with people who are generally going through some kind of unexpected transition. Maybe they have been corporate employees for 20 years and are ready to finally explore entrepreneurship for the first time, or maybe they have a portfolio of businesses and they want to expand that to include a Great Clips salonwhatever that is, they are at a point where they are checking out something very different

from what they’ve been doing.”

This perspective on embracing unexpected opportunities helped prepare Nilssen for the vast level of changes that 2020 would bring. “I learned more about nimble decision making in 2020 than I think I had through the entirety of my adult life!” With nearly all hair salons experiencing mandatory closures for some period in 2020, Nilssen had to participate in some tough leadership decisions.

“As a leader you are put in uncomfortable positions from time to time. Letting valued team members go due to circumstances beyond their control, jumping in and learning new skills and roles with no training or guidancefiguring it all out as you gothese aren’t the scenarios that you can prepare for. You have to have perseverance; you have to have agility and grit to make it through.”

Nilssen feels that all the challenges of 2020- adapting to the new normal working

“I SUPPOSE, BASED ON MY OWN EXPERIENCE, I WILL ALWAYS HAVE A SOFT SPOT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING AT GETTING INTO A CAREER OR BUSINESS THAT THEY DIDN’T ORIGINALLY INTEND TO PURSUE.” —Beth Nilssen, Director of Franchise Development, Great Clips

from home while managing distance learning for her six year old daughter on top of all the changes in her job, has ultimately brought a greater depth of empathy and understanding to her role.

Nilssen can empathize with those future business owners, knowing that both her initial unexpected career transition and her 2020 experiences helped give her the tools to be where she is now. “I may not be on the local television station helping the community by providing the news every night- but I am helping people in a different way: giving them the ability to choose independence, freedom and self-reliance instead of depending on someone else to keep them employed. And those selfemployed people are forced to make tough leadership

decisions all the time. I see that in a different way after 2020.”

That personal experience also gives Nilssen the confidence to know that someone without a background in business ownership and no experience in the salon industry can still become leaders in this role.

Some of the largest and most successful franchisees in the Great Clips system had backgrounds in social work, human resources, medical sales and teaching; very few knew anything about cutting hair, but they all had the drive to succeed in something new and had the perseverance to stick with it when times get tough.

“I like to see the potential in people,” Nilssen says. “I want to give them a shot at something new and unexpected. It’s incredibly rewarding to see people step into a new role and ultimately experience the challenges and value that come with growing in a new way. That’s meaningful to me because someone took a shot with me, too. I didn’t know anything about franchising when I first started my job at Great Clips, Inc- but I had a great leader who saw my initial

potential and helped me learn and grow. And I was also supported through 2020 where I learned a new set of leadership skills that I had never anticipated needing. All of which has allowed me to grow even further in the role that I have today”.

To Nilssen, that is what franchising is really all aboutallowing individual business owners to grow and achieve success with a solid brand supporting them along the way. That, and allowing for the unexpected in life to bring about the greatest rewards.

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People still need haircuts.

Own a Great Clips salon.

www.greatclipsfranchise.com Great Clips, Inc. • 4400 West 78th Street, Suite 700 • Minneapolis, MN 55435 • 800-999-5959 or 952-893-9088 • State of MN Reg. #F-928 This advertisement is not an offering. An offering can only be made by a prospectus filed first with the Department of Law and the State of New York. Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law of the State of New York.

THESE FRANCHISES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE FRANCHISE INVESTMENT LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. SUCH REGISTRATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE APPROVAL, RECOMMENDATION OR ENDORSEMENT BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CORPORATIONS NOR A FINDING BY THE COMMISSIONER THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN IS TRUE, COMPLETE AND NOT MISLEADING.

LOOK US UP! ADVERTISE WITH US!

CONTACT US INFO@FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

WOMEN in BUSINESS: 2021

by Guidant Financial

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o learn about small business and its future, Guidant Financial became a founding member of the Small Business Trends Alliance (SBTA), a group of companies dedicated to supporting small businesses with data trends and insights. To achieve this goal, Guidant Financial and SBTA companies surveyed over 2,400 small business and franchise owners nationwide.

We asked current and

aspiring women business owners to share what their businesses look like, how they responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, and more.

Meet America’s Women Business Owners

Thirty-one percent of all small business or franchise owners are women – up from 27 percent last year – according to the Small Business Trends survey results. Over half of those women business owners are Gen X (born between 1965

17%

and 1980). Baby Boomers (1946 – 1964) account for 31 percent, while 17 percent are Millennials (1981 – 1996). Gen Z, born in or after 1997, makes up one percent of respondents.

They are also highly educated: the largest share at 34 percent holds a Bachelor’s degree, while 27 percent have a Master’s and eight percent a Doctorate.

11 percent of respondents have an Associate’s degree and 20 percent a high school diploma or GED.

1% 31%

BOOMERS GEN X MILLENNIALS GEN Z

WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS GENERATIONAL BREAKDOWN

51% THIRTY-ONE PERCENT OF ALL SMALL BUSINESS OR FRANCHISE OWNERS ARE WOMEN­—UP FROM 27 PERCENT LAST YEAR—ACCORDING TO THE SMALL BUSINESS TRENDS SURVEY RESULTS. WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE EMPLOYED BY WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES IS INCREASING: LAST YEAR’S SMALL BUSINESS TRENDS SURVEY SAW 32 PERCENT OF OWNERS WERE THE ONLY EMPLOYEE, AND THE TWO TO FIVE RANGE HAS ALSO INCREASED YEAR-OVER-YEAR BY 23 PERCENT. The reasons these women became business owners are varied, but the plurality of 29 percent said they were ready to be their own boss.

The next-most common response at 20 percent was a desire to pursue their passion, followed by a dissatisfaction with corporate America and the presentation of an opportunity, each with 13 percent.

The top four industries women own businesses in are health, beauty, and fitness services; food and restaurant; retail; and business services.

The amount each spent to launch their business differs, though over half spent less than $50,000. Seventeen percent spent between $50,000 and $100,000 and nine percent spent up to

$175,000. The remaining 22 percent spent between $175,000 and over $1 million, though only two percent fell into the $1 million+ rank.

Impressively, 30 percent of respondents have owned their business for 10 years or more. Seventeen percent just launched last year, 20 percent have been open two to three years, and 13 percent for four to five years. In total, businesses that have been open for five years or less account for exactly 50 percent of respondents. Fifteen percent of these womenowned businesses have been open six to nine years.

The number of people employed by women-owned businesses is increasing: last year’s Small Business Trends survey saw 32 percent

of owners were the only employee, and the two to five range has also increased year-over-year by 23 percent.

Not only that, but 58 percent of women-owned businesses were profitable. Profitability is down 18 percent from the prior year, though this is no surprise given the upheaval of 2020.

The Challenges Women Small Business Owners Face

The top challenges women business owners faced in the last year were marketing and advertising with 24 percent of the share, lack of capital / cashflow at 17 percent, and recruiting/retaining employees at 15 percent.

Other common challenges included managing/providing

TOP 5 NON-COVID CHALLENGES FACED BY WOMEN SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

24%

MARKETING/ ADVERTISING

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17%

LACK OF CAPITAL/ CASH FLOW

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15%

RECRUITING/ RETENTION OF EMPLOYEES

14%

MANAGING/ PROVIDING BENEFITS

13%

ADMINISTRATIVE WORK (BOOKKEEPING, PAYROLL ETC.)

benefits (14 percent), administrative work (13), and time management (nine).

Interestingly, challenges with marketing and advertising jumped significantly year-over-year, up from the third-most common answer to the first. Cashflow challenges took a backseat for the first time in more than three years, dropping from last year to become the thirdmost common answer from respondents.

Women Entrepreneurs and Business, Politics, and COVID-19

2020 proved to be a wild ride in business and politics alike. When asked which party best represented their own political views, 33 percent of women business owners answered Democrat and 24 percent Republican.

Seven percent answered either Libertarian, Green, or other. But a stunning 36 percent – over one third of all respondents – said they do not belong to or feel represented by any

political party.

Despite feeling politically unmoored, 55 percent of women business owners voted for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, while just over a quarter (27 percent) voted for Donald Trump. The remaining 18 percent wrote in, voted for other candidates (like Libertarian Jo Jorgensen) or abstained from voting entirely.

Women business owners are also not feeling confident about small business in today’s political climate. Just 37 percent reported feeling somewhat or very confident, 21 percent are neutral, and 42 percent said they are somewhat or very unconfident.

This is a dramatic drop from last year’s responses, where 58 percent were somewhat or very confident, 22 were neutral, and only 19 percent somewhat or very unconfident.

Responses about the post-COVID small business landscape were more evenly distributed, however. While 40 percent of women business owners feel somewhat to very unconfident about small business in a post-COVID

world, 44 percent are feeling the opposite: somewhat to very confident. Sixteen percent remain neutral.

That’s not to say womenowned businesses didn’t take a hit during the pandemic: over 21 percent of these businesses experienced revenue loss due to COVID. Twelve percent of owners temporarily closed their business, 11 percent reduced their budget, and nine percent cut their own wages. However, while 11 percent had to furlough or lay off employees, less than one percent of women-owned businesses have been forced to close permanently.

Instead, they’re getting creative: nine percent of women business owners pivoted to a socially distant business model or changed their goods or services. Twelve percent of respondents reported a positive effect during the pandemic, including increased revenue, expanded business, hiring more employees, and increased wages. An additional four percent said COVID has had no significant effect on

CONFIDENCE IN SMALL BUSINESS IN TODAY'S POLITICAL CLIMATE: YEAR-TO-YEAR 37%

• 2021 • 2020

16%

• •

8%

VERIFY UNCONFIDENT

26%

•

11%

22%

• •21%

• • 29%

•

SOMEWHAT UNCONFIDENT

22%

•

8%

•

NEUTRAL

SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT

VERY CONFIDENT

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

THINGS ARE LOOKING UP FOR WOMEN -OWNED BUSINESSES IN 2021: NEARLY HALF OF WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS PLAN TO GROW THEIR CURRENT LOCATION, WHILE A THIRD WILL SUSTAIN IT.

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their business.

Despite the challenges they’ve faced throughout 2020, a full 77 percent of women business owners expect their business to survive through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more about how COVID has affected small businesses across the country in our 2021 COVID-19 Small Business Trends report.

What Comes Next for Women-Owned Small Businesses

Things are looking up for women-owned businesses in 2021: nearly half of women business owners plan to grow their current location, while a third will sustain it. Nine percent plan to sell and eight percent will open a second location.

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They also have big plans to invest. In a question where respondents could select as many options as applied to them, 83 percent said they plan to invest in digital and/ or traditional marketing, 44 percent will expand or remodel their business, and 43 percent intend to increase their staff.

Other common selections include investing in business services technology (21 percent) and technology for digital signage, touch-free ordering, etc. (14 percent).

At the end of the day, a full 76 percent of women business owners report being somewhat or very happy, while just 14 percent report being very or somewhat unhappy. Despite all the challenges of 2020, women business owners have triumphed.

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

CC CHILDREE Finds the

Right Place with Oasis Senior Advisors Corporate Team

A

CC Childree

career as an engineer in the defense industry might not seem like a natural stepping stone to a second calling in senior care, but CC Childree sees nothing unusual about the path she followed to Oasis Senior Advisors. Childree, who first joined Oasis as a franchisee, is now the organization’s director of operations, coordinating efforts between

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the corporate office and its 88 franchise locations nationwide.

“It might sound like an unlikely match, but helping seniors and families dovetailed perfectly with my systems engineering and project management background,” said Childree. “When you work with a family, you’re really finding where their challenges are and figuring out solutions for them. You’re putting a puzzle together for them, and coming up with a project plan to help them with their next steps.”

Oasis Senior Advisors offers free, personalized referrals to senior housing and other resources to older adults and their families. Oasis advisors combine their compassionate one-on-one approach with the power of technology to help older adults navigate difficult senior living decisions. Since its inception, Oasis Senior Advisors has helped tens of thousands of seniors find the right resources and housing options to address their needs.

Childree’s Oasis journey began in 2014, when the defense contractor she’d worked for announced that it was closing its Phoenix office.

“After 20 years in the defense industry, I was interested in

something that had more of a local impact,” she said. “So I started looking for positions where I could apply my skills to help make a difference in my community.”

She began working with a franchise consultant who focused on Childree’s project management skills and introduced her to Oasis Senior Advisors, at the time a brand-new franchise system.

Childree became one of Oasis’ first dozen owners, opening the doors to her Phoenix franchise in 2015.

As an engineer, she’d always been in the minority—one of just a handful of women in her field. At Oasis, she found a very different environment.

Women comprise an estimated 89% of the senior care workforce, and the majority of Oasis locations are either owned or co-owned by women. In addition, 86% of the Oasis Senior Advisors corporate team is made up of women.

“The women on our leadership team are all very motivated and goal-driven,” said Tim Evankovich, Oasis Senior Advisors co-founder and CEO. “I’m surrounded by strong women who continually work to make us better. How can we lose?”

“I think women do really well in the Oasis model, because it’s a nurturing model,” said Childree. “That’s not to stay that we don’t have fierce, competitive franchisees and leaders—we definitely do. But the Oasis model is focused on caring, nurturing, and problem-solving, things that tend to be second nature for us as women.”

As valuable as Childree was to Phoenix-area seniors and their families, Evankovich saw potential for her as a member of the corporate team, and offered her a position as a project manager with Oasis corporate. She quickly earned a promotion to director of operations, and has now been a member of the leadership team for two years.

“Having CC on our corporate leadership team truly gives our entire organization a much-needed boost in organizational management,” said Evankovich. “CC’s ability to tackle difficult issues with data and common sense makes her an extremely valuable asset. She forces us to be better at each of our individual jobs by challenging us to look at any given situation from many angles.

Oasis is a stronger company because of her.”

For Childree, her position as director of operations at Oasis provides the perfect blend between her skills and her passion.

“It’s really the best of both worlds for me,” said Childree. “I get to support the franchisees, who work daily making a difference in

seniors’ lives, and also put my project management and organizational skills to work in support of our entire network, our Oasis Senior Advisors family.”

For women who are considering joining the world of business ownership, she offered three pieces of advice.

“You need to find a model and a mission that you’re passionate about. That’s what drew me to Oasis: I had a heart for the mission,” she explained. “You also need to be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses, and make sure you have the right support around you so you can focus on your strengths. Finally, as women, we have a lot of commitments in our lives. Be

honest with yourself and think seriously about your current situation and your work-life balance. Make sure you’ll still be able to manage your life responsibilities while you run your business. A franchise provides an incredible amount of support, and can really help with achieving that balance.”

For more information about franchise opportunities with Oasis Senior Advisors, visit oasissenioradvisors.com or call 888-455-5838.

Oasis franchisee Beth Friesen shares a laugh with CC Childree at an Oasis Senior Advisors Convention

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Grow a successful business while supporting seniors in your local community.

57% of Oasis Senior Advisors franchises are female owned or co-owned.

Women make up 89% of the total senior care workforce.

86% of Oasis’ corporate team are women.

Contact us to get started today!

Be a part of our compassionate and dedicated team.

• We provide a vital service at no charge to seniors and their families.

• Franchisees receive unparalleled training, ongoing support, and business marketing.

• Home-based business with low investment and low overhead.

Kim Graham | Director of Franchise Development 239-940-6669 kim@oasissenioradvisors.com oasissenioradvisors.com/franchiseopportunities

"Passive ownership and a fully absentee model is what Sharkey's is all about, says CEO Scott Sharkey. We have been able to combine a passive ownership franchise with a model that is 100% recession proof for today and years to come. Sharkey's Cuts for Kids is not one of those trendy franchises where maybe you make back your ROI within 3-5 years before your concept gets replaced by something bigger, better, or more trendy.

Our franchise offers people the opportunity to invest in a brand that has longevity, is fun to run, is recession proof and has very little competition.

40 New Locations in 2021! SharkeysFranchisingCompany.com

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Q& Jaime Deason, A Owner and General Manager Fetch! Pet Care

JAIME DEASON is a local owner of Fetch!

Pet Care, America’s largest franchised provider of professional dog walking and pet sitting services. With a focus on exceptional service and reliable care, Jaime and

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her team of 40 staff members, offer a wide range of services for client’s four-legged family members including puppy care, private dog walking, pet sitting, overnight care and pet taxi services in the Greater Silver Spring area in Washington D.C. Jaime grew up in Detroit and Atlanta and attended Allegheny College in Pennsylvania for her undergrad and Catholic University in D.C. for graduate school. She has her Master’s Degree in Special Education.

Prior to joining Fetch!, she worked in education, as an elementary school teacher, an educational specialist and an education director for a non-profit D.C. based tutoring program.

Since beginning her business with Fetch! Pet Care in 2007, Jaime has received numerous recognitions and

rewards. She has been the franchisee of the year twice for Fetch! Pet Care, named a Super Service Award winner by Angie’s List, and named Washingtonian Magazine Best Pet Care provider winner in 2020.

Additionally, her business has a 98% positive rating on Consumers’ Checkbook. Her business is one of the largest Fetch! franchisees in the country.

Jaime is one of the true leaders at Fetch! in every way. She’s always in the top percent of the system in terms of sales and is a goto person for any type of problem solving and advice.

Jaime has made a career of helping people in so many ways and the company is proud to have her in its franchise system.

Jaime currently lives in the Petworth neighborhood of Washington, DC with her husband, three sons, two dogs and a hamster.

Q: Why did you want to become a Fetch! Pet Care franchisee?

JAIME: My family

struggled to find reliable

care for our dog. My job at the time had a lot of late night and weekend hours and I wanted to be able to be home more as our family grew. I decided to look into opening a pet care business knowing I would be able to be around more for my family while still working doing something I loved - being with pets. Not having a background in business, I decided working with and learning from a franchise system would be a good way to have the help and support I needed to get up and running.

We step in to help each other and give each other advice.

We meet weekly and everyone knows we bring every idea to those meetings that will help improve our business for our clients, our sitters and ourselves. For our sitters, we have yearly awards we give out, again trying to keep things fun, as well as quarterly dinners to thank them for all their hard work. Being a pet sitter is really a solo job, but we want our sitters to remember they are part of a larger family who are there to support them.

done similar contests around Halloween, Valentine’s Day, and during the National Book Festival for various groups.

give other women looking to start their own business?

Q: What charitable cause(s) do you support?

JAIME: As we told our clients

JAIME: Look for what you can

JAIME: We support many

Q: What advice would you

learn from every situation. We have all heard that you should learn from your mistakes, but we should also learn from our successes and even our mediocre performances. How can you make something better, how can you keep something great and how do you improve on something that was average.

Q: How do you keep your team motivated?

JAIME: We laugh a lot.

I purposely built my closest staff with other working moms so we all understand the importance of being there for each other and our families.

local rescues and animal shelters. My favorite charity we donate to is called PAL (People. Animals. Love). They have therapy dogs that go into D.C. schools and the kids practice their reading fluency by reading to the dogs. As a former educator and forever dog lover, is it a joy that such an organization exists and we are honored to provide them support.

Usually, we try to have fun with our donations by running social media contests. As an example, we have “Sweaters for Strays” where we challenge our followers to post photos of their pets in holiday sweaters in December. For every photo we are tagged in with #sweatersforstrays we donate to a local charity.

Bonus points are given if the pet parents and the pets have matching sweaters! We have

Q: What are you passionate about?

JAIME: People, pets and

education. In my business, I am passionate about providing reliable care for our pets and clients, while also maintaining a caring work environment for my employees.

Q: How has the pandemic affected your business? on our holiday card, “It’s been a ‘ruff’ year.” It has been really hard. We have been amazed and so appreciative of our clients during this time. They literally carried all of my team through April and May and really showed us how valuable they think our service is and we have been really grateful. I cannot say enough about how amazing my sitters and staff have been as we brainstormed and came up with how we could continue to service our clients who are front line workers as well as those who needed help with pet care due to health concerns safely during the pandemic.

Q: What are you most proud of, so far, when you look back over your career?

JAIME: I am so proud of

the team I have built and the way we run our business and the service we provide to our clients and each other.

WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

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Th e Women of

FRANDEVCO FranDevCo is a premier franchise development organization that delivers real world solutions to growing a franchise brand. Within our first year, we have witnessed accelerated growth with our partnering brands due to our streamlined systems and processes and our ability to envision the potential of concepts that may be newly emerging or mature within the industry. FranDevCo is backed by industry experts and we have brought on strong, empowered women as leaders to further strengthen our organization’s already outside-the-box thinking and proven operational playbook. Our services and resources have shown to not only be lucrative for the brands we partner with, but also instrumental to the success of our organization.

We have highlighted a few of the remarkable women at FranDevCo in the following article.

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Ashly Loza

Vice President of Operations Previously named one of the “Top 40 under 40”, Ashly has dedicated her career to bringing excellence to the franchise industry for over 6 years. Prior to joining FranDevCo, she was the Director of Brand Development where she assisted over 30 brands, emerging and mature, including nationally known brands such as Jamba Juice and Famous Dave’s BBQ. At FranDevCo, she uses her experiences and industry diversity to manage, elevate, and grow brands. With a degree in Business & Entrepreneurship from Colorado State University and a certification in psychotherapy; Ashly is no stranger to strengthening businesses while building and developing trusting relationships.

Emily Romero

Director of Development & Compliance Emily has 7+ years of franchise development and franchise operations management in supporting emerging brands. Prior to FranDevCo, she helped develop a national growth strategy focusing on streamlining sales and operational processes for a U.S. coworking franchise, propelling the brand to become the largest U.S. franchise within their category.

In her current role with FranDevCo, she is dedicated to elevating our franchise partner’s growth by providing exceptional guidance to ensure win-win outcomes for the Franchisee and Franchisor alike.

WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

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Chelsea Renno Director of Brand Development

Born into a family of entrepreneurs, Chelsea first entered the franchising industry with an emerging service franchise brand, which grew to 230+ units.

Throughout her 8+ years in franchising, Chelsea has worked for several franchise development companies and franchise brands as Franchisor, Franchisee and Vendor Partner, leading to extensive experience with franchise start-ups, rapid sustainable growth, marketing, sales, and operations.

Lindsay VanderBroek Sales Coordinator

Lindsay entered the franchise industry 4 years ago as a Franchise Development and Marketing Specialist for a B2B marketing franchise. She discovered her passion for all things franchising and has since helped franchisors in various industries, for both retail and home-based concepts, grow their businesses through strategic franchise development. Since joining the FranDevCo team, Lindsay has absolutely loved having the opportunity to work with their awesome brands as a Brand Manager and was recently promoted to Sales Coordinator where she will continue to assist in the growth of our brands.

Camantha Magoon Communications & Content Specialistt

With a background in Linguistics and Anthropology, Camantha found herself looking for a career where she could apply her knowledge while also utilizing her love of writing. She entered FranDevCo as a Content Writer and has since advanced into the role of Communications & Content Specialist. During her time within the organization, she has developed a love for brand marketing as it offers her the chance to position various concepts with the goal of creating top-of-mind awareness.

Partner With Us!

Interested in learning more about how FranDevCo partners with & develops growth-oriented and emerging brands? Reach out to Southeast Office President, John Moreau & Ashly Loza, VP of Operations at info@frandev.co.

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Using Social Platforms as a Catalyst Amid COVID-19 Changes— From Classroom to Online

Anyone working in the education field can attest that this last year has boiled down to one word: adaptability.

Back in March and April, as schools began to cancel in-person learning and begin remote lesson plans and parents began to worry how to work full-time and act as interim teacher/supervisor, tutoring companies around the globe realized they would need to step up and

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provide customized learning options to ensure students received the academic support they needed in the safest and most accessible way.

For Raquel Cuaron, owner of Tutor Doctor – El Paso since fall of 2018, this meant transitioning from in person tutoring to the online platform offering as quickly as possible. Luckily, she had prior experience tutoring children online and knew the

importance of keeping the personal relationship alive in a 1:1 environment, even if it was done through a screen.

“Some students used our online platform when they needed an extra session before a test, for example, but now everyone has tried it, and everyone has made it work,” Raquel said.

Raquel knows that the benefit of tutoring goes far beyond helping a student understand a topic or problem they may be struggling with.

“Our goal as tutors is to make a difference in a student’s life.

