Franchise Journal February 2023

FR ANCHISE

2023 SHOWS

MIAMI

Miami Airport Convention Center

HOUSTON

March 13- 14, 2021

Humble Civic Center

March 4-5, 2023

TAMPA

DALLAS

Tampa Convention Center

Irving Convention Center

March 25-26, 2023

April 24-25, 2021

SAN ANTONIO

MIAMI

Miami Airport Convention Center

Henry B. Gonzalez Conv. Ctr.

April 15-16, 2023

May 1-2, 2021

ORLANDO

ATLANTA

Osceola Heritage Park

April 29-30, 2023

Cobb Galleria

May 15-16, 2021

TAMPA BAY

WASHINGTON DC

Florida State Fairgrounds

May 13-14. 2023

Dulles Expo Center

September 18-19, 2021

ATLANTA

Cobb Galleria

May 20-21, 2023

ORLANDO

Orange County Convention Center

CHARLOTTE Park Expo and Conference

October 9-10, 2021

June 3-4, 2023

NEW JERSEY

HOUSTON Stafford Center

New Jersey Expo & Convention Center

September 9-10, 2023

October 16-17, 2021

NASHVILLE Mid Tennessee Expo Center

DALLAS

September 30-October 1, 2023

Irving Convention Center

WASHINGTON DC

November 6-7, 2021

Dulles Expo Center

October 14-15, 2023

DALLAS

Mesquite Convention Center

October 28-29, 2023

SAN ANTONIO

Freeman Expo Hall

November 4-5 2023

Chris Hopkins

The career of Chris Hopkins spans over three decades encompassing many genres including high profile illustration for film, entertainment sports, publishing and the corporate world including theme art for three Superbowls and marquee art for the film, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. He has created work for the US government with works displayed in the White House during the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations and a commission from the Obama White House. Many of his paintings are in the permanent collection of the Pentagon. Hopkins has painted works for the Air Force from assignments to Afghanistan, Thailand and Central America. He has painted recipients of the Medal Of Honor for the Pentagon's Hall Of Heroes. He has created museum exhibits that celebrate the human, spirit painting bodies of work that narrate and recognize the N.W. Coast First Nations People, the Tuskegee Airmen, and the Japanese American Internment. He had been chosen to create works that would re-imagine two of Norman Rockwell’s Four Freedoms, which toured the United States and Europe with Rockwell’s original Four Freedoms paintings garnering the "Best of Show" award. Chris has painted works for the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis TN. He was a featured artist in the Exhibit, “Imprinted” Illustrating Race” a special exhibition examines the role of published images is shaping attitudes towards race and culture at the Norman Rockwell Museum.

He has been awarded with gold and silver medals from SILA and a Life Achievement Award from Air Brush Action Magazine, and was a finalist for a Grammy Award in the category of Music packaging design.

Tuskegee Airmen Series

A visual narrative that records and pays tribute to the African American squadron of fighter pilots, grounds crew, and the families that served in the second world war. This is a story of a people who fought two very different wars. One war was in Europe and the other one at home in the United States the very land that they were fighting for. Research and reference for this project has been obtained by varied literature, by the generosity of historians, by interviews with surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen and by way of the Air Force Art Program.

Click to view Chris Hopkins' prints and paintings

www.chrishopkinsart.com

108 DREAM WITH ME

Shalita Hale’s First Step to Securing an SBA Loan by Scott McKelvey

112 FLOOR COVERINGS INTERNATIONAL

From the Philippines to LAX Couple Enjoys Success of Top Mobile Concept by Rhonda Sanderson

116 CODE WIZ

Breaking Barriers and Building Inclusion: One Founder's Journey to a 100% MinorityOwned Franchise by Ruth Agbaji

122 GLOBAL INFLUENCERS GROUP

GIG Pairs Franchises with Athletes and Celebrities to Create Influencer Marketing

welcome

NOTES

The contributions of African Americans to our Nation’s liberty, prosperity and culture are innumerable. While it is impossible to highlight the many deserving entrepreneurs and thought leaders from this community, our cover honors the Tuskegee Airmen who were the first Black military aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps (AAC), a precursor of the U.S. Air Force.

Trained at the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama, they flew more than 15,000 individual sorties in Europe and North Africa during World War II. Their impressive performance earned them more than 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and helped encourage the integration of the U.S. armed forces. More than 300 of the original Tuskegee Airmen were on hand to receive the Congressional Gold Medal from President George W. Bush in 2007. Two years later, the surviving

Tuskegee-trained pilots and support crew were invited to attend the inauguration of the nation’s first African American president, Barack Obama, who once wrote that his “career in public service was made possible by the path heroes like the Tuskegee Airmen trail-blazed.”

