November veterans in franchising usa 6#1 3

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Veterans in Franchising november 2017

www.franchisingusamagazine.com

Mathnasium -

A time for action

3 Tips for Veterans on How to choose the Best Franchise Tragedy Fueled Army Veteran with

Valuable Lessons in Leadership Franchising USA

SAME DRIVE. DIFFERENT BATTLEFIELD. TAKE THE NEXT STEP > VETFRAN.COM OFFERING FINANCIAL SUPPORT, TRAINING & MENTORSHIP Veterans interested in franchising can take their skills learned in the military to successfully own and develop small businesses. Learn more and support veterans in franchising at www.vetfran.com.

• 650 franchise companies participating • 151,000 veterans and their spouses found careers in the franchise industry • 5,100 veteran franchise owners

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V e t e r a n s i n F r a n c h i s i n g S u ppl e m e n t november 2017 Our Veterans in Franchising special supplement has become a regular feature of Franchising USA. To share your story in the next issue, please contact Vikki Bradbury, Publisher Phone: 778 426 2446 Email: vikki@cgbpublishing.com

Contents On the Cover

Profile

50 Mathnasium: A Time for Action

60 VetFran

58 3 Tips for Veterans on How to Choose the

Best Franchise

News and Expert Advice

52 Tragedy Fueled Army Veteran with

Valuable Lessons in Leadership

52 Tragedy Fueled Army Veteran with

Valuable Lessons in Leadership Dan Quinlan, Franchise Owner, Chem-Dry Express

Franchisor In Depth 54 America’s Swimming Pool Company (ASP)

58 3 Tips for Veterans on How to Choose

the Best Franchise Don McClenney, Franchise Owner, Fastest Labs

62 Great Clips

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V e t erans in Franchising

M at hnasium

A Time for

Action How This Veteran Decided to Open a Life-Changing Business

Former airman James Temple aspired to one day have his own business, but the plan was distant. Everything changed in February of 2009 when his dad passed away unexpectedly and, as James puts it, “life just felt short.” He knew it was time to take action for himself and his family.

It was time to pursue his dreams.

James entered the Air Force for many reasons. He was inspired by his family’s multi-generational legacy of military service in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Marine Corps. He was also drawn to the life of structure, the opportunity to get a college education by participating in the ROTC, and the prospect of having a rewarding job upon graduating.

Not only did James get an affordable

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education and a great job, but the military provided him with invaluable leadership experience and management training. “I spent four years as an Acquisition Program Manager learning project management; helping the customer figure out what they need, defining requirements, finding a contractor to build it, monitoring the process of building, and then delivery of the system.” The next three years of his military career as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer was more about managing people than projects. “At one point I was responsible for 400 people. In seven years I gained experience that most people get in 20.” This experience with real-

life consequences makes veterans ideal candidates for franchisees.

After separating from the military James went to the Darden School of Business to get his MBA with the idea of joining corporate America and eventually becoming an entrepreneur. Shortly before he graduated, his dad passed away. There was a new urgency to make his dream a reality. “Through the course of their 30-year marriage my parents had always planned for a future together. Now those

“Those of us interested in owning a business find many reasons not to take the risk. There is never going to be a perfect time to pursue your dreams; sometimes now is the right time.” - James Temple

plans had turned upside down. It was important that my mom have a meaningful way to provide for herself.” JoAnn and James had previously discussed working together, now “owning a business started to make a lot more sense.” James liked math and his mother’s experience in early childhood education made it a good fit for them. “A lot of things happened that led us in this direction, and one day we decided to give it a try!”

Over the course of running his own Mathnasium James discovered how well his military training prepared him for owning a business. “Aircraft Maintenance is a very disciplined profession. There are checklists for everything. It instills a way of thinking that’s helpful when running a business. Ask any member of our Mathnasium team, we have a checklist for how to do everything. This has allowed us to scale the business from one learning center to ten.” James and JoAnn have seen incredible growth becoming one of the top performing franchisees in the company.

“We’re at the beginning of something.

There is tremendous opportunity that might not exist in other businesses that

aren’t growing at the rate supplemental education is growing.”

