FranchisingFeature home services
a u g u s t 202 1
home services franchises is where the heart is
home services:
a booming industry
steady supply of home services franchises to meet expanding demand creating a team to lean on
supports success in change Franchising USA
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what’s new!
Jessica Stanley and Amy Arnold of Card My Yard Announced as an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2021 Central Texas Award Finalist
Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) recently announced that Jessica and Amy, cofounders of Card My Yard, were named finalists of Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2021 Central Texas Award. “Amy and I founded Card My Yard with the mission to spread positivity across our community in Austin, Texas,” said Jessica Stanley, co-founder of Card My Yard. “We were thrilled to receive so much support from friends and family in our neighborhoods, and we quickly realized that our vision to spread joy resonated with many families across the state, which later led to our national expansion. We’re excited to leave a positive impact across
households nationwide and look forward to the bright future ahead.” Entrepreneur Of The Year is one of the preeminent competitive award programs for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. The nominees are evaluated based on six criteria: entrepreneurial leadership; talent management; degree of difficulty; financial performance; societal impact and building a values-based company; and originality, innovation and future plans. Since its launch, the program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries around the world.
“Card My Yard has grown tremendously across the nation since it was founded in 2014,”” said Amy Arnold, co-founder of Card My Yard. “We’re humbled to be finalists for this award and are ecstatic to continue our exponential growth in the years to come.” www.cardmyyard.com/join-our-team/
Luke Schulte announced as Executive Director of Franchise Development for Handyman Connection In his new role, Schulte will oversee growth strategies for the brand, connecting potential franchisees with the opportunity to own their own business in the fastgrowing home improvement and repair industry.
Handyman Connection, a home repair company with more than 25 years experience, announced today that service franchise expert Luke Schulte has been named executive director of franchise development.
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“Luke has a talent for fostering relationships with franchise candidates, consultants, and coaches, and we are thrilled to have him bring his expertise to Handyman Connection,” said Jeff Wall, CEO of Handyman Connection. “Because of his years of experience in the service franchise industry, he has a deep understanding of the simplicity and forecastability of our business model and how attractive that is to entrepreneurs who want to be in control of their own destiny.” “Handyman Connection has incredible opportunities for driven business owners
who will appreciate the unsurpassed level of support and business tools it offers,” said Schulte. “Matching great candidates with exceptional service brands has been a passion of mine throughout my career, and I’m excited to be working with a company known for positioning its franchisees for growth and success.” Ranked as the #1 Handyman Company by Qualified Remodeler, Handyman Connection operates more than 60 locations throughout 25 states and Canada. For more than 25 years, the brand has offered homeowners across North America a complete resource for professional craftsmanship and exemplary customer service. For more information visit: https://franchiseopportunity. handymanconnection.com/
The Dog Stop® Receives Growth Capital Investment Budget Blinds Announces 2021 Franchisee Award Winners The Dog Stop®, the award-winning and rapidly growing dog care franchise, announces a new operational partner and investor, Franvest Capital Partners Inc. The Franvest team, out of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, brings a tremendous amount of franchise experience and leadership along with a history of building highly successful and industry leading international franchise organizations. The Dog Stop® was bred from the beginning to be America’s best all inclusive indoor/outdoor dog care facility offering dog boarding, daycare, grooming, obedience training, in-home services, and a dog retail store all under one roof. Our facilities exist to promote healthy and happy dogs through socialization, proper physical and mental stimulation paired with a holistic retail approach. Whether it’s running in a play yard, socializing with friends, or just lounging around, The Dog Stop® is your one-stopshop for all of your pup’s wants and needs. Currently The Dog Stop® has 20+ state of the art locations in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. There are another 10+ locations currently under development with plans to expand aggressively throughout the USA in the coming years. Most major and secondary markets are available nationwide and the franchise development team is seeking qualified franchisees to help grow the brand and its award-winning dog care services.