This trail blazing has had significance in the world of commerce and continues to be an important cornerstone for the advancement of all communities within our country.

At a January 17 event marking Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said, “From Reconstruction, to Jim Crow, to the present day, our economy has never worked fairly for Black Americans—or, really, for any American of color.” Yellen’s remarks were an acknowledgement that U.S. policymakers have established racially tilted rules for the economy, prohibiting intergenerational wealth transfers among Black Americans, among many other harms. This is the generation that is changing those harms. We should all reflect and be proud of the times we live in that we have the historic opportunity to be an agent of positive change.

Franchising has long been a proponent of diversity in business ownership and in 2018 The Franchise Consulting Company launched The African American Franchise Council to connect entrepreneurs in the community with educational resources. This was followed up on 2021 by The International Franchise Association launched the Black Franchise Leadership Council as part of their long-established Diversity Institute. Business ownership is a universal right in the United States and while there are many resources to help African American entrepreneurs, oftentimes the access to capital is lacking.

THE DALLAS FRANCHISE INITIATIVE (DFI)

In 2022, The Dallas Franchise Initiative (DFI) was launched and has a clear cut mission and vision of support. They will be rolling out a number of innovative programs that we will highlight each month in Franchise Journal magazine. In addition, the DFI is going on the road with The Great American Franchise Expo to engage with entrepreneurs in 12 markets with a message of education and support along with the tools they need to access capital and talent. These initiatives, while long overdue, are only the beginning of what portends

to be a new era in business ownership in many communities. This is not only good for the entrepreneurs and their community, it is good for our country as a whole.

FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN "MILLIONAIRE"

While the challenges are myriad, the ability of one to succeed is not dependent upon the color of their skin but by the resilience and drive they possess. There are many stories of how Americans overcame great hardship to succeed, in every epoch.

Robert Reed Church Sr. (June 18, 1839 – August 29, 1912) was an American entrepreneur, businessman and landowner in Memphis, Tennessee, who began his rise during the American Civil War. He was the first African-American "millionaire" in the South. Church built a reputation for great wealth and influence in the business community. He founded Solvent Savings Bank, the first blackowned bank in the city, which extended credit to blacks so they could buy homes and develop businesses. As a philanthropist, Church used his wealth to develop a park, playground, auditorium and other facilities for the black community, who were excluded by state-enacted racial segregation from most such amenities in the city. Supporting the community is something that rings true with minotiry business owners to this very day and they have a long and proud tradition to look back upon. This uplift is what is needed to change the wealth gap in our country.

WEALTH GAP

According to the Federal Reserve, in 2019, the median net worth of white families was $188,200—7.8 times that of their Black peers, at $24,100. That wealth gap translates to many other disparities, including in business ownership, which is heavily influenced by individual and family wealth. In 2019, there were a total of 5,771,292 employer firms (businesses with more than one employee), of which only 2.3% (134,567) were Black-owned, even though Black people comprise 14.2% of the country’s population. However, our country is nothing if not dynamic

ROBERT REED CHURCH

DALLAS MAYOR ERIC JOHNSON

and the landscape is changing. The number of U.S. Black-owned businesses grew from 2017 to 2019 in all sectors of the U.S. economy, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Business Survey (ABS). In 2019, there were 134,567 Blackowned employer businesses (businesses with more than one employee) in all sectors of the U.S. economy, an 8% hike from the 124,551 Black-owned employer businesses in 2018, according to the ABS.

In 2018, there were about 3,115,000 nonemployer businesses with Black owners, up 5.6% from 2,951,000 in 2017, according to the Census Bureau’s 2018 Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics (NES-D).

EFFECTS OF COVID-19

Unfortunately, this upswing was significantly impacted during Covid. Black business owners have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic-linked economic downturn, partly because they were more likely to already be in a precarious position, including more likely to be located in communities with business environments that are more likely to produce poor business outcomes. Indeed, about 58 percent of Black-owned businesses were at risk of financial distress before the pandemic, compared with about 27 percent of white-owned businesses.2 The pandemic contributed to tipping 41 percent of Black-owned US businesses into closure from February to April 2020.3 More than 50 percent of the owners of surviving Black businesses surveyed in May reported being very or extremely concerned about the viability of their businesses. This concern may be linked to having a more difficult time accessing credit since the COVID-19 crisis began; 36 percent of Black business owners responding to the survey said they had experienced this, compared with 29 percent of all respondents.