When asked what advice he would give to those transitioning out of the service, James speaks about the immense government investment of time, effort, and resources put into training our men and women in the armed forces and the confidence it should instill. “They need to understand how valuable their skills are.”

As he points out, not all veterans are the same, but “for those who have enjoyed leadership, who have enjoyed figuring out, following, and executing structure, franchising provides a neat opportunity to go at it a bit more on your own but under the guidance of a franchise with a system that has been defined and is a proven success.”

James is proud of the positive impact his business has made on the families he serves. He recommends Mathnasium to any veteran who wants to continue their service to the community because it “is a purpose-driven business. It’s important to understand that not all franchises are the same. Yeah you can wake up and just enjoy the game of business, but how great

is it to do that and have meaningful work?”

If you are not sure when to take the next step, James says “those of us interested in owning a business find many reasons not to take the risk. There is never going to be a perfect time to pursue your dreams; sometimes now is the right time.”

Mathnasium is a math-only learning center franchise that teaches kids math the way that makes sense to them. We’ve been a successful business for over a decade, ranked highly by Entrepreneur and Forbes Magazines. Mathnasium is a proud member of the International Franchise Association VetFran Program and offers qualified veterans and active military a 25% discount on the initial franchising fee. We are honored to have military veterans like James Temple as a part of our organization.

If you are interested in learning more about owning a Mathnasium franchise go to www.mathnasium.com/franchise/ veterans.

Photos by ShineInc Photography, Richmond, VA, www.shineincphotography.com

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V e t erans in Franchising

Dan Quinlan, Owner, Chem-Dry Express

Tragedy Fueled Army Veter

Valuable Lessons in Lea I joined the U.S. Army in 1986, being stationed everywhere from Fort Benning, GA to the coasts of Honduras.

It was through these experiences that I gained valuable lessons in leadership, determination, and teamwork, which have also served as my foundation as an entrepreneur.

As I transitioned from the armed forces, I became a franchise owner of Chem-Dry, the world’s largest carpet and upholstery cleaning franchise system, and have grown

Franchising USA

my business to seven territories. During my time in the military and as a small business owner, one thing has remained constant – I owe much of my success to the support of my team.

The road to success is a truly humbling experience. Both in the military and as an entrepreneur, I’ve faced adversity and countless obstacles that could only be overcome with the efforts of a strong support team.

For 12 years, my business was growing and flourishing until I was faced with a tragic accident involving a close friend and business partner. What was initially a competitive situation evolved into a partnership, and I found it rewarding to

work alongside someone who pushed me to be better. Unfortunately, he passed away shortly after we began our partnership. Six weeks after his passing, I was rushed to the hospital after having a life-threatening accident myself. The recovery process kept me away from my work for over a year.

While I was facing the toughest adversity, everyone around me came together to keep the business running. Colleagues, family, even long-term friends did whatever they could to help out.

As business owners – and especially in the Chem-Dry network where there is a closeknit family culture – we provide guidance and support to those around us without any expectation of reciprocation. Having

“These leadership and teamwork skills strengthened my character and helped me build wonderful relationships that have carried me through my darkest moments and greatest successes.” experienced made it impossible for an individual to function at 100 percent. But more than that, how we were reviewed put us under even greater pressure. This was because as Rangers, we as squad-mates would evaluate each other. A trainee who was marked below average by their squad would be transferred to another squad, and a second review with poor marks would result in dismissal.

ran with

adership this supportive network aid in my recovery was one of the most humbling and yet inspirational experiences of my life. I cannot express enough how essential it is to build these deeply rooted relationships to grow a strong support team.

This obligation and spirit of support was instilled in me and was part of my identity before the accident and even before I opened my first Chem-Dry. It was formed during my time as a young Infantry Platoon Leader and during the training and schools I attended like Ranger school. The trials one endures as an Infantry officer and at Ranger school were significant. The physical and mental stress each and every one of us

When our squad was first given the outlines for how this training worked, we had two options: compete against each other and only let the strongest survive, or work together to ensure that we would all got through training together. We chose the latter, committing to each other that none of us would let anyone in the squad fail. We did this by providing motivation and advice and even physically carrying one another if and when it came to that.

For those long months, everyone in our squad had each other’s backs – literally.

