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Get the App COVER STORY: GIRLKIN LASHES
Kim designed GIRLKIN “ Lashes with two principles in mind: an exclusive customer experience and stunning lashes, of course.
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market as her leadership has been in everything she has touched. Married and raising four amazing boys, Kim enjoys volunteering and supporting our youth through sports, crafts, and community activities. GIRLKIN encourages getting involved in the local community in whatever way is possible. A large part of the community that Kim knows is working mothers. She wanted to give back to those mothers, to provide them with a luxury experience – an oasis where they can feel pampered, even if just for an hour every few weeks.
GIRLKIN LASHES DRIVEN TO EMPOWER GIRLKIN Lashes is a luxury lash lounge built on a premium experience paired with the highest quality lash services. While the lash and brow industry is rapidly growing, GIRLKIN believes that products and service standards cannot be compromised. They are committed to giving their clients, affectionately called GIRLies, expert advice, and recommendations on services, styles, treatments, and availability. As a result, every customer gets a luxurious and comfortable experience; the customers’ time, satisfaction, and trust are their top priority. 10 FRANCHISING MAGAZINE USA
Kim designed GIRLKIN Lashes with two principles in mind: an exclusive customer experience and stunning lashes, of course. Kim started lashing from her living room in 2016 and quickly built a clientele of hundreds throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. In 2018, those principles transformed her living room of love and lashes into her luxury lash lounge flagship location in Pikesville, MD. Within three years, Kim was able to add three additional salons to the GIRLKIN brand. The mission is to provide an unmatched experience with gorgeous lashes and unbeatable customer service in a glamorously luxurious environment. While Kim created GIRLKIN well before her luxury salons, the name divinely foreshadowed a business that empowers
women to feel their best. Intertwined with her passion, GIRLKIN is a play on Kim’s maiden name. GIRLKIN Lashes offers an exciting way to empower women and entrepreneurs in the community. GAINFUL. INFLUENTIAL. RELENTLESS. LADIES KEEPING IN-NETWORK. GIRLKIN believes in the empowerment of all women and their beauty choices. GIRLKIN is a lifestyle brand. The heart and CEO of GIRLKIN Lashes, Kimberly Fernandez, prides herself on providing her clients with a place of relaxation and solitude through ever-evolving times. Once clients step into the space, they become one of the GIRLies, a part of the GIRLKIN brand, and the driving force behind all GIRLKIN team members. Her passion is infectious and authentically refreshing when you talk to Kim about her business. Kim is a transformational leader in the beauty and business communities! While sustaining a prosperous 18-year career in Senior Management, she’s built a brand that is just as transforming in the beauty
Every GIRLKIN Lash location (lounge) features sparkling surroundings and a serene, upscale color palette; enjoyable and expert stylists add to the pleasant and ultimate customer experience. This experience of luxury, coupled with the stunning result, tends to draw sophisticated, successful clientele to GIRLKIN. The primary market for GIRLKIN services is professional women in the 30-year to 50-year age bracket, though, of course, GIRLKIN serves customers of all ages. A typical GIRLie is a professional woman that is required to present themselves well every day but does not have time to spend a great deal of time applying lashes every morning. In 2021, Kim franchised GIRLKIN (GIRLKIN Franchise, LLC) and her vision to grow GIRLKIN across the globe, providing opportunities for like-minded business warriors with a drive to serve and secure generational wealth. Her first franchise location opened in July 2021 outside of Atlanta in Dacula, Georgia. GIRLKIN does not just stop at offering their services, they also use their own
exclusive GIRLKIN brand, high-quality, professional products. Each team member is equipped with the tools they need to provide the experience the customer expects. All artists are double and triple certified in eyelash extensions and are insured. GIRLKIN offers licensed esthetician services, including adhering professional eyelash extensions. They are empowering their employees and franchise owners by providing the opportunity to expand services to provide customers with the ultimate beauty experience. Services can include but are not limited to brow tint, lash tint, brow shaping, brow lamination, facials, microblading, waxing, make-up, and other esthetic and nail services. GIRLKIN has created a supportive environment between the executive, administrative and stylist teams. This is also mirrored in the franchise model. GIRLKIN believes: the customer is always our top priority and is always considered first in what we do. The GIRLKIN Lashes employment opportunity is for high-performing, motivated customersavvy professionals. They only hire the best—polished, passionate and personable. GIRLKIN franchise owners can expect benefits like a strong identity, thorough education and training programs (initial and ongoing), quality products, commitment to keep improving the business model, rewarding business based on satisfying customers, and competitive, successful and sustainable business model. GIRLies that come to a GIRLKIN location can expect the same service and atmosphere no matter when or where they go. Kim’s unique technique for lashing includes; not adhering to multiple natural lashes together, comfortable, custom design
set of lashes, and 1:1 personal service every time. It’s all in the details; the service beds are comfortable with faux fur, and they VOL 10, ISSUE 5, APRIL 2022 provide blankets, so the customers fall asleep quickly. GIRLKIN gives clients a full, natural, gorgeous look through its superior, one-lash-at-a-time application process. In addition, a custom-built COVER STORY mapping system ensures stylists create the ideal, most flattering design for each eye size and shape. Keeping the branding on point, eyelash extensions are offered with matching names based on the style of extensions. For example, GIRLKIN offers School GIRL, Glamour GIRL, GIRL Crush, and Show GIRL. Eyelash extensions are semipermanent, synthetic extensions that are adhered one by one onto each natural lash (not the skin) by using a medical adhesive that lasts 2-4 weeks.
GIRLKIN LASHES
DRIVEN TO EMPOWER
PROOF POSITIVE
ENGAGEMENT SELLS FRANCHISES
GIRLKIN is driven to empower both customers and employees. GIRLKIN lives and breathes their principles. GAINFUL. INFLUENTIAL. RELENTLESS. LADIES KEEPING IN NETWORK., but it ripples out even further. It means to uplift and encourage others, support other artists, operate with integrity, exude a positive attitude, and live up to what the GIRLKIN brand is today, tomorrow and beyond.
