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FranchisingFeature Home Services/ Home Based
SEPTEMBER 2016
Paul Davis Celebrates 50 YEARS of Restoration Services feature article
Home Services and Home Based Franchising
Franchising USA
H OME SERV ICES / H OME BASED FR A NCH ISI NG FE AT U RE
what’s new! ANDY OnCall® Connects Skilled Craftsmen with Homeowners ANDY OnCall® is a franchise run like a mom and pop business because let’s face it, that’s exactly what they are and they are proud of it. Unlike an impersonal franchise, the team provides you with all of the tools you need and the support you want in order to start and maintain a successful business. In a nutshell, ANDY OnCall® connects skilled craftsmen with homeowners
who are looking for someone reliable to do their home projects. The franchise operators qualify and manage handymen who complete small jobs/maintenance for local residential and commercial jobs. Once the franchisee finds the skilled craftsmen, who are independent contractors, they match their availability and skills with the demands of the customers. This means no employees, no inventory, and less hassle for you!
Franchisees are managing customers
and the craftsmen, they are not out there
swinging the hammer or doing the actual handyman work themselves.
If you’re not a handyman, don’t fret, if
you know business, understand the pieces of it, and if you can talk to customers
and manage the craftsmen, this franchise might be the perfect match for you. www.andyoncallfranchising.com
Dental Fix Rx Builds Corporate Team with New Chief Legal Officer and Director of Operations Dental Fix Rx, a fast-growing mobile dental equipment repair service franchise, has appointed Eric Masson to Chief Legal Officer and Tom Meiron as Director of Operations. Masson will be responsible for all in-house legal actions, such as reviewing contracts, managing relationships with various law firms, working with various state departments, etc. He is an accomplished and proven senior in-house counsel with demonstrated ability to analyze and advise on complicated issues. Masson brings with
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him 20 years’ experience working with the U.S. Coast Guard in operations, finance and various legal duties. Meiron will be responsible for enhancing company efficiencies and franchise operations. He is a dynamic and savvy operations and finance leader, with more than 25 years of experience as both a franchisee and a franchisor in franchise development, restaurant and hospitality management. His career includes PepsiCo, where he managed 40 Pizza Huts and opened 200-plus stores in six
months throughout Southern California. Additionally, he owned 60 Papa John’s Pizzas locations in Arizona and California and served as President of the Los Angeles Marketing Cooperative, responsible for marketing and operations for more than 115 Papa John’s Pizzas and filling the role of Franchise Operations Advisor for the Western U.S. Further franchise experience includes: Subway, Taco Cabana, Holiday Inn Hotels, Big Boy Restaurants and Marriott Hotels. www.dentalfixrx.com
FirstLight Home Care Achieves Second Consecutive Inc. 5000 Ranking “Earning our second Inc. 5000 ranking back to back is something we are extremely proud of,” said Bill McPherson, executive director of franchise development at FirstLight Home Care. “In the last three years, our company has grown by over 183 percent, and when you consider that we have only been franchising since 2010, that expansion is even more impressive.”
National home care franchise named one of the fastest growing private companies nationwide FirstLight Home Care a national provider of non-medical home care has recently received acknowledgement as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies for 2016. For the second year in a row, FirstLight Home Care Franchise has been recognized on Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 5000 list.
The recognition was announced on August 17 and FirstLight Home Care was listed at number 2036. This prestigious business accolade comes at a time where the company has grown to more than 134 locations in 31 states, and gross sales of more than $2.6 million in 2014 to over $3.9 million in 2015.
As a leading provider of non-medical, home care, FirstLight Home Care differs from other industry brands by offering assistance to a wide demographic of adults in need. Clients typically range from seniors to new mothers, veterans, adults with disabilities, and those who are recovering from illness, injury or surgery. Founded in 2009, the company began franchising in 2010 and has expanded to include 134 locations throughout 31 states. In addition to earning a 2015 Inc. 5000 ranking, FirstLight Home Care was honored at number 21 for all private businesses based in the Cincinnati metro area. www.firstlightfranchise.com
Mr. Appliance Celebrates 20th Anniversary Mr. Appliance, the nation’s appliance service leader, is celebrating its 20th anniversary as the nation’s appliance service leader. A record 52 new owners joined Mr. Appliance in 2015, and the brand serviced more than 62,000 customers. In addition, 2015 marked the brand’s 12th consecutive year of same store sales growth, reinforcing the company as a service industry leader. Today, Mr. Appliance has more than 220 locations throughout 47 states and Canada, making it North America’s leading home and commercial appliance repair franchise system. “The 20th anniversary marks an impressive milestone for our brand. The continued success of Mr. Appliance is a direct result of the hard work and dedication from our entire team, from the corporate office to each and every franchisee,” said Doug Rogers, president of Mr. Appliance. “While the brand has evolved over the past two decades, we have stayed true to our customer-centric roots and values that set us apart. As we take time to look back
at all of our accomplishments over the last 20 years, we also look to the future and what the next 20 years will hold – undoubtedly continuing to provide our customers with the same high-quality service they have come to expect.” www.mrappliance.com
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what’s new!
Entrepreneur Realizes Dream Of Business Ownership With Fresh Coat “Right off the bat, it clicked. The team at Fresh Coat has been instrumental in making my dream a reality,” said Tolmachov. “The support system in place makes all the difference. They’re incredibly responsive and have been with me every step of the way as I got my franchise off the ground.”