Education and self-confidence are two things that a person can take anywhere they go, no matter if they change schools, jobs or cities. They cannot be stolen; it’s the best gift you can ever give your kids.”

In a time where selfconfidence was low and confusion was high, Raquel stepped up to provide a space for children to learn at their own pace, and help them through the everchanging landscape that COVID-19 introduced.

Upholding this mindset, she sprung into action, and despite the challenge

COVID-19 brought, Raquel saw revenue increase by 20% throughout 2020. She went out of her way to inform her community about the services available to them through Tutor Doctor, but even more, researched and disseminated information through social media to help parents make informed decisions about their children’s education.

From sharing blog posts that pertained to virtual learning, stress management, and productivity tips, to hosting webinars about homeschooling and how it differs from learning from home, and networking with other educational leaders in her circle, Raquel worked tirelessly to be a resource to her community. She understood that her job went beyond just offering 1:1 tutoring support to her students, that it wasn’t just children who might need extra help, but parents, too, as they waded through unknown waters and were looking for answers.

Tutor Doctor is a private online and in-home oneto-one tutoring franchise.

Kimberly Selchan is the owner of Tutor Doctor - East Valley Scottsdale, AZ

Visit Tutor Doctor's website to find colorful and helpful infographics created to help answer common questions, and provide tips and tricks to assist parents with every day matters.

https://www.tutordoctor.com/our-difference/resources/infographics/ WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

The Women of A Place At Home Franchise compassionate entrepreneurs out there making an impact and living our ‘We are CARE’ philosophy by being Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful, and Ethical,” said Jerod Evanich, President and Co-Founder.

One of the early adopters of A Place At Home’s business model was Natalie Watts of Little Rock. Natalie had a successful corporate career when she decided it was time for a change. “I was at a point in my life where I had the opportunity to do something for myself. I worked with a consultant to narrow down the opportunities to companies that best suited my goals.

I chose A Place At Home because their mission and core values aligned with mine personally and professionally. I love being a part of a growing brand. I get the support I need to be successful as well as the

Natalie Watts preparing to open her business in 2019

F

or much of history, women were excluded from the business world. It wasn’t until 1988 that Congress passed the Women’s Business Ownership Act, which promoted the development of female business entrepreneurs. Nearly 3 decades later, between 2014 and 2019 the number of women-owned businesses climbed 21%, more than

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double that of all businesses.

Since 2017, A Place At Home has proudly been a piece of that growth when they began franchising their inhome senior-focused care business model. Nearly 50% of A Place At Home franchises are either owned or co-owned by entrepreneurs that are women.

“I’m proud to say we have a diverse group of

Dina Jenney opened her location with enthusiasm in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

opportunity to give feedback or best practices and lessons learned to strengthen not only my business but the brand as a whole.”

All business owners still face obstacles in trying to start and run a business. On top of those obstacles, COVID-19 abruptly changed the landscape of our economy. Small business owners, like Kris Perkins of Omaha/Papillion, looked to the franchisor for resources and advice to help them

Kris Perkins and her husband Rick, owners of A Place At Home Papillon, purchase the original corporate location in Omaha from co-founders Dustin Distefano and Jerod Evanich in 2020.

Through seemingly impossible obstacles, Dina Jenney of Philadelphia West was determined to open her doors and achieve something

The company has since experienced explosive growth with their proven business model and have franchises across the country. The

“I’M PROUD TO SAY WE HAVE A DIVERSE GROUP OF COMPASSIONATE ENTREPRENEURS OUT THERE MAKING AN IMPACT AND LIVING OUR ‘WE ARE CARE’ PHILOSOPHY BY BEING COMPASSIONATE, ACCOUNTABLE, RESPECTFUL, AND ETHICAL.” —Jerod Evanich, President and Co-Founder navigate the disruption and persevere. “We are considered an essential business but we still had to carefully navigate these uncertain waters to keep our team and clients safe. One thing I’m incredibly proud of is that my husband, Rick, and I hosted the first-ever A Place At Home National Caregiver Convention. We went to the founders with the idea and they helped us put it together for all franchisees to give our caregivers valuable training and bring our network of caregivers together virtually,” said Kris.

great despite the hit on the economy. “I've been in management roles for the majority of my career, but I have always wanted to work for myself. It's so much more meaningful. There is a lack of quality care available, and now more than ever it’s needed.

We hope to provide care as if our clients were our own family, not our clients.”

Launching in Omaha, Nebraska, co-founders, Dustin Distefano and Jerod Evanich, were passionate about providing compassionate care solutions for seniors.

personalized senior-focused care services include inhome care, care coordination, senior living alternatives, and staffing. When it comes to opening your own franchise, there’s a staggering list of options available. Senior care is a pandemic-resilient essential business that also makes a positive impact on the community you serve.

There are open franchise locations coast to coast for entrepreneurs considering a senior care franchise, visit aplaceathomefranchise.com for more information.

WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Female Franchisees Embracing Freedom with Payroll Vault

D

espite its yearround relevance to businesses of every shape and size, rarely has payroll been the recipient of so much national attention.

When the COVID-19 pandemic thrust the American economy into uncertainty, business owners around the country looked for guidance on how to best navigate the payroll impacts of federal and state legislation.

That provided an opportunity for Payroll Vault, a payroll and HR outsourcing franchise, to maximize its value as a resource.

But beyond guiding businesses through various relief programs and evolving workforce management trends, Payroll Vault’s franchise model itself offered an opportunity to those looking for their next move — especially those who put a premium on controlling their own destiny.

“This is more about freedom than money,” said Lisa Carsrud, who owns a Payroll Vault franchise in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. “I’ve never been content working for someone else or punching a clock, so this is the natural

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evolution.”

What may not seem natural, at least to those on the outside, would be Carsrud’s attraction to a payroll business.

After all, she’s a registered nurse and an author. Her homecare business, however, introduced some complex payroll issues that sparked the idea.

“I knew I didn’t want to reinvent the wheel,” Carsrud aid of her decision to join the Payroll Vault model. “They had all the software and systems in place. The model provides the expertise in so many areas of the operation. It was a great match and made sense in several ways outside my own skills.”

That turnkey business

model was appealing to prospects of all descriptions, but made Payroll Vault an easy sell for those with a more traditional background. Kathy Rollinger, who comes from the accounting world with experience working at a CPA firm, said the turnkey nature of the business was the final factor in making the decision to open her own Payroll Vault franchise.

“Even with my experience on the accounting side,” said Rollinger, based in Winona, Minnesota, “there were a number of areas that were ready to go. They already set up what I would’ve had to build on my own, specifically the marketing material and newsletters.”

But more than the ease of start-up operations, the major appeal for Rollinger was the autonomy. Like Carsrud, she had experience working for others. Owning a business was simply more appealing, fitting both her business needs and personal work style.

Rollinger placed an emphasis on her ability to market herself and maximize her client relationships.

And though never letting frustrations stop their plans,

she and Carsrud both said the advantages of owning a business as a woman was not lost on either of them.

“A lot of women have dealt with obstacles at some point or another,” said Rollinger.

“Everyone’s had an idea ignored or not gotten credit where it’s due. I can take ownership now, and I even see advantages in my relationships with other female business owners.

“And on top of all that, I love

showing my kids the power of being both a mom and an owner.”

And no matter the background, as Carsrud put it succinctly, “women get things done.”

That’s a characteristic any business, and especially Payroll Vault, wants in their family.

“THIS IS MORE ABOUT FREEDOM THAN MONEY,” SAID LISA CARSRUD, WHO OWNS A PAYROLL VAULT FRANCHISE IN GRAND RAPIDS, MINNESOTA. “I’VE NEVER BEEN CONTENT WORKING FOR SOMEONE ELSE OR PUNCHING A CLOCK, SO THIS IS THE NATURAL EVOLUTION.” —Lisa Carsrud, Payroll Vault Franchise Owner WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

AtWork Owner Profile:

UNNATI PATEL-HALL Orlando, Florida

company that has my best interest in mind.”

Hall’s office focuses on light industrial and clerical staffing, specifically forklift drivers, pick/pack workers, general warehouse employees, and administrative staff.

In doing so, Hall has been able to positively impact her employees’ and clients’ lives and, in turn, her own life: “Owning an AtWork office has impacted my life in the most positive way. We are able to change the lives of our employees and find them gainful employment. There’s nothing more fulfilling than helping someone so they can support their families.”

U

nnati Patel-Hall, or Unni for short, has been a franchise owner in the AtWork family for nearly five years, and her passion for the staffing industry is immediately obvious.

After being raised in Jersey City, NJ, and studying accounting at Old Dominion University, Unni gained valuable experience in high

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volume light industrial staffing, post-graduation.

In 2015, as her career continued to rapidly progress, she decided to strike out on her own and open an AtWork office in Orlando, FL. According to Hall, she chose AtWork “…because of the support provided by corporate, as well as the opportunity to work in an industry I love with a

IN 2015, AS HER CAREER CONTINUED TO RAPIDLY PROGRESS, SHE DECIDED TO STRIKE OUT ON HER OWN AND OPEN AN ATWORK OFFICE IN ORLANDO, FL.

“OWNING AN ATWORK OFFICE HAS IMPACTED MY LIFE IN THE MOST POSITIVE WAY. WE ARE ABLE TO CHANGE THE LIVES OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND FIND THEM GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT. THERE’S NOTHING MORE FULFILLING THAN HELPING SOMEONE SO THEY CAN SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES.” —Unnati Patel-Hall, AtWork Franchise Owner

An emphasis on communication is one way that Hall ensures her staff is keeping the community’s best interest in mind, while also building a highly profitable business. She believes it’s the thing her office does best: “We use various tools to keep in touch with candidates and clients, and they are very

receptive. We’ve been told on several occasions we’re the only agency that cares about our employees going to work, which our clients appreciate very much.”

Though she’s only got a few years as an owner under her belt, Hall’s Orlando office has consistently been a top performer within the AtWork system, showing what is possible for motivated owners to achieve. Hall credits AtWork’s corporate support

team for helping her realize her admittedly aggressive goals. “The corporate team has been there for me every step of the way,” says Hall.

“From one-on-one business consulting and payrolling to marketing support and so much more, it’s obvious that owner success is their top priority.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ben Hubbard is the Director of Marketing for AtWork, a Knoxville, Tennessee based staffing franchise.

WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

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You help your client start a business; they change lives.

Your clients can do more than just start a profitable business.

Help them change lives by connecting talented employees to growing businesses as a part of the $160 billion staffing industry.

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AtWorkFranchise.com opportunity@atwork.com | 865-824-9377

The NOW Delivers High-Quality Massages and Impressive Unit Economics

The NOW Massage is a new concept massage boutique founded on the principle that self-care is a necessity, not a luxury. The NOW delivers high-quality, affordable massage services in an inspired setting, and offers attractive unit economics for franchisees: $9,786,536 Consolidated Gross Revenue $1,555,917 Consolidated EBITDA 4 existing boutiques – January 2019 - Dec 2019

Prime territories still available in most major markets.

Learn more at thenowmassage.com/own-a-boutique * In Item 19 of the 2020 Now Massager FDD, we disclose a comprehensive overview of the historical performance results generated by each of the four (4) affiliate-owned Boutiques that were owned and operating as of December 31, 2019 (each, an "Existing Boutique"). We do not exclude any Boutique's results in our Item 19. The Existing Boutiques have earned this much. Your individual results may vary. There is no assurance that you'll earn as much. See Item 19 of the 2020 Now Massage FDD for explanatory notes and details.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Our Business has Never Been More Relevant

by Valerie Brown-Dufour, President, WSI

years, we've continued to embrace and adapt to the digital marketing economy so that we can innovate based on our clients' needs and demands.

The Demand for Digital Has Skyrocketed

NOW IS THE TIME. That’s what we tell anyone who is looking to purchase a WSI franchise in today’s economy. That’s because there has never been a better time to work in the digital marketing industry and join the WSI franchise network.

Our ability to operate virtually, coupled with the increased demand for our services, has made WSI and our franchise opportunity more relevant than ever before.

For more than 25 years, we’ve helped businesses digitally transform how they generate leads and sales, promote their brand, and interact with their customers online. Throughout these

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Amidst the pandemic, the growth of the digital marketing industry has soared. Consumers are relying on online shopping for everything. And there is no doubt that trend will continue.

According to Forrester’s research, “42% of U.S. adults are shopping more at onlineonly stores. And 42% won’t be returning to in-store shopping any time soon.”

This means businesses are

more reliant than ever on digital marketing to attract, convert, close, and delight their customers. WSI Digital Marketing Consultants are positioned perfectly to help guide clients through their ongoing digital transformations.

Our Business Model Has Never Been Stronger

The WSI business model flourishes in a virtual environment. Despite social distancing, lockdown protocols, and stay-at-home orders, our franchisees remain 100% operational. Unlike more traditional bricks and mortar franchise offerings, our franchise system can be run virtually from your

home without impacting client relationships or service delivery.

While the pandemic has forced other franchise opportunities to make major changes to their overall system and model, operating in a virtual environment is nothing new for us, and if anything has made us stronger.

Collaboration Keeps Our Network Connected

The WSI franchise community (or the WSI family as we affectionately call it) is comprised of hundreds of digital marketing consultants from various professional backgrounds and industries who are open to sharing their knowledge and expertise with their fellow franchisees. Many would say this collaborative

“42% OF U.S. ADULTS ARE SHOPPING MORE AT ONLINE-ONLY STORES. AND 42% WON’T BE RETURNING TO IN-STORE SHOPPING ANY TIME SOON.” —Forrester Research

network is WSI’s “secret sauce,” a sentiment that is echoed by Cormac Farrelly, a WSI franchisee.

“We are so fortunate to have so many amazing professionals in our network from such a diverse range of verticals with really solid business experience. This is a huge differentiator for our local WSI agency. The fact that I can reach out to colleagues across the world and pull them into a project where we can tap into their unique experience and knowledge…I mean, wow!”

The continuous knowledgesharing, innovation, growth, and development across our network has enabled WSI to thrive throughout our more than 25 years in business.

About WSI

WSI is a digital marketing company headquartered in Toronto, Canada. After 25 years, we have agencies spanning the globe and are the most extensive digital marketing network of its kind. For more than two decades, WSI franchisees have helped over 100,000 businesses develop their digital marketing strategies so they can get more leads, generate more sales, and

earn a better return on their online marketing investment.

WSI provides its franchisees a career with a purpose.

When you join WSI, you have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of businesses in your community and worldwide.

For more information, please email contact@ wsifranchise.com or visit www.wsifranchise.com/fcc.

WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

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For over two decades, WSI has helped women establish their own digital marketing businesses. Our franchising opportunity provides a global network of continuous coaching, training and support, and access to leading partnerships you can use to join the ranks of women who truly mean business.

www.wsifranchise.com/women-of-wsi

Toll free: 866-363-3525

contact@wsifranchise.com

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

After a String of Corporate Layoffs, Debbie Learns it’s Never Too Late to Follow Your Business Passion

by Rhonda Sanderson, CEO, Sanderson & Associates

S

ometimes you just know it’s time. And for Debbie Esayenko, being laid off for the third time in two years was the sign. “For me, the final layoff was my indicator it was time to actively pursue my dream,” said the lifelong Calgarian.

In November, Esayenko was able to realize her dream of owning her own business when she launched operations as a new franchise owner with Floor Coverings International, visiting customers’ homes in

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a Mobile Flooring Showroom stocked with thousands of flooring samples from top manufacturers. Floor Coverings International – South Calgary, serves clients throughout Calgary South and Okotoks.

Esayenko previously worked in sales and business development for more than 20 years, including time at three Fortune 500 companies, giving her a broad business background. But when it finally came time to pursue

her own passion, she wasn’t quite sure what she wanted to do, though her passions have always been “fitness, fashion, food and design.” To get the wheels rolling, Esayenko took a refresher course on writing a business plan where she was introduced to a franchise

broker. “I had zero interest in franchising because I thought it was really only fast food and I knew I didn’t want to pursue that,” Esayenko said. But she soon discovered franchising is far more than just hamburgers and fries, and after a deep dive in other options, she fell in love with Floor Coverings International.

“Floor Coverings International hit me hard.

I was sold on it for several reasons.

“Flooring is literally fundamental, foundational in a home you love living in…. and let’s face it, the selection process can be such a hassle. With Floor Coverings International, we conveniently bring full size sample boards to you! It’s safe, quick, fun & friendly.”

As I conducted my due diligence further, I discovered I had ‘come home.’ I love the Floor Coverings International business model, management culture and my fellow franchisees. These people are my peeps.”

In Floor Coverings International, Esayenko found a company that has tripled in size since 2005 by putting a laser focus on consumer buying habits and expressed desires, its impressive operating model, growth ability, marketing, advertising

“WITH FLOOR COVERINGS INTERNATIONAL, WE CONVENIENTLY BRING FULL SIZE SAMPLE BOARDS TO YOU! IT’S SAFE, QUICK, FUN & FRIENDLY.” —Debbie Esayenko, Franchise Owner, Floor Coverings International and merchandising. Floor Coverings International further separates itself from the competition through its customer experience, made up of several simple and integrated steps that exceed customers’ expectations. “I have a passion for design and beauty,” Esayenko said. “I’m a born and raised Calgarian wanting to offer my convenient and wonderful services while giving back to my community.”

Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected every part of our lives.

However, Floor Coverings International utilizes a number of preventative safety precautions to keep both clients and franchise owners and their employees safe.

“With COVID-19 people are going inward and back to the basics – friends, family and relationships,” Esayenko said.

“They are investing in their homes and wanting to live in their version of beauty, while sharing that environment with friends and family.

Their surrounding space has become a priority and they are valuing it.”

ABOUT FLOOR COVERINGS INTERNATIONAL Norcross, GA-based Floor Coverings International has been ranked consistently as the No. 1 Mobile Flooring Franchise in North America by Entrepreneur Magazine. The more than 145 franchisees and their Design Associates offer a unique in-home experience with a mobile showroom that comes directly to the client’s door. More than 3,000 flooring choices are available to view in the home with and alongside existing lighting, paint, and furniture. The company will open several more locations throughout the U.S. and Canada through franchise expansion in 2021. For franchise information, please visit www. opportunities.flooringfranchise.com and to find your closest location go to www. floorcoveringsinternational. com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rhonda Sanderson is a franchise expert who has owned and operated Sanderson & Associates and Sanderson PR, both specializing in, traditional, social media and crisis PR in the franchise space since 1986. She has authored many articles, helped grow numerous franchise chains is considered one of the Top 30 Small Business Influencers (Fit Business) in the U.S. Find her at Rhonda@sandersonpr.com or on LinkedIn where she is the author of Franchise Stars at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonda-sanderson-a6b658/ WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

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NANCY LANARD

Deciding to become a franchisee is a big step. LET US HELP! MICHELLE BOLDON

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Meet KAMILLE

MCCOLLUM,

Chief Operations Officer of BODYBAR Pilates

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BODYBAR Pilates is a fitness franchise concept offering a modern take on Reformer Pilates in an environment that is conducive to building communities filled with members who love, respect, encourage and motivate one another to be strong, healthy and happy human beings. One woman who truly embodies this mission is Kamille McCollum, the brand’s chief operations officer and the co-owner of three BODYBAR studios.

Kamille, alongside husband Matt McCollum, first became a part of the BODYBAR family as franchise owners in 2015.

The duo, looking for the next chapter in their life, had always wanted to own their own business – specifically in the health and wellness space.

Having previously visited a BODYBAR studio in the Dallas area before moving to Fort Worth, they struggled to find a similar, high-intensity Pilates workout. BODYBAR’s was simply unmatched! So, when Kamille and her husband discovered the brand was looking to franchise in their area, they jumped on the opportunity.

Little did they know, their journey with BODYBAR was only just beginning. Kamille and Matt’s success with their first studio in Fort Worth, Texas instilled confidence in BODYBAR’s ownership to approach the McCollums

“OUR STUDIOS ARE PLACES OF LIGHT AND COMMUNITY,” “THE RELATIONSHIPS I’VE BUILT WITH INSTRUCTORS, CLIENTS AND OUR FRANCHISE SUPPORT TEAM ARE ONES THAT I’LL CHERISH FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.” —Kamille McCollum, Chief Operations Officer of BODYBAR Pilates

about taking over executive leadership of the company, an offer they accepted in June 2019. The fitness enthusiasts opened their second Fort Worth studio in August of 2020.

“Our studios are places of light and community,” says Kamille. “The relationships I’ve built with instructors, clients and our franchise support team are ones that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. And of course, the workout that strengthens and tones my body is one that I can do for the rest of my life!”

Referred to as “Your

favorite happy hour” workout, BODYBAR’s 40 to 50-minute classes can be customized to any fitness level. Using core Pilates principles, each BODYBAR class is designed to provide a full-body workout that is high-intensity, low-impact and perfect for increasing flexibility, muscle strength, posture and boosting overall health. Whether a member is a 70-year-old wellness guru or a 25-year-old just getting started, the BODYBAR workout can be customized to meet everyone’s personal fitness goals.

“This brand is not about egos or individuals,” Kamille adds. “It’s about loving people and helping them reach their financial and fitness goals.”

Before entering business ownership with BODYBAR, Kamille worked as a special education and math teacher.

Driven by her love for connecting with and helping others, she is a passionate believer in meeting individuals where they are and pushing them to be the best possible versions of themselves. While she has worked a variety of jobs in addition to her role as a teacher, Kamille notes that they all possess underlying themes of service, hard work and education.

In addition, Kamille has a distinct passion for the BODYBAR brand and appreciates the ability to share that passion with communities far and wide.

BODYBAR’s mission clearly resonates, especially during a time when community is needed most. Even amid the pandemic, the franchise added seven new franchise partners who have signed on to bring 13 new locations to the system. BODYBAR is set to extend into areas including Boston, Atlanta, Salt Lake City and Kansas City.

“There’s never been a better time to join the BODYBAR movement,” says Kamille.

“We’re just getting started.

Nothing makes me happier than providing a welcoming space where people can go to receive an amazing workout, while helping entrepreneurs realize their dreams of business ownership. This role is a gift that keeps on giving.”

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A FRANCHISE BACKED BY STRONG WOMEN

Erica Naderi

WHY BODYBAR?

Director of Instructor Training

Kamille McCollum

Brittney Watson

COO

Director of Marketing

Nancy Baio

Director of Franchise Development

Low-Cost Start-Up

Experienced & Supportive Executive Team

Simple, High-Profit Business Model

Turn-Key Build Out & Execution

Ground Floor of Nationally Recognized Pilates Brand

Recurring Monthly Revenue Stream

Open North American Territories

17% Greater Revenue Capacity Than Competitors

MEET THE TEAM & CLAIM YOUR TERRITORY TODAY franchising@bodybarpilates.com

817.862.9550

bodybarpilates.com

www.dieselbarbershop.com

Diesel Barbershop is the modern-day version of the vintage corner barbershop and appeals to what today’s customers want in a haircut experience: Awesome barbershop with a real man-cave feel!

Why Should You Become a Diesel B arbershop Fran chisee? ü Allows you to maintain your full-time employment if you want to

ü Local Area Representative helps support

Services offered include haircuts, shaves, beard trims, hot towel, shoulder & scalp massages, waxing and product sales

Franchisees

ü As an owner, you manage the managers & the financials. A CEO role.

ü ü ü ü

Technology Proof & Recession Resistant Extremely high repeat clientele Single and multiple shops are available Corporate helps find sites, manage Letter of Intent, Lease Negotiations and aids in Construction Management

ü Requires approx. 1,250 sq. feet of retail space ü Average Total single shop investment is approximately $350,000 - $400,000

ü Solid income potential (via Item 19 in FDD) ü Strong average ticket per customer

Diesel Fills a Much Needed Niche

ü The haircare industry has an annual revenue of $26 billion ü The barbershop industry has an annual revenue approaching $2 billion ü Barbershops are the fastest growing segment of the haircare industry ü With 81% of current salons failing to implement barbershop-focused marketing, this leaves a wide gap waiting to be filled

*Diesel Barbershop, LLC does not make or endorse, nor does it allow any representative or other individual to make or endorse, any oral, written, visual, or other claim or representation that states or suggests any level or range of actual or potential sales, costs, income, expenses, profits, cash flow, or otherwise with respect to a Diesel Barbershop franchise other than those contained in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document.