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contents
WOMEN IN FRANCHISING 30
Cover Story 30 Zips Cleaners: Tiffany Hawkins, Building Momentum
What’s New 28 Franchising News Announcements from the Industry
Feature Article 32 Chris Conner: Women Owned Franchise Systems
Focus
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54 Chantelle Harder: Female Franchisor Owner shares Tips for Giving Your Business a Refresh
Expert Advice 36 Dominique Larouch: 3 Tips for Turning a Passion into a Successful Career 42 Teresa Wanderstadt: 4 Tips for being Successful in a Male Dominated Industry
Have Your Say 34 Katie Kool: From Intern to CEO of Tide Cleaners
Q&A 38 Kim Gubera: Kim Gubera of Pirtek USA
Snapshot 40 Christina Porter: This Business Owner uses Boxing to Celebrate and Inspire Women 44 Sarah Verhey Mcspedon: Business Owner found her Perfect Franchise Match
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48 Kerry Hamilton-Gannaway: This Lifelong Fitness Obsessed Business Owner Breaks Glass Ceilings with Mayweather Boxing + Fitness Franchising MAGAZINE USA 27
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Buff City Soap Brings PlantBased Products to Alexandria
The new store is located at 1416 MacArthur Drive. This will be the fourth Louisiana location to be opened by local owners, Jeff and Stacey Lauseng. “Our guests fall in love with our products once they find out that they are completely plant-based and handmade by locals in the community,” said Stacey Lauseng. “We pride ourselves on the interactive retail experience we offer each person who walks in through our doors and we can’t wait to begin forming relationships with new Buff City Soap fans here in Alexandria.” Founded in 2013, Buff City Soap has created a high-quality alternative to commercial soap products full of harsh chemicals, detergents, animal fats, and sulfates. Each Buff City Soap store offers more than 30 unique and customizable scents across dozens of handcrafted soap products; including its famous soap bars, bath bombs, foaming
Customizable Soap ‘Makery’ to Continue Expansion in Louisiana Buff City Soap – a rapidly expanding handmade retail franchise known for its plant-based soap and body products made instore daily – recently opened its first location in Alexandria.
hand soap, and even laundry soap. The brand’s products are crafted by local artisans at the in-store Makeries, which allow guests to customize the scent and ingredients used in the process to create a unique scent profile. For more information, please visit www.buffcitysoap.com
Weed Man Lawn Care Reports 21.9% Growth Compared to 2021 Since 2018, Weed Man – the fastest growing lawn care franchise in North America - has grown exponentially, fueled by the rapidly-growing green industry and spike in home service needs. The 765-plus territory-strong lawn care franchise reported over $259 million in total system wide sales and signed 67 additional territories last year. “Our organization, built to support the most dedicated, hands-on business owners, had a phenomenal year in 2021, as we surpassed sales projections and continued to celebrate organic growth throughout the U.S.,” said Jennifer Lemcke, CEO of Weed Man. “There are over 1370 trucks on the road to continue providing health and beautification of residential lawns, through our extensive lawn care control, perimeter pest services and mosquito control services through our sub-brand Mosquito Hero.” 28 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
Mosquito Hero, powered by Weed Man, generated over $5.8 million in sales revenue for 2021 alone. At the company’s annual conference, the franchisor recognized 33 North American franchisees at different revenue tiers. Recognition consisted of: customer loyalty, Mosquito Hero growth, inbound marketing success, top marketing performance, rookie franchisee spotlights, most improved and emerging leaders within the network, referral engagement, online outreach, brand ambassadors, community champion, and multi-unit franchisee of the year. The success of Weed Man franchisees is built upon the twin pillars of training and support. Each owner is equipped by the franchisor with all aspects of business operations, including administration, technical, marketing, business planning and budgeting. As an additional layer of local support, every Weed Man franchisee is supported by their experienced regional franchisor who serves as a personal consultant and mentor, providing experience, guidance and encouragement.
East Coast Wings + Grill Promotes Whitney Mann to Executive Vice President of Operations
East Coast Wings + Grill, a full-service casual-dining franchise that spotlights Buffalo wings and fresh crafted burgers, has promoted 18-year company loyalist Whitney Mann to Executive Vice President of Operations. Mann first joined East Coast Wings + Grill in 2004 as a server at one of its restaurants. Shortly after her career began, her leadership traits and tenacity were recognized, and she was named
General Manager of the King, NC location in 2007. With an eagerness for learning the corporate side of operations, she joined the corporate team as a part-time administrative assistant in 2008. Since joining the corporate team, she has been promoted to Corporate Training Coordinator, Unit Level Systems Analyst, Brand Field Consultant, Director of Functional Analytics and finally VP of Field Operations before settling into her newlyappointed role.
forward to continued success with this amazing brand.”
“Having done every job at the restaurant level and by gaining additional experience at corporate, I have a unique perspective that has helped me provide strong operational guidance across the organization. I know the day-today challenges franchisees and their employees face on the front-lines,” said Mann. “Since my career began with East Coast Wings + Grill 18 years ago, I’ve been focused on going the extra mile – whether it’s for customers, fellow employees or franchisees. I look forward to continuing that approach in my new role and look
“During her long tenure with our brand, much of Whitney’s achievements can be tied to her entrepreneurial spirit and relentless pursuit of providing the highest level of customer service across all the stakeholders in our organization,” said East Cast Wings + Grill CEO, Sam Ballas. “She is truly the embodiment of our corporate mantra, ‘Never Be Satisfied.’ I’m confident our brand will continue to grow under her operational watch.”
In this new role, Mann will focus on sustaining brand growth that has been achieved after a record-breaking 2021. Her primary objective will be ensuring franchisees and their teams maintain brand compliance, while also closely watching marketing and social media trends to ensure the brand remains an industry leader in offering best-in-class technologies and resources.
For more information about East Coast Wings + Grill franchising opportunities, visit www.eastcoastwingsfranchise.com
Rita’s Italian Ice and Frozen Custard Opens First Casino Location in Rivers Casino Philadelphia Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, the beloved brand known for its delicious Italian Ice and Frozen Custard treats, recently opened its first casino shop at the Rivers Casino Philadelphia, located at 1001 N Delaware Ave. The milestone opening is part of Rita’s ongoing strategy to expand into non-traditional locations.
“As a Philly favorite, we’re excited to open within Rivers Casino Philadelphia to create more opportunities for guests to experience Rita’s, especially in a non-traditional, entertainmentfilled atmosphere like a casino,” said Linda Chadwick, CEO of Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard. “The Rita’s model lends itself well to compact, high-volume spaces, so we expect this new shop will be a positive addition to the casino’s food lineup and a big hit with guests.” While this opening marks Rita’s first entrance into casinos, this location will join a variety of existing non-traditional units in theme parks and stadiums, and Rita’s first airport location coming soon. The location and build out flexibility of the brand is attracting new sites and even new franchisees, plus it’s creating more opportunity for existing franchisees opting to purchase and expand their existing brick and mortar shops with other nontraditional options, like mobile food trucks and trailers. Due to all the new developments, the Rita’s team is further streamlining processes to support a superior non-traditional performance.
New Rita’s Casino Shop is Part of Brand’s Expansion Strategy to Open in Non-traditional Locations
To learn more about franchise opportunities at Rita’s Italian Ice, please visit: www.ownaritas.com. Franchising MAGAZINE USA 29
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COVER STORY: Tiffany Hawkins | ZIPS CLEANERS
Building Momentum How far can you go with the right drive, know-how, a great team and a strong brand behind you? Tiffany Hawkins will tell you, “To infinity and beyond.”