Budget Blinds® has announced its 2021 Franchisee of the Year, Top Sales Award and Million Dollar Club recipients, signaling those Budget Blinds business owners who achieved sales and other milestones in 2020. The top three award recipients in each of these categories include the following: Top Sales for Multiple Budget Blinds Territories • Mike and Adriane Wonderlin, owners of Budget Blinds of Brandon in Riverview, Fla., and Budget Blinds of Land O’ Lakes and North Tampa in Tampa, Fla. • Terry and Sandra Sill, owners of Budget Blinds of Marion, Iowa City, Bettendorf and Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Madison, Northwest Madison, Brookfield and Waukesha, Wisc. • Bob and Kate Engler, owners of Budget Blinds of Hilton Head Island and Budget Binds of Beaufort in Bluffton, S.C. Top Sales for a Single Budget Blinds Territory
• Bob and Kate Engler, owners of Budget Blinds of Hilton Head Island in Bluffton, S.C. • Mike and Stacy Hughes, owners of Budget Blinds Deschutes County in Bend, Ore. • Merv and Adam Epstein, owners of Budget Blinds of Charleston in Charleston, S.C.
The Dog Stop® management team, including Founders, Jesse Coslov and Chris Kane, will continue to lead the company. Franvest President, David Hardy, will lead a team to expand the Board of Directors and provide strategic counsel and support.
The Top Sales Award winners also qualified for membership in the Budget Blinds Million Dollar Club, The membership is limited to Budget Blinds business owners who generate $1 million or more in window covering sales annually.
The partnership will inject growth capital into the brand to establish new marketing programs and technologies, as well as boost development efforts to bring new qualified franchisees into the system. The investment will also enable The Dog Stop® to improve its systems and processes, while continuing to provide award-winning dog care services. Additionally, a new flagship corporate location, training facilities, and corporate headquarters are in development in Pittsburgh, PA.
Finally, representing Budget Blinds’ most prestigious honor of the year, Terry and Sandy Sill of Mount Vernon, Iowa, were awarded the 2021 Budget Blinds Franchisees of the Year Award which recognizes the franchise owner who best models Budget Blinds values. All award winners across multiple categories were announced by Budget Blinds President Doug Phillip at the 2021 convention for Budget Blinds franchisees.
www.thedogstop.com
https://franchise.budgetblinds.com/.
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home services: a booming industry It’s no secret that the demand for home services in the U.S. is booming right now. There has never been a better time to take advantage of this growing business trend. We take a look at why buying a franchise might just be the best option.
COVID-19, many of us are now working from home, making it more important than ever to improve and enjoy our surrounds. In fact, the Better Business Bureau recently published a report that showed 76% of homeowners in the United States have carried out at least one home improvement project since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
From renovations and additions to home decorating, landscaping, cleaning, repair and maintenance, homeowners are putting home improvement franchises in high demand. This is resulting in great opportunities for the entrepreneur seeking to invest in their very own home improvement franchise business.
As a result,home improvement businesses are seeing an uptake in the number of customers that want major renovations or minor projects to make their houses a more pleasant place to live.
There are a few reasons for this huge increase in demand. As a nation, we are busier than ever and with the onset of
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Apart from that, many people just don’t have the time, know-how or desire to do what this sector of franchises offer. Plus, rather than buying bigger and better homes, a growing number of people in the U.S. are choosing to keep their homes and make improvements.
Furthermore, with the explosion in online and mobile booking services, and the emergence of tech-savvy millennials, it has never been easier to access home service businesses. Major companies such as Google and Amazon are diving
“Home improvement businesses are seeing an uptake in the number of customers that want major renovations or minor projects to make their houses a more pleasant place to live.” into the estimated $400 billion market. Interestingly, Amazon Home Services covers more than 700 types of services! So why buy a home services franchise rather than run an independent business? Prospective franchisees benefit from established systems along with easier access to a number of resources in comparison to businesses run by independent operators. Another advantage of being a part of a franchise system within this area of business is that it allows for franchisees to take advantage of the brand equity of the franchisor. This advantage is a major benefit because people are very protective of their homes and tend to seek as many assurances as possible that the
work they contract will be done properly by trustworthy individuals. Here are some of main reasons home services franchises are in such high demand right now: • The constant need for home services • Maintaining and increasing a home’s value being of great importance for homeowners both financially and psychologically • An increase in the ability to book online, along with the ability to find information on service providers more easily than before • The increase in dual-income households, leading to more money to spend on home services • Related to number four, homeowners with less time to spare than ever • An aging baby boomer population that wants to stay at home as they age but outsource the maintenance of their homes Whether it’s everyday upkeep, or emergency requests, there are a variety of franchises to choose from when it comes to home services. Let’s take a look at just some of the opportunities available.