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Q& with Gara Post, A Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, The NOW

the company operates four corporate locations in Los Angeles with more than 60 new franchise boutiques planned across the U.S and more in development.

At the helm is Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Gara Post. We caught up with Gara to discuss the evolution of the brand and tips for finding balance while running a successful franchise business and raising a family.

Q: Tell us about The NOW’s

history and what inspired you to start the business?

THE NOW,

a new concept massage boutique, was founded in 2015 on the principle that self-care is a necessity not a luxury.

Designed to serve as an escape from today’s fast paced digital society, their goal is to offer high-quality, affordable massage services in an inspired setting without the commitment of a traditional day spa. The NOW was born and bred in Los Angeles and quickly became one of the hottest wellness destinations in the city, the decision to franchise soon followed. Currently,

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GARA: My husband Jason

and I co-founded The NOW with our company Post Investment Group, which focuses on three sectors; health and wellness, real estate and consumer products. We saw there was a void in the marketplace for high quality massage services with an elevated aesthetic, without the time commitment and cost of a traditional spa. Success followed and we scaled from one to four boutiques in 18 months. Our franchising

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journey then began in late 2019 and has since continued with 61 locations planned for 18 cities.

Q: What sets The NOW apart as a brand?

GARA: We strive to make each NOW Massage boutique feel connected but unique in its own way. Using canvas draping to separate massage spaces adds an airy feeling to the relaxed atmosphere. Our Massage Therapists receive advanced training on the custom menu that go far beyond the traditional

modalities one would expect.

Guests can choose from three Swedish-based massage options (starting at $45) and select from a curated menu of customizable enhancements.

Guests looking to take a piece of The NOW home with them can shop our custom, namesake product lines Nourish, Room and Scent by The NOW.

Q: Who is the ideal

NOW franchisee?

GARA: Our ideal franchise partner is an entrepreneurial self-starter who may have a passion for the wellness space or self-care. If they are living a healthy lifestyle and massage is a part of their routine, it will give them insight into the business.

Understanding the brand, our high style aesthetic and thoughtful services are also a good place to start.

development as we set our sights on the future. There has been an increase in real estate availability with more affordable options and better lease terms that have helped support our expansion. From a consumer standpoint, the wellness segment continues to hold strong, including services offered at The NOW Massage. Our current strategy is focused on controlled growth. Managing our four corporate boutiques in a safe manner all while supporting

our franchise partners and employees.

Q: What is your advice for other working moms?

GARA: Like all working mothers, work-life balance is always a challenge, which is what inspired us to open The NOW. My advice for all women is to find a self-care strategy that works for you and of course, sign up for a monthly massage membership at The NOW!

Q: How did The NOW

navigate the challenges of 2020 and what is the strategy moving forward?

GARA: Every challenge brings with it growth, and the pandemic led to a time of WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

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Open A NOW Massage Boutique In Your Neighborhood New Concept Reimagines Massage Experience The NOW Massage, a new concept massage boutique, was founded on the principle that self-care is a necessity, not a luxury.

Designed to serve as an oasis from today’s digitally driven society, The NOW offers high-quality, affordable massage services in an inspired setting. The brand has recently signed franchise agreements representing 61 locations in 18 cities.

Territories are available across the country.

Learn more at thenowmassage.com/own-a-boutique

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

CAREY GILLE: Franchising Maven

by Bill Polk, Consultant, The Franchise Consulting Company

W

ithout a doubt, one of the most influential women in franchising today is Franchise FastLane’s CoFounder and President, Carey Gille. Carey will tell you that she always wanted to be an entrepreneur from the very beginning. Her career started during the “dot-com boom” where she partnered in a technology startup. In the absence of a marketing budget, Carey wrote press releases and soon found herself featured not just locally but also as a national spokesperson on CNN Headline News, MSNBC, The Wall Street Journal and more. That start up sold to a Fortune 500 company where Carey earned her corporate America experience. She led the integration of that startup software solution directly into the TurboTax experience where it is still in use for tax preparation today.

Today, she will tell you that after the whiplash of those two extremes (startups to corporate), she knew she was right at home when she found franchising. An industry in which you can be

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“A PREFERABLE FUTURE” IMPLIES SOMETHING DIFFERENT, SOMETHING BETTER THAN OUR PRESENT. ISN’T IT TRUE THAT SO MANY OF US LITERALLY LONG FOR A BETTER FUTURE? BUT THE ABILITY TO DEFINE, ARTICULATE, MAYBE EVEN JUST CAST A WILD GUESS AT THAT FUTURE HOLDS US BACK.” —Carey Gille, Co-Founder & President, Franchise FastLane a business-owner backed by the strategy, proven results and support of the franchisor.

Carey worked with Ryan Zink to award over 240 Complete Nutrition locations in less that 18 months gaining the recognition of Entrepreneur Magazine as “New Two Top New Franchise”. Shortly thereafter, they partnered to found Franchise FastLane.

Today, FastLane drives growth for over a dozen of the fastest growing brands in franchising and has been named by Entrepreneur Magazine as a top five franchise consulting company for two consecutive years.

Carey is passionate about changing lives in the FastLane through franchise business ownership! While she is an experienced presenter/ speaker, she is also about to be published. She is a contributing author in the soon to be published release, “The Secret to All Things Franchising” where she candidly speaks to her passion for sharing vision. Check out this excerpt…

BUT WHY NOT YOU?

Vision

As a serial entrepreneur, a

new venture adrenaline addict who also needs a clear picture of provision, VISION might be my favorite word in the entire Webster’s dictionary.

VISION is defined as “a clear and compelling picture of a preferable future.” After an early career spent exploring the two parts of that definition as if they were separate, I am sold out to franchising as the ideal combination. It takes “a preferable future” and wraps it up in “a clear and compelling picture.” Franchising gives the gift of VISION. But I’m getting ahead of myself. We’ll get to that. First, let’s back up and look at that definition.

“A preferable future” implies something different, something better than our present. Isn’t it true that so many of us literally long for a better future? But the ability to define, articulate, maybe even just cast a wild guess at that future holds us back.

And “a preferable future” isn’t enough. You have to add to that “clear and compelling picture”…it’s clear, you can see it in high-res, and yes (YES!), it is indeed better. It’s what you long for! In fact, it’s that very thing you think about

when the meeting or the drive gets too long and your mind wanders, explores, even gets completely lost on its own with no guardrails.

Now bring those two parts together to have (#1) a clear and compelling picture of (#2) your preferred future, and you have VISION. What? Did you just roll your eyes? You think VISION is only for others? You think you are just supposed to keep setting your alarm and walking through each day, year, decade in your daily grind taking time now and then to grab a book or watch a series or listen to a podcast in which you get to escape for a minute or two, only to witness others achieve and experience VISION?

But why?

Why not you?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bill has over 25 years experience in corporate America, and nearly 10 years of franchise ownership and consulting experience. His overarching goal is finding the brand that best meets the goals of his clients.

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Carey Gille

Amy Roberts

Co-Founder & President

VP of Operations

THE WOMEN in the

FASTLANE Jennifer Cain VP of Franchise Dev

Amie Hawk Mapping & Compliance Specialist

FastLane has grown to over 30 employees in just a few years and women are everywhere! Co-founded by a woman, two women on the leadership team, and over half the overall team is represented by women.

Women committed to impacting lives through franchise business ownership!

Franchise FastLane is an accelerated turn-key franchise sales organization (FSO). We work with a limited number of franchisors to perfect their discovery process, bring them qualified franchisee leads, & drive explosive growth.

Melissa Swing Operations Project Manager

Kathy Derken Lead Qualifier

Debbie Kurland

Chelsey Boyce

Alicia West

Support & HR Manager

Sales Support Specialist

Sales Support Specialist

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OUR BRANDS NEW BR

Victoria Van Hise

Anna Zagozda

Sales Support Specialist

Marketing Manager

AND

NEW BR

Sarah Styron

Brittany Bode

Creative Specialist

Senior Director of Franchise Dev

Color World Housepainting

All Dry AND

Conserva Irrigation

D1 Training

The Exercise Coach

Hello Garage

Home Clean Heroes

Koala Insulation

RESIDENTIAL MOSQUITO CONTROL

Carin Skowronsky

Samantha Schweitzer

Director of Franchise Dev

Director of Franchise Dev

Donna Grande

Robyn Pope

Director of Franchise Dev

Associate Franchise Specialist

Monster Tree Service

Mosquito Shield

Ninja Nation

Premier Martial Arts

Smash My Trash

SPENGA

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grow a healthy business Saladworks is the original create-your-own, fast-casual salad franchise.

Healthy – USDA reports that American adults are choosing healthier foods such as fruits and vegetables to support a healthier lifestyle. That’s why nearly half of all Millennial and Gen Z consumers buy 3+ entrée salads per week away from home. Saladworks is on-trend.

grow a healthyequipment-light business and easy Simple – Our concept is asset-light, Saladworks is the original create-your-own, to operate. No fryers and salad no hood means less expensive fast-casual franchise. buildout costs for Healthy you.– USDA Just chop, sliceadults and dice to serve the reports that American are choosing healthier foods such as fruits and vegetables to support a tastiest create-your-own salads is turn-key. healthier lifestyle.

That’s whyaround. nearly half of all Saladworks Millennial and Gen Z consumers buy 3+ entrée salads per week away from home. Saladworks is on-trend.

Accessible – The fast-casual landscape is overbuilt and Simple – Our concept is asset-light, equipment-light and easy to operate. No fryers and no hood means less expensive cluttered with create-your-own burger, sandwich, pizza, buildout costs for you. Just chop, slice and dice to serve the tastiest create-your-own salads around. Saladworks is turn-key.

Mexican and smoothie concepts. Landlords are looking for Accessible – The fast-casual landscape is overbuilt and healthy concepts like ours.

We have market, venue, format cluttered with create-your-own burger,the sandwich, pizza, Mexican and smoothie concepts. Landlords are looking for Saladworks is the original create-your-own, concepts like ours. We have the venue, format and footprint you healthy want.

Saladworks ismarket, available. fast-casual salad franchise.

grow a healthy business

and footprint you want. Saladworks is available.

saladworksfranchising.com

fransales@saladworks.com

* Details located at Item 19 inside Saladworks Franchise Disclosure Document.

Healthy – USDA reports that American adults are choosing healthier foods such as fruits and vegetables to support a healthier lifestyle. That’s why nearly half of all Millennial and Gen Z consumers buy 3+ entrée salads per week away from home. Saladworks is on-trend.

$1,227,858 median net sales for top quartile*

saladworksfranchising.com

Simple – Our concept is asset-light, equipment-light and easy to operate. No fryers and no hood means less expensive fransales@saladworks.com buildout costs for you. Just chop, slice and dice to serve the tastiest create-your-own salads around. Saladworks is turn-key.

* Details located at Item 19 inside Saladworks Franchise Disclosure Document.

t sales for top quartile*

Accessible – The fast-casual landscape is overbuilt and cluttered with create-your-own burger, sandwich, pizza, Mexican and smoothie concepts. Landlords are looking for healthy concepts like ours. We have the market, venue, format and footprint you want. Saladworks is available.

$1,227,858 median

saladworksfranchising.com

fransales@saladworks.com

* Details located at Item 19 inside Saladworks Franchise Disclosure Document.

$1,227,858 median net sales for top quartile*

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

A “LOOK GOOD” “FEEL GOOD” BUSINESS STORY!

M

oxie Salon & Beauty Bar® was Founded by identical twin sisters, Jenn and Jamie Dunn who refer to themselves as the “Moxie Twins”, a nod to their enthusiasm and determination for providing high quality hair & beauty care.

Both twins have worked in some of the top salons in the New York tri-state area prior to opening their first Moxie Salon & Beauty Bar® Infusing their vision and passion for a salon that offers exceptional hair care and beauty services at affordable prices, Moxie Salon & Beauty Bar® has become a growing brand. After perfecting the operations and cultivating the brand, the twins, working with their uncle Victor Oliveti, decided to offer Moxie Salon & Beauty Bar® as a franchise opportunity to motivated individuals looking to own a business.

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The salon industry grosses 75 billion dollars annually and is growing rapidly. With a consistent demand from women and men wanting to look their best, hair care is historically a wise business venture.

In franchise owners, Moxie looks for motivated individuals looking to embrace and build off a proven system. Our franchisees do not need any prior experience in the salon industry.

So why should you consider a full-service salon over other business models that focus on one particular service, such as lashes or blowouts? Simple, economy of scale! That is why our business model makes more sense. Our philosophy of having a FULL-SERVICE SALON offering AFFORDABLE, CELEBRATORY, ON-DEMAND TRANSFORMATIONAL DAYMAKING BEAUTY SERVICES is what you should consider over models that focus on one particular service.

Our clients love our “one-stop” approach.

By creating a service menu that spans beyond blowouts and into additional hair care and beauty services as well as offering our private label products available for purchase, Moxie has generated a constant and easy to predict cash flow that is to be expected by a franchise. The prices that customers will find at your Moxie Salon & Beauty Bar® are affordable compared to those of a typical salon, providing women and men with the luxury that they desire without being overcharged.

Our system is built around

us offering specific services that have been perfected to achieve a result better than the competition can provide creating brand loyalty which will equal a steady stream of customers for your franchise.

Even with this full-service menu, there are few tools and materials necessary for running the business and your entire salon space will be used for generating profit.

Franchise owners can build a solid customer base because there always is a need for what we provide.

Our ultra-modern salon design and brand imaging combine to form an inviting and alluring salon experience and you will back that up with the kind of service experience customers want.

We pride ourselves on being able to provide the best training to our franchisees and their staff. Frequent education from Moxie of the latest trends is what most stylists and colorists look for. Our support system and training for your staff is designed to help them provide trend-right services in their communities, which makes customers happy and gives franchisees greater opportunities for success.

Moxie utilizes the most current technology,

operational platforms, and marketing support, so you’ll have more time to devote to and engage with your clients and staff, allowing you to focus on drawing more customers into the salon as well as potentially establishing more locations.

Moxie Salon and Beauty Bar is ready with a devoted experienced team to expand across the U.S. with multiple opportunities. Do you have Moxie?

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HONORED

TO HAVE THE

highest

WOMEN consultants

WE DO...

s

percent active OF

in the

INDUSTRY

and we're proud!

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Committed to Great Service

ALLISON ZORICH

A

llison joined Guidant in early 2013 and is their Director of Business Development. With a background in finance and a successful career in sales, Allison has become a driving force within Guidant and the franchising industry. Her passion to grow essential partner relationships has proven successful, as she continues to build key partnerships year over year.

She prides herself on being an industry expert when it comes to financing small business.

Her desire for serving her partners, empowering her team, and supporting the dreamers continues to deliver time and time again. Allison and her team are committed to great service, offering the latest technology and visibility for both partners and clients.

She is dedicated to serving franchises at all stages of evolution.

Allison believes timely and accurate communication as funding options or qualifications change is critical for partners. By leveraging her SBA, Rollover

for Business Start-up (ROBS), and marketing teams, she’s on the front end of information sharing. This past year, she has admired the resilience of the franchise industry and how people came together to help one another. A testament to what makes franchising powerful.

She loves to see first-hand how Guidant Financial is helping to change people’s lives. Guidant clients are creating their own future, contributing to our economy, and putting the power of their success in their own hands. She is proud to see that women in business continues to grow year over year with a growing 31 percent of all business owners being woman today.

Over the years, Allison has learned that franchising is

ALLISON AND HER TEAM ARE COMMITTED TO GREAT SERVICE, OFFERING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY AND VISIBILITY FOR BOTH PARTNERS AND CLIENTS. 124

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GUIDANT CLIENTS ARE CREATING THEIR OWN FUTURE, CONTRIBUTING TO OUR ECONOMY, AND PUTTING THE POWER OF THEIR SUCCESS IN THEIR OWN HANDS. a very small industry and it, ultimately, is all about relationships. One of Allison’s strengths is knowing how to adapt to different partner processes and teams and using that adaptation to create lasting relationships built on trust and transparency. Allison recognizes that a mutual partnership yields the greatest results. Over the years, she has become an influencer as well as a respected professional in the franchising industry. With pride, she attributes much of this to the strong leadership at Guidant Financial. Allison looks forward to continuing her career with Guidant Financial and making a positive impact on those she touches.

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Paul Davis Prides Itself on the Many Fantastic Women on Their Team

OFELIA LUCAS

is Just One of Many Women in the Network Who Excel in the Restoration Business Ofelia Lucas, owner of Paul Davis of the Gables, serves Miami.

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by Rhonda Sanderson, CEO, Sanderson & Associates

W

hen asked how the pandemic affected her Paul Davis Restoration business, this is what Ofelia Lucas, co-owner of Paul Davis of the Gables, which serves Miami, Florida, had to say.

"This was a time for us to shine and help people in their time of need. I think we're going to be a lot better company forever because we were able to remain open; and due to necessity, we became active in our COVID-19 mitigation program for so many offices, restaurants, first responder vehicles and more. I feel very blessed."

A typical answer from this ultra-professional who holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management, multiple certifications in the insurance field, and served in the United States Air Force. Lucas has professional expertise as a former catastrophe insurance manager with extensive experience in commercial and personal property insurance.

Her training and knowledge include the opening of

temporary insurance field offices for weather-related events and catastrophes from coast to coast.

In 2016 she partnered up with Edison Recinos, a fellow insurance adjuster and veteran, to launch Paul Davis of the Gables.

According to Lucas, “We are both focused and will do whatever is needed to get the job done. I am responsible for the administrative side of things – procedures of onboarding, training, making sure everyone knows their responsibilities – and Edison works closely on the business development side of things, bringing in new accounts and working in the field handling complaints.”

Lucas praised her franchisor for immediately implementing daily network calls at the start of the pandemic. "We normally set this up when we do catastrophe events such as hurricanes," Lucas said. "We as a network join hands and say, how are we going to get through this?"

Lucas also appreciated communication of best practices from her franchisor

and advice on how to keep employees motivated.

“We expected a significant surge in businesses requesting pre-emptive cleaning to prepare for reopening and we got it,” said Mike Hopkins, Chief Operating Officer for Paul Davis, who says the company spearheaded many emergency cleaning projects following localized coronavirus outbreaks. “To help weather this economic storm and build business quickly, local businesses needed to reassure customers and employees that their premises were safe from the very first day they re-opened their doors. Excellent franchisees like Paul Davis of the Gables helped these businesses take protective steps in advance and build trust with regular and continuing cleaning protocols.

We have had to pivot to service first responders’ vehicles very quickly by applying disinfectant that treats the COVID-19 virus.

Since time was of the essence, it also served as great training for our team members who participated.

Lucas added that the

network calls helped everyone determine how to keep Paul Davis employees safe and protected while applying the disinfectants used for these extreme cleanings.

“Out of this need came our TouchLessService™ program” continued Hopkins, ”which we designed to safeguard customers and employees during the pandemic, and possibly beyond. Staying nimble in an environment like this helps us serve each customer’s particular needs and modify our approaches.”

It’s all certainly worked for this dynamic f ranchisee. Paul Davis of the Gables has gone f rom 3 employees at the start to more than 30 employees in 2019, and still growing. “I became a franchisee of Paul Davis because of shared values,” Lucas said. “I like to serve others and this is part of the mantra at Paul Davis. I like to empower and mentor employees and see them grow careers. And that certainly is happening here.”

For further information about a franchise go to www. pauldavisbusiness.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rhonda Sanderson is a franchise expert who has owned and operated Sanderson & Associates and Sanderson PR, both specializing in, traditional, social media and crisis PR in the franchise space since 1986. She has authored many articles, helped grow numerous franchise chains is considered one of the Top 30 Small Business Influencers (Fit Business) in the U.S. Find her at Rhonda@sandersonpr.com or on LinkedIn where she is the author of Franchise Stars at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonda-sanderson-a6b658/ WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

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DIGITAL-OUT-OF-HOME ADVERTISING Social Indoor is an advertising franchise that focuses on marketing in local venues, primarily in restrooms of restaurants, bars, community centers, stadiums, and more. We install full motion digital monitors with audio capabilities to give our advertisers the most captive and powerful impression in out-of-home advertising.

Consumers can’t flip the page, change the channel, or turn it off. Guaranteeing your clients ads are seen!

PROVEN LEADERSHIP: Our founder, Tony Jacobson, pioneered the industry back in 1987 with AJ INDOOR, and successfully reinvented it in 2002 with AllOver Media.

His vision for this next chapter, is to build a national, digital advertising franchise network. Over 30 years of success in small to medium-sized cities and major metro areas.

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sive training program & ongoing support to help you succeed.

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has developed SIMON, a proprietary software that will manage hundreds of venues and ads with flexible content. The monitors have full motion video, sonar and sound, allowing our ads to be even more engaging to consumers. Our SIMON software manages your market.

LOW START UP COSTS: You can own your own territory or even an entire market for as little as $50,000. We provide franchises with the digital monitors, pay for most of the installations and assist with any technical maintenance.

NO BRICK & MORTAR LEASE & NO/LOW EMPLOYEE NEEDS: Manage from your home and grow your team as you grow your business.

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952.800.1909

Conserva Irrigation Announces Accelerated Growth Plans and a New Partnership with Franchise FastLane to Increase its Expansion Across the United States Revolutionary Water Conservation Focused Irrigation Company Plans Accelerated Expansion After Reaching 100 Locations in Three Years and Posting Significant 2020 Sales Growth

RICHMOND, VA (December 17, 2020) — Conserva Irrigation, the only national outdoor irrigation company founded on the concept of water conservation, announced today it has partnered with the country’s leading franchise sales organization, Franchise FastLane, as part of its strategy to significantly accelerate the growth of the business throughout the United States.

This comes shortly after Conserva Irrigation announced earlier this month that, as the largest and first-to-market franchise in the irrigation industry, it had

eclipsed 100 territories operational.

Conserva Irrigation operates underneath the Outdoor Living Brands umbrella organization, a franchise company that has successfully scaled four similar exterior home services franchises.

After testing the business model in various pilot markets for five years, Conserva Irrigation was launched as a franchise by Outdoor Living Brands in mid2017. Chris Grandpre, Chairman & CEO of Outdoor Living Brands, said “We’ve admired Franchise FastLane’s ability to deliver exponential franchise growth to its partner brands. After

our organization is ready to support the exponential growth that we’re confident Franchise FastLane will deliver. We’ve invested in the support team and support systems plus we have the experience and track record gained from our other brands to handle an increased pace of new Conserva franchise location openings. In light of how selective Franchsie FastLane is, we’re thrilled to partner with them for this next chapter of our growth.”

According to Carey Gille, President of Franchise FastLane, “We conducted preliminary due diligence on nearly 400 franchise brands in 2020, but brought on less than ten as new brand partners. We are extremely selective in search of the most compelling franchise opportunities.

We look for concepts with strong unit economics for franchisees, attractive ROI’s, happy and successful franchisees who support the brand’s growth, and methodically testing a franchisor willing and able to the Conserva support the expedited growth Irrigation business that Franchise FastLane will model for five bring. Outdoor Living Brands years and then has a proven track record and building it to a experience scaling franchise 100+ unit franchise businesses. That track record system over the and financial strength, combined last three years, with Conserva’s first-to-

market positioning and its differentiated business model makes this a compelling franchise offering for Franchise FastLane to represent.”

Labeled as an essential business amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Conserva Irrigation’s rapid growth can be credited to innovation, teamwork and culture, and the strength of its business model and proprietary processes to audit irrigation systems.

Conserva’s methodology includes a quantitative rating of the water efficiency of an irrigation system called the System Efficiency Score or “SES”. The SES allows a residential or commercial property owner to understand how much water their sprinkler systems are wasting, as well as to understand what repairs and improvements need to be made to reduce water consumption and lower water bills while keeping turf and plant material healthy.

“Conserva Irrigation is proud to be the industry leader in providing responsible, water-efficient irrigation solutions to our clients, while helping our franchisees to build vibrant businesses that allow them to achieve their personal career, lifestyle and financial goals,” stated Russ Jundt, founder

of Conserva Irrigation and brand leader of the business unit under Outdoor Living Brands. “We are excited to have the opportunity to accelerate the pace of adding new franchisees and locations to our system in partnership with Franchise FastLane.”