When Tiffany Hawkins proudly declares she’s “building momentum,” she means it in more ways than one. To be sure, she’s referring to Momentum Advisors, the New York-based minorityowned wealth management firm she operates with her business partner Allan Boomer, with nearly $400MM under advisement. Under the Momentum brand, Hawkins and Boomer also co-host a podcast, “The Momentum Advisors Show,” offering personal finance advice, information on entrepreneurship and insight into how to build a successful financial legacy for yourself and your community. The Momentum brand also extends to an insurance brokerage, Momentum Risk Management, and a consulting business, Momentum Franchising, which helps other aspiring business owners get up and running with the franchise concept that fits them best. 30 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
My strongest characteristics are I’m a very strong leader and “ extremely strategic. That’s who I am, to a fault at times, It’s hard for me to just let things happen. ” But Hawkins is also referring to her drive to open, acquire and operate a legion of franchise locations, which currently includes a Retro Fitness site in Maryland, a THE MAX Challenge site in New Jersey and a steadily growing roster of ZIPS Cleaners locations in multiple states. The franchises are majority-owned by a fund Hawkins and Boomer run, Franklin Morgan Partners. Hawkins and Boomer started “dating” ZIPS, as they like to describe the process, in 2016 and opened their first store in 2017 in Waldorf, Md. In the past year, they acquired three ZIPS sites in Maryland to add to the two they already owned, then snapped up another three in Indiana
last month, having been hand-picked to do so by the ZIPS corporate team. They now have eight locations, a ninth under construction, a signed agreement to develop 20 more stores in Atlanta, and are in active negotiations to acquire additional stores. They hope to build more sites in Indiana once the dust has settled on their acquisition there, and to find other markets where they can spread the bold yellow ZIPS banner further. “In my mind, we have a long way to go [in developing ZIPS locations],” Hawkins says. “Allan asks me all the time how far I think we can go, and I answer like Buzz Lightyear – ‘To infinity and beyond.’” The pace and fervor of their expansion
Allan Boomer, Tiffany’s business partner (Managing Partner of Momentum Advisors/Franchisee of ZIPS and Retro Fitness); Lorie Webber, Manager of Allan and Tiffany’s ZIPS store in Bowie, Md.; Tiffany; and Gina Sanderson, General Manager of their overall operation. This photo was taken at the ZIPS Annual Franchisee Meeting in December 2021, at which Allan and Tiffany’s company won the Trailblazer Award for a second time.
efforts with ZIPS earned Hawkins and Boomer their second Trailblazer Award at the company’s Annual Franchisee Meeting in December, honoring their innovation and creativity in pursuing growth. It also attracted an invitation to join the ZIPS Franchise Advisory Council, which Hawkins eagerly accepted, determined to have a voice in where the garment care industry is heading and how the 70-unit, nationwide brand can best capitalize on that trajectory. “I can see ZIPSs becoming a household name,” she explains. “There’s a lot of land mass that doesn’t know ZIPS yet and I really feel like it’s my personal mission to be part of the brand’s growth throughout this country.” It’s not simply the fact that she and Boomer are amassing so many stores that makes Hawkins a standout among her fellow franchisees. It’s also the performance of their locations. Their first ZIPS store in Waldorf became one of the chain’s strongest locations nearly within its first year. The second, located in Bowie, Md., remains the location to which trainees are typically sent and at which prospective franchisees are given a behind-the-scenes tour. “Tiffany is an ideal franchisee,” notes ZIPS President/CEO Bob Barry. “She sees the benefit of scaling the business. She believes in our system and holds her team accountable to following it. She understands the value of her employees and takes good care of them, just as she understands the importance of taking good care of the customer. She always has a very positive attitude and is willing to take on challenges. I consider her a true partner in our efforts to and make our brand successful.” While Boomer oversees overall revenue for the stores and ensures investor money is available when needed for new deals, Hawkins handles day-to-day responsibilities, partnering with her general manager, Gina Sanderson, to keep things running smoothly. Together Hawkins and Sanderson hire and evaluate staff, tweak expenses, manage vendor relationships, maintain equipment, deal with customer claims, explore opportunities for growth
and generally make sure the business process is moving forward at a steady clip. Though she beams an engaging smile, Hawkins describes herself as a “bad cop,” the one who doesn’t pull punches and pushes hard to get a desired result. “My strongest characteristics are I’m a very strong leader and extremely strategic. That’s who I am, to a fault at times,” she says. “It’s hard for me to just let things happen. I always see the bigger picture and make decisions that focus on the bigger picture. Everything that happens in our stores is intentional. People may look at us and say, ‘You guys are lucky; you have the biggest store.’ That’s not luck – it’s very intentional.” In her past, Hawkins has worked as a media planner, a fashion columnist and features writer, held multiple jobs in marketing and public relations and several other positions in event planning and production. She spent three years as a senior account planning director running CIROC Ultra Premium Vodka and a variety of other brands owned by mogul Sean Combs. Through it all she gained a great appreciation for the power of the brand and for attracting, developing, motivating and empowering people who share your passion for cultivating and protecting it. “Since Day 1, even when we just had one or two stores, we were always developing our teams,” Hawkins says, noting that she and Boomer bought Sanderson, a strong performer for them at their Retro Fitness location, with them when they joined
the ZIPS family, going through training together and establishing her as a partner in the stores. “We continuously recognize people within our system who are capable of doing more and groom and train them so they’re available as we continue to grow. How we treat our employees is extremely important to us. We have really low turnover, especially with the back of the house. We make sure everyone always feel appreciated. We hear ‘Thank you’ regularly. That culture takes a lot of time and effort to build.” Her desire to help others achieve their true potential surpasses her efforts to keep employees motivated and with her organization for the long haul. It even extends beyond the work she and Boomer do with clients seeking a franchise of her own. Hawkins is committed to making the franchise sector more welcoming to and supportive of women, whom she sees as having a true and under-appreciated advantage in being business leaders. “I would like to see franchises market to get more women in the system as owner-operators,” she says. “I don’t’ think there’s an intentional thought around it. I genuinely believe that women are better leaders and so franchises that want to see real growth and success should make more of an effort to attract women. That includes providing a particular level of support, efforts to help them get open, extra financial incentives. There have been formal efforts on behalf of helping professional athletes get into franchises. I’d like to see the same thing for women.” Franchising MAGAZINE USA 31
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FEATURE ACTICLE: Chris Conner | Founder | Franchise Marketing Systems
Women Owned Franchise Systems
Chris Conner has worked in the franchise development industry for almost 20 years and helped over 600 brands franchise their brand and develop franchise distribution channels. He founded Franchise Marketing Systems in 2009, which now includes a team of 27 franchise consultants based in and Canada and supports brands around the world to grow and scale through franchise expansion. Visit www.fmsfranchise.com for more information
The undeniable growth and expansion in women owned businesses around the United States and the world is underway and some of the statistics both in franchising and in small business ownership. This rising tide for female business ownership is both a very good thing for our overall economy as this demographic has historically been a much lower percentage of the business market which means growth and opportunity for women and also growth for the entire economy with new ideas, new perspective and new business initiatives from female owned firms. First, let’s get an idea of the scope of overall growth in women owned businesses, the numbers are exciting and staggering in some cases. According to Fundera, 12.3 Million U.S. businesses are owned by women entrepreneurs and generate in excess of $1.8 Trillion in revenues. During 2020, the women started 1,821 new businesses EVERY DAY! What’s even more fantastic is that of the new businesses started, 64% of them were owned by women of color in 2020. In the ten years between 1997 and 32 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
Some of the franchise “ industry’s biggest brands and most established franchise systems have been developed by women owned franchisors.