Census Bureau data shows that American entrepreneurship as a whole has been increasing. The Census Bureau’s most recent Business

Formation Statistics showed that Americans applied for a record 5.4 million business ID numbers in 2021.

A silver lining of COVID-19 and the racially charged violence in 2020 may end up being that some large companies have now launched programs to support Black-owned businesses. However, these individual actions will not in themselves be enough to effect the needed change. For this work to have a systemic impact, entire business ecosystems will need to be involved.

THE "AMERICAN DREAM

In this issue are highlighted many notable entrepreneurs and systems who have their eye on one thing, the American Dream. No matter what your race, creed, color or orientation - the dreams our country was founded on are still attainable and the diversity in franchising points to that.

The term "American Dream" was coined by James Truslow Adams in 1931, saying that "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" regardless of social class or circumstances of birth.

Everyone at Franchise Journal magazine believes in the American Dream and we shall continue to highlight the Great Americans who dream every day of a better life for themselves and their families through franchise business ownership.

Our cover art for this issue is courtesy of an extraordinary artist, Chris Hopkins. His father fought in WW2 and while he was ready to be called to duty for the Vietnam War, his number was never chosen. A graduate of the prestigious Art Center College of Design, he has spent a lifetime honoring the brave men and women of our armed forces. Along with the amazing body of work he has dedicated to historical figures, he has spent time with troops in an active combat zone in Afghanistan. With vast attention to detail and numerous interviews of surviving Tuskegee airmen, his Tuskegee Airmen Collection captures the bravery and humanity of the trailblazers who did so much for our country. This spirit lives on in the lives of the many entrepreneurs we are honored to highlight in this issue.

Nick Neonakis Editor, Franchise Journal

FOUNDER NICK NEONAKIS

DESIGN DIRECTOR

Pete Neonakis

DIGITAL DIRECTOR

Chantae Arrington

ART DIRECTOR

Brenda Lesch

SENIOR EDITOR

Bill Polk

ONLINE EDITOR

Seth Lederman

STAFF WRITER

Megan Neonakis

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

Ted O'Shea

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Mariel Miller

ONLINE EDITOR

Mike Ciccarelli

VIDEO PRODUCER

Matt Panepinto

CONTRIBUTORS

Ruth Agbaji

Peter Cogan

Joe Griffith II

Kristan Henderson

Seth Lederman

Kris Longmore

Scott McKelvey

Rick Morgin

Rusty Rich

Rhonda Sanderson

Brian Woods

Expanding on the American Dream Minorities in Business

by Seth Lederman, Consultant, The Franchise Consulting Company

The changing demographics of the U.S. offers an increased number of customers who are Black, Hispanic, Asian or Native American customers, who are looking for businesses that reflect their interests, cultures and needs. And it is no secret that many Americans of all backgrounds and races dream of being their own boss. As the country shifts to a new majority of non-whites, the number of minorities owning and operating their own businesses will certainly rise.

THE BREAKDOWN OF MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES

The latest figures from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 Annual Business Survey (ABS) reveal that approximately 1.15 million, or 19.9%, of employer businesses in 2020 were minority-owned.

HISPANIC-OWNED BUSINESSES:

• Hispanic-owned businesses grew 8.2% from 346,836 in 2019 to 375,256 in 2020.

• Hispanic-owned businesses make up about 6.5% of all companies, with an estimated $472.3 billion in annual receipts, 2.9 million employees and approximately $105.6 billion in annual payroll.

ASIAN-OWNED BUSINESSES:

• In 2020, there were an estimated 612,194 Asianowned businesses in America.

• An estimated 23.7% or 145,714 Asian-owned businesses were in the Accommodation and Food Services sector

• Of all minority race groups, Asian-owned companies had the largest estimated receipts ($841.1 billion).

BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES:

• More than 140,000 businesses were owned by Black- or African Americans in 2020.

• Black-owned businesses had $141.1 billion in annual receipts, 1.3 million employees, and about $42.2 billion in annual payroll.

• More than a quarter of Black-owned businesses (about 27.5% or 38,819) were in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector.

OTHER MINORITY OWNED-BUSINESSES:

• An estimated 40,392 businesses were owned by American Indian and Alaska Natives, with $39.7 billion in receipts, 243,523 employees, and about $9.6 billion in annual payroll.

• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanderowned businesses totaled more than 8,800, with approximately $8.8 billion in receipts, 60,129 employees, and $2.3 billion in annual payroll.

The increase in minority-owned businesses mirrors the shift in the U.S. population to a more multiracial and diverse one.

PURSUING MINORITY BUSINESS PEOPLE

It makes good business sense to increase the number of minority-run and -owned businesses as the demographics of America continue to change. More and more franchisors are seeking out minorities as candidates for franchising. The reality is people want to shop and work in places with people like themselves.

Entrepreneurship doesn’t require the same level of education, connections or formal background in business that many other companies require. Franchising, in particular, works as a great leveler, providing minorities with a more accessible and quicker path toward business success. Best of all, franchising offers a proven model for minorities to work from to increase their odds of creating a thriving and profitable company.

While the news is promising for minority entrepreneurs, there is still room for improvement. The U.S. Senate committee on small business and entrepreneurship reported that minorities comprise about 32% of the U.S. population, but minority business ownership represents only 18% of the overall population.

FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES

Minorities have various opportunities in terms of helping pursue their dream of business ownership. The International Franchise Association’s (IFA) Diversity Institute is in the process of updating its DiversityFran program, which has helped guide minorities in achieving their franchise business dream. Additionally, the Diversity Institute continually looks for ways to expand its diversity recruitment and multicultural marketing efforts for franchisees, employees, suppliers and more. When it comes to specific franchises to consider, one promising option for minorities is Everline Coatings. According to the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), the top industries for minorityowned businesses are:

• transportation and warehousing (16%)

• other services, except public administration (15%)

• administrative support and waste management and remediation services (12%)

• health care and social assistance (11%)

• professional, scientific and technical services (10%)

• construction (10%) Crossing the other services and construction categories, Everline Coatings offers a recession-resistant business opportunity with profitpotential and low startup

“THE AMERICAN DREAM BELONGS TO ALL OF US."

— Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States

costs in a primarily B2B business model.

A franchise system founded by franchisees and built for franchisees, Everline Coatings is part of a $29 billion industry. Founded in 2012, the company started franchising in 2017 in Canada before opening up to the U.S. in 2021.

Everline Coatings is a valuesbased company that follows “DRIVEN” principles to attract and retain strong people who want to be a part of the collaborative growth of the company. As the first national pavement maintenance franchise brand to market, Everline has many competitive advantages. The franchisor provides a comprehensive marketing, sales and product solutions approach in an under-the-radar industry.

This gives new franchisees a chance to make a great first impression and an impactful entrance into a new market.

Everline Coatings is wellpositioned to take advantage of the fact that more and more property managers are looking to save money. Their Preventative Pavement Maintenance Program allows the owner to view their asphalt as an asset – and will allow property managers to increase the lifespan of their pavement by up to 100% - doubling the value of their investment.

Client satisfaction is a cornerstone of Everline Coatings. Their CORE Quality System ensures a pleased client because there is a Clear Scope, Operations Reports, Reach outs and Evaluations throughout the lifetime of each project.

Think a franchise is the best way to meet your goals and dreams? Seth Lederman of Frannexus has years of experience helping entrepreneurs of all stripes discover the franchise opportunity that works for them. For more information and to find out how to get started pursuing your business ownership dreams, contact Frannexus today.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Seth Lederman, CFE, a Franchise Acquisition and Development Specialist, is a multi-faceted entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in small business success, including ownership and sale of his business enterprises. He is a frequent contributor to The Franchise Journal and is on the exclusive Forbes Business Council. Contact Seth at seth@ thefranchiseconsultingcompany.com.

High Achiever Cynthia Watson’s Journey Into Franchise Ownership With Accelerated Waste Solutions

by Rick Morgin, Consultant, The Franchise Consulting Company

beginning, it was. I studied hard and did well in school. I got a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting and had a great career in Corporate America for over 20 years. It afforded me lots of awesome trips around the world, great shopping opportunities and the ability to travel to different NFL stadiums to watch my favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys play.

WHAT CREATED YOUR INTEREST IN BUSINESS OWNERSHIP AND THEN FRANCHISING?

As if earning a spot in the corner office wasn’t enough, Cynthia Watson decided to add franchise ownership to her already full life. In 2021 Cynthia became a franchise owner with Accelerated Waste Solutions. In April 2021 Good Cynt’s Disposal Inc launched in Northern New Jersey and in November 2022 she launched her second location in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. Let’s get to know

Cynthia and her inspiring story about her career and move into franchise ownership.

