VETERANS IN FRANCHISING JUNE 2017 5#8 2

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Veterans in Franchising june 2017

www.franchisingusamagazine.com

Home Care Franchise Opportunities

Help Veterans Become Business Owners

So, You’re Retiring From the Military‌ Now What? from Marine to Marketing Mogul 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 Suppl e m e n t june 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 50 Home Care Franchise Opportunities Help

Veterans Become Business Owners 46 So, You’re Retiring From the Military…

Now What?

48 From Marine to Marketing Mogul

News and Expert Advice 46 So, You’re Retiring From the Military…

Now What?

Willie Smith, Juice it Up!

50 Home Care Franchise Opportunities Help

Veterans Become Business Owners Aarif Dahod, CEO and COO of Accessible Home

Health Care

Veterans Profile 48 Valpak

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V e t erans in Franchising

Willie Smith, Juice It Up! Franchisee

So, You’re Retiring From the Military…

Now What?

After 27 years in the Marine Corps, I retired in 2010 as a Master Sergeant, to embark on my next (and hopefully final) career as an adult.

As a new civilian and budding entrepreneur, it was important that I set myself up for success. It was a daunting task determining what my next major life choice would be, and I didn’t want to start this chapter behind the curve, so I enlisted the help of a financial broker to discuss my options.

As a leader in the military, I knew from the moment I retired that I wanted to be a business owner. I’ve always thrived within leadership roles and my passion lies in leading and helping others grow. When I began speaking with my broker, we drafted a thorough business plan outlining the type of company I’d be interested in partnering with. There are many existing

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options for business ownership and I knew from the beginning that I did not want to start a business from scratch, and through the initial strategy session with my broker, we determined that franchising would be the best route.

I know it’s important to have resources and experts available to guide me, as well as having a good franchise model set up.

I’ve thrived in many roles while under leadership from those above me, and by following guidelines put into place by those who’ve paved the way. Truthfully, I believe a company is only as good as its leadership team and the tried-and-true regulations that have been implemented to ensure success.

How do you pick the best franchise for you?

It was important to me to be part of a company that promotes a healthy, active lifestyle and provides better-for-you options. In the military, I spent a lot of my time working out and eating well, and it was essential that I pick a franchise brand that’s culture aligned with my lifestyle.

That’s when I found Juice It Up! A brand that’s been around for over two decades, Juice It Up! was, and still is, the ideal franchise opportunity for me. They offer products that are a step above the competition, including fresh-squeezed raw juices, blended-to-order real fruit and veggie smoothies and nutrient-rich bowls.

It was the company’s passion for working with veterans and their Vetfran Program which sealed the deal, though, giving me 60% off on the initial franchise fee.

What lessons have you learned since becoming a business owner?

Since I opened my first store in Temecula, California, I’ve learned (as most business owners do) that it’s hard work. We first opened our doors in 2010, a difficult economical time in our country. But, with the support of Juice It Up!’s CEO, Frank Easterbrook, I was able to keep

“In the Marines, the people I led had to be there . . . so I pushed them as hard as I could to get the results I needed. When I opened my store, I found that my employees don’t have to be there; they choose to be there.” my business afloat and weather the rough financial times during the recession. I was fortunate to have a solid corporate team in place to help me succeed; if I hadn’t chosen the path of a franchisee, I wouldn’t have had that support system available to me.

I also learned that leading people as a business owner is a completely different beast compared to that of the military. In the Marines, the people I led had to be there; they didn’t have the option to quit so I pushed them as hard as I could to get the results I needed. When I opened my store, I found that my employees don’t have to be there… they choose to be there.

Changing my teaching technique style was difficult but not impossible since I learned quickly that my methods could make or break my business. My employees are a necessity for my business to function and succeed, so I changed the way I led to fit my new environment and be more compassionate. I’m the decision maker regarding who works with me and I’ve learned to be more patient, kind and to value my employee relationships.

What advice do you have for any current and future veteran franchisees?

Choose a company that aligns with your values and lifestyle. I knew as soon as I came across Juice It Up! that it was the best option for me. It’s a brand I could be passionate about. Additionally, utilize your corporate team and the resources they provide. Juice It Up! has been around since 1995 and they’re successful because they

Willie Smith

have a tried and true business model in place that is effective.

Not only is it imperative you find a brand that you can stand by 100%, you have to be willing to grow each and every day. What you think you know is best, may not be the case. As long as you’re open to taking advice, trusting the system and asking for help, you will succeed in the franchise industry.