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percent from a decade prior. Stunning growth and a market segment that has pushed many franchise brands to shift their marketing and recruitment efforts to not only include women, but to focus on targeting women franchise owners. This transition has also helped support the growth in many traditionally womenoriented businesses now entering the franchise market and seeing opportunities to scale their brand through franchising. 2007, women owned businesses created over 500,000 new jobs and opportunities for employment. With all this growth and expansion in the overall business market for women, the growth in women owned franchises and franchise brands should be no surprise. Now, let’s look at the franchise industry and the impact women have had on the franchise market specifically. Women have created opportunities, defined market segments and paved the way for entire markets through the franchise business model. Let’s point to a few specific brands and businesses which are led by strong, innovative women business leaders. Some of the bigger brands include The Bundt Shoppe, which was founded by Ms. Amina Ahmed, which is a unique and high margin retail baked goods franchise brand based in the Colorado market. The business model is beginning to grow quickly in Colorado and surrounding markets. Kika Stretch is a fantastic example of women owned franchise systems doing exceptionally well in part because of the female perspective and creative energy supplied by Kika DuBose Wise. This
brand has opened almost thirty stretch studios from their New Jersey headquarters to sunny California markets and has defined a entirely new market segment under her leadership. Taria Ramos, the founder of Inspired Cravings, a fantastic Vegan Bakery model is beginning to develop the franchise system from the Virginia Headquarters to throughout the Mid-Atlantic markets and throughout the Southeastern U.S. Ms. Ramos saw a need and a significant market segment that needed representation in a vegan baked goods brand that customers could trust and enjoy, so she took the first steps and launched Inspired Cravings. Some of the franchise industry’s biggest brands and most established franchise systems have been developed by women owned franchisors, but the increasing trend of franchises being owned by women is also undeniable and proving to be one of the richest opportunities for growing franchise brands. According to the Wall Street Journal, by 2019, women owned over 265,000 franchise businesses in the United States which comprises over 35 percent of all franchises, this is an increase of 24
Women have created opportunities, defined market “ segments and paved the way for entire markets through the franchise business model. ”
Fetewell Events, an event venue services franchise has been developed by Ms. Kate Ansari, a influential and fantastically creative entrepreneur in the Washington D.C. area markets. The model is beginning to franchise throughout the region and expand into the Mid-Atlantic markets. The Meta Frequency Franchise, a healing and wellness franchise founded by Lysa Bozel has created a business model selling crystals and personal development services was launched in the last year from the Tampa, Florida market. Kemskin Beauty is a beauty services brand founded by Ms. Natiya Hood which offers a wide range of skincare, waxing and beauty services which was brought to market recently and offers a fantastic beauty services franchise. Harlem Zen, a beauty services brand focused on women of color was franchised in 2019 by Ms. Angela McTair in Atlanta. The brand was innovative, the first of it’s kind to offer services specifically tailored to women in this demographic and has been enormously well received in a very short time period. All of these franchise systems and more, are part of this fantastic growth in female owned franchise growth. Today, more than ever in history, women are a force in the business community and the impact they have is growing every day. If you are franchising your business, you cannot ignore the opportunity to make your franchise appealing and welcoming to women owned franchise brands. Franchising MAGAZINE USA 33
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HAVE YOUR SAY: Katie Kool | CEO of Tide Cleaners
From Intern to
CEO of Tide Cleaners Katie Kool, a mother, wife, daughter, friend, mentor, and CEO of Tide Cleaners. Katie is a woman who wears many hats, both personally and professionally. A native Midwesterner, she’s maintained a steadfast career with Proctor & Gamble after taking a leap with a summer internship. When she isn’t dedicating herself to growing Tide Cleaners, she’s the proud finance director of a Haitian nonprofit that has given hundreds of schoolchildren a brighter future and provides clean water to their community. With more than 25 years at Proctor & Gamble, Katie Kool, CEO of Tide Cleaners, has proven herself a proactive leader and visionary gamechanger. Katie has surprised even herself with her long and abundant career that started with an internship. With a double major in psychology and economics, she decided to pursue her MBA at Washington University in St. Louis. During that time, she began an internship with Proctor & Gamble in finance and accounting. From there, her prosperous, life-long career began. “At P&G, they pushed me to be a master in finance and accounting,” said Katie, “But that wasn’t all. I became exposed to every aspect of the business. I’d work on the floor with producers. I’d work with sales and learn firsthand about our customers. I had the opportunity to work in marketing and research and so much more. I never stopped learning.” Rising rapidly in ranks, Katie advanced from her summer internship into positions like Laundry Financial Analysis Director, America’s General Ledger, Affiliates Senior Director, Global Operations Sales
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Finance Director, and Investor Relations Vice President. Now the current CEO, it’s safe to say Katie has worn many hats in this industry-leading company. Her influence is undeniable. What started as only 35 Tide Cleaners locations when Katie joined the team has now skyrocketed to 187 stores, 16 cities with locker dropoff locations, a presence on 27 college campuses, and is only growing.
Adjusting and Growing in the Face of Challenges The dry-cleaning industry is making strides after being stressed by the COVID19 pandemic. While working to navigate the effects that the virus had on the world, Katie and her team decided to reinvent and rejuvenate dry-cleaning by leaning heavily into seeing how technology could help the customers they serve. “ ’Life, not Laundry’ was born because we recognize everyone needs clean clothes, but everyone is also hungry for convenience,” says Katie. “We believe that through technology and excellent service we’ve created a solid foundation built to thrive.” Throughout Katie’s extraordinary career, she has made it her mission to turn Tide Cleaners into the nation’s leading ondemand dry cleaning and laundry service franchise. Even before COVID-19, Tide was brimming with ideas of contactless features to benefit customers’ convenience. Just one of their many services that were ahead of the curve is the wash-and-fold option. The service gives people their valuable time back to spend with their families and friends. Customers can drop off their dirty laundry and pick it up with their belongings washed and ready to be put away. With services like this one, Tide Cleaners is changing how they interact with their customers’ daily lives.
Life, not Laundry’ was born because we “ recognize everyone needs clean clothes, but everyone is also hungry for convenience. ” “Our intention is to make the act of drycleaning easy. We want to make the act of cleaning clothes an easy one,” said Katie. “It’s why we offer drive-thru and drop-off lockers. There’s no reason for the drycleaning experience to be stressful. Our ultimate goal is to provide our guests with simplicity, directness, and quality.” Tide Cleaners is a brick-and-mortar dry cleaning and laundry facility based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Tide, in partnership with Agile Pursuits Franchising Inc., a subsidiary of Proctor & Gamble, opened its first Tide Cleaners location in 2008. Some things that set Tide apart from the rest are 24-hour access to drop off and pick up clothes, valet service at your car door for your convenience, and all the proprietary processes and products that make Tide Cleaners the most trusted name in the cleaning industry.