TELL THE READERSHIP ABOUT YOURSELF, YOUR CAREER, HOBBIES ETC.?

I am your typical girl that brought into the America dream of going to the college and having a career. I was born in rural Ga and raised in Newark NJ to a working-class family. Education was the ticket to a better life. And in the

As I moved into the corner office, I realized it wasn't the life I had imagine all those years. The demands on my time were heavy and the stress of being away from my family was beginning to bother me. At the start of the pandemic, all that hard work didn't matter when the organization I worked for decided to outsource my department in spite of a raving review from the external auditor to the audit committee. This push off the ledge led to something I had thought about often, business ownership.

DID YOU HAVE A NOTION OF WHAT INDUSTRY YOU MIGHT OPERATE IN?

Well, I thought it would make sense to 'stay in my lane' so to speak of finance, accounting, and consulting but as I started to explore my options other areas piqued my interest. I wanted to try something different and explore some other interest. Waste management wasn't my one of my interests but when I heard about the opportunity and did some research on the industry and my interest was sparked. Learning new things always get my juices flowing and this was that new thing.

I realized that different franchised business models offered me the opportunity to leverage my skills to develop a business while operating a successful corporate career. I ended up moving forward with Accelerated Waste Solutions.

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO ACCELERATED WASTE SOLUTIONS OVER OTHERS YOU RESEARCHED?

What sealed the deal for me with AWS, was the backend support offered, the two owners of the organization and their whole support team. They made me feel that I wasn't going it alone and that they were invested in my success. This was critical because I didn’t have any prior experience in Waste Management or Franchising.

MORE ABOUT CYNTHIA

As if earning a spot in the corner office wasn’t enough, Cynthia Watson decided to add franchise ownership to her already full life. In 2021 Cynthia became a franchise owner with Accelerated Waste Solutions. In April 2021 Good Cynt’s Disposal Inc launched in Northern New Jersey and in November 2022 she launched her second location in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rick Morgin is a Consultant with The Franchise Consulting Company and alumnus of Santa Clara University. We assist clients with the educational process of researching and selecting available franchise businesses that best suit desired lifestyles and financial goals. Contact Rick at rick@ thefranchiseconsultingcompany.com.

"WHAT SEALED THE DEAL FOR ME WITH AWS, WAS THE BACK-END SUPPORT OFFERED."

— Cynthia Watson, Accelerated Waste Solutions Owner

The Future of THC and CBD in America

by Joe Griffith II, Consultant, The Franchise Consulting Company

The future of THC and CBD in America is likely to be shaped by several factors, including changes in laws and regulations, advances in research and technology, and shifts in consumer demand. Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is a plant that contains a variety of chemical compounds called cannabinoids. The two most well-known and studied cannabinoids are delta-9tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the psychoactive compound

in marijuana that produces the "high" associated with its use. It acts on the body's endocannabinoid system, specifically the CB1 receptors in the brain, to produce its effects. THC is responsible for most of the psychological and cognitive effects of marijuana, including the feeling of euphoria, increased appetite, and altered sensory and time perception. CBD, on the other hand, is not psychoactive and does not produce a high. It acts on the body's endocannabinoid system in a different way than THC and

has been shown to have a range of potential therapeutic effects. These effects include pain relief, anti-inflammatory properties, and the ability to reduce anxiety and stress. CBD has also been shown to have potential for treating a variety of medical conditions, including epilepsy, anxiety disorders, and chronic pain.

Here is a summary of some key issues and trends that are likely to influence the development of these substances in the coming years:

1. LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA

THC is the psychoactive compound in marijuana that is responsible for its characteristic "high." In recent years, several states in the U.S. have legalized marijuana for recreational or medical use, and this trend is likely to continue in the future. As more states legalize marijuana, the demand for THC products is likely to increase, leading to the development of new and improved products and technologies.

2. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

As the marijuana industry continues to grow, there will likely be a corresponding increase in research and development efforts. This may include the development of new products and technologies, as well as further research into the therapeutic potential of THC and CBD.

3. CHANGES IN CONSUMER DEMAND

Consumer preferences and attitudes towards marijuana are constantly evolving, and this will likely influence the development of THC and CBD products. For example, as more people become aware of the potential therapeutic benefits of CBD, demand for

CBD-based products is likely to increase. On the other hand, as more states legalize marijuana for recreational use, there may be a shift towards products with higher THC content.

