fran·chi·see \ fran-chī-zē, -chə-\noun
1. An outstanding franchise owner 2. Taking the leap to franchising and never looking back
BRIAN ROBEY Deck Medic of Northwest Indiana
W
By Jill Abrahamsen
orking in Corporate America helped Brian Robey develop many skills needed to run a franchise business: Managing people, developing relationships, and balancing profit and loss are just a few that come to mind. But Robey’s relationship with two clients had the biggest influence on his future as a business owner. While handling the Deck Medic account in his position with SherwinWilliams, Robey saw the growth and value of the franchise firsthand. Getting to know the management team, he recognized the passion and integrity behind the brand. “Jeff and Mike are stand-up guys. They have a passion for the business and are headed for huge growth,” Robey says about Jeff Konopak and Mike Nastepniak, co-owners of Deck Medic. While Robey enjoyed his career with Sherwin-Williams, he had a desire to work for himself and make his own hours. “I wanted to find a way to do the things I wanted to do. I wanted to be at my son’s baseball games and my daughter’s concerts. I wanted to be able to enjoy my family,” he says. The wood-restoration franchise was a no-brainer for Robey. “My back26
FranchiseDictionaryMagazine.com