Becoming a Great Leader Katie is a firm believer that the best leaders are the ones who understand how the company works from the ground up. There’s a difference between reading a job description and having a fundamental understanding of how things work via experience. Katie prides herself on being a “learner.” For an industry that’s been around a long time, it’s important that she not get caught up in the mastery and mundane of the business. She makes it a priority to constantly challenge herself and the status quo. “It’s important to not be a ‘knower’ in the industry, but to always be learning,” said Katie. “To me, when you really listen and hear what your employees are telling you, it’s when you can create solutions that really work and that leads to a greater chance of thriving.” In her professional life, Katie says Tide Cleaners is her greatest success. She takes a lot of pride in being able to watch the company grow. Katie acknowledges that
she, and her team, built Tide Cleaners on the shoulders of giants and always understood the standard that was set. However, with methodical growth, Katie is incredibly proud of her company and the leaps it has grown. In her personal life, Katie is most proud of being a finance director for a nonprofit. Aside from being a mother, Katie considers being a part of building a school for more than 300 children in Haiti one of her greatest accomplishments. Not only did they build an entire school that serves pre-k to 9th grade, but they also provide the town’s water supply. Because of Katie and her husband’s hard work, they’ve created a future for hundreds of children and provided a safe place for community members to gather.
Honoring Those That Have Made an Impact Something that sets Tide Cleaners apart from other companies is their intention to promote women in leadership. Katie is honored and humbled to work alongside thought-provoking and empowering women. Ashley Battle is the current COO of the company, while Megan Colvin is the CFO. Both are committed to growing the company and excited to watch it prosper under Katie’s leadership. Personally, Katie has many role models that have helped mold her into the boss she is today. Three who have given her constant inspiration come to the front of her mind; her dad, her partner in Haiti, and her mentor at Proctor & Gamble. Her dad has shown her all her life how to always do what’s right. Her partner in Haiti, Gabirlle Arel, helps to inspire her with her work ethic and dedication, and her mentor Terry Listoll, has been a mentor towards her since her first assignment at P&G. Katie says Terry often displayed more faith in her than she did herself. As an agent of change, Katie Kool brings creative business thinking into her organization, which attracts great people to her team. Katie makes it her mission to ensure a safe, accountable, and supportive atmosphere that aims to benefit every aspect of business and growth, no matter if you’re an employee or a potential Franchising MAGAZINE USA 35
WO M EN I N FR A NCH I S I N G fe at u r e
expert advice: Dominique Laroche | Owner of Play It Again Sports | Cornwall, Ontario
Women in Franchising: 3 Tips for Turning a Passion into a Successful Career There is an old saying that if you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life. Fueling your passions can be a great way to finding a potential career and identify new industries. Dominique Laroche started playing hockey at the age of eight and continued to play in youth hockey leagues throughout her childhood. She then went on to play on the National Women’s Hockey League for the Ottawa Raiders and the Quebec Avalanche. During this time, she was also working part-time for her father at Play It Again Sports®, a resale franchise that sells quality used sports and fitness equipment. After five years of playing professional hockey, Laroche retired after receiving a career-ending knee injury and began working at her family’s Play It Again Sports location full-time. After her father retired in 2013, Laroche embarked on her next journey – entrepreneurship, becoming the new owner and manager of Play It Again Sports. Providing local athletes access to quality used and affordable sporting equipment, she is a hero in her community. As a former athlete herself, she recognizes that accessible and inexpensive gear determines if a child is able to pursue their passion or not. Using her passion of sports to pave her career path, Dominique has some tips for entrepreneurs who want to turn their passions into a lifetime career.
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Reflect and Explore your Passions Sports had always played a huge part in Laroche’s life. She loved how participating in sports made her feel, and wanted to provide that same feeling for kids in her community. When it was time to exit the professional hockey world, she followed her heart and knew that her passion for sports would be fulfilled in a new way, working with her father at Play It Again Sports.
Whether you are just starting your career “ or looking for a change, it can help to look at activities and hobbies that bring you joy and excitement.
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Whether you are just starting your career or looking for a change, it can help to look at activities and hobbies that bring you joy and excitement. Identifying these interests can help you explore new industries and jobs that you may not have considered before. If you enjoy reading, consider opening a used book store, becoming a writer or librarian. When you start to think like this, the options are endless and can create a huge list of careers you can then start to research.
Utilize your Expertise and Knowledge Paving a career path around your passions can utilize your experience and knowledge of the industry. It’s important to know a lot about the industry you are trying to enter. Instead of starting from scratch, try building off of that list of hobbies or interests you have created and start to note the industries you know a lot about. When you have prior knowledge, it can help make the transition more effortless and can set you up for success. Owning and managing a sporting goods store that buys and sells quality used sporting equipment means that Laroche uses her experience and knowledge daily. Whether it’s helping a child find the best hockey stick for their skill level or pricing equipment lower than industry standards, Laroche is utilizing her vast experience from years of playing sports. Though not a requirement for success, all of Laroche’s employees are athletes. She has seen how important that experience can be when giving guidance and selling products to customers.
Apply Past Skills to New Opportunities What’s great about learning new skills is that they can be utilized in many different ways. Playing hockey throughout her childhood helped Laroche develop a strong work ethic, leadership skills, and the ability to work as a teammate. When transitioning to her new career at Play It Again Sports, she applied all of these skills to this new role. Laroche liked being a leader and captain on her hockey team, which motivated her to use these valuable skills when it came to taking over her father’s store and becoming a successful business owner. Identify your hard and soft skills, and look at where else they can be applied in both your professional and personal life. Having a hobby of painting or crafting can teach patience, detail-orientation, and creativeness. All of these skills can be transferred into your career and can help
you recognize what jobs may be a good fit for your personality. The key to any success is being able to recognize your strengths and opportunities and build off them. At the end of the day, everyone wants to have a job that they love. So, it’s important to take the time to research and find what opportunities would be the best fit for you. Everyone is different, and you need to find a career that will utilize your skills to make sure you are set up for success. Finding a career based on your passions is a great way to do this. Play it Again Sports® is just one of many franchising opportunities that Winmark – the Resale Company® offers, their other brands include Once Upon A Child®, Plato’s Closet®, Music Go Round®, and Style Encore®. If you are interested in learning more about franchise opportunities with Winmark you can visit winmarkfranchises.com. Franchising MAGAZINE USA 37
WO M EN I N FR A NCH I S I N G fe at u r e
Q&A: Kim Gubera
Q&A
with Kim Gubera of Pirtek USA Kim Gubera – CEO and President of PIRTEK USA Kim Gubera is one of the very few female CEOs in the global hydraulics industry and she has successfully led PIRTEK USA, a B2B onsite and retail hydraulic hose service business, not only through a global pandemic but also to the third fastest-growing franchise based on unit percentage. 38 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
When the pandemic hit, PIRTEK USA’s services were quickly declared as essential, but the company didn’t allow this to slow down efforts to reach out to clients and offer additional customer service. Instead, they accelerated their outreach
using technology upgrades, increased their
support to franchisees, supplied on-site and curb-side-pickups, and even went as far
as moving staff and customer interaction
under tents outside their brick-and-mortar stores. Gubera’s leadership during the pandemic is linked to her personal perseverance. She grew up in a low-income, single-parent household. It took her 9 years to finish her education while taking care of her child. Starting in finance, she didn’t expect to find herself in a franchising role – yet now she harnesses her strength and work ethic as the CEO of a hydraulic hose franchise. Today she has helped PIRTEK USA surpassed their goals for 2021 despite COVID.