In 2010, Willie Smith retired a Master Sergeant after 27 years in the Marines, a career that took him across the country and around the world, including two tours in Okinawa, Japan, and one in Afghanistan. In the Marines, he oversaw operations, managed supplies, learned sales skills, marketing and communications through recruitment and was able to hone his leadership skills as an officer. Smith opened his first Juice It Up! location in Temecula, California in 2010 and recently open his second store earlier this year. www.juiceitupfranchise.com

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V e t erans in Franchising

Valpa k

From Marine to Marketing Mogul For Mike Lozier, the transition from Officer of the United States Marine Corps to Valpak franchise owner was not one without much consideration.

Now, even after 10 years as a business owner, he still shares the same sentiment as all former Marines: “Once a Marine, Always a Marine.” Here’s how he used his military experience to build two successful businesses, all while continuing to support his fellow servicemen and women.

Mike Lozier, 45, is a native New Yorker, born and raised in North Babylon on Long Island. In 1990, Lozier was a freshman

studying Equine studies at the State University of Cobleskill in New York while three of his cousins were serving in the first Gulf War. Their service, coupled with the love and sense of duty Lozier felt for his country, motivated him to enlist.

In 1992, Lozier began a military career that would span over 15 years. He enlisted with the United States Marine Corps and completed basic training at Parris Island as a platoon honor graduate. Following graduation, Lozier received orders to Pensacola, Florida for intelligence training where he would qualify as a 2621 Morse code operator. Upon completion of training, Lozier received orders to Japan at Misawa Air Base where he was stationed for two years.

Over the next 12 years, Lozier relocated several times throughout the U.S. as well as completed two real world operations in Zaire and Sierra Leone, Africa while part of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22 MEU). During this time frame, he completed extensive education and training that propelled him further in his career. While stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland from 1999-2002, Lozier worked with the National Security Agency as an

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intelligence analyst and was selected to become an officer in the Marine Corps’ Marine Enlisted Commissioning Program (MECEP), giving him the opportunity to attend the University of Maryland.

It was in Washington D.C. while attending the University of Maryland that Lozier met a woman named Robyn Cohen who would later become his wife. After earning his bachelor’s degree in history, Lozier received orders to Officer Candidate School and The Basic School at Base Quantico in Virginia where he graduated top of his class and became a financial management officer.

“It was a big change in career for me, but I was setting myself up for life after the Corps. It was important that I think of a future beyond the military because this life can wear you down,” said Lozier.

Lozier was ordered to stay at Base Quantico and became the lead budget analyst for OPTARSS (Operations, Planning, Training and Resource Support Services) at Training and Education Command (TECOM). After three and a half years at TECOM, Mike made the decision to retire in 2007 to focus on his personal life and future family.

“When I met my wife, she became my top priority, and while I could’ve completed another five years in the Corps before retirement, I didn’t want that lifestyle for my wife nor my future family. She changed my entire world and I felt that once you can no longer give 110 percent, it’s not fair to you, it’s not fair to the Marine Corps nor the people you’re supposed to be protecting,” said Lozier.

It was Robyn who introduced Mike to Valpak, helping to pave the way to business ownership and a career after the Marines. Robyn’s parents, Jeff and Marsha Cohen, were among the original franchise owners with Valpak when the company first began franchising in 1972.

After 40 years in business, the Cohens sold a portion of their New Jersey territory, including Essex and Union counties to Mike and Robyn.

“My wife and I wanted to do something together since we spent so much time

“My wife and I wanted to do something together since we spent so much time apart during my years of service. Valpak was a natural fit for us and offered us an opportunity to continue Robyn’s family’s legacy.” apart during my years of service. Valpak was a natural fit for us and offered us an opportunity to continue Robyn’s family’s legacy,” said Lozier.

As a first-time business owner, Lozier discovered that his military skills and experience translated to his newfound career.

“The military teaches you to roll with the punches and work with people from all walks of life. Each individual acts and reacts differently, very much like our Valpak clients,” said Lozier. “As Valpak franchisees, we’ve received unparalleled ongoing support and training to help us develop our business and implement successful strategies.”

As part of its commitment to expanding veteran franchise ownership, Valpak is a proud supporter of VetFRAN, the Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative. For all honorably discharged veterans, Valpak offers a 20 percent discount on the initial franchise fee.

While Mike Lozier’s career trajectory took an unexpected direction, he hasn’t forgotten his roots as a Marine. In 2007, Lozier launched a holiday care package program that ships greeting cards and gifts to units of service members deployed overseas. Other Valpak franchise owners began to join in the effort, and eventually the entire Valpak franchise network joined.

Today, the Loziers own and operate Valpak of Garden State East. In addition, in 2016, the entrepreneur started a gutter cleaning business, Gutter Plumbers, geared towards veteran franchise owners, which he plans to franchise in the future.