Business ownership has always been a part of the plan for Grygoriy Tolmachov. But he knew he didn’t want to launch an entirely new concept on his own. That’s why he decided to explore franchising while earning his MBA.
He came across Fresh Coat, the leading residential painting company in the
country. After learning about the brand’s services including residential and
commercial painting, wood staining and refinishing and wallpaper removal, he applied to open his own franchise.
Tolmachov officially opened for business this summer, and it’s already seeing success. He notes that consumers are taking note of the brand’s commitment to quality and appreciates Fresh Coat’s ability to provide accurate estimates ahead of a project. Fresh Coat currently boasts more than 120 successful units with many more territories available across the country. Initial investments for new franchisees typically range from $53,850 to $81,750, including a franchise fee. www.freshcoatfranchise.com
Global Franchise Opportunities Expands A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections and iHandyMan into Africa Global Franchise Opportunities, the system of internationally recognized, proven franchise concepts including A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections (ABCHI), iCare – Intelligent Home Care Solutions and iHandyMan, announced that ABCHI and iHandyMan will soon be available to homeowners seeking their services in Africa. The franchisor has signed eight master franchise agreements to significantly expand the two concepts in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Angola. Master franchisors in each country will lead the openings of several ABCHI and iHandyMan offices within their respective territories. “After intense market research and ongoing discussions with professionals in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Angola, we’ve identified a need for reliable home inspection and maintenance systems capable of tackling a range of home projects,” said
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Bill Redfern, founder, president and CEO of Global Franchise Opportunities. “We’ve been working tirelessly to emerge into Africa through master franchising in order to continue making the woes of inspecting and maintaining a local home or business a thing of the past.” ABCHI is Redfern’s first franchise concept and is the world’s fastest-growing home inspections business. iHandyMan is Redfern’s third franchise concept, which offers comprehensive services with specialized carpenters, electricians and plumbers. http://gfoonline.biz
Aire Serv Brand Refresh Garners Positive Response from Franchise Owners and Customers Last April, Aire Serv unveiled a brand refresh, including a new logo, marketing and website designed to break through the digital clutter, attract busy families and most importantly drive business growth. As a result of the new look and feel, the company garnered twice as many onlinegenerated leads for franchisees in just 11 days than the company received during the
entire month of April last year. “Given today’s ever-changing business landscape, brands are constantly looking for ways to move up the value chain and remain relevant to its customers’ preferences and values,” said Steve Truett, president of Aire Serv.
the needs of our customers. We couldn’t be more pleased with the positive response we’ve received from franchise owners and customers alike.” AireServ.com
“After nearly 25 years of brand heritage, we felt it was time for the brand to reflect where the company is heading based on
Caregivers: The Critical Ingredient franchisor to the industry is that is making significant in-roads and is “raising the bar” in non-medical in home care. Utilizing a highly selective Caregiver vetting process, and looking for personality, energy and the “caring gene” and matching personality and interests of the Client and Caregiver, SAFE HOMECARE is changing the complexion of the industry. Recognizing the vital role that Caregiver quality plays in the client relationship is essential to success. Without a reputation for providing well rounded care, not only technically, but emotional and intellectual care as well, an organization is likely to fall victim to the “warm body syndrome.” Predominantly, if not pervasively, the non-medical in-home care industry has been, and for that matter continues to be, characterized by what I call the “warm body syndrome.” Traditionally, the industry has recruited its Caregivers, with a nonchalance, almost irreverence, that considered the caregiver
to be simply one, static, “check the box” component necessary in arranging care for one of its clients. In other words, projecting the impression, if only by conduct, that as long as someone was “there” to help the client, the customer was “served.”
Make sure you communicate to your Caregivers that they are “where the rubber meets the road”, and that the entire team is depending upon them to fulfill their role by professionally carrying out their responsibilities as a compassionate, interactive Caregiver, always putting their client’s interests and well-being first.
Not so says SAFE HOMECARE, a new
www.safehomecare.com
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Paul Dav is
Paul Davis is There After a Disaster And Before With Their First Priority Program
The aftermath of a disaster can be as traumatic as the disaster itself. And unfortunately there has been no shortage of natural disasters in the past year. The notion that a business, a home, information, data and even personal property can be gone forever is jarring and painful. Paul Davis is where consumers can turn to look to the future and a return to normal. The company helps homeowners and businesses restore property after a multitude of potential
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trademark) Program, which was created to anticipate emergencies and respond to the needs of property managers, facilities directors, risk managers and strategic practice groups. Proactive planning, expert execution, comprehensive communication and project management are all part of First Priority. Businesses that are members of First Priority are several steps ahead should an emergency occur.
Benefits of First Priority® Program • Fast mitigation work to prevent further damage • Reduction in loss of business misfortunes. Paul Davis is the authority in recovering, reconstructing and restoring after damage caused by fire, water, mold and natural disaster. “Paul Davis has an international training facility located in Jacksonville, Florida, that includes a best-in-class “flood” house, training modules for water, fire, mold and biohazard cleanup, as well as advanced classrooms to learn the latest in technology and equipment.” says Rich Wilson, CEO of Paul Davis. The process following a disaster can be incredibly complex and the experts at Paul Davis know all the ins and outs of recovery. They provide complete services, meaning there is no need to hire, and keep track of, multiple contractors, contractors that may have never worked together previously. The professionals at Paul Davis are certified in emergency restoration, reconstruction and remodeling and they are also nearby; the company has over 375 locations in North America. Whether the disaster was a fire, natural disaster, flood or even toxic mold, Paul Davis professionals are experts in restoring businesses and homes. Paul Davis Emergency Services is the first on the scene. They focus on the mitigation process and preventing further damage from occurring in the immediate aftermath. If reconstruction or remodeling is required they bring in the Paul Davis Restoration arm to complete the job. All Paul Davis technicians are professionally trained in the use of stateof-the-art techniques and equipment.