Kitchen remodelling The kitchen is the heart of the home and when it comes to home improvements, the kitchen is always top of the list. These days, many homeowners are opting to renovate existing kitchens with new
“So why buy a home services franchise rather than run an independent business? Prospective franchisees benefit from established systems along with easier access to a number of resources in comparison to businesses run by independent operators.”
cupboards, benchtops and appliances rather than replace with a new one, saving them thousands of dollars. A kitchen remodelling or renovation franchise gives franchisees a great market with a consistently high demand.
Bathroom remodelling Bathrooms are one of those areas that get constant wear and tear and start to look dated and run down over the years. That’s why bathroom remodelling franchises provide the perfect solution by helping to remodel bathtub and shower liners, replace bathtubs and shower bases/walls all together and even convert an outdated tub to a shower.
Window dressings Adding new curtains or blinds is one of the easiest ways to give your home a brand-new look at little cost. Decorative and functional window blinds are available through many window dressing franchises, which are becoming extremely popular.
Home additions Consumers looking to expand their homes can choose from a huge range of options, including adding a room onto their homes, converting a garage, converting their
space into a loft, or even adding an extra building. You can choose to invest in any of these home addition franchise industries, which are highly lucrative.
Flooring New flooring not only enhances the aesthetics of a house, but also allows homeowners to stay in their house more comfortably. A flooring franchise is a great opportunity to generate a steady income and build a successful business.
Driveway paving There is nothing that drags the look of house down more than a worn or cracked driveway. That’s why driveway paving franchises meet a consumer need and provide a chance to earn a great living.
Landscaping First impressions count. So, when it comes to curb appeal, one of the most important aspects of your home is landscaping and lawn care. Whether its people staging their home for sale, or those who are time poor and depend on landscaping services for monthly maintenance, including gardening, raking, weeding, and more, a landscaping franchise is a great business opportunity, especially for those who love working
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outdoors. This type of franchise provides residential services, as well as good partnerships with buildings and offices.
Property repair Whether it is a natural disaster or a manmade one, property repair franchises are always in demand. Working with property owners and their insurance companies to make sure that the home is restored back to its original state, property repair franchises are recession-proof, as property damage repair is not a seasonal nor is it something that can be put off for a long period of time.
Cleaning and maintenance Life is becoming busier than ever. Gone are the days when engaging a regular cleaner for your home was considered a luxury, it has now become a necessity. And, with many of us now spending more time in the home, keeping our home clean and fresh is more important than ever. Hence, an increasing number of homeowners are opting to pay for the convenience of outsourced assistance. Did you know, the cleaning service industry brings in a total of $46 billion annually, while residential services are expected to reach over 75 million by 2022! A lot of residential cleaning services are mobile franchises, with smaller start up fees and investments, as well as a better work life balance. Franchisees can allow their teams of employees to run the business and submit reports, while sitting back and gaining a profit.
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Specialty cleaning There are also specialty services such as deep carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, or air and duct cleaning, for example. These services are not only residential franchise options, but usually come with a long list of industrial customers as well. If you are willing to take on both residential and business clients, it can be a very lucrative business. Some cleaning services are necessary and always in demand such as chimney cleaning and window cleaning, particularly high windows that require particular tools that are not carried by most homeowners. Some franchises have partnerships with retail stores to connect clients after a product is sold that may need cleaning, or even connections with real estate agencies to share clientele.
Pool maintenance While the number of pools in the U.S. is increasing, the amount of time available to busy homeowners to maintain their pools continues to decrease. More and more homeowners are opting to outsource this time-consuming job, providing a lucrative opportunity for those seeking a franchise opportunity in this specialised industry.