In addition to its growth, Conserva Irrigation recently jumped more than 1,400 spots in this year’s Inc. 5000 ranking, which lists companies based on their percentage of revenue growth from 2016 to 2019.

Conserva Irrigation also experienced its highest sales months in June and July 2020 since the company’s inception in 2010.

With a successful track record, Conserva Irrigation has remained nimble during the pandemic to sustain company growth.

It adjusted field operating procedures and launched virtual franchisee training this year allowing it to continue its supporting new franchise openings while maintaining social distancing requirements.

Conserva Irrigation is planning expansion throughout the United States and continues to seek single and multi-unit franchise operators with a range of corporate experience, independent or franchise business owners looking for diversification opportunities, and irrigation companies seeking to align with Conserva’s proven business model and systems.

Incentives are also available for veterans, multi-territory agreements, and those with existing irrigation businesses.

To learn more about Conserva Irrigation, email conservaleads@franchisefastlane.com.

REDEFINE THE IRRIGATION INDUSTRY WITH

CONSERVA IRRIGATION As the only irrigation franchise with a focus on water conservation, Conserva Irrigation is transforming the $7.1 billion irrigation industry. Featured in the Inc. 5000 FastestGrowing Companies list for two years in a row, the Conserva Irrigation franchise is a thriving business model that provides rapid client acquisition, reoccurring revenue streams, and scalable growth opportunities. Ready to gain professional and financial freedom with one the fastest growing eco-friendly franchises? Consider a future with Conserva Irrigation.

Why Choose Conserva Irrigation?

• Low Initial Investment • Reoccurring Revenue Streams • Award-winning, Eco-Friendly Franchise

804-823-7554 IrrigationFranchise.com An important part of

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

“Mrs. Fix It” Joins the “We Can Fix That” Franchise Family, Launches Creative Colors International Location in Houston, TX

Creative Colors International is the Industry Leading On-site Repair and Restoration Franchise that Saves Local Customers 90% on Replacement Fees Creative Colors International, the nation’s leading on-site repair and restoration franchise, launched its Houston Texas location on February 1, 2016 in Harris and Montgomery Counties. This is big news as more local business owners and cost-conscious residents than ever before are seeking

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out alternatives to astronomical upholstering charges and replacement fees associated with damaged possessions composed of leather, vinyl, plastic and fabric.

“Mrs. Fix-It,” as she calls herself, Susan Leimone, said she has spent years making other companies

money and now she wants to create her own legacy. She has opened Creative Colors International (CCI) location right here in Northwest Houston. According to Susan, Creative Colors International’s revolutionary products and restoration techniques will help local customers save up to 90% on replacement fees by repairing worn and/or damaged materials.

“I think Creative Colors has an amazing concept. If you can repair instead of replace and save money then that is a win-win for everyone,” said Leimone.

Leimone spent years working in retail management.

However, when her first husband died, Leimone was forced to reduce her workload in order to raise her daughter as a single mother. Leimone said it was during this tough time that she developed her unshakeable “Mrs. Fix-It” mentality.

“Cash-strapped and supporting my daughter as a single parent, if I didn’t fix it, it didn’t get done,” said Leimone. “So, if the bathroom needed repairs, I did it. If the floors needed replacing, I did the work. Due to these

experiences, I have full confidence I can fix anything with my own hands and brainpower. And now, as a Creative Colors International business owner and a member of the ‘We Can Fix That’ franchise family, I can truly live up to my ‘Mrs. Fix-It’ nickname!”

The statistics suggest that repairing and restoring, as opposed to upholstering and replacing, can save local business owners and residents hundreds of dollars on any damaged item. For example, the costs associated with upholstering any type of seat can be very steep, ranging anywhere from $120 to $450 per cushion. And according to Terri Sniegolski, Creative Colors International’s CEO, the commitment shared by all franchisees to help customers save money, and deliver on the company’s “We Can Fix That” philosophy, has been the key catalyst for the company’s expansion to 54 locations in 24 states with 125+ mobile units since its initial inception in 1980.

“We’re excited to open our next Creative Colors location in Houston because we know Susan shares the same ‘We Can Fix That’ attitude our

other successful franchisees possess,” said Sniegolski.

“We are thrilled about our expansion in Texas because we know the local business owners and customers in the Northwest Houston community will be eager to repair and restore their possessions at a fraction of the cost.”

Serving the automotive, commercial and furniture industries, Creative Colors International offers affordable solutions for tears, holes, scuffs, scratches and other types of damage found on leather, vinyl, plastic or fabric through on-site repair, restoration, cleaning, dyeing and protection. For local residents, this means Creative Colors International can repair auto interiors, leather furniture, RV flooring, and boat vinyl, among other things.

Additionally, for business owners, Creative Colors International can repair any upholstery found in critical locations around the company, such as waiting rooms, examination rooms, restaurant booths, hotel rooms, and theater seating, among others.

For more information on Susan Leimone and her Creative Colors International

location, please visit http://www. wecanfixthat.com/Houston/.

About Creative Colors International Launched in 1991, the Creative Colors International (CCI) franchise system was created through its affiliate, J&J’s Creative Colors, the original industry leader in refurbishment techniques and systems. Today, both companies continue to be family-owned and operated by the second generation.

Catering to the abundance of upholstered items in every home, business and vehicle, CCI is the ultimate in on-site repair, restoration, cleaning, protection, and dyeing of leather, vinyl, plastic and fabric. Through proprietary technology, CCI restores damaged material at a fraction of replacement costs, saving customers up to 90 percent.

CCI repairs are stronger than the original area and are nearly invisible to the naked eye. In the Automotive, Furniture and Commercial Markets, CCI offers on-site repair and restoration to all types of leather, vinyl, fabric, plastic and carpeting by repairing and redyeing holes, cuts, tears, burns, scrapes, fading and discoloration.

For more information on CCI’s services and franchise opportunities, visit www. wecanfixthat.com.

SERVING THE AUTOMOTIVE, COMMERCIAL AND FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, CREATIVE COLORS INTERNATIONAL OFFERS AFFORDABLE SOLUTIONS FOR TEARS, HOLES, SCUFFS, SCRATCHES AND OTHER TYPES OF DAMAGE FOUND ON LEATHER, VINYL, PLASTIC OR FABRIC THROUGH ON-SITE REPAIR, RESTORATION, CLEANING, DYEING AND PROTECTION. WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Q&A CATHY CARROLL Helping Businesses in PA to Count the Dough with Payroll Vault

by Janice Charles, Consultant, The Franchise Consulting Company highest ranked female friendly franchises available today.

We talked to Cathy to get her perspective on women in franchising.

JANICE CHARLES:

Why did you decide to investigate franchising?

CARROLL: I was intrigued by the idea of owning my own business. Several of my family members have their own business and some of them are franchise owners. I liked the idea that I would reap the benefit of my efforts to grow the business.

JANICE CHARLES:

Why did you purchase a Payroll Vault franchise?

Congratulations to Payroll Vault Franchisees Cathy Carroll and her Husband Ed, on their recent purchase of their new franchise! Based in the Havertown, PA area, Cathy started working with us at The Franchise Consulting Company in July of 2019 to find a franchise. Since then, their business is growing exponentially in one of the

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CARROLL:

We decided we wanted a B2B franchise that we could run out of our home.

After many years of running a team with 50+ employees, I was ready for a smaller staff. We were also looking for a business that was recession resistant and would provide residual income as it grew. After meeting with Sean Manning and Tricia Petteys at Payroll Vault, we felt

we had met business people with the same set of values as us. We realized the Payroll Vault franchise headquarters was well run by a team that we could trust to help us grow our business. Their decisions directly affect our franchise and we wanted to be confident in their abilities.

JANICE CHARLES:

How do you see Payroll Vault and other franchises catering to women?

CARROLL:

There is a lot of flexibility in the structure of your work week when you own a Payroll Vault franchise. The sales and networking efforts can be performed during the traditional workday and can spill into the evening but you can pick and choose. The operations part of the job can be done at any time.

JANICE CHARLES:

Do you think being a woman impacted your ability to run a successful business?

CARROLL: I don't think being a woman necessarily impacted my ability to run a

successful business. I think the years of experience in various retail management positions gave me the ability to understand the many facets of running a small business.

No one who owns a small business started their business to run payroll. They started their business because they are passionate about their product or service. I always ask them what would happen if they took the time they are spending on payroll and spent it on marketing their business?

Once you have that discussion with a small business owner and help the understand how valuable their time is, they see the benefit of outsourcing the payroll process.

JANICE CHARLES:

As a woman, did you anticipate any challenges in franchising?

CARROLL: I think you need to be able to present yourself as a business person who is serious about the opportunity and is looking at for the long term. You also need to be able to present a sound business plan. If you do not have the business background to create that plan yourself, you need to seek guidance. I have been pleasantly surprised how many resources are available to anyone who wants to start their own business.

JANICE CHARLES:

What advice would you give to other women who may be hesitant in investigating franchising?

CARROLL: You must believe you can do it. If you doubt yourself it will be hard to work through the difficult times. You also must do your research. The Franchise Disclosure Document is a wealth of information and is it required by law for a reason.

You really to need to study it to make a sound business decision before you purchase a franchise.

JANICE CHARLES:

If you were to investigate franchising again, would you make the same decision?

CARROLL:

Absolutely!

Recently someone asked me "What is your Why"? When we first started our Payroll Vault franchise, I would have answered we want to work for ourselves and build a financial legacy for our children. But now my answer is so much more. We are proud to be positioned to offer a service that local professionals can

rely on and trust. Our goal is to genuinely make a difference and help other business owners' dreams come to fruition.

JANICE CHARLES:

Was there anything you felt you should have known that you didn’t know before you started your investigation into a franchise?

CARROLL: We underestimated the value of having a brand that is already established in your geographic area. Our early efforts focused on creating brand awareness in the area, we are the first Payroll Vault office in the area, and we had to create the know, like and trust factor for our office.

JANICE CHARLES:

Anything else you’d like to share?

CARROLL: We started our office a few months before the Covid 19 Pandemic shut down.

WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

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We were out networking and meeting people every day and then were forced to stay home. It was amazing to see how quickly we were able to pivot to the online platform for networking.

Living in a major metropolitan area we are fortunate to have many Chamber of Commerce options to choose from. We belong to four chambers and they

have been invaluable, not only providing networking opportunity but also guidance as we worked with the new regulations. The virtual networking has given us the opportunity to meet many more people than the in-person networking and makes for a more productive work week without the travel time. During the first few months of the shutdown,

we were also able to position ourselves as trusted advisors due to the great information we were receiving on the PPP loans, the EIDL grants and the Employee Retention Credit from our home office.

We did not want to be sales people during this period, we wanted to help other small businesses survive and then thrive as we worked through a very difficult 2020.

MARILYN MANNING with Payroll Vault Tells Us What Made Them Choose Cathy Carroll

JANICE CHARLES:

What did you see in Cathy Carroll that made you believe she would be a great franchisee for you?

MANNING: Cathy had good organizational skills and terrific people skills from her previous career in retail and management. She understood how systems and processes work and was looking for the structure that a franchise could support her with. She was willing to learn new skills and ready to run her own business.

JANICE CHARLES:

How do you see women growing in franchising?

wants to tap into a proven business model and be up and running more quickly than trying to create the wheel on their own; they will have a team of experts to support them as well.

JANICE CHARLES:

What are the top things one needs to think about prior to purchasing a franchise?

What traits are YOU looking for in a franchisee – male or female?

MANNING: Especially with our franchise model, this is an excellent business for women to get into that may be ready to reenter the workforce after their children are grown. Also, those who have young families and a husband-and-wife team wanting to build a legacy business together. Last, to an executive that sees how to add this business to their existing business or start from the ground up. It is a quicker entry into business ownership.

What is your mindset? One of the "dreams" of people is to own their own business, but are they really ready to put in the hard work it takes to be a successful business owner? Just because you own a business doesn't mean that you will be successful. You will work harder than you ever have in your professional life, and the reward is that it is all yours.

MANNING:

JANICE CHARLES:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JANICE CHARLES:

If I have to pick one main skill, I will say having great people skills is very important for any business ownership. This is a relationshiptype business where you build

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a book of business and your clients will be with you for several years. If they have a financial background that can be helpful, but everything we do are all teachable skills.

MARCH 2021 | WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM

Why do you think franchising is a good option for women?

MANNING: Franchising makes sense for anyone who

MANNING:

Janice is a leading franchise resource nationwide. A 40 yr. franchise veteran with experience in all areas of franchising, Janice can be reached at: janice@ thefranchiseconsultingcompany.com or 303-319-5186

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Pathways to Ownership New Studio Start-ups: SpeedPro has available territories all over the U.S. and Canada, underscoring the opportunity to open and build your large-format printing business wherever you reside.

Resales: SpeedPro Resales are a great fit for anyone interested in buying an established business.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SPEEDPRO FRANCHISING, CONTACT: 888.598.5065 live@speedprofranchising.com SpeedProFranchising.com SPEEDPRO.COM 2020 SpeedPro – All Rights Reserved. This ad does not constitute an offer. Financial Performance Representations (FPRs) are made based on our Franchise Disclosure Document. Your results may vary.

BUSINESS ADVICE

Is Your Management Team Ready For Franchising?

by Mark Siebert, CEO & Sr. Franchise Consultant, iFranchise Group, Inc. What is the single most important factor in determining the success of a franchise program?

Is it jumping on the hottest new trend? Offering an affordable investment? Selling franchises faster than the competition? It’s none of these. The most important aspect contributing to the success of any franchise

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program is the strength of a franchisor’s management team.

Good management can overcome most obstacles in franchise expansion. But bad management can ruin even the most promising concept.

A good management team will develop and enhance the franchise value proposition.

Good management will be

willing to modify the business to better meet the criteria of franchisability. The owners and management team of any great franchise organization will embrace franchising’s core principles and will be committed to building longstanding relationships with franchisees -- always working toward their success.

Of course, start-up

franchisors are not expected to have the kind of management team that a well-established franchisor like McDonald’s would bring to the table. With a start-up organization, team members will need to wear multiple hats. The implication of this should be clear – until you have built your management team, you should temper your growth plans based on your ability to adequately support your business growth and, most important, your franchisees. In short, slow down and grow no faster than your ability to help your franchisees succeed, despite the allure that fast growth franchising may hold in the short term.

Business owners looking to expand through franchising need to take a long hard look at the strengths and weaknesses of their current management teams.

When a company launches its franchise program, the original management team

will soon realize that its roles will increase in size and scope when franchise expansion takes place. Good management will recognize where it might need to bring in additional resources. One way to do this in a structured way is through a gap analysis, often with the assistance of outside experts.

A gap analysis typically starts with interviews of senior staff members with the goal of creating a development plan for the organization. The analysis would identify specific “gaps” that would likely arise as a franchise program is implemented based on projected speed of expansion.

Not all “gaps” need to be filled by new hires. A gap analysis will identify how to best fill gaps using internal personnel, new hires, or outsourced resources – both in the shortterm and over the course of the initial years (usually five) of planned organizational growth.

Some of the considerations in a gap analysis include:

Franchise marketing needs and internal capabilities Franchise sales needs and internal capabilities Existing and anticipated training capabilities and tools Currently available real estate and construction capabilities and options for leverage, if it is a franchise with a real estate component Anticipated needs within the franchisor organizational structure to provide proper support Assessment of existing staff and the amount of bandwidth available Short-term recommendations for assignment of responsibilities for existing internal staff Recommendations for short-term outsourcing and plans for internalizing these capabilities over time

While the franchise management team may continue to grow as expansion accelerates, it is important for new franchisors or soon-tobe franchisors to remember that franchise prospects will get an initial introduction to the management team when they (and presumably their advisors) review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).

Those disclosures tell a story in and of themselves. For example, if a new franchisor is selling franchises across the country without regard to clustering locations, it would indicate that the franchisor is simply selling every prospect they can without an understanding of how they might be able to service that franchisee.

By keeping initial franchise sales local, an emerging franchisor demonstrates their commitment to supporting their initial franchisees.

These disclosures can often help demonstrate highly educated and capable management teams as well.

And, ideally, these corporate managers who “look good on paper” will perform just as well as they become franchise leaders.

In our franchise consulting practice, we’ve seen how a fantastic concept can be stymied in its expansion plans by poor management teams and overaggressive growth.

But with good management that is committed to franchisee success and a rational expansion strategy, even franchisors with concepts that lack the sizzle of the most recent trend will prosper in the long run.

WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

STAR POWER

Women-owned Businesses Blaze Trails in Private Accommodations Industry iTrip Vacations (itripfranchise. com) offers franchise ownership in the short-term rental property management industry. The company has launched more than 80 franchises throughout North America, and many are women-owned businesses.

To celebrate Women's History Month, here are some remarkable franchisees finding success in the private accommodations industry. iTrip Vacations Alabama Beaches is owned by Kristy Doggett and Lynn Humphries. As real estate and rental industry experts, the team joined forces in 2010. An iTrip franchise provided the opportunity for

Kristy Doggett and Lynn Humphries, Alabama Beaches location

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them to implement shared philosophies, live their dreams and practice like-minded methodologies.

The company has since grown to manage hundreds of rental properties in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan. In addition, Kristy and Lynn have learned some secrets to success.

“One of the most important lessons I learned early in life is that change is the only constant,” says Kristy Doggett.

“I have to be nimble and agile, and adapt my business to whatever my current reality is. I continue to ask: Is this the best way to do it today?

Kristy's business partner has also endured changes in the private accommodations industry and has advice for other entrepreneurs.

“Attitude is everything! There are few things I have control of, but I can always control my attitude,” says Lynn Humphries.

“And attitude is contagious.

That is one of the first things I look for when we hire new employees. It is so important to create an environment that our team enjoys.”

In Siesta Key, Loretta and Gerald Luhman have enjoyed steady growth since starting their business in 2016. Headed

by Loretta, the team serves the

Loretta Luhman, Sarasota and Siesta Keys

beaches of Sarasota including Siesta Key. Having a vacation home out of state also helped Loretta understand the value of the iTrip franchise and made entering the industry a little less daunting.

“Owning a franchise gives you choices,” says Loretta Luhman. “Initially you can decide to manage the entire business yourself or with a team. When your business is financially viable, you can then choose your role or just be an owner and have others run the business. I love building a great team who cares about our owners and guests.”

While the ongoing pandemic has many small business owners searching for solutions, Loretta is optimistic

about the industry and vacation rentals in her area.

“The pandemic has increased demand for Florida vacation rentals,” states Luhman. “First, travelers can socially distance better in a rental, so it’s becoming a preferred way to travel. Second, more professionals can work from anywhere, so off-season demand has increased.

Additionally, more people are choosing places where they can spend time outside. We have amazing software tools available to outperform the market as the vacation rental industry matures.”

It's not just beach areas seeing major growth. In 2016, best friends Kim Allen and Kim Estock combined their skills to launch in Aspen-Snowmass, Colorado. They adapted years of hospitality experience and

Kim Allen and Kim Estock , Aspen-Snowmass, Colorado

customer satisfaction to develop a reputation for stellar service.

“For years we talked about starting a business together,” says Kim Allen. “We tossed around a few ideas until we saw an advertisement for an iTrip franchise. It was daunting starting something from scratch, so the idea of taking a successful franchise business and making it our own was appealing.”

Since launching, the team has retained impressive growth and ranks among the top rental managers in Colorado according to AirDNA, a website dedicated to data regarding private accommodations.

“It has been a time commitment, but we both enjoy creating vacation experiences for our guests and focus on the details that go into a five-star stay,” says Allen. “We have built a strong team and believe they are committed to the success of our women-owned business.

We lead by example and support our team to ensure a positive guest experience.”

In 2018, Liann DiMare jumped on the franchise wave and started her business in Boston's North Shore region in Massachusetts. Since then, she has built a successful company that fulfills her lifestyle and career needs.

“For many years, I worked hard for my employers,” says Liann DiMare. “Building my own business is much more rewarding! I can build something based on my values of integrity and quality, while earning trust and feeling

Liann DiMare, Boston's North Shore region in Massachusetts

a passion for success with both clients and partners.”

Liann discovered iTrip Vacations when she listed her vacation property with another iTrip franchisee. She was so impressed with their service, she decided to buy her own franchise.

“The entire iTrip team helps each other,” says DiMare. “It's fabulous to have that support.

As we improve our businesses, we elevate the brand and each other. This camaraderie also encourages us. Act like you are the business you expect to be from the beginning, and you will be there sooner than you think.” iTrip offers exciting, executivelevel income opportunity for those looking to own their own franchise. Creates opportunities in the short-term rental property management industry with an iTrip Vacations franchise. itripfranchise.com WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

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MAKE YOUR FUTURE

BRIGHTER OUTDOOR LIGHTING PERSPECTIVES with

As North America’s largest full-service outdoor lighting company, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives helps our valued clients enhance the beauty, safety, and security of their homes with the power of low-voltage lighting. The Outdoor Lighting Perspectives business model boasts a quick rampup, strong gross profit margins, and a recurring revenue stream making it an attractive franchise opportunity for franchise operators, investors, and entrepreneurs. For those looking for a business endeavor designed to achieve your personal career, lifestyle, and income objectives, consider building a bright future as an Outdoor Lighting Perspectives franchise owner.

Why Choose Outdoor Lighting Perspectives?

• Low Initial Investment • Lucrative Revenue Streams • Strong Profit Margins

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

SPRING-GREEN LAWN CARE:

Beautifying America One Lawn at a Time Illinois Franchise Owners Prove Hard Work, Dedication Really Can Make Dreams Come True

S

ometimes you have to dig really deep to accomplish your goals. For Gayle Harbison and Amy Shelton, that involved selling most of their assets and living in a camper for a few years. But they are proof positive of what can be accomplished through pure drive and motivation since they recently celebrated their 17th anniversary as franchise owners with Spring-Green Lawn Care, the Plainfield, Ill. franchisor that has been providing lawn and pest services nationwide since 1977.

After purchasing an existing Spring-Green franchise in December 2003 and implementing a successful business plan, Harbison and Shelton have been serving satisfied customers throughout the central Illinois counties of Macon, Shelby, Christian, Moultrie and Sangamon ever since.

Harbison had previously spent 17 years as the membership director at an athletic club, while Shelton

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had been a captain and tactical commander with the Illinois Department of Corrections, where she spent 13 years. Both loved their jobs, but each realized they had reached a glass ceiling, so they sought out a new passion and realized it through franchise ownership.

“None of it could have happened without sacrifice, hard work and dedication, which is proven daily with our company’s success. The leap of faith was not without a purpose; it has given us great success both personally and professionally,” said Harbison, whose brother lived next door to the previous franchise owner and told her of the purchase opportunity.

In addition, Shelton spent one season working with the owner to gain a thorough understanding of the business and its potential.

As natural leaders in their former professions, Harbison and Shelton already knew what it took to succeed.

Harbison’s talents are in business and finance, while Shelton “never quits on a mechanical challenge with her can-do attitude,” according to Harbison. Their passion extends to their staff members. “Under our leadership, our franchise sales started to increase immediately and that success has continued though today,” Harbison said. “We were able to recruit an incredible, dependable, long-term team that we call family.”

With double-dight growth during the worst health

Gayle Harbison (L) and Amy Sheldon (R) own Spring-Green Lawn Care of Decatur, IL. crisis the country has seen and a bevy of successful franchisees such as Harbison and Shelton, Spring-Green was compelled to create a Stimulus Package in 2020 that targets owners of existing green-industry businesses such as landscaping or lawn maintenance companies. For a new franchisee already in the green industry, the franchise fee will be waived. Royalties will be reduced for the first year and franchisees can also take advantage of a $25,000 marketing loan with a lowinterest repayment plan and up to 50 percent forgiveness if revenue goals are achieved.

With 44 years of experience, Spring-Green is attractive to green-industry business owners because it offers proven economic resilience, healthy profit margins, industry-leading business and marketing intelligence, recurring revenue and

retirement and family planning through business ownership.

Spring-Green Lawn Care services are centered on the beautification of outdoor areas of residential and commercial customers in middle-class and affluent neighborhoods and communities. In 2019 Forbes Magazine named Spring-Green one of the Top 10 Best Franchises with an initial investment under $150,000 and SpringGreen is consistently ranked in the upper half of industry publication Lawn & Landscape’s 2020 Top 100 and in Entrepreneur Magazine’s prestigious Franchise500® list.