Crews are supervised by IICRC-certified personnel. The non-profit Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) sets the standard in the cleaning and restoration industry. They operate in over 20 nations and work with trade organizations to set these standards. “Paul Davis prides itself on a 50-year heritage of outstanding customer service, expertise and craftsmanship in property damage recovery,” stated Wilson. “All of our trained professionals are supervised by IICRC-certified personnel to ensure every industry standard is met. With over 375 offices in the U.S. and Canada, we have a commitment to the highest quality of service while demonstrating an unwavering compassion for all involved.” Post disaster services provided by Paul Davis include: • 24/7 Emergency Response • On-site within Four Hours
• Emergency Board-up and Structural Stabilization • Soot and Residue Removal • Odor Removal
• Water Cleanup and Structural Drying • Mold Remediation • Debris Removal
• A response tailored to your company’s needs • Pre-disaster planning that saves time and money
• No need to manage multiple contractors (single-source accountability) • Peace of mind, knowing a plan is in place
• Storm tracking advanced alert system • Online First Priority communication portal
There are plans and services for virtually any emergency a business or homeowner may face. Consumers across North America have taken advantage of the opportunity. Remodeling magazine listed Paul Davis as # 1 in revenue among insurance restoration companies in 2015. Qualified Remodeler magazine had them at #2 on their yearly Top 500 list for the same year. This translates to over $750 million in revenue. This revenue came from the work of over 125,000 commercial and residential projects in the USA. They employ over 126,000 specialists at their 375+ offices. Paul Davis is the first network to partner with the insurance industry and the first national company to have a three-day drying guarantee.
• Full Service Household Goods Cleaning and Restoration • Complete Documentation as Required
Entrepreneur Magazine has consistently ranked Paul Davis among the Top 500 Franchises on their list of the same name which runs every January in the magazine.
Another way to make disaster recovery less traumatic is to prepare.
Find out more about services at www.pauldavis.com
Paul Davis provides assistance before a disaster through their First Priority (note
Find out more about buying a franchise at www.pauldavisbusiness.com
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Featu re
b y G i n a G i l l Fr a n c h i s i n g U S A
Home Based & Home Services Picture it: your alarm clock blares to start the day; you jump in the shower and quickly get dressed for work. You rush the kids to get ready, turn on the coffee and take a seat in your office, which is located conveniently in your living room. Working from home can cut out commute time, keep you snug in your pjs throughout the day, there are few chances of being late and you are available to your family if you have to be. A home based franchise can lead to a wonderful work life balance, a schedule a franchisee creates and has full control over in the comfort of their own home. It’s a lifestyle a lot of us dream about: no boss, no rush hour, no pressure and nowadays the possibilities are much more realistic and achievable than they ever have been. With technology accessible to the majority of people, communication and connection is easy to obtain with the outside world. In fact, over half of all U.S. businesses are now based out of the home. Social media, online shopping, emails and texting has made business available from a home office and people are taking full advantage. Though there many different franchises to consider when one is interested in working from home, we will explore a few.
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e r u t a Fe
Tutoring
Children and their parents are hyperaware of their children’s learning abilities and disabilities. They want to strengthen their s strengths and help cater to their weaknesses. Parents seek tutoring more often than not to help their kids excel in all subjects at school. Families with two working parents like to take advantage of after school programs with tutoring services. Tutoring services is a great consideration for franchisees who are interested in a work life balance. Most hours would be later in the evening or after school, giving them the freedom throughout the day. Of course, it would be best to have a thorough understanding of the lessons that will be taught and a passion to work with kids. However, some franchises offer tutor recruitment and even lend out the services to the students home. As a franchisee you would be able to organize and prepare tutors and students at a distance, if that is your preference.
Cleaning Services People are busy and their time is limited. Housework and day to day errands are being thrown to the wayside. However, a lot of people are willing to pay for a cleaning service, to have more time to spare and out of convenience. Cleaning services used to be withheld for large businesses, but it is much more common amongst households than ever before.
“With technology accessible to the majority of people, communication and connection is easy to obtain with the outside world. In fact, over half of all U.S. businesses are now based out of the home. ”
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Featu re
b y G i n a G i l l Fr a n c h i s i n g U S A
This type of franchise is a service that can be managed from the comforts of a home. It does not necessarily need a stationary office, with cleaners being responsible for their own products. Franchisees will not have much responsibility, as marketing and recruitment will either be prepared or completed by head office. It would simply be a manner of keeping on top of the business, implementing leadership and considering the schedule.
Cruise Planners and Travel Agents People can easily plan a lot of their own trips with research and internet browsing, but when it comes to cruises and large trips, there are so many choices, everyone needs some guidance. People trust in travel guides to help them with their trip and get the best deals.