These leadership and teamwork skills strengthened my character and helped me build wonderful relationships that have carried me through my darkest moments and greatest successes. Being put in a position of leadership –whether it is in the military or in business – will make you a more empathetic person as you work with a team to reach your desired goals.

Franchising is a great opportunity for veterans because you become part of a unit that wants you to succeed and will help you get there. Under a strong organization like Chem-Dry, you are connected to a network of people who will provide training, ongoing consultation and support, and will share best practices to help you establish and grow your business. Because

Dan Quinlan

whether you are operating a business or working as a military unit, there is no

shame in leaning on others for support.

In fact, building a strong team is one of

the most critical and rewarding aspects of being a successful business owner.

That certainly is true with my wife and business partner Ashley and the rest of

our outstanding team. And that’s one of

the things I love about franchising – as we often say, “you’re in business for yourself, but not by yourself.”

Dan Quinlan is the owner of Chem-Dry Express, and has been serving residents and business owners of the Central New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania areas for more than twenty years. Prior to working with Chem-Dry, Dan graduated from Minnesota State University and the ROTC program as a commissioned officer in 1986. Dan served for three years in the national guard and later as a ranger for the 101st airborne division.

After active duty, Dan served as a reservist while also working as a sales representative for Gulf Oil. He resigned from Gulf Oil after two years before deciding to invest in Chem-Dry, the world’s leading carpet and upholstery cleaning service. www.chemdry.com

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V e t erans in Franchising

A mer ica’s S w im ming Pool C ompa ny ( ASP )

America’s Swimming Pool Company Salutes America’s Heroes with

ASP Veteran Award Program

America’s Swimming Pool Company (ASP) is all about attracting the best and the brightest when it comes to coveted military veterans. And they’re willing to put their money where their mouth is.

The nation’s leading swimming pool service franchise knows it’s competing against so many other companies looking for those key qualities U.S. service members can bring, such as: • leadership • multi-tasking • following a plan/process • task management • adapting to challenges to complete tasks • and so much more That’s why America’s Swimming Pool Company (ASP) created its nationallyacclaimed annual ASP Veteran Program,

“As a former officer in supply and logistics, details were ingrained in me. ASP is strong on details...

They are committed to vets and offer a proven Return on Investment with recurring monthly income.” - Miguel Macias Franchising USA

“I realized I was competing against many exceptional men and women around the country for this honor and was truly humbled upon receiving it... It’s such a great feeling being part of the ASP family!” - Brad Baglio which awards a franchise to one deserving veteran every year. That’s a $65,000 value, on average! The program, based on a nationwide competition among qualified veterans, waives the franchise fees for one winner each year who is selected based on written essays, as well as in person interviews conducted at ASP’s sprawling home office campus in Macon, GA. “We realize we have to really separate ourselves from the competition, and that means providing tangible incentives to those veteran recruits,” said ASP’s CEO and Founder, Stewart Vernon. “Our annual ASP Veteran Program has gotten a lot of publicity around the country because it honors veterans for their service and sacrifice with a business model that offers an excellent head start in civilian life.”

Miguel Macias, a former Navy officer, was the inaugural winner of the ASP Veteran Program in 2015. He was doing his due diligence on life after the Navy, when a friend, who was already an ASP franchisee, introduced him to the company.

“I knew absolutely nothing about ASP, or the swimming pool service, restoration, and repair business,” laughed Macias.

“But when my friend showed me their comprehensive operations and business plan, plus their extensive support of ‘newbies’ in their franchise program, I got to know them in a hurry.”

“As a former officer in supply and logistics, details were ingrained in me,” continued Macias. “ASP is strong on details. I liked that. As I researched deeper, ASP just kept checking off all of my boxes. They are committed to vets and offer a proven Return on Investment with recurring monthly income. Plus, my territory here in Reno, NV, is exclusive to me.”

Today, Macias has six workers and says he

is busy every day. However, he said he’s thankful to be his own boss, which allows him to spend more time with his family.

Vernon said it’s success stories like Miguel’s that make him so proud of what ASP does for veterans.

“We have franchise owners from just about every branch of the military,” says Vernon.

“Here’s why: at ASP, we provide them with the structure, and thorough training they are used to, but we also back them up with deep support every step of the way.