What is your advice for women seeking mentors for professional growth? In most cases, you need to ask. Ask those whose business knowledge and/or leadership styles that you admire for help. That is not always the easiest thing to do but you can’t expect others to just choose you as a mentee. I would not recommend that women only seek out women mentors necessarily. It’s more about how much that mentor can contribute to your career growth rather than their gender. And then, be prepared to do the work. Most of the responsibility will fall to you to ask when you need their input, to arrange meetings, and then, of course, you must be willing to do the work they suggest. That work might mean more education/learning, exercising more flexibility, more introspection, change… none of these things are easy. The final thing would be to change mentors if conditions warrant. People change and you may outgrow a mentor, or they may move on to do other things. Maybe they
I feel like what has primarily led me to where I am is that I “ work hard, and I have high standards. I will outwork everyone, and the quality of my work will be of the highest quality… always, consistently.
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have contributed all to you that they can. Make sure you both are evaluating how the arrangement is working for each of you. In a perfect scenario, it is a reciprocal relationship where both parties are learning from each other.
Can you share some of your experiences that help you reach the top of your organization? I feel like what has primarily led me to where I am is that I work hard, and I have high standards. I will outwork everyone, and the quality of my work will be of the highest quality…always, consistently. This is not out of a competitive spirit but rather just my philosophy of giving my best to everything I do. Another factor that has helped me get to where I am today is based on some advice I received about seven years ago.
That advice was to ‘find my voice’. Even though I am a very opinionated person, something always held me back from speaking up about 90% of the time. Some of that could be my personality, some of it might be cultural norms. About six years ago, however, I decided that I had to use my voice and share my opinions. I did have a lot to contribute. I had education, I had experience, and I had years of progressive growth in business. Wasn’t it my responsibility to the organization or to my teammates to share that? By looking at it from that perspective, I started speaking up and the results were astonishing to me… in a good way. Finally, I am very focused on staying relevant and improving. I want to keep growing and evolving. I keep in close touch with my mentors, and I really LISTEN to what they tell me. I continue to work on ‘me’. Stay relevant and stay engaged! Franchising MAGAZINE USA 39
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snapshot: Christina Porter | Owner | Mayweather Boxing + Fitness in Pflugerville, Texas
This Business Owner Uses
Boxing to Celebrate and Inspire Women I feel so proud to be part of the Mayweather Boxing + Fitness franchise family. Having the opportunity to work in a category I am passionate about like fitness is a dream come true itself, but working for a company that cares so much about their franchise partners and members like Mayweather Boxing + Fitness makes me feel like I have hit the ultimate jackpot. For me, the most important thing about being a female franchisee is ensuring that I am giving back to the community that has given so much to me, and especially taking the time to lift up the other women within it. I knew that Mayweather Boxing + Fitness was the right fit for me when they stressed how important giving back to the community is to their brand because it completely aligns with my mission to help connect women with each other to make the world a better place. Through this unique group boxing fitness concept, I have the chance to build a community of strong women who will help each other succeed and encourage everyone to achieve their health and wellness goals. My entire career in the fitness industry has revolved around celebrating the accomplishments of other women and setting an example for my two young daughters. As a mother, I want my children to exhibit courage, strength, a good work ethic, and a have positive outlook on life, so I must show them how to do so by doing all of those things myself. My daughters are my daily reminder that being a great leader takes patience, perseverance, and a true love for those you lead, and I try my best every day to make sure that I live and breathe those qualities. I am so proud of the success I have achieved as a woman in maledominated spaces like fitness and franchising. While I have been employed as a Federal Investigator with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives for the past 19 years, I have also been able to pursue my passions for fitness and traveling. From playing basketball and volleyball competitively since the age of six, to now competing in national fitness challenges such as Cross Fit challenges and obstacle races, I have been an athlete for nearly my entire life and it has truly helped shape me into the person that I am today. I feel so blessed that I can use the skills that I have gained throughout my whole life as well as being a certified personal trainer and apply them to my role as a Mayweather Boxing + Fitness franchisee to make a positive difference in other women’s lives.
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Christina Porter – Owner of Mayweather Boxing + Fitness in Pflugerville, Texas
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My entire career in the fitness industry has revolved around celebrating the accomplishments of other women and setting an example for my two young daughters. As a mother, I want my children to exhibit courage, strength, a good work ethic.
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My advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs, especially those who are looking to get into the fitness industry, is to go after your goals. As long as you are passionate about what you are doing, you can make anything happen. We are often our biggest critics, so being confident in yourself and your business is the ultimate key to success. Do not be discouraged by the industry standards or be afraid to dream big and chase hard. All the necessary work you put into your business is what you get out of it so make it count.
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expert advice: Teresa Wanderstadt | Owner | SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service of Davis, CA
Women in Franchising:
Four Tips for Being Successful in a Male-Dominated Industry Being a female entrepreneur has become more widely accepted and pursued, but it can still be intimidating entering a male-dominated industry.
Remember that passion alone is not enough. You have to prioritize an understanding of the business – from competence in team management, finances, operations, and marketing while also placing immense value on exceptional customer service.
Trades like automotive, construction, and manufacturing are typically owned and worked in by men. But just because an industry is coined “male-dominated” doesn’t mean that women can’t thrive in that field. In fact, there are currently thousands of women who are successful in these industries and are inspiring future women entrepreneurs.
to success. Learn from their mistakes and successes, so you can minimize the former and maximize the latter. Mentors have taken this path before and bring knowledge and experience to help you move forward and make smarter business decisions. They’ll also help you stay accountable and inspire you to achieve your goals.
The below tips are to help inspire women entrepreneurs to take on opportunities in male-dominated industries.
Do your Research and 1 Grow your Industry Knowledge When entering a new industry, whether in a new position or business, it is important to do your research. Learning about industry terminology, details on products and services, the different positions within the company, and the technology used to service clients, can help set you on the right track quickly. This research will help you build a deeper knowledge of the ins and outs of the industry you are considering entering into and help you build the confidence needed to thrive. You can also try to connect with leaders who work in the trades you are interested in. This is a great way to speak with someone working in the field and possibly find a mentor. Having someone to learn from and bounce ideas off of is paramount 42 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
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During her 11 years as cashier and manager, Wanderstadt had the opportunity to learn about all of the services and roles at SpeeDee as she progressed through the ranks. Her job also gave her the chance to create long lasting relationships with team members and customers. When she did become the owner in 2006, she felt confident and prepared because of all her past experiences and ongoing commitment to learning.