“Home based businesses have a lot of competition nowadays. People have discovered their talents and are selling them on Facebook for a low fee.�
A travel agent has become more popular as a home based franchise opportunity. It comes with little effort and allows franchisees to plan their own schedule and make a lot of their own decisions. Some franchises offer travel agent discounts for trips and invite franchisees to take different trips to have a firsthand experience with what they are selling. If you enjoy travelling and would prefer to work directly from your home, this is a great opportunity and investment. There is usually a low start up fee because there are not a lot of tangibles involved. Again, a franchisee can choose to be directly involved in the business as an agent, or depending on their choice of franchise, can be recruiting and training agents who will go directly to the client’s house. With 38 million home based businesses in the states, it is well worth the consideration. A lot more people are transitioning out of the office to be home where a business can be run from the tips of their fingertips. The world is connected globally through technology and we can reach so many more clients and employees while snuggled warmly on the couch. Though home based franchises allow people to avoid shoveling their driveway and give them more time at home, there can be some downfalls to consider.
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This may not be the route to take for those that are extremely social and love working with others. It can lead to a lot of time alone, planning and preparing to ensure that a business runs successfully. However, that type of business approach can be extremely successful for those who are dedicated. Another consideration is though home based business offer a lot of work life balance and most franchisees create their own schedule, sometimes the business can lead to some franchisees working odd hours. If they have to cater to the needs of the clients and the employees falter, it could lead to unbalanced work hours. That is why it is important to have a great recruitment plan and hire staff who are reliable. Research your choice of home based franchise and see what type of support they offer in talent and hiring. Home based businesses have a lot of competition nowadays. People have discovered their talents and are selling them on Facebook for a low fee. It can create a greater surface area of competition. However, franchises offer name brands, reputation and tremendous support. Personal run businesses can
“A lot more people are transitioning out of the office to be home where a business can be run from the tips of their fingertips.” falter because their owners burn out and are doing everything themselves, while a franchise run business allows for freedom and balance. Most home based businesses have lower start up fees, because there is no construction or tangible products to provide. It’s usually focused on training and insuring a business plan that will help guide the franchisee to great success on their own. A home based business can be extremely successful and lead to a wonderful work life balance that most people would only dream of experiencing. However, it’s important to do your research and see how much support and training you will be offered, to ensure you chose the proper franchise. Also consider your personal character and whether or not you are
disciplined enough to make a home based business run smoothly. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: After receiving an English Degree, followed by a Journalism Diploma, Gina Gill became a freelance journalist in 2008. She has worked as a reporter and in communications, focusing on social media. She currently works as a community information officer with Epilepsy Society, while pursuing her writing career at the same time.
Look out for our next special feature: FOOD franchising PART 1 Franchising USA
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David Banfield, President, The Interface Financial Group
Is ‘Home-Based’ the Answer? As franchising grows, with growth around the world, so does the range of brands. Many people still associate franchising only with ‘fast food’ and ‘auto supplies/ repairs’. Those days, however, are gone and will not be returning. It is true that fast food helped build the foundation to the franchise industry, but much has changed
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since the foundation was cast. Franchising today embraces a plethora of brands covering everything that you can think of. It seems almost anything can somehow be turned into a franchise with whatever success is appropriate. As the brand options expand dramatically, so does the franchise format. With fast food we all knew where we stood - it would be a highly visible location with suitable recognition symbols to make it stand out from the crowd.
Times have certainly changed and the location, location, location mantra for success has passed. Franchise business formats now still embrace the highly visible street location, but they also embrace everything from a single serviced office and a virtual office, to a strip mall outlet, to a mobile facility, and even a home-based office concept. There is much excitement around homebased franchises, as they offer something viewed as very enticing to entrepreneurs
“The biggest challenge is going to be temperament and self-discipline. As an individual, can you set out a plan of action and follow that plan?” franchise that can be home-based. But are you as an individual well suited to such an environment? The usual and expected answer is always, ‘yes’. Usually offered without much thought about the underlying aspects of a home office. Many new entrepreneurs working in a home-based environment have had a long and successful career - quite often with a major corporation. In that employment atmosphere they were well versed in how the business operated, who reported to them, to whom they reported, deadlines, customs, dress code and the all-important social aspects of employment. Now entrepreneurship is the course of action they are pursuing, so it becomes a leap of faith to go from the confined employment arena to a home-based venue. There also comes a second leap of faith in that many home-based entities represent a one-person operation - the incumbent has traded the large scale employment situation for a home-based single employee/owner status. Maybe not just a leap, but a quantum leap of faith.
that have a long career built around commuting for several hours a day. The opportunity to ‘roll’ out of bed and literally be in the office in five minutes has considerable appeal if you have been used to an hour plus commute every day. Not only does a home base cut out the physical commute, but it also cuts down on the cost of commuting - an ever-growing element in the budget. Reduced cost and reduced time have to be significant factors when considering a
For entrepreneurs seeking a home-based franchise opportunity, it is crucial that they really weigh the pros and cons of their proposed venture. Just not everyone can accommodate working from home - it is after all your home and not your office, and dedicated space needs to be acquired - home and office do not co-mingle well, so there needs to be a clear separation of where one starts and the other stops. Creating space may be one of the easier aspects, as is obtaining appropriate equipment and furnishings. In most homebased situations there are no ‘outside’ visitors, so the economy level of equipment may work well. The biggest challenge is going to be temperament and self-discipline. As an
David Banfield
individual, can you set out a plan of action and follow that plan? In a former life it was probably very easy, as there was a deadline involved and a designated standard to uphold. Now you are the ‘boss’ and you set the rules - notwithstanding it may be a franchise model - and you certainly set the time table. Are you disciplined to get it done today, or will tomorrow be fine? Sometimes looking into your own personal resources is not a rewarding function if results show that you are not really entrepreneurial material and you really prefer not to take charge, and being #2 has certain merits as far as you are concerned. Self-analysis, before the event is crucial to any measure of success in a homebased model. Don’t be lulled into the quick commute and the monetary savings involved - make absolutely sure that you can run a business on your own, in your own home. David Banfield is President of the The Interface Financial Group, a position that he has held for over 20 years. He has been instrumental in starting Interface as a franchise opportunity and building it to its current international status. Prior to his involvement with Interface, he worked extensively in the banking, credit and factoring financial service areas. www.interfacefinancial.com
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G rasons C o.