THE FUTURE OF MARIJUANA: LEGALIZATION AND REGULATION

In recent years, there has been a growing movement to legalize and regulate marijuana for medical and recreational use. As of 2021, marijuana is legal for recreational use in 15 states and the District of Columbia, and legal for medical use in 36 states. This trend is likely to continue, with many states considering the legalization of marijuana in the near future. There are several factors driving the legalization and regulation of marijuana. One of the main drivers is the potential for marijuana to be used as a treatment for a variety of medical conditions. The therapeutic potential of CBD, in particular, has garnered a lot of attention, with research suggesting that it may be effective in treating a range of conditions including epilepsy, anxiety disorders, and chronic pain.

In addition to the potential medical benefits, there is also a growing recognition of the economic benefits

of marijuana legalization. Legalizing and regulating marijuana can generate significant tax revenues for states, as well as create new job opportunities in the cannabis industry. The future of marijuana is likely to involve a continued shift towards legalization and regulation, as more states recognize the potential benefits of marijuana for medical and recreational use. This trend will likely be accompanied by further research into the therapeutic potential of marijuana and its various chemical compounds, as well as the development of new products and technologies for the cannabis industry.

This growth presents a unique opportunity for individuals looking to enter the industry and make a career out of it. If you are interested in getting involved in the marijuana industry, here are some steps you can take:

1. Research the laws and regulations in your state. It is important to understand the legal framework surrounding the marijuana industry in your state, including any licensing requirements or restrictions on the sale and use of marijuana products.

2. Choose a specific area of focus. The marijuana industry

"THE FUTURE OF MARIJUANA IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE A CONTINUED SHIFT TOWARDS LEGALIZATION AND REGULATION, AS MORE STATES RECOGNIZE THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF MARIJUANA FOR MEDICAL AND RECREATIONAL USE."

is diverse and encompasses a range of sectors, including cultivation, production, retail, and research. Consider what area interests you the most and would be the best fit for your skills and experience.

3. Acquire the necessary skills and education. Depending on the area you choose to focus on, you may need to gain specific skills or education in order to be competitive in the job market. For example, if you want to work in cultivation, you may need to learn about horticulture and plant care.

4. Network and make connections. The marijuana industry is still in its early stages and is rapidly evolving. Building relationships with industry professionals and staying up-to-date on industry trends and news can help you stay ahead of the curve and position yourself for success.

5. Consider working for a company or starting your own business. There are many established companies in the marijuana industry that may be looking for employees, or you may decide to start your own business. Either way, it is important to have a solid business plan in place and to be aware of the challenges and risks involved in starting a business in a highly regulated industry.

Just as important, Vertical integration. Vertical integration in the marijuana and CBD industry refers to a company that is involved in multiple aspects of the production and distribution of marijuana products. This can include activities such as growing and cultivating marijuana plants, processing and manufacturing marijuana products, and selling and distributing those products to

consumers. By being vertically integrated, a marijuana company is able to control all aspects of the supply chain and potentially reduce costs and improve efficiency. It can also give the company more control over the quality of its products and the customer experience. However, vertical integration can also be expensive and may require a company to make significant investments in infrastructure and operations.

Overall, the future of THC and CBD in America is bright as the marijuana industry continues to grow and evolve. By taking the right steps and being prepared, you can position yourself for success and make a career in this exciting and rapidly expanding industry.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Meet Joe Griffith, the preeminent Cannabis and CBD franchise expert in the United States. With a background in the US Air Force and as a First Responder, Joe has firsthand experience in leadership and growing businesses from the ground up. He has owned two different CBD companies and is considered one of the pioneers of CBD franchising, leading a vertically integrated CBD company to onboard over 225 stores and achieve ranking in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 and #1 in their industry.

As a partner in the franchise consulting company and Great American Expos, Joe oversees the CBD and cannabis division and writes articles for the Franchise Journal on the companies revolutionizing this category. In addition to his expertise in franchise growth, Joe is also dedicated to helping Veterans and First Responders transition into entrepreneurship and succeed in their careers after their service. Whether you're looking to franchise your business or simply want to learn from one of the best in the industry, Joe Griffith is the go-to resource for all things cannabis and CBD franchising.