“Every year more and more homeowners rely on outsourcing their outdoor maintenance needs,” Harbison said. “And operating under the Spring-Green name affords us the optimal support we need on a daily basis.”

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ABOUT SPRING-GREEN LAWN CARE Plainfield, Illinois-based Spring-Green Lawn Care has been delivering lawn and tree care services nationwide since 1977. Its service is centered on the beautification of residential and commercial customers in middle-class and affluent neighborhoods and communities. SpringGreen is an attractive opportunity for entrepreneurs

and existing green-industry business owners who want to align themselves with a franchise opportunity that has proven economic resilience, healthy profit margins, industry-leading business and marketing intelligence, recurring revenue, and retirement and family planning through business ownership. For more information, visit www. springgreenfranchise.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rhonda Sanderson is a franchise expert who has owned and operated Sanderson & Associates and Sanderson PR, both specializing in, traditional, social media and crisis PR in the franchise space since 1986. She has authored many articles, helped grow numerous franchise chains is considered one of the Top 30 Small Business Influencers (Fit Business) in the U.S. Find her at Rhonda@sandersonpr.com or on LinkedIn where she is the author of Franchise Stars at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonda-sanderson-a6b658/

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

SHERRI SEIBER

Helping Others Become Their Own “Boss Lady”

D

uring our month devoted to women in the franchising industry, the Franchise Journal would be remiss if we failed to honor someone who has helped countless women fulfill their dreams of franchise business ownership. As the COO of FranFund, Sherri Seiber is a true pioneer in franchising and thrives on helping others become their own “Boss Lady”.

FranFund was founded in 2006 after Sherri’s husband, Geoff Seiber, recognized the need for a financial partner in the franchise industry who could provide multiple

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funding solutions under one roof. Intimately familiar with franchising through his experience at the franchisee and franchisor level growing brands like Domino’s Pizza and Great Clips, then later as franchise consultant, he still needed additional leadership to achieve his vision of a onestop-shop funding concept with a boutique feel through a high-touch experience.

A leader by nature, Sherri has been described as a force to be reckoned with while also the most approachable person in the room. That combination of power and personality is the recipe for her success. During her successful 20+ year career in the telecommunications industry, Sherri traveled the world meeting with some of the most powerful CEOs in Asia and learned from them what

it takes to grow an idea from a hobby to a global business.

So, when Sherri left the corporate world in 2008 and joined the family business, that wealth of experience, coupled with her operational and marketing expertise, immediately became crucial catalysts to FranFund’s growth.

And grow it did. To date, FranFund has helped thousands of individuals, including many female entrepreneurs, find the funding needed to start their own franchise. When it comes to business, Sherri and the team at FranFund take their role in helping people start their own business very seriously. As she has said before, “Starting or buying a business can be a frightening thing for first-time entrepreneurs. It’s

“STARTING OR BUYING A BUSINESS CAN BE A FRIGHTENING THING FOR FIRST-TIME ENTREPRENEURS...

IT MAKES A HUGE IMPACT WHEN BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE A TRUSTED FUNDING PARTNER ON THEIR SIDE WITH CONSTANT SUPPORT AND COMMUNICATION.” —Sherri Seiber, COO, FranFund

probably one of the most expensive things they’ve ever taken on, and it’s a serious commitment. We over communicate and educate because communication and knowledge reduce fear. It makes a huge impact when business owners have a trusted funding partner on their side with constant support and communication.”

But Sherri’s influence is not just limited to assisting franchisees in the start-up phase. As an educational leader in the industry, she serves as a mentor and advocate throughout the franchise process, and can regularly be found moderating a conference panel, speaking at a small business seminar, or participating in a podcast.

Basically, if it involves franchise funding, Sherri Seiber is your “go-to girl”.

Over the years, the Seibers have created a unique culture at FranFund where every employee is treated like a member of the family and encouraged to be themselves.

They’ve also in that time created many opportunities for the advancement of women in the industry.

“Franchising provides so many opportunities for people from all walks of life and the industry is full of successful

women at all levels,” Sherri explains, “This is especially true at FranFund, where women hold a majority of our leadership positions and almost all of our leaders have advanced internally. Our strategy is always to find the best person for the job.”

Today, Sherri gets to share her knowledge and experience with people just starting out on their business ownership journey. Her expertise spans beyond telecommunications and franchise financing.

She has mentored countless women on the delicate balancing act of raising a family, growing a business and everything else it takes to become a boss lady. We salute you, Sherri Seiber, as a

powerful leader and advocate for others looking to follow in your fabulous high heels.

MORE ABOUT SHERRI SEIBER With more than a dozen years under her belt at the company founded by her husband of nearly 40 years, Geoff Seiber, Sherri Seiber already had a very successful career in the telecommunications industry when she decided to join FranFund. As the COO of FranFund, which creates and administers custom funding solutions for entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their small businesses, Sherri is responsible for business development, operations and marketing...to name a few things. Sherri serves as a mentor and advocate to women seeking their first business as well as to her employees. She can also be found moderating a panel, speaking at a seminar or hosting a webinar. Basically, if it involves franchise financing, Sherri Seiber is your go-to girl.

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FRANCHISE FUNDING STRATEGIES

Do You Have the Right One for 2021?

Knowing all of your options is the first step.

Funding your franchise can be challenging. You need a solution that works for you today, but you also need to make sure you set yourself up for long-term success. That’s why you need a trusted partner like FranFund.

Register for our live webinar to learn about the best 2021 business funding strategies for new franchise owners.

March 17th Register now at franfund.com/webinar-fj-21

FranFund’s support throughout the process of setting up our new business was nothing short of world class. They answered countless questions and provided professional, insightful, and clear guidance. They took the stress out of navigating through all of the detail and requirements.

I strongly recommend FranFund. - Pamela H.

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Q&A

SAMANTHIA COOK Signarama Franchisee

by Terence West, Consultant, The Franchise Consulting Company

Signarama Fayetteville can custom make any type of sign for your business to include ad specialty items, banners, box signs, channel letters, custom graphics, custom logos, digital graphics, signs, directory signs, individual letters and more.

TERENCE WEST:

Where are you from and what’s your background?

SAMANTHIA:

SAMANTHIA COOK is the owner and operator of Signarama in Fayetteville, NC. Signarama is a full-service sign production center that services the Fort Bragg, NC military community. We use the latest technology and highest quality products to produce custom signs for your business. We can make the perfect signs to advertise your products or to inform your customers, while keeping the image of your company in mind, says Samanthia.

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I am a native of Boligee, Alabama and the mother of twin boys (Kevin & Kelvin). I was raised in a conservative Christian household in rural Alabama with my 8 siblings. We are the first generation of college graduates and four of my siblings proudly served in the U.S. military. I attended Tuskegee University, a historically Black college or university (HBCU) in Alabama where I received a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. I have worked as a Manufacturing Engineer, Asset Manager, Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Project Manager, and a Brand Change Agent Manager.

TERENCE WEST:

How did you get started with Signarama?

SAMANTHIA:

I started to realize that my corporate value was diminishing, and my career took a turn. After being laid off during the recession of 2017, I contemplated whether I wanted to return to the workforce or pursue a lifelong dream of starting a business. I felt that my experiences in management uniquely positioned me to be successful in creating a more flexible and personal rewarding lifestyle and legacy for the future.

I considered starting a business from the ground up but after exploring and validating with several franchise business models, I chose to invest in the Signarama franchise in the Fayetteville, NC market.

TERENCE WEST:

What is your vision for the future of Signarama?

SAMANTHIA:

Despite the global pandemic, I am so glad I chose business ownership. My business is still thriving despite the economic downturn in 2020. My vision for the future is build wealth for my family by growing this franchise business to a multi-milliondollar entity and to be able to pass it along to my children.

TERENCE WEST:

What advice or tips would you have for Women who want to start a franchise?

SAMANTHIA:

The advice that I would give Women who are considering franchising is, first, be organized and get off to a good start by doing your due diligence and vet the business model. Don’t take shortcuts, find a franchise consultant and ask lots of questions. The franchise consultant will help you develop a good business plan and understand the cost of operating the franchise. I learned that completing an accurate financial proforma was an eye opener.

Have a supportive network.

Just one good friend that you trust with your ideas and can speak openly and honestly can

be beneficial. Also, a franchise that fits your personal needs, as well as passion is the key. If you are going to work and sacrifice your time and effort, it should be doing something that meets your passion. My mantra is: “I am no longer an employee; I am the boss of me!”

TERENCE WEST:

What do you do when you’re not running your business?

SAMANTHIA:

Outside of my family and business, I have very little spare time.

I am always thinking about how to grow my business. I take vacations to relax and experience the world of signs.

Signs are everywhere and I love seeing the endless possibilities for creating signs. Even my seven-year-old twins get excited

when we drive around and find broken and worn signs.

They point them out and ask if I can fix them. I get an amazing feeling when I see a sign that I have created or hear a comment about a sign that I have created. I often use my sign business as a ministry, and I create memorial, graduation, birth, marriage, and other types of creative signs. I get to meet people with personal experiences and stories and that has been what I least expected by being in this type of business.

TERENCE WEST:

What are you most proud of, thus far, when you look back over your career?

SAMANTHIA:

I am most proud of the fact that I chose to become an entrepreneur and I chose franchising to do so. I have been able to have a positive influence on others starting their businesses and provide signage for their business ventures. I am proud to be a positive role model for my children because I achieved my dream of owning my own business as a Black Woman.

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Accelerated Waste Solutions is Quickly Becoming a Leader in Women-Owned Franchises Accelerated Waste Solutions is quickly becoming one of the leaders in womenowned franchises in the nation. Since the beginning of 2021, two new Accelerated Waste Solutions franchise locations have opened, both owned by women.

A

ndrea Fuller of Richmond, VA, and Cynthia Watson of West Orange, NJ, both came from very different career backgrounds before investing in their futures as Accelerated Waste Solutions franchise owners. Andrea’s background as a Dental Hygienist gave her the right personality to easily connect to commercial clients, and Cynthia’s Corporate background gave her insights to penetrate the C-Suite to leverage the Contractual Revenue business model

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adopted by Accelerated Waste Solutions. While both women came from very different backgrounds, the Accelerated Waste Solutions Businessto-Business Development Focus makes this franchise a good fit for executives, service professionals, veterans, young professionals, recent graduates, multifamily professionals, and more.

With very few women currently serving as leaders in the waste business, Andrea and Cynthia are pioneers for the industry, paving the way for others to follow in their

footsteps. While waste removal may not seem like a business most people associate with being women-owned, women like Andrea and Cynthia are changing that perception.

With the ideal and primary Accelerated Waste Solutions customer being Apartment Property Management professionals, Andrea and Cynthia are able to develop an almost instant rapport, gaining trust and building a relationship with potential customers.

When investing in the Accelerated Waste Solutions franchises, Andrea and

Cynthia became owners of two amazing businesses packed into one opportunity.

The bulk junk removal company, Junk Shot App, uses patented app-based technology to provide customers with the most convenient and affordable junk removal option on the market. Junk Shot App provides franchise owners like Andrea and Cynthia with daily cash income as the Business-toConsumer side of the franchise.

Doorstep Details Valet Trash is the Business-to-Business side of the Accelerated Waste Solutions franchise, which provides recurring contractual revenue for the franchise owner. By working with apartment property management companies, franchise owners are able to build relationships and maintain a steady stream of revenue for their business.

For more information, visit the Accelerated Waste Solutions at acceleratedwastefranchise.com or call them at (972) 358-5836.

ABOUT ACCELERATED WASTE FRANCHISES Accelerated Waste Solutions franchise is one of the nations premier brands in valet trash pickup and junk removal services. Founded during the Great Recession in 2008 by two first-time entrepreneurs, AWS has grown to service over 20,000+ apartment complexes in over 20 states. The reason for our growth is simple: 1) valet trash is one of the most in-demand services in apartment complexes, 2) AWS is committed to providing the best customer service in an industry that sorely needs it, and 3) AWS has developed a business model that is scalable and sticky, as our customers contract with us once, but pay us for years, leading to lucrative, long-term relationships.

Q&A

WITH CYNTHIA WATSON

by Rick Morgin, Consultant, The Franchise Consulting Company

C

ynthia and I belong to the Financial Executives Networking Group (FENG) and connected in June 2020 at the start of her job search after her department was outsourced at the start of the pandemic.

As a FENG member for 18 years, I typically reach out to new members to see if I can help in their transition. In our first conversation, Cynthia mentioned that she had an itch to own a business and had some colleagues and friends who are in executive roles and ran businesses on the side. She seemed intrigued to explore the possibilities.

Here’s Cynthia story.

RICK: Please tell our

audience about your career and what brought you to think about owning a business?

CYNTHIA: I have had a

what I thought it would be.

But I was SO busy, that I couldn’t even think about what to do next. I just kept my head down and worked.

I got through my Year 1 as a publicly traded organization successfully with no material misstatements and a glowing review from the company’s external auditor. The next month, my department was suddenly outsourced. It was clear that doing a good job didn’t matter. The political environment of being an executive was new to me and it seems, I wasn’t very good at it. It was a blow to my spirit.

RICK:

Do you recall our first meeting? Tell us about what triggered your first step into the research process?

CYNTHIA:

strong 25-year career climbing the corporate ladder in Accounting, Audit and Internal Audit. I finally got my dream role (so I thought) as a Chief Audit Executive (CAE), and I quickly realized that it wasn’t

Yes, I absolutely do remember our first meeting. The funny thing about our first conversation was that it wasn’t about franchising at all but about what I was planning to do next in my career. This was the first time ever since I graduated college that I would have to ‘search’ for a

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operate or their operations were limited during this uncertain time. Once thing that didn’t change was the need to properly get rid of trash. When I met with Sherrod and Fred, they had a very clear business plan and have run a very successful business for over 10 years in Florida. I put on my risk hat (as all auditors do) and grilled them with questions about the business and they had an answer for everything!

RICK:

"I AM NOW BETTING ON ME SO THAT I KNOW MY HARD WORK IS APPRECIATED AND I DON’T EVER GET OUTSOURCED AGAIN!" — Cynthia Watson, Accelerated Waste Solutions job and I was very anxious and nervous about what was to come. The pandemic was going strong in the NY Metro area and very limited job opportunities were available.

I have always wanted to have my own business and have tried a time or two in my younger years. So, when I saw you were a franchise consultant, I thought it couldn’t hurt to ask and find out more.

RICK: We looked at several

industries and franchises, we looked at beauty, finance, health and wellness, staffing, and waste management.

What were some industry

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and business model characteristics that narrowed the field down to Waste Management and Accelerated Waste Solutions (AWS)?

CYNTHIA:

You may not know this, but when you shared the AWS pitch with me, I thought I would just be ‘nice’ and watch. I didn’t think it would be a fit for me at all!

But the more I watched, the more intrigued I became. The pandemic has changed the way we all look at business and what is possible. So many of the typical f ranchises and businesses were negatively affected and could not

I recall that you were concerned that it may be difficult to do both - run an audit department with your teams on different continents and develop this franchise. What got you past that hurdle?

CYNTHIA: The conversation

with Sherrod and Fred sealed the deal. The backend support and the application technology provided by AWS was the game changer for me.

They were able to show me examples of how they operate their remote locations as semiabsentee owners, which made the picture crystal clear to me that I could do the same. I even reached out to some of my most cynical colleagues and asked them for help to find holes in the business plan and the pros always outweighed the cons.

RICK:

Were there other elements about the business model, the leadership, your market that helped you decide to move forward?

CYNTHIA: Yes, first was

that the services that AWS provides; I would buy as a

consumer. I have searched for bulk trash services in the past and found limited options in my area. And as a person that purchases items to make my life more convenient, if my building offered valet trash service, I would happily buy it. Even more reasons not to leave my apartment!

Second, the AWS team was so warm and welcoming. They wanted to make sure that I felt comfortable and was willing to let me speak to several members of their team to understand how it operates and how the pieces come together.

And lastly my area feels ripe for this type of opportunity.

The NYC metro area has tons of high rises that could benefit from both bulk trash removal and the valet trash services.

RICK:

Did you have help in determining how to finance your Accelerated Waste Solutions territory and did you seek legal counsel so that you understood the franchise agreement?

and well as videos for me to view to help it all sink in.

Even now, after my business has been funded, they call to check in to see how things are going and if I have any questions. They also advised strongly to hire a franchise attorney. It took some work, but I finally found someone that specialized in franchises and she was also amazing in making sure I understood what I was agreeing to. It took a few weeks of redlines but we finally got to a point that worked well for everyone.

to make it work. This can’t be something you do as a whim or an afterthought. Right now, as I ramp up to my opening, I am in essence working two full time jobs. But I can see the possibilities and I know I have to put in the work to see it through. I expect this to be my life for a little while, but I am more than willing to do it. I am now betting on me so that I know my hard work is appreciated and I don’t ever get outsourced again!

RICK:

Rick Morgin is a Consultant with The Franchise Consulting Company and alumnus of Santa Clara University.

We assist clients with the educational process of researching and selecting available franchise businesses that best suit desired lifestyles and financial goals. The research, qualification, and application service we provide is free; our fees are paid by the Franchise company when a client opens their business. For more information, please email rick@ thefranchiseconsultingcompany.com, call/text at 925-324-6371 or visit https:// thefranchiseconsultingcompany.com.

Can you give our audience some encouraging words about the process of finding that right franchise?

CYNTHIA: The process may

take longer for you than it did for me, but you have to make sure that you find the right one for you to be committed to and passionate about. You have to be dedicated and focus

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CYNTHIA: Yes, and yes,

I know from my years in business that not having enough capital is the number one reason many new businesses fail, and I was concerned about going into debt to fund this venture.

Remember, at the start of this I had recently lost my job. I didn’t get a job offer until about a month into the process. Financing this would be my final hurdle.

I was referred to Guidant Financial and they spent over an hour with me going over my options and thoroughly explaining each one to me.

They provided written details WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

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Take the Next Step Today!

800-693-5859 OwnACertaPro.com *These are average Gross Sales for US CertaPro Painters® franchisees who were in operation for the full 12 months of 2019. All figures are based upon information provided to CertaPro® by US franchisees, who operated a CertaPro Painters® business for the full 12 months of the respective year, including those that are certified to perform commercial services. Some franchisees own more than one territory. The financial performance of a CertaPro Painters® business will vary depending upon a variety of factors. Please see item 19 of our FDD for complete details. Each CertaPro Painters® business is independently owned and operated.

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

AUTHORITY BRANDS The Authority Brands system is comprised of dedicated and passionate individuals that all contribute to our overall success and growth. This March is National Women's History Month and in honor of the outstanding women across the company that drive the business forward, we wanted to highlight some of the female franchise leaders and franchise owners within each brand.

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Heather McLeod

Chief Marketing Officer, Authority Brands Heather joined The Cleaning Authority in 2015 as the Director of Marketing and in 2017 she was named Vice President of Marketing. As Authority Brands started acquiring additional brands, her role continued to evolve within the company. In 2018, Heather became the Chief Marketing Officer for Authority Brands and in her current role, she supports all of the Authority Brands consumer and development marketing teams as well as marketing other business units, Successware and BuyMax. Heather’s primary focus is streamlining marketing processes, facilitating the sharing of best practices across brands, and continuously improving marketing programming to drive more business to the company’s 1000+ franchise owners. Heather has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Baylor University and an MBA from Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business. Most recently, Heather helped launch the Women in Franchising Chapter in Maryland.

Leanne Stapf Chief Operating Officer, The Cleaning Authority

Leanne joined The Cleaning Authority in 2012 to help build and enhance the brand's infrastructure to support franchisees. In 2013, along with the founder and CEO of The Cleaning Authority, Leanne focused her attention on other projects including the development of Oasis Senior Advisors, FranForward and Black Ink Capital. In August of 2014, she came full circle and is now the COO for The Cleaning Authority.

Leanne is also a franchisee of a location of The Cleaning Authority in Harrisburg, PA.

Cherie Jester

Owner – Benjamin Franklin Plumbing & Mister Sparky of Oak Hall, VA Cherie Jester started her own plumbing and electrical company in 1989, alongside her husband Jack. The Jesters saw the benefits of converting their independent business and in 2007, became franchise owners of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and Mister Sparky. Cherie has used her position as a business owner to positively impact her community and for years, has been donating essential supplies to a local women’s shelter.

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Gillian Collins

Owner – One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning of Mount Airy, MD Gillian Collins has been a One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning franchise owner for the past two decades. Her interest in home services began in 1989 when she and her husband switched from general remodeling work to service work. She was driven to One Hour because of the recession-resistant business model and her love for the trade, which blends with her passion for art. Collins’ painted mechanical components are featured in her art gallery in Frederick, Maryland.

Melissa Crow

Owner - America's Swimming Pool Company of Mobile and Baldwin County Melissa Crow is a Mobile, Alabama native who went into the dental hygiene field directly after high school. Beginning her dental career as a dental assistant, Melissa soon decided to continue her studies and became a dental hygienist. After seeing the success of her brother, Wayne Gable who owns ASP of Charleston, Melissa became curious about the business opportunity in Mobile. Now, she is the new owner-operator of ASP - America's Swimming Pool Company, servicing Mobile and Baldwin counties in Alabama.

Jennifer Tucker

Chief Operating Officer, Homewatch CareGivers Jennifer’s 17-year tenure in the home care industry brings valuable insight into the competitive landscape, target market, and the unique dynamics of franchising. Her passion for people and the Homewatch CareGivers brand were instrumental to her being named COO in February 2019. In addition to her work as the Vice President of Marketing & Business Development at Homewatch CareGivers, LLC, she previously worked in corporate wellness, case management and health promotion.

Capricia Turner

Owner - Mosquito Squad of Greater Indianapolis Capricia Turner is a 20 year old veteran and active duty Air Force member for the National Guard, who first joined the Air Force in 2000 with her husband joining soon after in 2001. Looking for their next venture that served their local community, Capricia and her husband opened a Mosquito Squad franchise in Indianapolis, IN. With the motivation of inspiring her kids that being the boss is possible, Capricia has grown her Mosquito Squad franchise from one location to three.

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

DEKA LASH

Using Beauty Tech to Instill Confidence in the Everyday Woman How an industry-leading lash extension brand is leading the way in technology adoption for beauty consumers.

T

echnology is advancing the world of beauty to make better products and find new ways to serve customers.

Many companies, like Deka Lash, L’Oréal, MAC Cosmetics, and others are leveraging emerging technologies to give people exactly what they want automatically in realtime by offering a personalized experience and service at scale.

Technology is making it possible to offer individualized service to every single

customer– ensuring that each customer receives the exact products and services that will help them to walk out feeling empowered and ready to take on the world. Deka Lash uses cutting edge technology to be able to solidify the feedback loop between themselves and their customers to collect accurate insights to improve products and services faster than ever before.

This feedback has helped Deka Lash to create different looks that come together to provide the optimal lift,

length, and fullness that customers are looking for with their lashes. Having the ability to adjust our services to suit the needs of every individual allows us to accentuate the natural beauty of every woman that walks through the door.

“The future of beauty technology will be driven by an increasing demand for personalization and tailormade formulas on both the customer support and service/ product side,” said Deka Lash CMTO, Marcus Slater.

BETTER SERVICE IN A CUSTOMIZED WORLD. The world we live in today allows us to “try on” new looks such as bolder lips, fuller lashes and a more defined brow with the swipe of a Snapchat or Instagram filter.

Consumers then often turn to companies like Deka Lash for an option to help them achieve the same look and confidence when the filter comes off, but in a way that

“DEKA LASH WAS FOUNDED ON BEING TECH-FORWARD IN EVERY ASPECT TO CREATE THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE FOR OUR CLIENTS. FROM THE SLEEK APPLE-LIKE DESIGN OF OUR STUDIOS TO THE TECHNOLOGY-BASED INFRASTRUCTURE WE CONTINUE TO ADVANCE. THIS FOCUS CREATES EFFICIENCIES AND UNMATCHABLE EXPERIENCES FOR BOTH OUR STUDIO OWNERS AND CLIENTS.” — Jennifer Blair, Deka Lash co-CEO

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is longer lasting than having to reapply mascara and brow liner daily.