Grasons Co. Announces Franchise Opportunities for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Grasons Co. Estate Sale Services, the #1 Rated and Referred Estate Sale Company, is Now Offering Lucrative Franchising Opportunities for Those Who Are Experienced in Servicing Clients and Providing Superb Service in the Estate Planning Industry
Grasons Co. is proud to announce that they are currently offering franchises (nationwide) to qualified candidates, as of August 4, 2016. Chosen applicants will get the opportunity to run a franchise with an exceptional business model, extensive training, and consistent ongoing support from senior management. Franchising USA
Grasons Co. Estate Sale Services has grown over the years due to the unwavering commitment the company has placed on customer service and client relationships. They often serve as the liaison between clients and buyers. Their purpose is to make one’s life easy and take care of the entire estate sale/planning process from beginning to end. “Grasons Co. has been growing faster than any other estate sale company, performing over 850 sales, because we sell your
items at the highest price, selling with professionalism and staging your home with the most care involved,” says CEO/ Founder, Simone Kelly. “We also have large support of industry leaders such as realtors, attorneys, probate courts & trustees.” With being the company already being established as the #1 estate sale & liquidation company in California, Grasons’ franchisees will not have to reinvent the wheel – as programs have been put into place to train each franchise how to advertise economically, using social media to its most powerful attributes, how to continue to build their business, professionalism of business ownership, how to set up legally their business based on their state and federal laws, where to start, how to price, stage, market, and sell. Grasons Co. already has a vast presence and substantial market penetration throughout the California, Nevada, and Pennsylanvia markets, but the company is currently looking to immediately expand its brand throughout the other 47 states throughout the USA. Although, the company is open to interest from all investors, Grasons Co. believes the most natural fit are enthusiastic and aspiring entrepreneurs who have a passion for providing customer service in estate liquidation, home staging, downsizing, and relocating. Franchisees are encouraged to be leaders and members of their industry communities. “The estate sale business requires a certain level of emotional stability, and the ability to communicate with many different personalities,” adds Kelly. “Excellent organizational skills, combined with a deep understanding of human nature, and the responsibility of dealing with all your clients’ most prized possessions with the utmost respect and integrity is the key to success in the business of estate sales.” Along with being a very desirable business, owning a Grasons Co. franchise comes with income that’s earned while: meeting the most amazing people, experiencing something unique at every estate sale, learning something new every day, building a network of professional contacts, gaining the trust of each client,
building a client base that’s loyal and refers you future clients, setting your own schedule, working from home, networking and getting advise from all of our very professional and well established franchisees and enjoying a different location every time (no cubicle). Below are just a few support services we provide to you during your journey into business ownership with the Grasons Co. brand: • Exclusive usage of our brand • A territory you are comfortable with & have limitless growth • Ongoing training and support in person , on line and or via telephone • Business planning • Customized web site exclusive to your area and clients • PR support & training • Social Media Technology support unmatched by any company • On-site training support • On the job training • National brand exposure • Press releases provided by corporate • Grand Opening support • Marketing strategies & programs exclusive to your client and territory • Ongoing operations support • Forms and contracts • Financing • Refining Interviewing and preparing to meet with client support
• Ongoing support for staging, inventory & pricing guides • Auction on site and on line training • Final Estate Sale & liquidation document preparation • Debris removal and clean out training • Charitable donations • Customized marketing material branded for your territory • Blogs, newsletters & SEO services • Information gathering for seniors, downsizing and Baby Boomers • Several streams of income in your franchise When we asked Simone what she is most proud of is the newly established Veterans program: “One item I am very proud of is our desire to involve Veterans in our business. We have developed a discounted plan for Veterans to be able to own their own business and be a part of our family at Grasons Co. Being born on the Naval Base in Lake County, IL I will always have a strong desire to help our Veterans and I am so proud to be able to help our Veterans establish an amazing company with our assistance.” For more information on Grasons Co. Estate Sale Services, please visit: http://grasons.com. If you interested in learning more about becoming a franchisee, please contact Simone Kelly, CEO of Grasons Co. Estate Sale Services at simone@grasons.com or 877-204-2295.
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Q & A w ith B ill Redfer n
with
Bill Redfern Our team at Franchising USA had a chance to sit down with Bill Redfern from Global Franchise Opportunities (GFO) to hear advice from this serial entrepreneur on how to achieve international growth through master franchising. What are the benefits of master franchising? Master franchising is a great way for
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aspiring entrepreneurs to serve as franchisors of a recognized brand over a large geographical territory. Those who sign a master franchising agreement also have access to an established support system and promising marketing horsepower. All in all, master franchising enables a licensee to run a business and create residual income without having to create an entire system from scratch.