2
Create a Name for Yourself
You might not be automatically respected in a male-dominated industry, but there is a way to earn it. By being knowledgeable about your business and excelling in customer service, you can win over any skeptic and start to make a name for yourself. Remember that passion alone is not enough. You have to prioritize an understanding of the business – from competence in team management, finances, operations, and marketing while also
placing immense value on exceptional customer service. When Wanderstadt first stepped into the management position, she received some pushback from customers who struggled to respect her as the manager. As she continued to prove her industry knowledge and great customer service, she began to see customers and her staff respect her, and not question her expertise. She worked hard to create great relationships with her customers and now most of her referrals come in asking for her by name. Though it may be a challenging start, the more your business begins to grow and succeed, the more respect you will receive.
Involved in Your 3Get Community
In a world that is filled with corporate chain stores, people love to see small businesses do well. The more they see your small business included in the community, the more likely they are to support it. To create a long-lasting business in any industry, it is important to get involved in the community surrounding your business. This could be sponsoring the local kids’ baseball team, hosting a charity donation or drive, wearing your business logo proudly on a shirt around town, or setting up a booth at the summer carnival. There are tons of ways to get involved in
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Running a business by yourself can be challenging, and that is why it’s important to build a support system that you can trust and lean on. Franchising makes that part easy with the built-in support system of industry veterans ready to help with anything.
Teresa Wanderstadt started working at SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service® of Davis, California in 1995. She worked her way up in the company from cashier, to manager, and then, when the past owner decided to retire in 2006, she bought the franchise. Now, 15 years later, Wanderstadt credits her success and longevity in the automotive aftermarket industry to her willingness to adapt and learn. To learn more about SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service franchise opportunities, you can visit https://speedeeoilfranchise.com.
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your community and it only takes a little creativity and effort. This is the true key to outlasting big chain stores that don’t make an effort to get to know the community they serve, and win the support of locals.
4
Utilize your Support System
Running a business by yourself can be challenging, and that is why it’s important to build a support system that you can trust and lean on. Franchising makes that part easy with the built-in support system
of industry veterans ready to help with anything.
Though the automotive industry and many
Wanderstadt credits a lot of her success to the great support system SpeeDee has given her throughout her years as a franchisee. With great franchisee support and training programs through FullSpeed University, an online training platform that has over 250 classes and certification courses, she has an endless supply of resources to help train her staff and run a successful business.
to grow with more female entrepreneurs,
male-dominated trades are continuing there is still a lot of change that needs
to come. That will only happen if more
women take the risk to join these industries and change the stigma. Women can truly do anything they set out to do, and it is
leaders in the industry like Wanderstadt who will inspire a future generation of entrepreneurial women.
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snapshot: Sara Verhey McSpedon | Owner | Mayweather Boxing + Fitness locations in Chicago, Illinois
This Boxer and Business Owner Found Her
Perfect Franchise Match Prior to opening my Mayweather Boxing + Fitness location, I spent 11 years working as a partner in a family business called Pops for Champagne, which is the nation’s most acclaimed champagne bar and Chicago’s most elegant nightclub. After selling that business to new owners in 2018, I took some time off to travel before realizing it was the right time for me to do something where I could make a positive impact in my community by introducing them to a new side of group fitness.
I want to let women across the country “ know that franchising is an amazing opportunity to open your own business and make your dreams come true while having the support of an experienced team to guide you every step of the way.
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Sara Verhey McSpedon – Owner of the Mayweather Boxing + Fitness locations in Chicago, Illinois
Being a business owner and training boxer, I am no stranger to entering male-dominated spaces and helping to pave the way for other aspiring female entrepreneurs. Becoming a Mayweather Boxing + Fitness franchisee was the next logical step in my entrepreneurship journey, since it allows me to make a living out of my passion for fitness. This unique opportunity has also given me the chance to build and strengthen a community of people who are looking to achieve their health and wellness goals in an exciting and innovative way like group boxing, making it the perfect fit for my next business venture. 44 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
Mayweather Boxing + Fitness is unlike any other group boxing fitness concept I have seen. Before I discovered the brand, I was boxing at other facilities and fell in love with the physical transformation I was experiencing, so I actually began to write a business plan for a small boutique gym complete with classes that included elements of strength, cardio, and boxing circuit. Once I came across Mayweather Boxing + Fitness, I was blown away by the fact that everything they offer is exactly what I was hoping to create. After doing some more research, I made a trip out to Los Angeles to meet with the corporate team to further discuss how I could join the Mayweather family and transform my dream into a reality. I am so proud to say that I was granted the exclusive rights to open Mayweather Boxing + Fitness studios in Chicago, with plans to open at least five in the city and suburbs. It is my goal to provide a space for individuals of all different fitness levels to get healthy in the body and mind and have a blast while doing it. I want to let women across the country know that franchising is an amazing opportunity to open your own business and make your dreams come true while having the support of an experienced team to guide you every step of the way. I am incredibly grateful to the Mayweather Boxing + Fitness team for trusting me to represent their brand and to carry on uniting communities through a shared love of boxing and desire to improve their health and wellness. Boxing is more than a sport and I am committed to helping everyone become the best version of themselves through it. It is a fitness experience not just for professionals and although it may be male-dominated like franchising, there is plenty of room for more women to break into both industries.
The public and policymakers need to understand franchising. Our purpose
@OurFranchise is an industry-wide campaign created to spread the word about the value of franchising and share the stories of men and women just like you, who are leading the way as franchisors, franchisees, and franchise employees. The franchise business model has been proven time and time again to work, but it’s threatened when the public and politicians don’t understand how it operates to benefit local, independent franchise establishment owners and their communities. Putting a spotlight on real leaders succeeding with the franchise model is how we’ll ensure franchising is stronger than ever before.
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Since our launch in June 2016, we’ve reached 1.7 million people through outreach efforts, including events in key cities and states, where we spoke directly with business owners, employees, policymakers, and the media. Additionally, we’ve reached people across America through our website and social media channels, digital advertisements, and the promotion of We the Franchisees on Politico – but there is much more work to do. As a franchisor, franchisee, or franchise vendor, you are a leader in your community – and we need your support, now more than ever.
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By joining @OurFranchise, you’ll get access to exclusive stories and resources that can help grow your franchise business, educate employees at all levels about the franchise business model, and share the economic importance of franchising with consumers. You will also have the opportunity to share your franchise success story with your peers.
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This is just the beginning
Make sure you stay up to date with the campaign’s latest efforts through email updates and social media. Visit our website to read and share the latest stories of franchisors and franchisees making an impact in their communities. Become a franchise advocate to help ensure Americans, now and in the future, have the opportunity to start franchise businesses. Take the lead today!
Visit AtOurFranchise.org Contact Erica Farage, Senior Director of Political Affairs and Grassroots Advocacy and Multi-Unit Franchisee Engagement International Franchise Association efarage@franchise.org (202) 662-0760 Franchising MAGAZINE USA 45
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focus: Chantelle Harder | Franchisee | Multi-Unit Plato’s Closet and Once Upon A Child
Female Franchise Owner Shares Tips for Giving Your Business a Refresh – How to Pick Yourself Back Up After Failure
Your employees are your biggest “ cheerleaders. When it comes to hiring, hire those you see potential in to develop both personally and professionally alongside your business.