House staging With the recent popularity of home renovation TV shows, homeowners are keener than ever to make their homes Instagram worthy. Not only that, but those who are selling their home can add thousands of dollars to the sale
“Another advantage of being a part of a franchise system within this area of business is that it allows for franchisees to take advantage of the brand equity of the franchisor.” price by staging with beautiful furniture and accessories. Those with a flair for interior design or a background in home styling would be perfectly suited to a home staging franchise. For example, Showhomes is one of the leaders in this growing industry, with a nationwide franchise network of home staging experts. They have helped over 30,000 homeowners and their realtors sell homes valued at over $10 billion!
Painting Nothing improves the look of a room faster than a fresh coat of paint. With more Americans home now than ever, now could be the time to invest in a painting franchise. With the $500 billion home improvement industry experiencing a boom during the pandemic, buying a painting franchise is a sound investment. Some of the benefits of this category include a relatively low cost of entry and a large target audience. Whether you’re interested in opening a franchise specialized in inside or outside painting there is sure to be a brand that piques your interest. https://franchisingusamagazine.com/ franchise-directory
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Have Your Say: Jennifer Lemcke | CEO | Weed Man
“You’d think that as the CEO or leader of the company, you’d need to have all of the answers, but I learned that I didn’t. My Dad and I spent years creating this amazing team to lean on for support. I put a lot of faith into those relationships and the trust that was already in place.”
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Creating a team to lean on, supports success in change Transition in any form or capacity always brings its challenges, but I truly believe that with change, comes growth. My father, Roger Mongeon, was Chief Executive Officer of Weed Man USA / Turf Holdings Inc. since its inception back in 1996 when he purchased the rights to franchise in the United States. And before then, he was a successful franchisee in Canada. In 2020, he decided it was time to step down as CEO and pass the reins to me. The idea of transitioning from COO to CEO really wasn’t all that difficult. It felt natural and I think it was easier simply due to having grown up in the culture; Weed Man has always been a part of my life in some way - I’ve worked in every position within the company, and really learned the business inside and out. My dad and I have always worked very closely together and are (and always have been) aligned in terms of how we view the company, our vision for the future of Weed Man, how it’s run from the top down and our philosophy of not only treating our franchisees like customers, but also like family. He was always laser-focused on the success of our franchisees, and I didn’t feel compelled to change that at all. In fact, I wanted to go down that same path and continue what my dad started all those years ago. With that being said, I transitioned from COO to CEO during a global pandemic. Throw the Coronavirus into the equation, and what I anticipated to be a fairly straight-forward transition turned into something a little more complex and
“I very quickly realized that I wasn’t alone. I had to believe in my corporate team and lean on our sub-franchisor network, too.” scary. It was uncharted territory. I was leading the pack; everyone looked at me for the answers, and I didn’t always know what to say. In fact, I recall having to take extra deep breaths prior to hosting network-wide COVID-19 update calls, just to gather myself and my thoughts. Emotions were running high, but I very quickly realized that I wasn’t alone. I had to believe in my corporate team and lean on our sub-franchisor network, too. I relied on them for advice and feedback, and we were consistently aligned with how we wanted to communicate and strategize. We were very transparent and honest with our franchisees, and felt like that was the only way to go. If I didn’t have the answers, they trusted me to find them. And that was a very empowering feeling. You’d think that as the CEO or leader of the company, you’d need to have all of the answers, but I learned that I didn’t. My Dad and I spent years creating this amazing team to lean on for support. I put a lot of faith into those relationships and the trust that was already in place. In addition to my staff and our sub-franchisor network, I also relied on our competitors. I’ve always had a great relationship with them, but crisis hit and we truly became a team. We had open discussions, compared strategies and leaned on one another...and we all came out on top. Our trade and national associations were all incredible resources as well. Everyone was in the same boat; we were all just trying to navigate this huge hurdle that we were presented with, and we weren’t