Additionally, beauty consumers have access to so much information and are becoming increasingly savvy about what they are looking for in products– a statistic proven by the 169 billion views on YouTube focused on beauty. The result? Consumers are demanding more from the industry.

Many companies however, are stepping up to meet these demands– moving away from “the way it’s always been done” in order to improve the experience for the customer.

At Deka Lash, we have already implemented and

are continually testing new advances to enhance customer experience using technology.

Advances in conversational AI have gotten to the point where chatbots are able to interact with customers, responding to everyday language (including quirks, slang, and misspellings) as naturally as you would. Deka Lash utilizes this technology to ensure that customers receive meaningful responses at any time of the day without having to stretch studio owners or a large customer service team across every marketing channel.

Deka Lash is also using technology to address critical social distancing and low touch standards– helping customers, studio owners

and lash artists to feel safe everytime they set foot in the studio. The Deka Lash Mobile App allows consumers to check-in automatically using a geometric touchless check-in.

The feature eliminates another layer of friction and provides accurate data by allowing us to know exactly when customers arrive without the customer even needing to take out their device.

Beauty-tech is revolutionizing the beauty industry. At Deka Lash, we are dedicated to remaining a leader in the beauty-tech space in order to create completely individualized and empowering experiences for each and every customer.

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Ricki Wilkins | Sr. Franchise Director 937-289-4050 | rw@lookgood-

Franchising is a Beautiful Thing

The Deka Lash Advantage

Franchise Fees: Single Unit: $51,900

Triple (Most Popular!): $104,900

Proven Semi-Passive Model

Five Units: $165,700

Corporate Call Center – books all appointments, takes customer service calls.

Investment Range:

No Receptionist – all employees are revenue generating

$214,662 (4 bed studio) $460,480 (8 bed studio)

EBITDA – Over $113k!

(incl. 3 mos. cash flow)

AI Innovations – New Smartphone App! Auto check-in, appointment scheduling and management, text your studio option

Royalties:

Exclusive TrueXpress: double the services, double the revenue – lashes in half the time!

6%

Franchise Advisory Council Lash Artist Training on-site: multiple career paths for lash artists

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE $500k Net Worth | $100k Liquid 35-60 Years Old Couples and Professionals Franchisees of Other Brands

100

Studios Currently Open

119 Studios In Development

Brow Lamination: the perfect compliment to beautiful lashes

Average Gross Revenue: $554,973 TERRITORY:

Cincinnati, Cleveland, Phoenix, San Diego, Augusta, Charleston, Detroit, Philadelphia, Orlando, Houston, Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, San Francisco, Las Vegas, WI, DE, CT, RI, NY, MA, CA, UT, IN, AL, MS, Canada.

FASTSIGNS of New Orleans, LA

When Did You See The Sign?™

FASTSIGNS of Arlington, TX

FASTSIGNS provides candidates with an Item 19 including full profitability information. And you’ll enjoy owning a business with these compelling features: • Business-to-business hours

• Professional business clientele

• Low staffing requirements

• Attractive margins

Fast Franchise Facts Franchising Since: Founded 1985 ®

Total Franchise Operating Units: Over 700 in 9 countries Minimum Liquid Capital: $80,000

Franchisor Support

Minimum Net Worth: $300,000

• Site selection and build-out

Total US Investment: $218,596 - $298,679 Total Canadian Investment: $257,626 - $338,718 CAD

• Four weeks of training, including one week of training in a FASTSIGNS center, followed by two weeks at our Dallas Headquarters, and one week of onsite training in your new center

Franchise Fee: $49,750

• Pre-opening marketing blitz to drive your sales and reduce ramp time

VetFran & First Responders Discount: $24,875 Franchise Fee

• Grand opening support and guidance from an Outside Sales Manager and Brand Ambassador

Royalty (per unit): 6% (Reduced to 3% for 12 months)

• Dedicated Business Consultants to assist with business/finances training, marketing and sales, production and staff management

Advertising Fund (per unit): 2% (Reduced to 1% for 12 months) FASTSIGNS has over 400 markets approved for development in the US and Canada and is also seeking Master or Area Developer expansion in markets worldwide

• Franchisee Mentor Program to guide you and lend support in every aspect of your business • 24-hour web-based learning management system that keeps you and your staff up-to-speed and in-the-know in this fast-paced market

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FASTSIGNS:

214-346-5679 | mark.jameson@fastsigns.com | www.fastsigns.com

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Karay Hamer Is Striving Toward Success with a Smile on Her Face

K

aray Hamer opened her Koala Insulation franchise with her husband Bruce only a few months ago, but she has already hit the ground running.

“It has been kind of non-stop, which is a wonderful thing.”

Karay said. But the non-stop lifestyle of a business owner is right up Karay’s alley—a lifetime of teaching, managing schools and running her family

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has more than prepared her for life as a Koala Insulation franchisee.

“I wear plenty of hats,” she said with a laugh. “But I always feel so much more organized and structured as a person when I have them on.”

Karay and her husband decided to open their own business after their kids had grown up and moved out—it was an opportunity to start a new chapter in their lives

by doing something they were passionate about. They made their decision to go all in amidst a global pandemic, and while jumping in feet first was frightening, Karay said the most prominent feeling was excitement.

“It was almost like a thrill. It’s all new.” Karay said. “When we took on Koala, it was like a light bulb, we lit up.

Kind of like a first date. We were beginning something new and seeing where that date was going to lead us— right into the wedding and honeymoon!”

Though the business has only been taking jobs since January, Karay says business is already picking up as their calendar for the next month fills in steadily.

And Karay is enjoying every bit of it.

“I’ve worked just as much if not harder than I’ve ever done, but I’m doing with a smile on my face and enjoying every minute of it.” Karay said. “It’s been fun and sometimes overwhelming but I sit back and I’m like, ‘we’ve got this.’

We started this business with the goal to succeed. And we’re working our way there.”

Karay has had some incredible women in her life guiding

"WHEN WE TOOK ON KOALA, IT WAS LIKE A LIGHT BULB, WE LIT UP. KIND OF LIKE A FIRST DATE. WE WERE BEGINNING SOMETHING NEW AND SEEING WHERE THAT DATE WAS GOING TO LEAD US—RIGHT INTO THE WEDDING AND HONEYMOON!” — Karay Hamer, Koala Insulation Owner

her toward that success and serving as inspiration in times of triumph and difficulty. She said her mother Kathi Tessier, who she calls Puddin’, is the greatest inspiration of them all.

“Puddin has been an inspiration to myself and so many friends of mine, and so many of my children’s friends.

She has always been there for us.” Karay said.

Kathi owned her own thriving business while Karay was growing up—a dance shop that she ran as she raised her three dancing daughters. Karay says, “To see her do what she did in the business world, and raise her three daughters, and to be the grandmother that she is to my kids… I want to be that one day.” Kathi has faced hardship of her own, including in 2005 when hurricane Katrina destroyed the dance shop she ran for 29 years. Karay watched her mom face a personal tragedy with resilience, and says her mother taught her how to keep moving forward even through difficult times.

“She taught me not to give up on anything,” Karay said.

“She taught me to continue to try and try again. And Mom can always put a smile on my face and make me laugh.”

After many successes throughout her own life both professionally and personally, Karay says she’s happy to see women thriving in the world

and getting the recognition they deserve, but she knows they’ve been flourishing all along. “I feel like we have been doing that a lot for many years even though people don’t realize it,” Karay said. “We’ve been here. We’ve been doing our thing and being noticed but in different ways, and thriving all along.”

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TAP INTO A $52 BILLION INDUSTRY KOALA INSULATION FRANCHISING • A proven business model that works

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• Sliding scale royalty (you pay less as you sell more) • Low franchise fees and a low initial investment of $120-$160k • Training with master-level certification • Semi-Absentee or Owner-Operator model

Gross Sales: $609,489.78 • Proven Marketing & Lead Generation Gross Profit: $315,657.07

• Fair advertising fund and technology fees

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WWW.KOALAINSULATION.COM/FRANCHISE Disclaimer: This is not an offer to sell a franchise. An offer can only be made through the Koala Franchise, LLC., 2020 Franchise Disclosure Document. Certain states require franchise registration, check the Koala Franchise, LLC., 2020 Franchise Disclosure Document regarding your state.

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

WHY WOMEN ROCK IN FRANCHISING

by Nancy Criconet, Consultant, The Franchise Consulting Company

M

y father ran a small business for about 40 years. He was a pharmacist and owned and operated his store in a small, sleepy community close to retirement homes and medical centers. It was a modest yet sustainable business until my mother decided to join my dad and shake things up. While my father kept his “drug dealing” activities on track, my mom was stocking the pharmacy with giftware, perfume, modern cosmetics and blingy accessories. Footfall increased

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markedly and the business thrived. Not only was the store more popular for its new retail offerings, but also my mom attracted a loyal following of customers. Her charisma and genuineness lured shoppers to the pharmacy and they remained dedicated patrons for years. She was also an effective manager and wellliked team leader for the employees. More than a few of their hourly workers stayed with them for 20 years or more.

My dad was definitely a hard worker and ensured the pharmacy operated

professionally.

My mom brought other talents that were possibly more impactful for the success of the business.

Her contributions transformed the store into something much bigger and brighter than a simple pharmacy.

The gender landscape of small business ownership has changed dramatically over the years. According to American Express’s State of Women Owned Businesses Report, women owned 42 per cent of small businesses in 2019 compared with about 4 per cent in 1972.

Since the pandemic, there has actually been a rise in female entrepreneurship as so many have lost their jobs and have been left with small severance packages.

There is a renewed push towards entrepreneurship as woman want to have more control, professionally and financially over their lives.

This is especially the case in franchising as there is the safety net of having a proven blueprint to follow.

As I have been fortunate to work in franchise organizations with female

owners, there are some definite identifiable traits specifically in women that have had a positive influence on their business and the brand as a whole.

MULTI-TASKING Women are customarily responsible for doing most of the housework and care of children. Sometimes there is also the care of aging parents thrown into the mix. Most franchises require the owner-operator to take on varied tasks, including the management of a team, the organization and scheduling of appointments and marketing. Having keen decision-making skills is also advantageous in franchising.

Women are accustomed to adapting to changing situations and prioritizing tasks and improvising when necessary.

BUILDING THE BRAND Female business owners are generally patient and forgiving about the time it takes for business expansion. They are willing to see things through and not act impulsively and make costly bad decisions.

For a franchise, this is a very important quality trait. There must be the understanding that success in franchising is a continuous building process.

First, a solid foundation is created by following a system that works and then steadily resources are added as needed to scale and ultimately grow the franchise.

Now more than ever, it is a great time for women to own and operate a franchise. This decision is more pronounced for those who have already had their babies and do not

necessarily want to return to the workforce or the profession they pursued before having kids. Women are looking for more flexibility in their workday and want to be small business owners without the risk of doing it alone. There are so many choices available in sectors outside of the traditional female oriented beauty or childcare franchises. It is definitely an exciting time for women in franchising, with no glass ceiling in sight.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Nancy Criconet is a Franchise professional having held positions in consulting, franchise development, sales, marketing and operations for over 15 years, both nationally and internationally. Contact Nancy at 416-275-2373 or at nancy@ thefranchiseconsultingcompany.com to help find a franchise business that could work for you!

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING In franchising, having good people skills is paramount.

So many franchises rely on networking with customers or businesses to grow. There are also those valuable connections with the franchise vendors and the franchisor organization. Given the multitude of interactions in day-to-day life, women typically have more experience communicating with different people and navigating diverse social circles. Women also know how they like to be treated and will offer the same courtesy to others.

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FEATURE □ GUESTS

ABOUT JEFF DU DAN BRAND BUILDER, FORBES CONTRIBUTOR, AND FRANCHISE EXECUTIVE Jeff Dudan is a franchise executive with 25 years of experience founding, building, operating, and ultimately exiting a national brand. He is a published author, Podcaster, Forbes contributor, speaker, and consultant to emerging brands.

Jeff has served as a YPO Chapter Chair, is a member of CEO, and has served in various capacities with the following organizations: Novant Health, IFA Franchisor Forum St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. and The Minority Wealth Commission.

ABOUT THE SHOW Unpacking experiences from today's proven visionaries, action-takers and business athletes to understand the perspective, decisions and fundamentals that can be applied to your life.

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Other guests include: Kevin McCarthy, Nikheel Advani, Devan Kline, Nick Friedman,Josh Wall and more!

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Q&A

Rashonda Ambrose’s

Advice to Women Aspiring to Embark on Owning a Franchise

by Marilyn Imparato, Consultant, The Franchise Consulting Company

RASHANDA AMBROSE

is currently the Owner and Franchisee of Oasis Senior Advisors in New Jersey.

Below Rashonda shares her journey and advice to Woman considering Franchise Ownership and what she learned in the process of securing the right Franchise and why she chose the route of Franchising.

MARILYN: How and why did

you decide to segue to Franchise Ownership?

RASHONDA: Earning my B.A in

public relations and marketing and subsequently my MBA provided the academic foundation and the last 20 years of working in corporate and nonprofit organizations have provided me the on the job training to prepare me for this very moment. At one point in my life, I felt it was impossible to have it all - a career and a family.

It felt like one thing always had to suffer or be sacrificed. But I could not

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"MY ULTIMATE GOAL IS THAT THROUGH EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE TO FAMILIES ON THIS JOURNEY, I AND MY TEAM WILL HELP OASIS TO BECOME A TRUSTED “HOUSEHOLD NAME” IN MY COMMUNITY.” — Rashonda Ambrose, Oasis Senior Advisors Franchise Owner

accept that this was just the way it had to be. Eventually, I realized I could have it all, or more importantly I wanted to have it all. And, for that to be possible I would have to have complete control, freedom and flexibility when it came to my career. After a lot of soul searching and researching, it became clear to me that the best strategy to realize this goal was to become my own boss by investing in a franchise.

MARILYN: What do you

feel helped you determine the best route for you in Franchise Ownership?

RASHONDA: There are a lot of franchise brokers available to work with individuals who are considering franchising. Lucky for me, I was connected to a franchise mentor early in my journey, who invested time in learning about my personal and financial goals, lifestyle, and skill set. She really helped me to focus on the right franchise brands that would meet all of my criteria MARILYN: What

advice would you give to women trying to decide if Franchising is right for them?

RASHONDA:

Here are my two biggest pieces of advice.

First, take the time to get clear.

Be clear on what you want and the why behind it. Be clear on your must haves and non-negotiables. Write these things down. This document will help you objectively evaluate if franchising is the right strategy for becoming your own boss. Second, as corny as it may sound, you won’t know if you like it until you try it. Now it's easy if we’re talking about trying a new food or an internship. But seriously try to get as close to trying it out as you can. For example. consider volunteering in the industry you are thinking about investing in. For me, this looked like interviewing dozens of franchise owners to understand how they spent their working hours – so I could get a better feel for “the day in the life of…

MARILYN: What do you

like about the Franchising that attracted you to making the transition?

RASHONDA: The freedom and control. Proven model.

Support of the corporation.

MARILYN: Where do you

see the Future for Women in Franchising?

RASHONDA: I don’t know

the data. But my guess is that we will continue to see an increase, overall, in the number of women who are pursuing entrepreneurship. And, my hope is that franchising will be a significant driver of that growth.

MARILYN: What else

would you like people to know about starting a Franchise?

RASHONDA: Like any

industry, I think franchising suffers from some harmful misconceptions. From, “I can’t afford to buy a franchise” to people limiting franchising to the fast-food category.” My plea would be to thoroughly investigate it as an option by interviewing successful franchise companies, franchise owners, and/or working with a franchise mentor / broker, like I did.

MARILYN: What is the

ultimate goal, mission, vision for your Franchise?

RASHONDA: Oasis Senior Advisors is a franchise that connects seniors with the housing communities that best fit their needs at no cost to the seniors or their families.

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help Oasis to become a trusted “household name” in my community. And, on a personal note, my ultimate goal is that investing in this franchise will allow me to do even more of the things that bring me joy, spending time with my family, traveling, and experiencing new day spas and restaurants.

We act as liaisons, navigating families through a housing transition that is often times difficult and confusing – and that’s putting it mildly. As senior living advisors we weigh options, taking each factor of the family’s and individual’s needs into account, including level of care, independence and budget. I believe that seniors deserve to maintain their dignity and quality of life as they make this major transition. My ultimate goal is that through extraordinary service to families on this journey, I and my team will

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MARILYN: Where do you

envision your Franchise to be in growth in the next 5 years?

RASHONDA: I’m truly grateful that I’ve found a franchise that is both lucrative and also provides a critical service to my community.

Investing in this franchise is one important element of my legacy. I intend to grow this business so that within 5 years I will be able to employ my family members, expanding our footprint so that we are able to significantly increase

the numbers of families we can serve.

MARILYN: Anything else you would like to add in closing?

RASHONDA: From my time as a product manager for over-the-counter medicines, to helping parents of children with learning disabilities connect to resources, to bringing awareness to the health benefits of daily walks, the common thread throughout my professional journey has been a commitment to improving the quality of life for children, adults, and families.

In this next phase of my career, I am honored to have the opportunity to provide support to seniors and their families through my Oasis Senior Advisors franchise in New Jersey.

Grow a successful business while supporting seniors in your local community.

57% of Oasis Senior Advisors franchises are female owned or co-owned.

Women make up 89% of the total senior care workforce.

86% of Oasis’ corporate team are women.

Contact us to get started today!

Be a part of our compassionate and dedicated team.

• We provide a vital service at no charge to seniors and their families.

• Franchisees receive unparalleled training, ongoing support, and business marketing.

• Home-based business with low investment and low overhead.

Kim Graham | Director of Franchise Development 239-940-6669 kim@oasissenioradvisors.com oasissenioradvisors.com/franchiseopportunities

How All Dry’s Commitment to Growth Helped Lead to an Exciting Partnership with Franchise FastLane Franchise Sales Organization, Franchise FastLane turns emerging brands into national brands, driving accelerated growth. With a highly selective process, brands need to prove they have all the systems and processes in place to be considered for the FastLane. Franchise FastLane is currently partnered with 14 brands in a variety of industries.

Now, All Dry is proud to join that coveted lineup. Since launching in 2014 in Jupiter, Florida, All Dry taps into the booming $17 billion, COVID-resistant restoration/ mitigation industry that is consistently growing around 5% annually with no seasonal dips in business. All Dry sets a new standard when it comes to helping property owners in a time of need and it is their mission to provide a fast and reliable service, treating each customer’s property like it is their own.

with property owners in their time of need. We know customer service just as much as we know water, and we really know water!” said All Dry COO, Bill Highsmith.

“We provide high-tech processes, intuitive software, proprietary training, and more to ensure any water or mold issue is properly handled.”

According to Franchise FastLane’s President, Carey Gille,

“We continue to hold a high standard for brand partners but All Dry checked every box. Matt Kuntz has successfully sold a business to a Fortune 100 company.

Considering that and his team’s 25 years of extensive knowledge and experience in the home services industry, we know this brand is going to be a “splash” hit!”

All Dry University, is informationpacked and such a valuable tool for franchisees.”

All Dry is more than ready to accelerate its growth. “We saw Franchise FastLane as the leader in the franchise industry and we felt that their style and brands they choose to partner with are similar to All Dry. We plan to add 100+ territories in 2021,” said Highsmith.

With such a winning model, homebased and quick-to-launch within 30 days of signing, Franchise FastLane is confident that All Dry is THE NEXT BIG THING in franchising. Combine that with their low start-up investment that offers a strong return, best item 19 FastLane has launched, and their top-notch marketing and sales processes; franchisees are set up for success from the start.

“All Dry’s business model is simple. “The All Dry model is a simple one. Franchisees get the benefits It is customer service along of a low investment, homewith water restoration and mold remediation. We provide a level of based business with just a few employees. Not only does the customer service that is unfound All Dry team have an appetite within the remediation industry. for growth but they’re set up and All Dry was developed by a team ready. Their virtual training portal, that has spent 27 years working To learn more about All Dry, email alldryleads@franchisefastlane.com.

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• Involve functional-suppliers team to deliver delightful customer experience?

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• Implement in hours-days at lower costs and gain sustainable competitive advantage?

• Empower your stores with digitization capabilities to serve local customers?

Let Us Connect for a DEMO & PILOT Offer

CALL US TODAY AT 480.290.5965

or contact us by email: sales@cemosoftcom Business gets a Dashboard to manage platform and view insights

Easy to QR Code Scan your custoallows m to engag ers and provide e Insights

EXPERT ADVICE

The Business of Pets Creates Self Employment

by John Ovens, Consultant, The Franchise Consulting Company

S

elf-employment is a dream of many people. Starting from scratch with a busines idea can be expensive. It is a lot of work as one works through the trial and error of how to best set up their business, how to market the business to grow it, and the best technology to use to keep it running well.

Pets are a big business. The pet industry is now estimated at $70 billion. If you’re a pet owner or know one, you know people spend money on their pets! Accessories, bedding, spa days, and now companionship while pet owners work or are away on vacation are just some of the categories of spending for pets.

Paul Mann in 2002 decided to combine the desire people have for self-employment with the pet care industry boom. He created the franchise, Fetch!

Pet Care ®. He believed there was a more professional and reliable way to consistently provide great care to pets than the options that were available at the time. The company now has almost 80 locations throughout the United States.

Fetch! Pet Care is now the largest and most trusted

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PETS ARE A BIG BUSINESS. THE PET INDUSTRY IS NOW ESTIMATED AT $70 BILLION.

professional dog walking and pet sitting franchise in America. With their streamlined business process, your business could be up and running in less than 14 weeks.

Fetch! offers several types of services to their clients.

These include dog walking, pet sitting while you’re gone during the day, overnight care at your home and specialty services for senior pets and puppies. When a pet owner needs service, they contact Fetch! A pet care coordinator learns about the needs and tailors a custom plan. Fetch! does the legwork and matches the pet owner with the best professional Pet Care Provider based on your needs. Pet owners get the peace of mind they need by meeting their Pet Care Provider before service and also getting updates while they are away.

Fetch! franchisees work out of their home, so there is not the added expense of a brick and mortar location.

This franchise makes it easy to run and scale a business.

They evolved their business model using technology systems, along with marketing and support capabilities to

franchisees can enjoy success with their business. Fetch! is appealing to people just getting started in their career and to people who have more work experience and want to be more involved in their local community. Both make great franchisees. Fetch! is looking for franchisees who can follow and successfully implement proven systems and processes, is reliable, trustworthy, caring and compassionate, believe in customer service and servant leader philosophies, enjoys interacting with people and building teams, has the desire to provide a superior pet care service that is friendly and professional and has the willingness and patience to

build a sustainable business, loves pets and can never pass by one without stopping to pet them or say hello, and having at least some operations, management or even previous business ownership experience (not required).

If you love helping people, love animals and are ready to be a business owner, this may be the franchise for you!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Over 30 years of leading domestic and international businesses in the US and overseas, John Ovens has extensive experience operating multi-location companies globally. For more than a decade, John has helped individuals find alternative business opportunities for corporate employment. Contact John at 404-432-3272 or johnovens@ thefranchiseconsultingcompany.com.

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www.thedonutexperiment.com

Why You Should Become a Donut Experiment Franchisee • Retail Specialty Donut/Coffees • Strong Catering Model • Semi-Absentee - Allows Zee to maintain full-time employment if wanted • Owners Role- Manage the managers & the financials. A CEO type role as the owner.

• Excellent Income Possible • Corporate finds sites, manages Letter of Intent, Lease Negotiations and handles Construction Management • Requires 1,200 square ft. retail space • $275K - $300K Total Investment • Excellent income potential (via Item 19) • Single, Multi-Shop & Area Representative (Master) Licenses Available • Great Hours! 7:00 - 1:00 • No Experience necessary • Few Employees • Fun, Simple to Manage Restaurant

Investment Details • Average Single Shop investment is approximately $275K - $300K • Net Worth required is $500,000 • Liquid Capital required is $100,000

Contact us today to find out how you too could own your own The Donut Experiment Franchise!

TheDonutExperimentInfo@r7fdc.com

*TDE Franchising, LLC does not make or endorse, nor does it allow any representative or other individual to make or endorse, any oral, written, visual, or other claim or representation that states or suggests any level or range of actual or potential sales, costs, income, expenses, profits, cash flow, or otherwise with respect to The Donut Experiment franchise other than those contained in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document.