What attracted you to utilize master franchising for growing your brands internationally? Ten years ago, we discovered that we could efficiently expand our concepts across large geographical distances through master franchising. We now have a growing presence spanning four continents. We’ve signed experienced
businesspeople as master franchisees and they have successfully introduced our brands in their local cultures and demographics.
What master franchising opportunities are you currently pursuing with Global Franchise Opportunities? We have signed international master franchise agreements for all three Global Franchise Opportunities concepts (A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections, iHandyMan and iCare Intelligent Home Care Solutions). We recently signed agreements for A Buyer’s Choice and iHandyMan into Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Angola, and we continue to see growth opportunities within Africa. Additionally,
“An ideal master franchisee possesses strong business acumen, a diligent work ethic and a credible financial background.� we are furthering our reach into the Australasia market with each brand.
In terms of growth, how is master franchising helping to take Global Franchise Opportunities to the next level? Master franchising has allowed us to significantly expand the geographical footprint of operations across a total of 19 countries and counting. It has created a way for our sales team to give more consumers worldwide the benefit of our home inspections, home maintenance and home health care services.
What are some qualities to look for in a potential master franchisee? An ideal master franchisee possesses strong business acumen, a diligent work ethic and a credible financial background. We also look for existing or previous business owners who are passionate about generating a residual income stream. They must be entrepreneurially spirited with a vision to make a difference, a drive for success and the ability to work well with a team.
What advice do you have for franchisors looking into master franchising for expanding their brands?
I urge them to for the gold! Master franchising gives franchisors a unique opportunity to expand in a financially efficient manner, so long as they conduct the right market research and possess an open mind for molding their concept to fit into various cultures. Master franchising also allows franchisors to empower entrepreneurially spirited individuals across the world to find financial success and achieve their professional business ownership goals. Serial entrepreneur Bill Redfern launched Global Franchise
Opportunities (GFO) after achieving international success with the recognized brands of A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections, iCare Intelligent Home Care Solutions and iHandyMan. GFO offers master franchise and unit franchise opportunities. Existing businesses in these sectors worldwide can be converted to GFO and receive support and ongoing training from the proven concepts. GFO also offers assistance to those wishing to begin franchising their brand. gfoonline.biz
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Restoration 1
Franchise that Rescues Buildings Doesn’t Require One In a bit of franchising irony, owning and operating one of the nation’s top building restoration franchises doesn’t actually require owning a commercial building, at least not to start. Franchising USA
Founded in 2008, Restoration 1 performs emergency restoration on homes and businesses, cleaning up mold and restoring buildings from fire, smoke, and water damage, among other services. And while Restoration 1 rescues other buildings, franchisees don’t actually need a commercial building to start a location, as it doesn’t have any inventory. Once the franchisees’ locations get big enough, the company will aid them in finding the right building to set up their shop.
Started in Pompano Beach, FL, Gary Findley, took over as president in January 2016 and moved the company headquarters to Waco, TX. It has been franchising since 2010 and currently has over 85 locations throughout the United States. Findley has over 25 years of experience in helping new and experienced entrepreneurs get on the right track towards owning their own business. In addition, he has been instrumental in
“We truly believe teamwork makes the dream work.” – Gary Findley tool for all franchisees to assist them in becoming more profitable.
500 in 5 Restoration 1’s ambitious growth plan of adding 100 new locations per year sees the company expanding to 500 stores in five years.
building over 9500 locations with two brands as well as helping to launch several new concepts along with taking existing concepts and growing their development. Under Findley’s leadership, Restoration 1 has added over 55 locations this year and is on pace for its target of 100 new locations by the end of the year.
The Right People Findley says Restoration 1 is looking for driven, service-focused and passionate entrepreneurs. Veterans or civil service workers looking to start their own business would be an especially good fit, he noted, and, veterans can enjoy a $7,000 discount on their franchise fee. With disasters happening across the country, it is fitting that Restoration 1 has committed franchisees throughout the US to respond rapidly to bring the needed restoration to a home or business. “Disasters don’t wait for a convenient moment to strike, but we want to be available when they do,” Findley said. “Addressing the issues early on can make a big difference in the extent of the damage.” Part of the company’s appeal for customers is the help it offers throughout the entire process after a disaster happens. The company aims to cause the least amount of disruption to people’s lives.
Restoration 1 also prides itself on using only the best materials and being able to restore people’s property to its predisaster condition. Plus, it provides free consultations and ‘round the clock emergency services.
Top Notch Training Findley, who has over 25 years of experience helping people start their own businesses, said Restoration 1 provides new franchisees with a 12- day training program that fully prepares them to offer the company’s services as soon as they return home. Experienced field consultants meet with franchisees weekly to analyze and strategize for the growth of their individual franchises. And Restoration 1 also has annual convention, monthly newsletter and provides avenues for the franchisees to work together, brainstorm, share information and ask questions. “We truly believe teamwork makes the dream work.” Findley said. Future plans include continuing to develop programs that will increase revenue for franchisees such as a content program, reconstruction program, and national disaster response team. Findley said the company will also continue to add experienced staff to help franchisees and add a new management
Findley is perhaps the perfect person to helm this expansion, as he’s seen everything there is to see after two-and-ahalf decades of helping entrepreneurs start their own business. “Not every good idea makes a good franchise and not every franchise is a good idea,” he shared. “What makes a great franchise system are three things: your support, your staff, and the success of your franchisees. If franchisees aren’t happy, nobody’s happy.” Findley takes inspiration from one of the first people he worked for, who is also a legend in the franchising sphere. “I believe in giving credit where credit is due. I started my career working for Don Dwyer, Founder of the Dwyer Group. I was in my early 20’s and I distinctly remember sitting up in Don’s office at 10 at night talking about franchising and my personal goals,”. “He took the time to mentor me and help me to become a successful franchise development person and to really gain a passion for franchising. I loved and still love how you could use franchising to expand your idea across the world and at the same time assist others in achieving their dreams of owning their own business.” Now that Findley is at the helm of his own franchise, he’s realizing his dream of passing along his hard earned knowledge and experience to a new crop of business owners … and they don’t even need a building to start one. www.restoration1franchise.com
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Jim Fitzgerald, Founder & CEO, Taradel LLC
Why Direct Mail Should Be in Your Marketing Plan Think about the last time you went to the mailbox and pulled out a postcard. Did you bring it inside, or even look at it?