really sure where to go. Communication at every level was top-notch, and that’s something that we really utilized to help form a strategy. On that note, our industry was very lucky to have experienced demand and growth opportunities during this difficult time. We witnessed success and have had two record-breaking years back-to-back. Although it was a time of turmoil - and of course it would’ve been great if none of us had to experience COVID-19 at all, but for me especially during my first year as CEO - it honestly made me stronger and better equipped my team and I, to help us face anything that comes our way in the future. Over the past year or so, I grew as a person and as a leader more than I ever could have imagined. Facing adversity made the role transition a lot quicker (I had no choice but to move quickly!), but I grew through it... and to me, that’s a win! I still don’t know that I have all of the answers, but I learned that I don’t need all of them right now. Our company has gone through some major changes over the past couple of years - we acquired Weed Man Canada in late 2018, we recently added a new sub-brand, Mosquito Hero, we dealt with and conquered a global pandemic, and on top of it all, I’m now CEO of the largest franchised lawn care company in the world. Life is good! For more information on franchising with Weed Man, visit us online today at www.weedmanfranchise.com
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Expert Advice: Terry Powell | Founder | The Entrepreneur’s Source
Home Services Franchises Is Where the Heart Is
For much of 2020 the world was on pause, families focused on the basics and put a halt to much of their discretionary spending. Although it was a difficult time for us all, it created a positive financial opportunity for some. Business owners running home service franchises have had a very successful past year. Instead of going on vacations and dining out, people were spending money on home repairs and upgrades. While many businesses had to shut down during the pandemic or scale back their operations
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and lay people off, the home service franchisees found themselves hiring people and seeing their sales go up. If you are interested in a home service franchise, your instincts are on target and shared by many entrepreneurs. Over the past year I have worked with an increased number of clients who are looking to start home based business. Here is some of what this industry has going for it.
The home services industry is growing The International Franchise Association’s 2021 report, “Economic Outlook For Franchising” states that franchises that specialize in servicing both residences and businesses will likely see considerable
growth, expanding at a rate of 3.4%. If you have been considering buying a cleaning company or a pest control franchise, you will be buying an industry in a market where there is a lot of demand. It’s also a demand that is expected to continue.
Trends suggest home is more important to people than ever There’s good reason that consumers are seeking out more help from home-based service franchises. Even as the pandemic becomes a distant memory, not everybody is going back to the office. The trend of remote work seems to be here to stay, and people are spending more time than ever in their homes. Bolstering that argument, Microsoft’s
“Making residences even more appealing is going to be even more essential for homeowners, who will now be spending more time at home.”
and workspaces. Which means that if you are leaning toward a service business that specializes in helping office buildings and workspaces, or one that does home and commercial, you have little to worry about.
An ever-aging population Time is also on the home services industry’s side. Right now more than 10,000 Americans are turning 65 years old every day. In fact, by 2030, all Baby Boomers will be 65 years old or older. The oldest members of Generation X isn’t all that far behind them. By 2050, one in five people in US will be considered a senior citizen.
Work Trend Index survey, conducted by an independent research firm, Edelman Data x Intelligence, which surveyed 31,092 fulltime employed or self-employed workers across 31 markets last January. It found that 70 percent of employees want flexible remote work options to continue and that 66 percent of business decision makers are considering redesigning physical spaces to better accommodate their work environments. Making residences even more appealing is going to be even more essential for homeowners, who will now be spending more time at home. At the same time, office buildings aren’t going anywhere. Employees will likely split the difference in a hybrid model, both of which are going to be requiring help in maintaining living
How does that help the home services industry? People will try to stay in their homes longer, which will help keep the home services industry thriving for years to come. The delay in moving out of homes has also created a rapidly growing market for franchises that provide services such as non-medical in-home senior care.
Lower overhead Real estate is expensive. One of the many saving graces of home services franchises is that most of the work is done in the person’s home. That means for many franchisees can work from home or operate from a smaller footprint. A storefront location is not required when dispatching a team of full-time and part-time workers to clients’ homes. There will be other expenses to consider, such as a fleet of vehicles to maintain, insurance, equipment, inventory, and
Terry Powell
payroll. However, real estate costs will be fairly minimal. If you are considering a home services franchise, the time is now. This is a market that is growing, and if it’s something you want to be a part of, you should give it some serious thought. After all, you’ve spent the last year being locked in. You don’t want to someday regret not joining the home services franchise industry and feel locked out. Terry Powell is the founder of The Entrepreneur’s Source, which, since 1984, has been North America’s leading alternative career ownership coaching™ franchise dedicated to the helping people move from employment to empowerment. Today, with more than 140 locations in the United States and Canada, The Entrepreneur’s Source® continues to lead the $1.5 billion-dollar Business Coaching/Consulting franchise market in North America.