That’s why ASP is so attractive to vets: they see a workable business model, which is similar to their military experience regarding outline of expectations and application. They realize there is a proven, strategic plan to follow, and it’s geared

solely for their success. That’s just one of the reasons why we have been recognized as a Top 10 Franchise for Veterans and Franchising by Franchise Business Review and were recently listed as one of the Top Franchises for Veterans in Entrepreneur Magazine.”

Army veteran Brad Baglio was ASP’s second recipient of the ASP Veteran Program award in 2016.

“I realized I was competing against many exceptional men and women around the country for this honor and was truly humbled upon receiving it,” said Baglio.

“It’s such a great feeling being part of the ASP family!”

Baglio’s territory is in Bell County, TX, serving Temple, Killeen, Belton, and

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V e t erans in Franchising

A mer ica’s S w im ming Pool C ompa ny ( ASP )

other communities in the hill country of Texas. He says the early days of franchise ownership can be long, but he relished the chance to be his own boss, and embraced the responsibilities of being the face of ASP in the area.

“There is nothing like America’s Swimming Pool Company in this part of Texas,” according to Baglio. “People are loving the professionalism we bring to them for complete pool service and maintenance. Plus, having lived here 10 years ago, it’s always been our heart’s desire to return some day. It’s great being back among friends.”

Jef Flournoy, Vice-President of Sales and Development for ASP Franchising, is proud of Macias and Baglio, as well as all of the veterans working with America’s Swimming Pool Company.

“They’re all winners in my book,” says Flournoy. “Our terrific vets make such great franchisees because of their commitment, trustworthiness, and unmatched determination to succeed.

We are, at this moment, conducting our competition for the next winner of the ASP Veteran Program. To apply, just go to aspfranchising.com/veterans/. The winner will be announced on Veteran’s Day, November 11th this year. But outside of this award, ASP also offers, to any qualified U.S. vet, a 15% discount on their franchise fee.”

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“Our annual ASP Veteran Program has gotten a lot of publicity around the country because it honors veterans for their service and sacrifice with a business model that offers an excellent head start in civilian life.” - Stewart Vernon “For the two ASP Veteran Program winners we have had so far, they have used this award as the foundation for successful starts to their new careers, “added Vernon.

“We believe our ASP Veteran Program also sends a clear message to other vets contemplating becoming self-sufficient, by owning their own business, that ASP is willing to take the extra step to help them realize their goals of independence, and a better life-style for themselves and their families.”

For any veterans interested in learning more about ASP’s industry leading ASP Veteran Program and applying to win this year’s award, please visit aspfranchising. com/veterans/.

More About America’s Swimming Pool Company Since 2002, ASP has been dedicated to serving pool owners throughout the United States. Our professionals are experienced in maintenance, equipment diagnostics and repair, and pool renovation. Whether you’re looking for an ongoing maintenance program, a routine repair or a pool makeover, ASP is your best choice.

Learn more about what we do, visit our locator page to find the ASP professional team nearest you, contact us today. aspfranchising.com

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V e t erans in Franchising

Don McClenney, Franchisee, Fastest Labs

3 Tips for Veterans on How to Choose the Best Franchise

Don McClenney

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As a military veteran, I am one of many who had the desire to own my own business upon leaving the military. Each year, nearly 200,000 U.S. military personnel return to civilian life and nearly 10 percent will start a business.

In fact, military service is recognized as one of the leading indicators of entrepreneurial success. According to a report by the U.S. Small Business Administration, veterans are 45% more likely to be entrepreneurs than nonveterans, and over 13% of veterans have been self-employed in recent years.

There are many characteristics those with military experience possess that make them successful entrepreneurs such as organization skills, resourcefulness and confidence to take strategic risks.

However, the thought of starting a business

on your own can be daunting to many.

Because of this, I chose to pursue business ownership by purchasing a franchise due to the support and guidance provided.

Having a trusted team behind you when taking on a new venture is immeasurable, something else I learned during my time in the military.

Franchising is a great option for veterans as franchises often provide training, proven operational excellence, and a great support system from your franchisor and peers in the franchisee community. If you have decided to pursue franchising, there are a few tips I would give to veterans considering the plethora of options.