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

BARBARA GAREY

Uses Her Passion To Help Others

G

YMGUYZ, the #1 provider of in home personal training, has always championed women within its ranks. Over fifty percent of its corporate employees are women, and female owner/ operators are at the helm of franchises in New York, Florida, Colorado, California, Virginia, Hawaii, Missouri and Kentucky.

One of the most successful franchise owners is Barbara Garey, franchise owner of GYMGUYZ Denver South.

Barbara was born and raised in Texas but has lived in the mountains of Colorado for the past twenty years. Barb is a NASM – Certified Personal Trainer and has a passion for fitness and helping others experience the benefits of it in their lives. She enjoys outdoor adventures in the Colorado mountains, competing in

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marathons and triathlons, spending time with her husband and three children, traveling to different places in the world, and enjoying Texas barbeque!

“GYMGUYZ has been a wonderful opportunity for me to share my love of health and fitness with others. Over the past three years, our business has serviced a variety of clients in the mountains and West Denver area – from preschool aged children to seniors, from beginners to seasoned athletes! Our business has expanded to include fitness classes and seminars at preschools, schools, senior centers and luxury apartments.

We have been able to be a part of our community volunteering at our local Turkey Trots and community events, as well as organizing a food drive to benefit our local food pantry.

It has been a pleasure to share fitness tips on local Denver stations to a wider audience.

Our business is now expanding to include the metro Denver area and we look forward to bringing our customized, creative and convenient workouts to folks there.

The most rewarding part of GYMGUYZ for me has

been seeing people change their lives. I have a passion for helping others and am honored to be a part of their journey of health and fitness.

Seeing our clients changes their lives inspires me.”

Barb was born and raised in Texas but has lived in the mountains of Colorado for the past twenty years. Barb is a NASM - CPT and has a passion for fitness and helping others experience the benefits of it in their lives. She enjoys outdoor adventures in the Colorado mountains, competing in marathons and triathlons, spending time with her husband and three children, traveling to different places in the world and enjoying Texas barbeque.

B2B RESALE OPPORTUNITIES FROM COAST-TO-COAST!

“Hit the ground running” by acquiring an established business through our Allegra Resale Program that connects retiring owners with interested entrepreneurs. Available locations in the U.S. and Canada include: • Seattle, WA • New York, NY

Allegra Centers provide graphic design, printing, mailing, promotional products and marketing services needed by virtually every local business and institution. As an owner, you’ll benefit from the unsurpassed network support provided by Alliance Franchise Brands – a world leader in marketing and visual communications.

Among the other advantages of acquiring an Allegra Center:

• Boston, MA • Phoenix, AZ

✓ Proven, 40+ year franchise concept ✓ Excellent profit potential ✓ Monday-Friday, 8:30a-5:00p business hours ✓ Industry-leading programs

• Miami, FL • Stuart, FL • East Greenwich RI • Ontario, Canada • British Columbia, Canada • Where you want to purchase an up and running business!

Explore your Allegra Center ownership opportunity.

Contact us today.

866.433.4131 | allegrafranchise.com © 2019 Alliance Franchise Brands LLC. All Rights Reserved. Alliance Franchise Brands LLC is the parent company of Allegra Network LLC and KK Printing Canada ULC. This advertisement is not an offering. An offering can only be made by a disclosure document filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York.

Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law. MN F-4115

OWN A BUSINESS THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

STREAMLINED TECHNOLOGY

MULTIPLE REVENUE DRIVERS

LARGE MARKET GROWTH OPPORTUNITY

Anodyne is a mission-driven company that improves people’s quality of life by effectively treating acute and chronic pain without the use of harmful opioids or invasive surgeries.

Investment range: $69,000- $240,715

BUILT TO SCALE

NO MEDICAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Veteran Discount

anodyne@frandev.co

•

SBA Approved

704.251.7804

EXPERT ADVICE

Self-Care Isn't Just a Movement; It's a Business

by Scott Milas, Consultant, The Franchise Consulting Company

S

elf-care is any activity we do to take care of physical, emotional, and mental health. Anxiety levels have increased over the past year because of the pandemic. Concerns over health, family issues, job loss, have all played a role. Self-care is essential to make us feel better and to have better relationships with others. Many people also call self-care "refueling." When we feel refueled, we can take of ourselves and our loved ones even better.

The idea of self-care is a growing trend. A

recent article from MarketWatch reported the average American spends approximately 22% of their disposable income on treating themselves. Self-care is part of the selfimprovement industry. The self-improvement industry is currently a $10 billion market and is expected to grow in the coming years.

While many people are spending money on self-care, franchise owners reap the rewards of disposable income spent in their self-care franchises.

SOME OF THESE FRANCHISES INCLUDE: HAND & STONE

Hand & Stone offers professional massage, facial, and hair removal services tailored to their clients' individual needs. They have extended hours and are open seven days a week with extended hours to accommodate varying client schedules. The franchise offers a Healthy Lifestyle Program for a low price each month, where the client can choose a one-hour massage or signature facial. Spa visits are becoming part of a balanced health and wellness regimen.

STRETCHLAB

StretchLab is ranked in Inc. Magazine's 2020 Inc 500 list at number 363. This franchise has a unique and innovative approach to assisted stretching and has created a devoted following across the country. The concept isn't complicated and can help every person who comes to a StretchLab location. One-on-one assisted stretching and group stretching are assisting people in destressing, reducing their risk of injury, regaining mobility and flexibility, and overall reclaim their freedom. StretchLab is now the largest stretching brand in the United States with over 80 locations.

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SELF-CARE IS ESSENTIAL TO MAKE US FEEL BETTER AND TO HAVE BETTER RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS. CLUB PILATES Club Pilates is the largest Pilates brand, with more than 600 studios open. It is ranked #69 in Entrepreneur Magazine's 2020 Franchise 500 list and on Inc. Magazine's Inc. 5000 list for four years running.

Their franchise model provides a completely scalable business, allowing you to determine your success. Club Pilates offers all types of classes such as reformer flow, interval training, cardio-sculpting, stretching and toning, and restoring massage.

DEKA LASH Deka Lash is an industry-leading, quality eyelash extension brand.

Eyelash extensions are trendy, with most customers returning every couple of weeks for fill-ins. The Deka Lash team provides marketing, financial, operational, and staffing support, with their professional training program developed over the past seven years.

Their membership program goes beyond standard packages and provides a recurring revenue model.

THE DRIPBAR The Dripbar is focused on helping people obtain their best health using advances in intravenous therapies. People go to The Dripbar for IV drips, quick shots, health support drips, and oral supplements after marathons, traveling, and for a boost when recovering from an illness.

As people continue their self-care journey, a franchise that caters to this movement is one to consider strongly. Imagine if your business could make people feel more relaxed and happier, improving their physical, mental, and emotional health!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Scott Milas is a franchise Top 15 consultant with The Franchise Consulting Company who works with many different people from all types of backgrounds who are interested in learning about owning their own business for the first time. He also works closely with multi-unit/brand owners who are looking to diversify their business portfolios. Contact Scott at 413-935-5111 or scottmilas@thefranchiseconsultingcompany.com.

For more information on Scott, visit www.scottmilasfranchisehelp.com.

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Start Building Your Future

with Archadeck

As North America’s largest and most-trusted deck building franchise, Archadeck Outdoor Living is a proven franchise model that boasts a 40-plus year track record and nearly $1 billion in projects completed. In addition to offering you a business model built on proven best practices in the thriving outdoor living industry, Archadeck also has you “covered” with the support you need to have booming business, including innovative technology & programs, robust marketing & lead generation, business & financial support, production management, and more.

For entrepreneurs looking to achieve their personal and professional goals within a growing industry, Archadeck is the perfect choice.

Why Choose Archadeck?

• Low Initial Investment • Low Overhead • No Prior Construction Experience Needed

804-500-9865 ArchadeckFranchise.com An important part of

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

THE WOMEN BEHIND THE

WAX

LunchboxWax’s Story of Female Empowerment

by The LunchboxWax Team

I

n 2010, entrepreneur and self-care specialist Debi Lane, founded LunchboxWax. The Boise, Idaho based waxing salon concept, was built not only with an emphasis on customer service, but also with a goal to create a company culture that truly empowered women from the corporate team to waxologists and ultimately guests.

Today, the brand has nearly 50 salons open across the U.S. and a team of exuberant women leading the way.

Currently at the company, five out of the eight executive leadership positions are held

DEBI LANE

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by women. The LunchboxWax team has set itself apart by granting titles such as CEO, Vice President of Finance and Vice President of Salon Development, which are rarely held by women in the franchise industry, to female business experts that have proven their worth. The company’s commitment to giving women an opportunity to lead is its hallmark and greatest accomplishment.

Starting at the top is the brand’s CEO and founder Debi Lane. Debi, after years of working in the waxing and beauty industry, developed her own proprietary speed waxing technique. With this new method in hand, she adapted a full business concept around the technique and the commitment to wax everybody, no matter the guests age, gender or sexual orientation. Her dedication to inclusivity in the business and within her corporate team are

CARRIE MORGAN

two elements that distinguish the brand’s culture in the industry.

Carrie Morgan, the company’s Vice President of Culture and Training, has worked to execute Debi’s vision by making sure that mentorship and partnership are key elements of the corporate culture. Under her care the women on the executive team feel

empowered to truly collaborate and bring new ideas to the table to advance the brand strategically. This conscious effort to strive to create the best possible working environment for women at every level of the company translates into the business model for franchisees as well.

Within the franchise opportunity itself, female mentorship is highly encouraged. When beginning the process, the LunchboxWax team takes time to welcome and initiate owners into the system through training and support along each step of the way. Once the salon location is established, owners are strongly encouraged to mentor their waxologist employees. Many waxologists and franchisees in the system are women, making the continuation of this culture of empowerment from the corporate to the salon level all the more crucial.

With this mentality in place, it is no surprise that Debi’s approach and mission has led a number of women to begin their journey into entrepreneurship and enter the world of self-care. One such franchisee is Brandie Chapman, a LunchboxWax salon owner based in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Last summer, in the midst of the pandemic she took a leap of faith and signed an agreement with the company to open her own location. After a meeting with Debi, Brandie felt a strong connection to LunchboxWax’s values and knew that a salon like this was missing in her own community.

BRANDIE CHAPMAN

In July of 2020, the first salon location opened in Coeur d’Alene with great success.

Since her initial debut with LunchboxWax, Brandie has signed on for more salon locations with the brand with the goal to reach and create spaces of comfort and empowerment across the Inland

Northwest. LunchboxWax’s commitment to breaking glass ceilings, whether it be through their corporate team selections or their openness to serve every client who walks through the door, has impacted the waxing industry. Starting in 2010 and now in 2021, Debi Lane’s vision continues to come to fruition.

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Be a top dog with our recession-resilient franchise.

Multi-Unit Franchise Owner & Military Veteran Brian Rolf with his dog Bear Brown

We’re proud to be the top pet franchise and offer customers incredible omni-channel shopping options:

Online ordering

Curbside pickup

Free same-day/ next-day delivery

In-store with social distancing

Visit our franchise website

petsuppliesplusfranchising.com | (763) 793-6550 This advertisement is not an offer to buy a franchise. An offer to buy a franchise can be made by prospectus only.

Minnesota registration number F-4357. ©2020 Pet Supplies Plus. All rights reserved. Pet Supplies Plus is a trademark of PSP Franchising, LLC.

START YOUR OWN

CASINO PARTY RENTAL BUSINESS 21fun.com

NOW IS THE BEST TIME! Thousands of Event & Party Planners, and probably hundreds in your area, are looking for ways to entertain their clients, family, and friends with smaller gatherings during this year’s pandemic. At this point, everyone is completely Zoomed out. America wants to get back to celebrating and having fun again.

NOW, is the perfect time to build relationships with Event Planners and local businesses. Today smaller parties are the safe trend, and in 2021, there will be a steep increase in demand for entertainment accommodating larger gatherings.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Hi, Welcome to 21 FUN, we are very excited to offer franchise opportunities for a very unique & niche business Casino Party Rentals.

It means it’s a great time to get in, and be the first in your area to start this high growth potential niche franchise. There is no limit to the type of events and revenue opportunities we offer, including; Weddings & Anniversaries Celebrations, Birthdays & Graduation Parties, Fundraiser & Charity Events, Team Building & Employee Appreciation gettogethers, Poker Tournaments & Poker Nights, Holiday Parties, Private and Social Events, all types of Corporate Events, Tradeshows & Conventions, Bachelor(ette) Parties, and more. The list goes on and on!

17 years ago, I started 21 Fun

POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH

so much growth potential

The 21 Fun team will offer unrivaled training and support to each franchisee as they join our 21 Fun family. The company’s operating model is simple and has been structured with well-defined processes and growth systems in place, allowing for ease of replication.

Initial training will be held at the headquarters in the San Francisco Bay Area or Las Vegas. Summer training is available in Lake Tahoe, as well. For almost 20 years, we have mastered the ability to market, sell, and execute private & corporate Casino Parties & Events. 21 Fun is poised to expand operations in major metropolitan areas across the United States.

that is not only stress-free,

MAKING CONNECTIONS 21 Fun has an A+ Better Business Bureau Rating and an impressive reputation with Event & Party Planners. Event Planners are VERY particular who they bring on to represent them for events. 21 Fun will guide you with the ins and outs of securing the event planning business and will reach out to introduce ourselves on your behalf, if you wish. Generally, Event and Party Planners will not risk their reputation of bringing onboard any new contractor without knowing about their history. 21 FUN has the experience and reputation to help you succeed.

INCREASED BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY From photo booths, to prop rentals, and the latest trend of piping hot mini donuts for all kinds of events. We’ve done it all. There are so many fun ways to increase your earnings potential to the max! Ask us about high value potentional add-ons to your 21FUN Franchise.

Pitboss@21funcasino.com

Casino Party as a hobby and here we are today offering franchises. I just love it!

Truly, this is a business with

but is FUN! Please feel free to browse our page, imagine the FUN and if you have any questions, please contact us.

John Scarborough

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

THE WOMEN OWNERS OF Color World Housepainting

H

ere at Color World Housepainting we have four amazing female franchisees, located all across the United States. We have women-owned locations in Augusta, Georgia, Orange County, California, Northwest Indiana and Orland Park, Chicago, and Littleton, Colorado. Our 2020 franchisee of the year was our previous female franchise owner in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska that recently had a child. She had a great and successful exit where she was able to sell her business.

EVETTE HUNTER

MARY MARTINEZ

Evette Hunter in Augusta Georgia is a military veteran who is a proud member of her local community. Evette has participated in large community projects, one being collaboration in the painting of a James Brown mural in her own town. Evette also employs her daughter Aundrese as her sales associate. The two work together to create a fun and personal experience for the customer. There is no doubt that Evette and Aundrese are leaving their mark on the Augusta community!

Mary Martinez in Orange County, California runs her business with an accounting and financial background. Mary is a local to California where she is raising her two younger children with her husband. Through the pandemic Mary has shown her creativity by not only producing beautiful home exterior and interior projects, but has also worked on other creative projects like basketball courts! It is amazing seeing our franchisees think outside of the box like Mary. Mary also has a sales associate helping her run her business.

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LORI GARRET Lori Garret owns five territories in two different states! Our only franchisee to be operating across state borders. Lori operates her business in Northwest Indiana and Orland Park, Chicago. Lori has a professional background in Psychology and previously owned an Ebay business. She is a semi absentee owner. Lori always ads her creativity to everything, not only her paint projects, but also her marketing ventures.

MARISSA PRESCOTT Marissa Prescott in Littleton, Colorado has been in the service industry for over eighteen years! She has lived in different areas across the U.S. such as California and Florida, giving her an eye for different creative styles across the different regions. She and her husband have been in Littleton raising their now 4 – year old son. Marissa has participated in local ventures and murals as well and is adding her own personal touch to her hometown of Littleton, Colorado!

WENDI MORRISON Kalie Beutler, the previous owner of the Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska location, recently sold her business to Nick Bock. Kalie was also our first female franchisee. Part of Kalie’s team is still employed under the new owner and a huge part of that team is Wendi Morrison, who represented the team at the Color World conference in January 2021.

WENDI MORRISON

THESE FOUR CURRENT FRANCHISEES know how to work with our customers not only personally but creatively as well. They offer a color selection expertise and style flare that goes above and beyond just your typical estimate. We are so thankful to have four women – owned businesses in the Color World family as these offer a new perspective in the house painting business. We are proud to not only have female owners but sales associates and team members who play a huge role as well. We are looking forward to adding more women in our franchise in 2021 as well.

531-333-3278 www.colorworldf ranchise.com

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AMERICA'S #1 FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY CONTACT CHRIS.BROWN@DRIVENBRANDS.COM OR VISIT US @ MAACOFRANCHISE.COM

WHO IS MAACO?

BENEFITS OF MAACO

AUTOMOTIVE PAINT & COLLISION 47 YEAR OLD PROVEN PLAYBOOK NO NATIONAL COMPETITION OVER 500 FRANCHISE LOCATIONS RECESSION RESISTANT BUSINESS

5 DAYS OF OPERATION 8AM - 5PM PURCHASING POWER 200+ NATIONAL FLEET ACCOUNTS DEDICATED SUPPORT SYSTEMS

IDEAL CANDIDATE

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

NO AUTOMOTIVE EXPERIENCE NECESSARY PROCESS ORIENTED FOCUSED ON CUSTOMER SERVICE COMMUNITY LEADER DEDICATED TO TEAM BUILDING

Liquidity: $140k Net Worth: $300k+ Credit Score: 680+ Total Investment: $400,000**

OUR INDUSTRY

These deals must close by December 31st, 2019 Multiple license deals are considered a single deal

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Terri Braun Brings the Fun to Your Kids "KIDOKINETICS IS THE RESULT OF MY DESIRE TO DEVELOP CHILDREN TO THEIR FULLEST PERSONAL AND ATHLETIC POTENTIAL." — Terri Braun, Founder of Kidokinetics

TERRI BRAUN

W

hat do children and sports have in common currently?

Unfortunately, not enough as childhood obesity rates continue to rise. Being a mother of three, Terri continues to see the desperate need to bring the wonderful world of sports and fitness to younger generations.

Terri Braun the founder of Kidokinetics, a dynamic and unique all-around sports and physical education program which she developed to help children enhance their coordination, concentration, and motor skills in a fun and non-competitive environment.

Kidokinetics is a “traveling”

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sports and physical education program that teaches children the basics of different sports. From badminton and basketball to golf and volleyball, we offer our classes at schools, parks, and peoples backyards. We even conduct fun sports themed birthday parties and special events.

“It is very disappointing that today we are neglecting toddlers and children when it comes to exercise. We often focus on adults exercising and seem to forget that if we tried to address the problem where it starts maybe we could eliminate some of the health problems these kids encounter when they grow up.

I have developed a program to address this growing need by giving children an opportunity to have a positive outlook on exercise from an early age. We offer Kidokinetics Jr. (Mommy & Me / Daddy & Me) classes for children as young as 6 months

old. We then offer ageappropriate classes for children up to the age of 12.” Says Terri.

Terri has a long athletic history. “As a 3rd Degree Black belt in traditional Shotokan Karate, I have competed in the national and international Karate arena. I represented the United States at the 2013Maccabiah Games

in Israel after previously being a member of the South African national team.

However, my true passion lies with children. I have been around sports for most of my life and this has provided me with an opportunity to develop a program that emphasizes the importance of physical fitness to children.

I also realized that even though not all children are born as natural athletes, they should still have an opportunity to participate in sports.”

Terri’s vision for her company is clear: “Kidokinetics is the result of my desire to develop children to their fullest

personal and athletic potential.

The unique Kidokinetics program incorporates knowledge obtained through my experience as a sports teacher at various early childhood centers, instructing children in both private and group situations in movement and coordination development, consulting with child development professionals, and formal training.”

With the ever-increasing need for such programs and corresponding growth in children’s fitness industry, Kidokinetics is expanding its operations via franchising.

Since the program travels to the different locations, the

business model is designed to be run from home with low overhead costs. Terri explains, “ I am proud to have taken my passions of sports and children to the point where I am able to share my knowledge and program with others around the world. It is my greatest reward to hear that a Kidokinetics coach made a difference in a child’s life. I am seeking enthusiastic team players to join me.”

Kidokinetics provides full franchise support services such as complete training, a comprehensive operations manual, ongoing program oversight, and marketing expertise.

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www.MyCommunityServices.com

Tel: 713.679.4255

My Community Franchise is bringing a new kind of business to the American public. We go above and beyond for our customers by bringing perfected and professional tax and multi-services to their communities. We aren’t just another print services place or tax prep group. We climb the extra mile by being a one-stop-shop for various services, including tax preparation, car insurance, defensive driving, and so much more. We at My Community Franchise are here to provide entrepreneurs looking for a business opportunity the chance to get in on the ground floor of an exciting, easy-to-operate concept.

>>> We are a company with a great track record of growth, exceptional experience in the industry, and proprietary operational advantages for an owner-operator. My Community Franchise is ready to share its proven operational practices and dialedin services with the rest of the States. Our brand has been built on a firm foundation and is now seeking qualified candidates for an enticing franchise offering!

My Community Franchise offers an extensive array of services that build a fast and favored reputation within any city. We are the all-stars within our current five locations in Texas and are confident that our services will be well-received no matter where we are. We are proud to offer the following services:

TAX PREPARATION

NOTARY SERVICES

DEFENSIVE DRIVING

VIRTUAL TAX PREPARATION

BOOKKEEPING

(With Our Mobile App)

CAR INSURANCE

TRANSLATION

TITLE TRANSFER

The My Community Franchise brand is beckoning entrepreneurial hopefuls who want a business with reasonable overhead, affordable start-up costs, impressive ROI, and sprawling market applicability.

Franchise Fee: $15,000

Royalties: 10%

Total Investment: $40,000

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN AMERICA AGED 65 AND OLDER WILL HIT 70 MILLION BY 2020 Now is the best time to start a business in this $300 billion dollar industry.

From personal care to privateduty nursing, ComForCare’s mission is to help provide a safe environment for seniors who are aging in place, allowing them the grace, dignity, and pride they deserve. ComForCare is known throughout the industry for developing specialized senior care programs including Alzheimer’s care.

CarePatrol is the nation’s largest senior placement organization.

We take the pressure off families to help them find safer care options including assisted living, independent living, memory care, in-home care and nursing homes. Our senior advisors personally meet with families and serve as their guide -free of charge.

Estate sales often manifest when people find themselves at a crossroads in their lives.

They may be downsizing upon retirement, dealing with the death of a loved one, or moving to assisted living.

We provide an organized and professional way to sell their personal estate.

Visit us at BestLifeBrands.com to learn about each of these unique franchise opportunities in the senior care space.

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

From Corporate America to Business Owner How One Woman’s Passion Project Became Her Career

F

inding a career that aligns with passion isn’t something that happens overnight, but something that takes a little bit of courage when the opportunity presents itself. When it does, it has to be acted on quite quickly, even if that means sacrificing comfortability.

Working in the same industry for years brings about many benefits—financial stability, comfortability, advancement opportunities – and work seems like it relies on you to keep running, until it doesn’t.

Many people can relate to having their life planned out when suddenly things change, and their plan is forced to change too. For Kimberly Selchan, her five-year plan was shaken up when she got laid off after working in the mortgage industry for 20 years.

Kimberly had planned to start her own business eventually, but once she was laid off, eventually came quicker than she’d imagined. It turned out to be just a few months before

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she jumped head first into a new industry: child-services and education.

Kimberly is the franchisee of Tutor Doctor East Valley in Scottsdale, AZ, where she combines her passion of owning a wellness-centered business with her years in corporate America to create a space of growth in confidence for students and a place where tutoring becomes a personal experience. Tutor Doctor’s model combines Kimberly’s passion for creating individual wellness and helping others succeed, while still allowing her to exercise the skills she acquired from Corporate America as a now owneroperator.

“The model of having the consultation in the home, in person...you don’t get that anywhere. No other tutoring service does that. It’s over the phone, but this is more about how do we make a personalized difference? That really resonates with me on the well-being side,” says Kimberly.

Kimberly’s intense passion

for increasing her student’s well being has paid off in more ways than one. Her Arizona location has had an 85% increase in revenue in the past year, but the monetary reward isn’t all that she’s seen.