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Expert Advice: Chris Connor | President | Franchise Marketing Systems
Steady Supply of Home Service Franchises to Meet Expanding Demand “It’s safe to say, in general terms, that home service franchises offer high profitability and low overhead. Rediscovering this homestead love has continued to show promise for these concepts.”
Chris Connor
The home improvement and services industry was already on the rise before last year and experienced a strong surge as people found it necessary — required — to stay at home and utilize the space in newfound ways.
of the home services industry, you will be glad to know that there are several options when it comes to choosing a niche that makes sense for your skill set and your market. It’s safe to say, in general terms, that home service franchises offer high profitability and low overhead. Rediscovering this homestead love has continued to show promise for these concepts. These franchises offer incredible stability, proven in our most recent economic blow that resulted in record franchise sales and consistent revenue flow.
Things haven’t slowed down. The opportunity here reaches well beyond the 480+ million houses and the over 46 million multi-unit homes in the U.S.— these franchises are also applicable to commercial clients.
No Pipe Dream
For those who grasp the incredible value
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Zeroing in on the less than glamorous specific necessities of the home show great promise. The Drain Co., a California-based franchise founded back in 1969, is no pipe dream. The company offers preventative and emergency drain services, appliance
installation, water submeters, and more. They’ve managed to secure a lucrative model with massive recurring revenue potential over the past few decades. Simply put, they offer drain cleaning to help save on costly repairs down the road and several diversified profit drivers to keep customers calling. Learn more at www.thedraincofranchise.com
An American Staple Unlike many home cleaning services that focus on the inside of the home, American Safe Wash has honed its skills to concentrate on keeping outdoor components and spaces sparkling. Cleaning for windows, gutters, solar panels, roofs, siding, decks, air vents, and dryer vents are all offered through this streamlined service model. Sanitation awareness is keen these days, deemed a necessary
the dangers of toxic water run off from their services. Plus, all water is reclaimed and employees are refreshed on OSHA standards monthly. To learn more about Green Earth Power Wash, stop by www.greenearthpowerwashfranchise.com. All of the franchises mentioned here offer ongoing support — a truly key component to their value. Marketing guidance, such as collateral designs, social media strategies, or consumer marketing plans, is also included.
service to many operations. American Safe Wash offers great potential in large accounts, such as government facilities, universities and colleges, hospitals and nursing homes, large companies, and more. All in all, American Safe Wash is a multifaceted service business applicable to both commercial and residential clients wrapped in an easy-to-operate, low overhead model. More information about ASW is at www.aswfranchise.com.
Remodel and Design for the Win Remember those 480+ million houses we mentioned? Around 150 million of those homes are over 20 years old and are begging for an upgrade. Whether the house has seen more than a decade or two or not, A1 Kitchen and Bath offers their clients top quality services underscored by professionalism, which can be hard to find with typical contractors. The franchise
model utilizes builder relationships as one of its consistent revenue streams. A1 Kitchen and Bath has perfected the model to still compete with big box stores, other franchised brands, and mom-and-pop stores while maintaining a strong bottom line. To get in touch with the A1 team, visit www.a1kitchenandbathdesignfranchise. com.