split-second decisions on whether the coupon stays or goes. Many well designed postcards find their way to your kitchen counter or living room for at least a short stay.
If it was well designed and targeted to you, you probably did. If it made a compelling offer for a service or product you needed, I can almost guarantee you did.
The average person will see more than 5,000 advertising impressions every day. Most advertising executives agree that it takes 7-12 impressions to reach a prospect. Digital advertising helps in this regard but there is no more powerful impression
Chances are, you’re among the millions of families who open their mail and make
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Simply put, direct mail works. Especially when done right.
than direct mail. Think of the hundreds of digital ads you saw today. How many do you remember? According to True Impact MarketingÂŽ, consumers who received direct mail advertisements were able to recall 75 percent of the time, compared to 44 percent for digital ads. And, according to the CMO council, direct mail has the highest rate of success in new customer acquisition at 34 percent compared with other marketing channels. Bottom line, most franchises and small businesses
should incorporate direct mail into their marketing plans. According to the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), the response rate on direct mail to an existing customer is 3.4 percent, compared to 0.12 percent for an email solicitation. And the DMA reports that 90 million Americans make purchases from catalogs each year, even if the Ikea and Harry & David catalogs don’t look like the J.C. Penney catalogs we grew up with (incidentally, J.C. Penney brought back its catalog in 2015 after a five-year break). One more stat: According to the DMA, 2.5 billion coupons from direct mail pieces were redeemed in 2015. For an industry that has taken its hits – from do-not-mail lists to cutbacks in marketing dollars – direct mail continues to prove effective for a variety of businesses. Direct mail succeeds in large part because it’s invasive. Once you pick up your mail, you have to touch it and read it, even for an instant. That time to think leads to time to consider making a purchase, whether it be right away or down the road. And the longer that piece sits around the house, the better the chance it might lead to a purchase. Overall, this is an important detail, but even more so for those offering home services. Before homeowners make a buying decision on their most important asset, they seek credibility. They’re often looking to start or build a relationship with someone they can trust. Direct mail can be an introduction, with subsequent pieces being used to build familiarity, showcase distinct qualities and make specialized offers.
“Direct mail succeeds in large part because it’s invasive. Once you pick up your mail, you have to touch it and read it, even for an instant. That time to think leads to time to consider making a purchase, whether it be right away or down the road.” return on investment with its direct mail campaigns is vastly higher than anything else the company does. Why does it work for Chlanda’s small business? Lawn Jockey is able to design pieces that showcase its story that encourages potential customers to learn about them and lead them to do their research. Those pieces tend to hang around – it’s not uncommon for Chlanda to hear back on a piece a year (or more) later. And by using Every Door Direct Mail® (EDDM), a service through the postal service to better target potential customers, Chlanda has been able to focus on specific demographics that best fit his company’s offerings in a cost-effective way. Mosquito Squad, a franchise early, is one of the biggest tick and mosquito control companies in the United States. As its continues to build its brand, it employs ROI-driven marketing for its franchises, including direct mail.
Jim Fitzgerald
mistake of assuming it’s too expensive and write off the thought. Franchises and small businesses should focus on the ROI, not the cost. Also like any marketing effort, the success of direct mail is based on establishing a plan and seeing it through. It takes some time to get off the ground, and it often takes a little patience.
And you don’t have to be a behemoth like J.C. Penney to get into the mix.
First, the company streamlines the look, messaging and feel of its direct mail pieces so the individual franchises don’t have to, which creates consistency and limits confusion. Then, it leverages demographic data analysis to mail only highly targeted carrier routes with EDDM to reach the right customers in a cost-effective way.
For Tory Chlanda, president of Lawn Jockey Inc. in Amherst, Mass., direct mail serves as a backbone of his full-service landscape design and construction firm’s marketing efforts. While social media, media, email marketing and sponsorships also are a part of his 21-year-old company’s marketing mix, direct mail is a big part of that mix. And he believes the
One of the main benefits is that by streamlining direct mail pieces from a franchisor level, the individual franchises quickly can plan effective direct mail campaigns that complement other marketing efforts and enable them to focus on managing their businesses.
Jim Fitzgerald is the founder and CEO of Taradel LLC, an advertising and marketing services firm that offers solutions like Every Door Direct Mail®, integrated marketing, digital marketing and more for small businesses, franchisors and national corporations. Jim has more than three decades of marketing experience and has helped thousands of businesses grow.
Like any marketing effort, there is an expense to direct mail. Many make the
To learn more about Taradel LLC, visit www.Taradel.com.
But the proof is in the numbers…and in the returns.