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Even when you put your heart and soul in to something, things don’t always turn out how you planned. Finding the motivation to pick yourself back up and try again is not always easy, but it can be very rewarding in the long run, especially in business. Chantelle Harder, multi-unit franchisee of Winmark – the Resale Company®, hit a wall early on in her career. In the early 2000s, Chantelle, her then-husband and his colleague formed one of the first companies to sell life-saving prescriptions online to U.S.-based customers. They were so successful that in 2005, Chantelle sold both of their shares to their business partner and in 2007 she remarried and grew her family to include four kids. By 2009, Chantelle was ready to go back to work – but only for the right company. After experiencing the freedom of owning her own business, she was looking for 46 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
something that fit her new lifestyle. That was when she discovered Winmark Corporation®, North America’s leading franchisor of the sustainable resale brands Plato’s Closet®, Once Upon A Child®, Play It Again Sports®, Style Encore® and Music Go Round®. As a parent herself, Chantelle was instantly drawn to Once Upon A Child’s resale concept of gently used children’s clothing and accessories. She recognized how desirable of a resource a store like this was in her community and knew local families would embrace it. As perfect of a fit this venture was, Chantelle still had challenges. She experienced a tough first year in business – working 80-hour weeks and losing sales. Despite this downfall in her plan, Chantelle eventually found the right support system through both her employees and Winmark Corporation. When starting a business, don’t expect for it to be an instant success, you have to learn the ins and outs while giving your customers time to learn about you and your company. Eventually, she was able
to overcome her struggles and open two Plato’s Closet locations and an additional Once Upon A Child location – becoming a community staple. Living by her mantra of “Asking for help isn’t a sign a weakness, but a sign of strength,” Chantelle has some tips for other entrepreneurs who may find themselves in the same situation she once was.
Hire Employees That You Can Grow With & Will Help Grow Your Brand Your employees are your biggest cheerleaders. When it comes to hiring, hire those you see potential in to develop both personally and professionally alongside your business. Chantelle loves to take dedicated workers, many of whom are just starting their career, under her wing and give them the skills they need to eventually rise to management level. One of the most successful steps in growing her business has been the utilization of social media, which is key for reaching her target audience of Plato’s Closet, and
her employees are perfect to entrust with social media responsibilities. Chantelle’s employees are able to interact with customers by posting some of the pieces they have for sale, feature their loyal customers, etc, keeping guests interested and coming through the door.
Bring the Mission Back to the Forefront of Your Business When times are tough, remember why you started to begin with. Choosing to pursue something you are passionate about makes business operations much easier. However, it is equally important to ensure your employees and customers also feel that passion. When your employees stand behind the mission of the business with you, they are able to fulfill it wholly. Similarly, customers should also see and feel that impact when they walk into your store. As a mother herself, Chantelle fell in love with Winmark’s resale concepts and knew they would be a great resource for other families in her community. She has even
partnered with local facilities and agencies to provide clothing and supplies to families in need.
Seek Support from Others Franchising gives new business owners more support than being an independent small business owner. Independent businesses may be able to get the support of the local chamber of commerce and community, but it’s not at the same level as franchisor support. Under Winmark’s franchise model, Chantelle received indepth training and assistance from the second she was awarded her franchise, and still receives that support years later. She was able to meet other franchisees, learn which brand she wanted to branch out to, and ask for help from others who were once in her shoes. “It was comforting when I was starting with Winmark that I could take the time I needed to decide if it was the right fit for me,” Chantelle said. “I’ve always preferred a collaborative approach to own and run a business, and that’s what you get with a
franchise – it is incomparable to being an independent business owner.” The moral of the story is that it is okay to ask for help when you and your business are struggling. Reaching out for help is not a weakness, but an asset to any business owner because utilizing your resources to improve your business is vital to continued success. While the past two years have been challenging for many retail brands, Winmark’s resale brands Once Upon A Child®, Plato’s Closet®, Play It Again Sports®, Music Go Round® and Style Encore®, defied the odds and grew to meet the increasing demand for quality used, secondhand products. Winmark – the Resale Company® is a nationally recognized franchising business focused on sustainability and small business formation. To learn more about Winmark and its franchise opportunities, visit winmarkfranchises.com. Franchising MAGAZINE USA 47
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snapshot: Kerry Hamilton-Gannaway | Owner | Mayweather Boxing + Fitness in Melbourne, Florida
This Lifelong Fitness-Obsessed Business Owner Breaks Glass Ceilings with
Mayweather Boxing + Fitness
As fitness franchise concepts continue to become more inclusive and innovative, the number of women looking to enter the space is growing at a rapid pace. It can be intimidating to break into maledominated spaces like the fitness and franchising industries, but the Mayweather Boxing + Fitness corporate team make it easier by supporting us every step of the way and helping female franchisees shatter those glass ceilings. It is incredibly rewarding to see all of our hard work pay off when classes continue to fill up and our community grows stronger now that there is a place to come together and burn off some steam in a fun way.
As a franchisee, it is my job to ensure that “ each person who walks in the door knows that they will not only have a safe and fun outlet to release some of that stress, but they will also join a community of people with similar health and overall wellness goals.
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Kerry Hamilton-Gannaway: Owner of Mayweather Boxing + Fitness in Melbourne, Florida
I’ve been in the fitness industry for over 35 years and have worked in every aspect of it, but there is no concept quite like Mayweather Boxing + Fitness. Each studio is more than a place to come work out, it builds community, especially in a time like now where our stress levels and need for support are at an all-time high. As a franchisee, it is my job to ensure that each person who walks
in the door knows that they will not only have a safe and fun outlet to release some of that stress, but they will also join a community of people with similar health and overall wellness goals. 48 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
I have worked in nearly every aspect of the fitness industry for over 35 years, from personal training and group fitness instructor to roles that are more behind the scenes like sales and customer experience management. Owning a Mayweather Boxing + Fitness location is not my first professional experience with boxing, as another one of my past positions was being a Master Trainer for an international group boxing fitness platform called PILOXING and I did that for nine years before moving on. I also worked with a major boutique fitness franchise in management and as a head coach. Additionally, my husband and I own a fitness consulting company called The Masters Fitness as well as a podcast with the same name, so I have a very good understanding of what fitness franchise concepts need to succeed and I can confidently say that Mayweather Boxing + Fitness truly has it all. Being a woman in business, especially in an exploding category like the fitness industry, I strive to be a good role model for my three children, but also for other women who aspire to take a chance and pursue entrepreneurship in a male-dominated space. I believe that I am living proof that you can do anything your heart desires as long as you are willing to put in the work. I am so lucky to be living my dream of owning my own businesses that align with my passion for health and fitness. With this new step in my career, I want to give back to the community the best way I know how: by combining my prior business experience and fitness expertise to lift each other up and help others become the best and healthiest version of themselves.
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Next month our Special Feature on MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISING provides the perfect opportunity to showcase your Franchise. For advertising opportunities please contact Vikki Bradbury at: vikki@cgbpublishing.com Franchising MAGAZINE USA
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