Do Your Research It is important to choose the right type of franchise that will be the best fit for you.

The business you choose should fit your personality while also taking into account your training, interests, and passions.

There are many different segments within the franchising sector such as food, home service, healthcare, technology, fitness and more.

My advice is to first follow your passion and then your training and experience. If you find a franchise concept that matches your expertise but you have no interest in the field, it will be much harder to be successful as you will not find the experience to be fulfilling and may burn out easily. Whereas if you follow your passions, take your time to research and find a franchise that makes you feel fulfilled and also aligns with your training, you’ve found the ‘sweet spot.’

In addition, research the resources that are available to you as a veteran. The U.S. Small Business Administration has partnered with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to offer a national entrepreneurship training program for transitioning service members. The Operation Boots to Business: From Service to Startup program offers entrepreneurship training to service members.

Take Your Time and Plan Ahead If I could go back and tell my younger self

“If you follow your passions, take your time to research and find a franchise that makes you feel fulfilled and also aligns with your training, you’ve found the ‘sweet spot’.” one thing regarding starting my business, it would be to start sooner. As I mentioned, the thought of starting a business can be daunting. Because of this, I delayed pursuing my dream when I first left the service. However, once I discovered the possibility of franchising and the support that comes with it, I realized I should have taken the opportunity sooner.

If you are still serving in the military but are thinking about the possibility of business ownership after service, it’s not too early to start your research now.

Attend multiple franchise expos to learn what is out there. This gives you time, if you find a number of concepts that are of interest, to gain the appropriate intel to insure short- and long-term success for your future business.

Take into Account the Training and Ongoing Support Offered When you find a franchise that you think is a good fit, I recommend assessing the type of training the franchisor provides to franchisees.

When I consider the parallels between my military career and the success I’ve had in running my business, the most important is the training I’ve received. When you are in the military, you go through extensive training to define your specialty and accomplish successful missions.

When I decided to buy a franchise, my ‘mission’ became to run the business as successfully as possible. To do this, I knew I needed the proper training. One of the main reasons I chose the specific franchise I did was because of the training program put in place for franchisees.

From the beginning, I felt that I was set up for success, which was critical. As you operate your franchise business, the ongoing support is critical to success, giving you critical and timely information that you will need to address issues in specific situations. In regards to training, some things to take into account are: does the training measure up to what is offered by other franchisors, what backgrounds do the franchisors have, and what are the experiences of current franchisees regarding training and support?

Starting a business is both rewarding and challenging, but taking the right steps before choosing a franchise can lead to the same kinds of opportunities for growth and work satisfaction found in the military.

U.S. Navy veteran Don McClenney worked in the corporate world for 20 years in B2B sales after retiring from the Navy in 1994 where he served nine years as a Naval Flight Officer. McClenney now runs a successful and growing Fastest Labs, the nation’s leading drugtesting franchise, location in Texas. fastestlabs.com

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V e t erans in Franchising

VetFra n

U.S. Veterans Thrive

Through Franchise Ownership Each day, George Kok divides his time between the two Mr. Transmission/ Milex auto repair stores he owns about 15 miles from each other in Louisville, Kentucky and Clarksville, Indiana.

He is one of the longest tenured franchise owners in the system, having purchased the store in Louisville in 1983 before adding a second location 15 years ago. He credits much of his success as a business owner from the experience he gained during his three and a half years teaching operations control for Chinook helicopters in the United States Army in the early 1970’s.

“I received excellent training in the military about the hydraulic systems

in helicopters, which I now apply to automotive transmissions,” said Kok. “I also learned the importance of discipline, accountability and chain of command, which has been the core of my operations as a franchise owner for more than 30 years. There is a business hierarchy with customers, employees, vendors and others, and it is my job as franchise owner to oversee this interworking system and make sure it runs correctly.”

There are many other examples of veterans such as Kok who have transitioned from their time in the military to find success as franchise owners. A 2007 Census Bureau Small Business Owner survey showed there are more than 66,000 veteran-owned franchises, which equates to about 14 percent of all franchises in the United States. According to a 2014 study conducted by the International Franchise Association, 203,890 veterans started careers in franchising between 2011 and 2014, while 5,608 veterans became franchise owners over that same period of time.