Kimberly finds the most fulfillment in her business when she hears testimonials and stories from her tutors and their students. Not just a relay of improved scores, Kimberly loves to hear the excitement from students to have their

“IF YOU DO WHAT YOU LOVE, YOU’LL NEVER HAVE TO WORK A DAY IN YOUR LIFE”.

— Kimberly Selchan, Tutor Doctor Franchise Owner next tutoring session, or the joy in a tutor’s voice when they tell her that their tutor/student relationship is strengthening.

The one-on-one interactions from Tutor Doctor set this wellness brand apart, and it aligns perfectly with Kimberly’s passion and source of reward.

Kimberly is a natural communicator, eager to talk about anything with anyone, but she particularly enjoys sharing her story and work with Tutor Doctor because she is privy to the positive impact tutoring has on families in her community.

“All I really do is just meet

people and the things coming out of my mouth are coming from my heart,” she says. “I’m not just going through the motions to collect a paycheck.”

Kimberly’s life plan may have been thrown off when she became the owner of her own business three years earlier than planned, but she now lives and works around her passion—a living embodiment of the classic saying that “If you do what you love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life”.

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Lash Lounge: Supporting Female Business Owners

by Meg Roberts, CEO and President, The Lash Lounge and Operating Partner, Franworth

A

cross America, March is Women’s History Month. In the franchising industry, women are offered more of an equal opportunity every day to found brands, lead organizations, become franchise owners and build skills and community as team members.

Despite only 7 percent of women holding CEO positions across Fortune 500 companies – 35 percent of franchises are owned by women. As women graciously mentor other women in this business, I know we will see the number of women leaders and owners continue to grow.

Anna Phillips founded The Lash Lounge, a boutique beauty franchise, in 2006.

Today, the national brand has 113 open locations and conquered 2020 by achieving

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Meg Roberts, left, and Anna Phillips, right, pose for a picture.

record sales, awarding new franchises, and supporting new salon openings.

FEMALE FOUNDER Within a couple of years of opening her first salon, Phillips opened two more.

"I had seen beauty trends come and go, but when I would perform a lash extension service there was just something about it, an immediate transformation unlike any other service I could provide," Phillips said. "I've seen women open their eyes and

start crying, seeing themselves as beautiful for the first time."

By offering eyelash extensions as a single service, Phillips has a legitimate claim on being the “female founder” in franchising a concept dedicated to eyelash extensions.

"I knew my forte was creating customized lash looks for our guests," Phillips said. "The scale and scope of franchising was a whole new animal though," she said.

Phillips currently serves as Chief Innovation Officer and

she continues to operate her original salons to keep her finger on the pulse of the services guests want.

A LONG-TERM DREAM Jamie Larson celebrated The Lash Lounge New Orleans – Mid City’s grand opening in December 2019 realizing her long-time dream of business ownership while also helping celebrate the brand’s milestone 100th open location and the first franchise in Louisiana.

“Being a business owner was always my dream,” Larson said. “I trained as a lash artist in 2005, and this business has been my passion ever since.

Some of my closest friends were my lash clients.”

Larson gained experience with other first-to-market franchises as a general manager for two different fitness brands while continuing to perform lash services on the side.

“New Orleans is a mom-and-

pop focused town, but I saw how franchises could succeed in this market,” Larson said. “I was born and raised in New Orleans and I love being a local business owner with the franchise model and support team behind me.”

While investigating lash franchise opportunities, Larson said meeting Phillips and The Lash Lounge’s team introduced her to passionate businesswomen, who were also great moms.

“I realized that Anna and Meg are just like me. Joining this franchise’s culture was exciting because these women understand juggling demands of work and home and have built and grown an incredible brand” Larson said.

INSPIRING OTHERS I have been mentored by incredible women and admire how our franchise owners lead and inspire their own teams.

Jamie Larson with her long-time partner and fellow owner Jeremie Ertle at The Lash Lounge’s 100th location grand opening.

“I want to show the nine women who work in my salon that a calm, peaceful environment with an owner/ manager present to work for them and alongside them is possible,” Larson said.

As anyone in a customer service-based business knows; it’s not always sunshine and roses. When Larson has questions or needs advice, she reaches out to the franchise team and fellow franchise owners. She encourages her team to rely on one another to get through challenging times.

“We don’t have any terrible days; we still walk out of the salon smiling because we know we made our clients’ day better,” Larson said.

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Two Generations of Independent Women Find Success with Zoup!

by Christina Trecapelli, Director of Franchise Marketing, Zoup!

MARCH MARKS AN IMPORTANT MONTH FOR JOYA PILAND,

owner of the Zoup! restaurant franchise in Grand Junction, CO. Her family will be celebrating Women’s History Month by selling their Zoup! restaurant business to their daughter, Lacie Fitzpatrick.

STIRRING UP SOMETHING GREAT

In 2012, Joya and her husband Terry were searching for the right franchise opportunity.

They wanted a business that would allow them to work towards a common goal of business ownership, and possibly provide a role for their 23-year-old daughter graduating from college. While hosting out-of-town guests, the group was craving soup and noticed that really good soup was hard to find. The Pilands soon heard about the fast-casual franchise offering

12 daily soups and knew they had a winner. “Soup has always been a huge staple for our family. I have tons of memories around soup,” said Fitzpatrick.

FUN FACT: According to Joya, the Pilands visited Louisiana and ate gumbo at every restaurant in search of a recipe to beat Joya’s. She remains undefeated.

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In November of 2012, less than a year after learning about Zoup!, the Pilands opened the doors of their brand new restaurant. Joya handled the responsibilities as owner and Lacie managed the restaurant operations. Her experience in the food-service industry and a degree in psychology helped Fitzpatrick feel prepared to handle a staff of twelve and the unpredictability of being a restauranteur. A bit of a wild child, Lacie shares, “The structure and responsibilities of running a business helped me grow up.”

WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Before Zoup!, Joya ran her own embroidery business for 11 years. The hours allowed her to work from home while the kids went to school. When asked about her own call to become a business owner, Fitzpatrick says, “My mom is a really hard worker and I’ve always looked up to her, even in my teenage years.”

Over the last eight years, the business and the Piland family tree continue to grow.

Lacie married Kevin Fitzpatrick in 2013, and they welcomed a son in 2016. While Lacie looks forward to her new role as business owner, Joya is excited to hand over her responsibilities. She plans to

travel with Terry and still spend time in the restaurant as a team member and catering coordinator. When asked if she was nervous about handing the business over, Piland said, “I’m excited to still get a paycheck! I have trust that she (Lacie) is going to do a great job. But if I’m not working at Zoup!, I’m working at the Fitzpatrick house.” She’s looking forward to an increase in child care demand when the Fitzpatrick’s second child joins the family in May. When asked how she balances work and family, Lacie shares, “It can be hard. I get super tired. I’m growing a life inside me and maternity leave needs to happen. I’m planning ahead to have the right people in place to step up while I care for my family.”

SAME BUSINESS, NEW PROBLEMS

The COVID-19 pandemic brought new problems to the food-service industry. Business operations had to change to meet changing service requirements like a restricted or closed dining room, new cleaning and safety protection protocols for both guests and

team members, contactless transactions, curbside pick-up, expanded delivery, and keeping staffed with healthy workers.

“We credit our sales rebound back to pre-Covid levels to our loyal customer base and online ordering, they have both saved our tails,” said Fitzpatrick.

THE FUTURE OF ZOUP! GRAND JUNCTION

We asked if the Fitzpatrick kids will be serving soup down the road. Lacie replied, “I definitely want my kids to work in the restaurant. It’s a great place to learn good work ethic and how to work with a team, but I don’t want to pressure them to take on the business.”

Joya knew from the beginning that this could be a great opportunity for her family and her daughter. Lucky for her, the love for restaurant service runs in the family.

“I had some hesitations,” says Fitzpatrick, “We considered selling outside, but that made me sad thinking of the eight years of heart we put into this business. It would be nice to put the responsibilities away and leave work at work, but I love working for myself and building my own future.”

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LOOKING FOR SOMETHING

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MUSIC BASED MONTESSORI INSPIRED

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Music: Children are singing, discovering rhythm and pitch, and delighting in music each day.

Convenience: Never bring a diaper to school again. All toileting supplies are provided in each child’s classroom.

Montessori Education: The learning environment is prepared to create an atmosphere of discovery and respect for the child.

Healthy Meals: Thoughtfully prepared, our breakfast, snacks, and lunches are cooked fresh each day by Rock and Roll Kitchen.

Security: Video camera systems allow parents the comfort of checking in on your child during any part of the day.

Cultural Education: Children are ambassadors of peace in the world, and to reach the world we must first teach them about it.

Who’s up for a challenge?

Challenge lessons every day, with hands-on activities to learn about math, language, science, practical life and sensorial development.

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Every day, from your home, children discover rhythm and pitch, sing and delight in appreciating music.

Montessori for everyone Our nannies are highly trained and assessed by Open Door Montessori. Our expert collaborators from Open Door Montessori help host homes set up an ideal learning environment.

Cultural Education Children are ambassadors of peace in the world, and to reach the world we must teach them about it.

How We’re Different

How We’re Different

• Average 6 Month Process. Start to Finish • Lowest Total Start-Up Investment in the Industry at $290-470k • Boutique Storefront Model fits Traditional Retail Spaces in Urban Markets • Ongoing Support and Training from Music and Curriculum Directors • Premium brand for middle to upper income clientele

• 30-Day Quick Startup with franchise support systems • Startup Investment of $101K /Eligible for SBA Express Loan • Low expenses, high profit potential, not just babysitting • Unlimited growth potential • Ongoing Support and Training from Music and Curriculum Directors • Premium brand for middle to upper income clientele • No Buildout for brick and mortar

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www.rockandrollnannyshare.com

EDUCATION

Rock and Roll NannyShare: Early Childhood Education in the Times of a Pandemic

by Christopher Vuk, CEO

H

ave you ever attempted to place a mask or face covering over the mouth of an active two-year old boy? Any knowing parent understands that it’s no small feat during annual Halloween celebrations, but with COVID restrictions extending throughout the globe, it’s now an expectation of hundreds of thousands of parents and educators of young children.

As the CEO/Founder of Rock and Roll Daycare, I found myself at a crossroads

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in late March 2020, as did many business owners, when the governor of our state ordered the closure of all childcare centers throughout Massachusetts. With the future more uncertain at that time than any other, my team and I came together to discuss potential alternative solutions for childcare in the home.

It was during those summer months of quarantine as centers lurched forward and began the painful process of reopening after being closed for three months that we came across the idea and concept for education-based nanny sharing. While enrollment within our childcare centers was steadily increasing, we came to the realization that many of our previously active families would not be returning to in-center care due to health and safety concerns.

AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME AGAIN! Rock and Roll NannyShare, as we determined to call it, would answer the call of both urban and suburban families whose livelihoods had been

hampered by a sudden lack of childcare and/or the overly stringent (in other cases, severely lacking) health and safety protocols of a previous childcare center.

Equipped with new expectations in the times of a pandemic, we determined that for those families that might otherwise have attended center-based care we would offer in-home childcare services to pods of two or three families by a trained educator. This “Mary Poppins” of sorts would be a trained childcare professional who would present the robust music and Montessori curriculum, which is the hallmark of all Rock and Roll Daycare centers across the country, albeit in the living room of any family’s home.

PARENTS HAVE ENTERED A BRAVE NEW WORLD OF CHOICES FOR THE EDUCATION OF THEIR CHILDREN. Rock and Roll NannyShare would help families to partner with friends and neighbors to share the cost of a high quality

ROCK AND ROLL NANNYSHARE IS CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR NEW FRANCHISE OWNERS IN THE UNITED STATES. VISIT ROCKANDROLLNANNYSHARE.COM TO LEARN ABOUT THE WAVE OF THE FUTURE THROUGH IN HOME EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

nanny, determine their own masking and social distancing strategies, while maintaining the educational programming of a childcare center (with the added advantage of having only 2-4 children in a grouping). With thousands of early education facilities having closed their doors permanently in 2020, a new landscape began to emerge

supporting smaller, more intimate childcare programs and in-home learning pods.

While Zoom has been the answer for remote learning of children from elementary on upwards, the approach in early childhood has been markedly different. From virtual babysitting during parent conference calls to online learning electives for preschoolers or story and music time for toddlers, parents have entered a brave new world of choices for the education of their child.

However, nearly one year

later, it’s still hard to imagine a parent leaving a four-year old alone in front of any type of educational programming without the expectation that their time is dangerously limited. And thus has entered into the landscape an exciting new array of educational opportunities within the home. With more than half of the nation having moved towards a favorable opinion of homeschooling, most families would still opt for someone else to do the “schooling” while their children still remain at home.

Education based in-home education may be a new idea to the masses, but with the majority of Americans stating their intention to still highly limit their activities, it’s likely here to stay. Zoom tutoring sessions may be our temporary lifeline for a time, but if I were to wager a guess, I'd say that face to face and person to person won't be going away anytime soon.

ABOUT CHRISTOPHER VUK Proud father of four young children, and award-winning violinist, Christopher is the founder/CEO of Rock and Roll Daycare and Roll and Roll NannyShare. Christopher has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Boston Business Journal, ABC, CBS, FOX, and the Boston Globe.

CONTACT US TODAY: asha@rockandrollnannyshare.com

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“YOUR BEST MUSIC HAS YET TO BE PLAYED” “My objective: to give you the tools and discipline necessary to make you want to play your best music in business and in life, so that you become the One2Beat!”

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• Purchase additional copies to give away as gifts.

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physical coordination.; which makes it an extremely effective catalyst for learning and development.

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receive a wealth of knowledge and information. These seminars range from one-hour to three-hour sessions, to a three-day workshop that can be tailored to the audience’s needs. AND YES…You will Be Drumming.

For more information email Bobby@drummingupbusiness.com

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Q&A

with Tricia Petteys connected me with Sean Manning, our CEO, as he was getting Payroll Vault off the ground. So not only did I have that knowledge of what growth looked like, but I was immediately able to couple that with Sean’s vision of what we wanted Payroll Vault to become. That eventually resulted in our jump into franchising, and it has been an incredible experience in the decade since.

Q: From both a business and service perspective, what about your work makes you proudest?

Q: What does it mean to you

TRICIA : On the business

to help build the franchising model for your company?

TRICIA PETTEYS is the Co-Founder and COO of Payroll Vault Franchising, the nationwide payroll and workforce management franchise based in Colorado.

Q: How did you get your start in franchising with Payroll Vault?

TRICIA : My background is

HR, and I was working with a very large payroll company. I had really great leaders there, and one of the VPs mentored me, keeping me in the loop with how they approached growth within the business.

My husband and I relocated to Colorado, and my company wasn’t this far west yet.

While I was looking for a new opportunity, a mutual friend

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TRICIA : It’s amazing

when you have a real sense of trust, both in yourself and in the people around you. We have great collaboration and communication. I’m not sure I trusted myself enough in the beginning with delegating.

I was always wondering if we gave employees or our franchisees all the right skills and information to make them successful.

As we grew, it was a lot easier to see the broader view of when to add certain elements into the business model. Being able to implement that vision along with our team is such a great feeling. It’s still amazing to be trusted and to have such a collaborative role with Sean and the rest of our team with where we’re going.

side, I’m just grateful that we’re collaborative enough to execute good ideas when they come. I was on vacation and had just learned about the book Traction by Gino Wickman. I got as far as chapter 4 and was hooked.

This was the guide we were searching for to use as a way to make our operations processes more efficient. Who is in what role? What seat are they in, and what’s expected of them?

What does the future look like and how to we communicate that to everyone else? I called Sean from a pool to explain the benefits, and he let me run with it.

I think everyone should experience the feeling of running a business that you’re truly proud of. More than anything, franchising has allowed our business to reach so many communities.

"I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD EXPERIENCE THE FEELING OF RUNNING A BUSINESS THAT YOU’RE TRULY PROUD OF." — Tricia Petteys, Co-Founder and COO of Payroll Vault Franchising

Especially with the challenges small businesses have had with payroll in the past year, our franchisees have been able to provide so much value to their clients, keeping businesses open and making communities stronger. It’s hard to beat that feeling.

Q: Payroll Vault has so many

female franchisees. What do you think that says about the model you’ve helped build?

Q: Do you see that as a trend in franchising, generally?

TRICIA : I’ve definitely

noticed that trend, and I hope it continues. Every time I go to a conference now, the franchisors represented at those events seem to have a lot better of a mix than years before, so that’s really great

to see. You notice it in the leadership, too, with a woman at the helm of the IFA. I think that makes a big difference at every level of the industry. I’d love to see that trend continue, creating opportunities for everyone to gain the kind of experiences and confidence I have during my time in the franchising world.

TRICIA : We know

franchisees are good at what they do and want them to have that autonomy, which, I think, attracts people from many different backgrounds. It’s been great to see a wide range of franchisees, including women.

I think the flexibility of the model allows them to have the life they want. If they’re already accountants and business owners, it can be seamless. If they want to work f rom home, they can. Honestly, I think our corporate team reflects that through the diversity of the staff as well. When they come to us, their f irst conversation is with a woman, our Director of Franchise Development, Marilyn Manning. It’s great to have a model that attracts a diverse pool of talented entrepreneurs — and one that lets them shine.

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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

Q&A with Renee Israel: Chief Franchise Officer, Modern Market Eatery Q: Tell me about yourself and your experience in franchising: RENEE: My journey into

RENEE ISRAEL

is a franchise-industry veteran. With a lifelong passion for wellness and great food, she co-founded the natural snack franchise Doc Popcorn with her husband in 2003. Now, as the Chief Franchise Officer of burgeoning franchise Modern Market Eatery, she’s jumpstarting national franchise growth for the nutritious, delicious, healthforward restaurant chain with a focus on scratchmade fast food.

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franchising was purposeful, yet unexpected. When my husband Rob and I started Doc Popcorn, we had multiple avenues for growth. Over the course of five years, we built out our home state of Colorado with a combination of our own retail outlets in non-traditional venues like malls and stadiums.

We also had our product on the shelves at grocers like Whole Foods as well as a nascent e-commerce business. When we wanted to take the business to the next level in 2008, we knew we had to pick a lane.

We were excited by the idea of helping people who were losing their jobs during the recession to make a living using our concept—and in doing so creating smiles with a fresh, healthy snack in venues where junk food reigned supreme.

Q: How did you get involved

with Modern Market Eatery?

What attracted you to join the brand?

RENEE: The desire for quick-

serve, better food was becoming mainstream, but the restaurant

industry wasn’t getting the memo. So, I was excited when Modern Market opened its first location in Boulder, CO in 2009. It was affordable, fast and delicious. It was a place I could meet a friend for a quick lunch or eat with my family given the variety and customizable nature of the menu. I could see that this fast casual was meeting the needs of the modern diner at

Q: How did Modern Market respond to the pandemic of the last year?

RENEE: We already

every level. I watched it grow to nearly 30 locations and attract investment from Butterfly Equity, a Los Angeles based private equity firm whose “seed to fork” ethos aligned with my core values. One of the founders is my neighbor and shared that Modern Market was looking to franchise, I said, “pick me!” This is a brand I would be proud to represent. I embody our vision of a world where high-quality, nourishing food is as convenient as fast food.

Q: As a working mom, how does Modern Market fit into your life?

RENEE: One of my favorite

in-restaurant campaigns from our talented marketing team is “Serve it like you cooked it.”

And I do! My standing order is a click away on our loyalty app. And although during Covid I have been taking advantage of curbside pick-up or delivery, our family generally goes to the restaurant to eat.

Modern Market delivers a farm-to-table experience in a beautifully designed yet casual atmosphere. Our food is made from scratch and innovative, yet very approachable. While I might get the Turmeric Veggie Salad or a Curry Salmon Bowl,

had some of the most sophisticated technology to meet our guests' needs wherever they are, and our better-for-you menu is top of mind for customers as health remains a key concern. So, although the pandemic came with some obvious setbacks, we focused on the opportunity to innovate with a new virtual pizza concept, a ghost kitchen test pilot and at home meal kits; build a more efficient labor model; and evaluate pricing to improve off-premise profitability.

my husband is going for a Grass Fed Steak with Rosemary Sweet Potatoes and my kids are getting a wood-fired Margherita Pizza or a Blueberry Pesto Sandwich.

If you think about how many meals are now eaten outside of the home, it's great to have an option that I don't feel guilty about feeding to my family when I don't have time to cook.

Modern Market was created to meet the needs of the modern diner, and modern mom, like me.

Q: Where is Modern Market

looking to grow next?

RENEE: Although 2020

Q: What is it like working with other founders, as a founder yourself?

RENEE: Anthony Pigliacampo and Rob McColgan remind me a little of my husband and myself. They’ve known each other for years and have different complimentary skill sets that make magic happen.

Anthony was a design engineer and Rob spent years on Wall Street working for Goldman Sachs. Working with founders is energizing and keeps me on my toes. I have been in their shoes; I hope I bring a unique perspective while guiding the process of building a world class franchise organization.

I can wear a lot of hats.

was focused on opening new locations in our home state of Colorado and gearing up our franchise program, we hope to see momentum in other current markets such as Austin, Dallas and Phoenix; contiguous markets such as Albuquerque, Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, Salt Lake City, Houston, San Antonio; and areas with strong development potential for the brand - including larger DMAs and non-traditional venues such as airports, universities and hospitals. We are looking for experienced franchise and license partners in 2021 to set up our expansion plans for success.

Go to www.modernmarket. com for more information.

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“It is such an exciting time to be a part of Strickland Brothers 10 Minute Oil Change. Our staff is eager to help and grow with our Franchise Partners. The family atmosphere is what makes Strickland Brothers who we are. Each customer is our most valued customer.”

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COVID-19 INSPIRATION

GNF Worldwide: Change is the Reason

by Vanessa Iurman, Commercial Manager, GNF Worldwide

2020 has been a year that has pushed everyone out of their comfort zone, making many of us change

careers, relocate and learn new skills. It has been a year that has tested us mentally and physically in our professional and personal lives. It has been a year of reinvention, finding a new "normal" in this abnormal world we are now living in.

But what most of us hadn't noticed is that it has been a year that has allowed us to make something we all have talked or thought about, and that is change. We are always talking and dreaming about change; how we can change our routine, how we can change our diet, how we can change the way we act, how we can change the way we think or feel, we are always thinking about how we can change to improve either our lives, ourselves or the world.

Now, very few of us realize it, but we have

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been changing the world without even noticing.

Not too long ago, Seth Godin gave a speech at this year's IFA Convention where he simply asked the audience, "What do you do?" Usually, people respond to this question with, "I make hamburgers, I make marketing videos, etc.…" yet no one answered what we are all really doing, and that is simply "change." Mr. Godin went ahead and explained that we are all making change happen. Hearing him talk about this touched me deeply because I finally heard someone talk about what I have been trying to convey to people for a while now: The way to make change happen is through franchising!

Change is the reason we do what we do every day. It is the wheel that drives us to improve and be better each day, professionally or in our personal lives. And that is what franchising does.

It provides us with the right tools and metrics to

continue impacting or changing the world.

As part of a new generation in the franchising industry, I have been privileged to see first-hand how the world and the industry keeps growing, how it continues to beg for this change! Every day we see a new concept be born, a new way of doing everyday activities, and a whole new generation with new beliefs, values, and way of thinking. Franchising is not excluded from this need to change. It needs to continue to morph and adapt to this new world we are building and constructing! We have to continue using our brains creatively and uniquely to let this change flower into something that will permit us to leave a footprint in this world that will not fade away within the new generations.

Like anything worth doing, change takes time, hard work, and passion to reach the levels we have dreamed of, and I am a true believer that there is no better platform than the franchising

system. Thanks to the franchise industry leaders, a new generation has been gifted a strong foundation filled with knowledge, skills, and the right etiquette to succeed. We have the power to make this industry grow to the levels that we know it can reach! We have to change the stereotype that has been built and show the world the wonderful possibilities behind the world of franchising. And I have made it my responsibility to induce this belief into this society and help people understand the power of franchising!

Now my question to you is, "Do you have what it takes to join me in this revolutionary movement of change? And continue to change the world through the power of franchising?"

For more information: GNFWorldwide.com

WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | MARCH 2021

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