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Former Civil Service HR Manager Uses Past Experience To Help People Recover From Disastrous Experiences

by Rhonda Sanderson, CEO, Sanderson & Associates

#FranchiseStars

Rhonda Sanderson is a franchise expert who has owned and operated Sanderson & Associates and Sanderson PR, both specializing in, traditional, social media and crisis PR in the franchise space since 1986. She has authored many articles, helped grow numerous franchise chains and is considered one of the Top 30 Small Business Influencers (Fit Business) in the U.S. Find her at Rhonda@sandersonpr. com or on LinkedIn where she is the author of Franchise Stars at https://www.linkedin. com/in/rhondasanderson-a6b658/

My wife Adriana and I discovered Paul Davis Restoration while researching the top restoration franchises. Paul Davis was the only company that would deliver on our vision. The organization’s culture of collaboration, innovation, and service aligned with our values. The Launch Program for new owners is built for rapid growth and produces results especially for owners like us transitioning into a new industry,” said Kendrick Young when asked why he chose his new career.

He ought to know. The Coppell, Texas residents opened Paul Davis Restoration of Central Dallas-Ft. Worth out of a 6000 square foot warehouse in Grand Prairie that opened in October 2022. They are already hitting the ground running!

“Also, Paul Davis’s whole concept is based on the motto, #firstserveothers, and on their tagline, The Difference Makers™ That’s the part of the culture that spoke to us the most,” Young continues. “It’s clear that the multiple changes in weather are making restoration and disaster recovery more

Kendrick Young, Owner, Paul Davis Restoration of Central Dallas-Ft. Worth

necessary than ever so business is and will boom. But for us, we loved the idea of the little extras we heard about among the system’s franchisees. An occasion

KENDRICK YOUNG

“MY PASSION IS TO HELP EMPLOYEES GROW THEIR SKILLS AND GAIN OWNERSHIP IN THEIR ROLES.”

when the team working on a severely damaged home all got together and bought diapers and new baby clothes for the Mom who lost all that in the fire that ruined her home. There are lots of stories like this in the network and that was the “extra touch” that aligned with our beliefs.”

The company’s mission is “to provide opportunities for great people to deliver Best in Class results.” Paul Davis is constantly looking for professionals to join their teams and see them grow and flourish by using

their talents and competencies while being fueled by the service culture that runs throughout the company.

“My passion is to help employees grow their skills and gain ownership in their roles,” said Young. "The tagline The Difference Makers™ also

ABOUT PAUL DAVIS

helped with our employment goals. When I see the reviews of how happy our customers are, I know that our employees helped to make a difference. By investing in our employees’ knowledge, training, and mentorship, we can make a lifelong difference in their lives.”

For more than 55 years, Paul Davis Restoration has restored residential and commercial properties damaged by fire, water, mold, storms, and disasters. Paul Davis is a one-stop shop for disaster damage and restoration with 350 franchises throughout the United States and Canada. The professionals at Paul Davis are certified in emergency restoration, reconstruction, and remodeling. For more information, visit the company website at www.pauldavisbusiness.com.

FINANCIAL LITERACY: The Stepping Stone To Success

by Brian Woods, Group Vice President, Franchise Development for Neighborly

Financing is the backbone of all business startups, and it’s critical that prospective business owners, particularly diverse owners, understand the financing landscape so they can set themselves up for success. This is easier said than done, as minority communities often do not have the resources needed to help them further their entrepreneurial dreams. Today, many companies are making strides to provide financial literacy tools and information with DEI initiatives so that anyone can make their dreams a reality, but there’s still

more work to be done. Let’s break it down.

NAVIGATING FINANCIAL LITERACY

You decide you want to start a business, but what next? The biggest roadblock minority entrepreneurs face is a lack of knowledge and tools needed to succeed. Many people are unaware that organizations such as the International Franchise Association and Small Business Administration conduct informative webinars, conferences, and networking events on financial literacy. Spreading awareness on events

of this nature is a great first step to making financial literacy accessible to all.

With the goal of promoting diversity in franchising, resources such as the Diversity Institute, The Black Franchise Leadership Council, IFA Open for Opportunity campaigns, and SBA Community Advantage Loans give minority groups a chance to become successful entrepreneurs.

Now, you have a good idea of where to start, but maybe you don’t yet have a path to access capital.

There are many avenues to overcome a lack of capital. Silent investors, internal financing options with franchisors, as well as community grants and financing programs are all great resources minority business owners can explore. For example, The Brooklyn Robot Foundry recently stepped up to help dreams come true by granting a feefree franchise to a deserving entrepreneur.

Companies also play a huge role in teaching and promoting financial literacy efforts. Neighborly® places an emphasis on setting franchise owners up for success in multiple ways.