Why is franchising such a great fit for veterans? Consider the some of the following reasons: • Military experience requires strong leadership skills and motivating others, improving processes and accomplishing a defined mission. Like the military, successful franchisees lead their employees to accomplish the mission as a team.

• The military has extensive training and teaches unique skills used to carry out

George Kok Franchising USA

“There is a business hierarchy with customers, employees, vendors and others, and it is my job as franchise owner to oversee this interworking system and make sure it runs correctly.”

very specific tasks. Franchising also has comprehensive training and support built into the franchise process. This means a veteran can enter a completely new field and be likely to succeed by following the franchisor’s proven business model and completing the training program.

Pete Baldine

• An established franchise business operates on proven systems and defined procedures. Executing systems and following procedures with precision is emphasized in military training, and leads to success in franchising.

Franchisors recognize the skills and experience gained in the military translates to business ownership, and have been aggressively pursuing veterans for their companies. Sixty-five percent of franchisors surveyed in the 2014 IFA report indicated that the total number of veterans being recruited into their company had increased in the previous 12 months from the time of the study. Of the franchisors surveyed, 97 percent felt that veterans are a good fit as franchise owners within their company.

“Many of the veteran prospects we meet with have the work ethic, discipline and leadership we look for in franchise owners,” said Pete Baldine, President of Moran Family of Brands, and franchisor of Mr. Transmission/Milex. “One benefit franchising offers is the opportunity to become a business owner without having a background in marketing, accounting or sales. Franchise companies offer comprehensive training in all areas of business operations, and provide an established business model to follow. That often helps veterans overcome any lack of experience in a given field gives them guidance on what they will need to do to become successful.”

Moran Family of Brands assigns experienced owners in the system to serve as mentors for first-year franchisees.

Baldine also noted that as veterans entering the workforce during slow times may find it difficult to find high-paying job, business ownership can be a great alternative. Moran counts 15 veterans among their total of 120 franchise owners in the system.

“Franchise companies offer comprehensive training in all areas of business operations, and provide an established business model to follow. That often helps veterans overcome any lack of experience in a given field gives them guidance on what they will need to do to become successful.”

While many of Moran’s owners received technical training while in the military that they have applied to their careers in automotive repair, others get into franchising to achieve entrepreneurial success in their careers.

U.S. Army reservist William Bruck opened a Visiting Angels franchise four years ago in Monroe, MI between a tour in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Visiting Angels provides in-home senior care to disabled and senior clients, helping them get dressed daily, organize medication, shop for groceries, and plan meals. Although he did not initially plan for a career in home care services, he developed a passion for keeping aging veterans in their homes and decided to pursue a field that allows him to serve fellow veterans and their families.

Many franchises like Moran Family of Brands and Visiting Angels are members of VetFran. The initiative provides U.S. Veterans with a 10 percent franchise fee discount, mentorship and training programs to assist any honorably discharged transition to civilian life.

The transition from active duty to civilian life can be a challenge for veterans.

However, as Kok and Bruck have shown, there are many great entrepreneurial opportunities for veterans through franchise ownership. This Veterans Day we can all thank those who have fought for our country as well as celebrate the success they have gone on to experience in the business world.

For more information on the VetFran initiative, please visit www.vetfran.com.

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G reat Clips

Great Clips Launches new kind of

Veterans Day Campaign Great Clips, the world’s largest salon brand, has launched a new campaign that highlights the veterans, active military members, and supporters that make the brand great.

Started in honor of Veterans Day 2017, the #GREATful4VETS campaign tells the stories of a dozen outstanding individuals across the Great Clips network.

While Great Clips has consistently supported veterans through a variety of organizations over the years, this year the team recognized that they work among extraordinary individuals within their own network who are serving or have served their country, or are making an impact on the lives of these individuals each and every day.

Great Clips franchisee and OSC volunteer Dennis Stevens Franchising USA

In May, Great Clips began a system-wide call for nominations within its internal network and chose 13 individuals to highlight during the inaugural campaign, through a mix of video and written narratives. Those selected include franchisees, salon managers, stylists, family members and loyal customers, who have actively served or go above and beyond to support those who have served in the military.