Power Up with Power Wash Since 1992, Green Earth Power Wash has been supplying a reliable, top-quality service in a massively segmented, unprofessional industry. Beyond this, a key differentiator for the company is the use of their 200+ degree water used to clean almost any surface, used at both commercial and residential properties. By avoiding the use of harsh chemicals and detergents, Green Earth Power Wash protects the environment by eliminating
Choosing to go into business for yourself is a step towards leaving a legacy for your family, making your schedule more flexible, and earning income in a way that you love. Like thousands of others who’ve chosen this path, we can help you find the best franchise fit for you. Christopher Conner is the President of Franchise Marketing Systems and has spent the last decade in the franchise industry working with several hundred different franchise systems in management, franchise sales and franchise development work. His experience ranges across all fields of franchise expertise with a focus in franchise marketing and franchise sales but includes work in franchise strategic planning, franchise research and franchise operations consulting. For more information on how to choose the right Home Services franchise for you, and to get you started, contact us at www.fmsfranchise.com
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WOMEN IN FRANCHISING: Kim Marmolejo | Hello Garage
WOMEN POISED TO TAKE OVER AS LEADERS IN THE
home-service industry
Both men and women possess the traits necessary to operate and lead franchises but as more women are choosing to invest in the home-service industry, they are poised to take over in the years to come. One of the women positioned to be a female leader in this sector is Kim Marmolejo, a seasoned truck driver and single mother of four boys. She was always on the road away from home and finally came to the decision to make a career change that would allow her to be closer to family.
Kim considered a truck driving business as her first option but it wasn’t the most family-friendly business endeavor and the industry was not as safe as it had been in years past. With the desire to leave something for her family in the form of a business that would flourish for generations to come, Kim came across Hello Garage franchise opportunities. Immediately her boys were on board and Hello Garage of Naperville, IL was born. All four of the Marmolejo boys currently play a role in the family business. The eldest who lives in Tennessee is interested in eventually purchasing a Hello Garage
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territory near him to allow the family business to continue to grow while Austin, the second eldest serves as the company’s Garage Guru and is in charge of sales. Alex, the second youngest works as the team’s lead installer while Adam, the youngest who is still in high school, manages all of the company’s social media and local marketing efforts. While all four have extremely different skills and roles, Kim says that their individual personalities are perfect for each position they hold in the company. When looking for her next business endeavor, Kim was open to any and all opportunities. Her research included restaurants, coffee shops, even a flooring company – but she always came back to
Hello Garage in large part to the constant insight and support she would receive from the company’s team. While franchising has been a historically male-dominated industry, gone are the days where women are expected to own and work in more feminine-oriented industries like beauty or food-related franchises. Working in a male dominated field most of her adult life, from driving trucks to roofing and construction, choosing to join the franchise world with her own business in that field wasn’t even a question for Kim. “I’ve worked as a laborer, a roofing contractor, and I have also done concrete work so a service-based franchise opportunity was one that I knew would be best for me and my family. With
all of my past work experience, I feel that being in male dominated industry is where I truly fit and belong,” said Marmolejo. With Kim joining the Hello Garage franchising system, she has become the first female franchise owner under the company’s umbrella. “I have decades of work experience, but when it came to starting my own business, I had no idea what I was doing,” said Marmolejo. “While learning more about Hello Garage, I was immediately drawn to the high level of support that their home office provides to incoming franchisees. I knew that I would never be left hanging or have to figure anything out on my own. They have been by my side since day one, and the fact that we can reach out at any time of day with questions is so humbling and gives me so much more confidence.”
“I’ve worked as a laborer, a roofing contractor, and I have also done concrete work so a service-based franchise opportunity was one that I knew would be best for me and my family.” - Kim Marmolejo, Hello Garage
Playing both the mom and the boss role is a territory that Kim is still navigating. While it has been challenging, the boys have fallen in to their roles and are always open for positive feedback. “My kids are very good at letting me know they’ll do whatever is needed to get the job done,” said Marmolejo. “It’s been so amazing to see each of them grow in to their roles and I have learned so much from them along the way – and I still do! I feel I have found that happy medium between mom mode and boss mode, and this entire experience has brought our family much closer.” As of late, with women taking over the franchising world, the business opportunities are endless for female entrepreneurs including Kim. Franchising models allow these entrepreneurs to get the business of their choice up and running more efficiently than if they were to build a business from scratch. “Joining the Hello Garage franchise system was a scary feat, but it also felt so natural,” said Marmolejo. “I am proud of what I been able to build for myself and for my family so far, and I know that the successes we will have in the service-based sector of franchising are endless. We are building a company that I will one day be able to pass on to my children and grandchildren, and that is an amazing feeling.” www.hellogarage.com
Franchising USA
fe at ure : hom e serv ices franchising
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