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O x i Fresh
Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning
Focuses on More than Just Selling Franchises, Continues Support of Water.org
Throughout the past 10 years, Denver-based Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning has become the nation’s fastest-growing carpet cleaning franchise, growing to more than 300 locations in 45 states. In October of last year, however, the company began focusing on more than just selling franchises. They committed to supporting Water.org in its efforts to end the global water crisis. Co-founded by Academy Award-winning actor Matt Damon and social entrepreneur Gary White, Water.org is a non-profit organization that has transformed hundreds of communities in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean by providing access to clean water and sanitation. Over the past 10 months, Oxi Fresh customers have been encouraged to book their carpet cleanings online with $2.00 per job being donated to Water.org. The proceeds have gone directly to helping Water.org build water wells and help a portion of the nearly 700 million people in the world worldwide who do not have access to clean water.
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Since announcing its support of Water.org, Oxi Fresh has booked more than 13,000 jobs online and donated nearly $27,000 to the cause, helping provide access to safe water and sanitation for more than 1,000 people. “Business philanthropy is a relatively simple thing, but it is a very powerful action. It sends a huge message that says, ‘We are more than just an earnings machine. We are a partner with you. We are in it with you. We care.’ And that makes a difference,” said Oxi Fresh Founder and CEO Jonathan Barnett. “We couldn’t be more proud of our contributions to such an important and worthwhile cause, and doing our part to enable a life of health and dignity to the world’s most vulnerable.” Those most affected by the global water crisis are women and children that are risking their health and safety each day with contaminated water.
Water is the Way When Matt Damon got into the water business, he worked with H20 Africa Foundation, a non-governmental organization that raised awareness about
“For every hundred homes cleaned, Oxi Fresh saves water. We use 200 gallons of water or less, while other systems use up to 4,000 gallons.” – Jonathan Barnett clean water initiatives specifically in Africa. “I did what I think a lot of people do, which is they kind of get right into the direct impact, like well-digging and how many people can I help if I dig x number of wells,” he said in a 2014 interview with CNN. But Damon said as his understanding of the issue grew, he realized that charity wasn’t going to solve the problem. In 2009, he teamed with Gary White, cofounder of WaterPartners. They merged the two organizations and formed Water. org. Since, their organization has provided 4.3 million people access to safe water and sanitation across 12 developing countries. According to Water.org, the world doesn’t stand a chance without safe water. Water spreads disease. Compromises safety. Makes education elusive and economic opportunity farther out of reach.
The lack of access to safe water is deadly, dangerous, and a major obstacle to the people of developing nations becoming economically empowered. It is what is standing between billions of people and their health, safety, and the opportunity to unlock their true potential. Facts about water and sanitation: • 663 million people – 1 in 10 – lack access to safe water. • 2.4 billion people – 1 in 3 – lack access to a toilet. • Women and children spend 125 million hours each day collecting water. • Every 90 seconds a child dies from a water-related disease. • On average, every one US dollar invested in water and sanitation provides an economic return of four US dollars. For only $25, Water.org can bring someone access to safe water.
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O x i Fresh
“We couldn’t be more proud of our contributions to such an important and worthwhile cause, and doing our part to enable a life of health and dignity to the world’s most vulnerable.” – Jonathan Barnett
Oxi Fresh and Water Conservation The importance of water is nothing new to Oxi Fresh. When Barnett began researching carpet cleaning, he saw an opportunity to handle jobs more efficiently and sustainably than in the past. Working with a team of chemists, he created an innovative and environmentally-friendly carpet cleaning system. Carpet cleaning traditionally involves a process called hot water extraction, which usually uses 40 to 50 gallons of water. Oxi Fresh’s carpet cleaning method only requires two gallons of water per home. Since starting in 2006, the company has completed more than 500,000 jobs and saved more than 25 million gallons of water. “Water conservation has always been one of our highest priorities,” Barnett added. “For every hundred homes cleaned, Oxi Fresh saves water. We use 200 gallons of water or less, while other systems use up to 4,000 gallons. That’s twenty times what other carpet cleaners use – a perfect example of water conservation in action!” What’s more, the dirty water other cleaners extract from a carpet, which is only about half of what they put in, is usually considered “waste water,” and it’s simply discarded. However, Oxi Fresh and its environmentally friendly carpet cleaning seek to conserve water through its low moisture cleaning agent that enables carpets to dry in one hour, far less than the standard 24 or more hours that other methods require.
Looking Ahead “Without water, life would not exist. It is a prerequisite for all human and economic
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development. Yet today, nearly 700 million people lack access to safe water and more than twice that many, 2.4 billion people, do not have access to a toilet,” Barnett said. “We are dedicated to do our part to change this and look forward to continuing our support of Water.org well into the future.” According to Barnett, Oxi Fresh has been donating around $3,000 to $4,000 a month to Water.org and he has no reason to believe those numbers won’t continue to increase. “When I first started Oxi Fresh, our client base was wholly residential, but over the past few years we’ve expanded into the commercial sector by doing work for
property managers. Coupled with the fact
that we’ve ramped up our expansion efforts in both the United States and Canada, that means more franchisees, more customers, more online bookings and even more donations for Water.org,” he said.
Schedule Online to Help the Cause To learn more about the work that
Water.org is doing to break down barriers between people and access to safe water and sanitation, visit www.water.org. To schedule a carpet cleaning online and help the cause, visit www.oxifresh.com/water-org.