Patty Addison, Great Clips Stylist, looks over her family’s military mementos

Individuals highlighted in the video campaign include: Dennis Stevens is a Great Clips franchisee who has spent the last 13 years helping veterans recover through Operation Second Chance (OSC). The organization takes care of younger soldiers coming home from oversees, by setting up therapeutic retreats between servicemen to rehabilitate them back into civilian life, all while making sure they receive gratitude from their countrymen for their service.

Patty Addison is a Great Clips general manager who has faithfully supported her husband and two sons through multiple deployments overseas. Her family views her as a true hero, serving as the rock for the family no matter where their service takes them.

Bill Jackson is a Great Clips franchisee who honed his leadership style through two decades of service as an Air Force Commander. Bill’s family was one of 13 involved in Brown v. Board of Education and as a result of this monumental decision

As a part of the campaign, Great Clips encourages people to share their own stories on social media about the military members and veterans who they are grateful for using the hashtag #GREATful4VETS. he was able to earn his college degree. A skilled basketball player, he was a member of the All American Armed Forces team during his tenure with the Air Force.

Jon Jacobson is the husband of a Great Clips stylist who has found new purpose since returning home from two deployments in Iraq. In 2009, Jacobson lost the use of his left hand and part of his arm while overseas and struggled to find his path back to civilian life, until he took part in a turkey hunt through the Ft. Riley Wounded Warriors program. As an avid hunter, Jacobson traded his rifle for a bow and arrow and trained himself to shoot, even when doctors told him it wasn’t possible. He now serves as a hunting guide with Prairie Storm Outfitters, where he leads hunts for other wounded veterans throughout Western Kansas.

Chuck Mundahl, the uncle of a Great Clips franchisee, served in the 1st infantry division (a.k.a. “Big Red One”) during the Vietnam War. During his service, he was awarded the Purple Heart along with the Bronze Star and fought in the battle of Bong Trang, one of the largest sustained combats of the Vietnam War where 41 Americans were killed and almost 250 wounded. Big Red One’s motto? No mission too difficult, no service too great, duty first! As a Veteran, this is how Mundahl continues to live his life by helping soldiers who return home cope with the transition back to everyday life.

Beth Callender is a Great Clips general manager who was inspired to join the Army after hearing stories from her grandfather about serving in World War II. She served as a Heavy Equipment Operator and enjoys the military family

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G reat Clips

Chuck Mundahl looks over his military keepsakes

she has gained from her time in the service.

Farhan Merchant is a Marketing Manager for Great Clips, who served in the Canadian military as a driver/ instructor. Farhan was inspired by the strength and discipline he observed in two military members who visited his school for career day. He credits the skills he learned during his time in the service with preparing him for life challenges, including his infant daughter’s passing.

Individuals highlighted in the written campaign include: Trey Ripple, an Army military police officer stationed at Ft. Hood who “grew up Great Clips” as the son of a general manager.

Jerry Painter, a US Air Force veteran and step-father to a Great Clips general manager, who spent his career making weather predictions for NASA and the President of the United States.

George Davis, the father of a Great Clips franchisee, who used his Morse Code

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While Great Clips has consistently supported veterans through a variety of organizations over the years, this year the team recognized that they work among extraordinary individuals within their own network who are serving or have served their country, or are making an impact on the lives of these individuals each and every day. training to defend Allied supply routes during WWII. Michael Grano, who parlayed his skills learned in the Navy into a styling career at Great Clips.

Dennis McFadden, who spent 36 years serving in the British Royal Army before moving to Canada to purchase his first Great Clips salon.

stories in 2017. Previously, Great Clips has supported impactful organizations including Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Operation Second Chance, The Greatest Generations Foundation, Stand Down for Vets, Take a Vet Fishing, and the American Legion.

Herschel Luckinbill, a regular Great Clips customer who has dedicated his life to memorializing veterans and making the world a better place.

As a part of the campaign, Great Clips encourages people to share their own stories on social media about the military members and veterans who they are grateful for using the hashtag #GREATful4VETS.

In addition to the continuation of its fifth annual Veterans Day “get one, give one free” haircut promotion, the team is elated to shine the spotlight on these impactful

For more information about the #GREATful4VETS campaign, visit GreatClips.com or follow along on Facebook to see full videos.

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