“My intent with Gutter Plumbers is to create a franchise-based business that can offer qualified veterans a franchise of their own for a very nominal cost. My goal is to give back to the veterans who are transitioning from their military careers to civilian life, and get them started on their own.” www.valpak.com

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V e t erans in Franchising

Aarif Dahod, CEO & COO, Accessible Home Health Care

Home Care Franchise Opportunities

Help Veterans Become Business Owners

Aarif Dahod

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One of the most difficult aspects of transitioning from active duty to civilian life can be finding employment for a postmilitary career. Yet some former service members are discovering civilian career success with their leadership skills through the ownership of home care franchises.

Veterans Javon and Nathan Russell and their mother Joyce, who recently acquired a home care franchise, certainly are.

Javon and Nathan, both United States Army and Marine Corps veterans, became determined to change the face of veteran care in their community in honor of their late father. The brothers set out to accomplish this goal by providing quality home care services to seniors and vets in their local area. Their desire to help others was born after the brothers experienced difficulty finding quality home care for their father, an honorably discharged U.S. Navy veteran.

Now as home care franchise owners with firsthand experience as caregivers, Javon and Nathan are on a mission to offer

quality home care services. Who better to provide care for veterans than veterans?

The qualities necessary to be a successful owner in the home care franchising industry are an ability to lead a business, a dedicated work ethic, and a willingness to follow a set business plan as a franchisee.

Veterans excel at all of the above.

According to the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) Franchising for Veterans Industry Analysis 2017 - Cost & Trends report, 1 in 7 U.S. franchises are veteran owned. In addition, 9% of all business owners in the U.S. are veterans.

That’s a big number!

Veterans are prepared for franchise ownership because of the training and people skills they learn in the military.

Being a franchisee and running a home care business is all about using teamwork and leadership skills to achieve predetermined results through a proven system. As a home care franchisee, an owner can rely on a network of support from the franchisor and other franchisees while simultaneously helping local seniors in their community. Alternatively, as an entrepreneur, they would be out on their own.

According to the Home and Senior Care Franchise Industry Report 2016, 6.5 million seniors need help in their homes, and this number is anticipated to double by 2020. Home care franchises can fulfill that growing need with quality, 24/7 non-medical home care services for aging adults and individuals of all ages who require care.

An AARP Aging in Place survey reports that 89% of seniors would like to age in their own homes as long as they can.

Home care companies arrange for visiting home health aides to provide services such as medical reminders housekeeping, laundry, bathing, transportation, meal preparation, grooming, and dressing.

For veterans embarking on the transition from military to civilian life, incentives like financial and support training offered by franchisors are great avenues for veterans to get started as business owners in any industry. Franchisors like Accessible Home Health Care and organizations like the Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative (VetFran)

“Veterans are prepared for franchise ownership because of the training and people skills they learn in the military.” offer benefits or cost saving programs as incentives to become franchisees.

To support veteran franchise owners, Accessible Home Health Care offers the Milton M. Rager Veterans’ Franchise Opportunity Program. The program waives the initial $50,000 startup fee, provides entrepreneurial training, and offers assistance in locating and accessing capital to qualifying veterans. The entire Accessible team is excited to offer this franchise opportunity to the Russell family as good corporate citizenship.

The Russell family was selected for this home care business opportunity program because of their past military service and combined healthcare and business experience. It was always a dream of the Russells to own a business and use their career strengths together as a family to help people obtain compassionate home care for their loved ones.

With their combined expertise and family legacy of military service to the country, the Russells will provide compassionate care to seniors and veterans in their hometown of Detroit, Michigan. Nathan served 16 years in the United States Army and Marine Corps and has human resources experience and a bachelor’s degree in accounting. His brother and business partner Javon is also a United States Army veteran working in business

management. Their mother Joyce Russell has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare, a master’s degree in nursing, and will complete her Doctor of Nursing Practice in fall 2017.

Getting involved in the home health care franchising industry is a great next step for United States military veterans interested in creating a rewarding career path by owning a business and caring for seniors and fellow veterans. With an increasing demand for in home care for seniors throughout the country, the home care market is set for solid growth in years to come with opportunities for caring and compassionate franchisees who have the determination to succeed.

Aarif Dahod is the CEO and COO of Accessible Home Health Care. Founded in 2001, Accessible Home Health Care provides “Compassionate Care from the Heart” to help assist and support families during times of need when seniors and elders begin to change physically and mentally. Accessible Home Health Care offers customizable in home care services that include Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Parkinson’s care to help seniors maintain their independence, in-home safety, and enhance their quality of life. www.accessiblehomehealthcare.com/ veteran-owned-franchise-opportunity

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