FOR NEW FRANCHISE OWNERS, NEIGHBORLY:

• Leverages relationships with financial institutions to connect with potential franchise owners.

• Fosters working relationships with Tenet, First Financial, and other institutions who are familiar with Neighborly brands to ensure timeefficient financing.

• Connects select existing franchise owners who are open to investing and financing startups with prospective franchise owners to provide them mentorship/guidance.

At the heart of everything we do is a passion to support and lift up our team members. That’s why Neighborly’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee regularly coordinates breakout sessions and seminars focused around topics such as psychological safety, the importance of inclusion, and books that highlight diversity of thought, race, ethnicities and culture.

The goal is to have our organization’s leaders be the allies the Committee needs in order to ensure diversity and inclusion initiatives reach every level of the company. This in turn creates real change in Neighborly that can help us help others.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

I love my role at Neighborly for many reasons, but being

able to help new business owners accomplish their dreams is the best part. Without proper financial literacy training and access to capital, I wouldn’t be able to do my part in providing candidates viable franchise business ownership options to help them get started.

Historically, financial literacy has not been taught at the levels it should be in diverse communities. Because of this, I aim to do my part in teaching and bringing awareness to financial literacy so that everyone has the tools needed to tackle business ownership.

I am blessed to be in a

position to help others achieve their dreams, and I am thankful that Neighborly provides necessary resources to make diversity and inclusion a priority across the board. If you or someone you know would like to learn more about opportunities we offer in home services franchising, please reach out to me on Linkedin or visit Neighborly’s franchise development site and get in touch with us.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brian Woods is Group Vice President, Franchise Development for Neighborly, the world’s largest home services company with more than 30 brands and 5,000 franchises collectively serving 12 million+ customers in six countries, focused on repairing, maintaining and enhancing homes and businesses, through a single, trusted, farreaching source to meet any service needs inside or outside their home or business.

PatchMaster Franchisee Enjoys Work/Life Balance

by Kris Longmore, Development Director, FranDevCo PatchMaster

felt like a natural fit. Mandeep was eventually introduced to PatchMaster by mentor Tony Grewal of HouseMaster Toronto. Inspired by Grewal’s work with HouseMaster, Mandeep decided to pursue a similar path and quickly identified PatchMaster as the opportunity that brought together a familiar industry with the potential for nearly unlimited growth.

and transferring the repair request information to the Owner, ensuring a satisfied customer and positive word-ofmouth referrals.

When Mandeep Chohan, Owner of PatchMaster Serving North York, moved to Toronto with his wife during the COVID-19 pandemic, he began to consider what it might look like to move away from a more traditional corporate role. Originally from Sydney, Australia, Mandeep started his career in the construction/home improvement industry and then moved to the corporate world in finance. As someone who grew up familiar with the trades and considered himself a hands-on person, the opportunity to own a franchise with a tie-in to the home improvement industry

One of Mandeep’s main focuses in shifting away from a corporate role was the desire to achieve a work-life balance that allows him and his wife to maintain doing the activities and hobbies they love while also operating a successful business. With PatchMaster, Mandeep can handle administrative tasks like answering calls, scheduling employees, providing quotes, and offering support remotely without missing a beat, enabling him to continue to travel, golf, and spend time with family. PatchMaster’s dedicated answering center helps Mandeep maintain this balance by seamlessly collecting customer information, validating the service location,

Mandeep especially values the support he’s received from PatchMaster while launching his business. “It is an adjustment any time you start something new, and it can be daunting starting a business–especially on your own–which is why we went the franchising route,” he said. With PatchMaster’s built-in support system, Mandeep quickly received support from the head office and fellow franchisees on everything from rolling out an initial marketing plan to connecting with a dedicated business coach to ensure profitability.

PatchMaster franchises specialize in the drywall repair work that other contractors aren’t able to do or don’t want to do - making the business model highly desirable in the growing home improvement industry. As North America’s #1 drywall repair company, PatchMaster fills the demand for professional, high-quality

MANDEEP CHOHAN

drywall repair after damage sustained from home repair projects, remodels, and the wear and tear of everyday living. In addition to drywall repair, PatchMaster franchises also specialize in texture and paint matching, all with sameday service to ensure they meet homeowners’ repair needs quickly. The PatchMaster concept also provides Owners with low staffing needs, no leasing commitments, and low competition, as well as access to the PatchMaster corporate team’s 40+ years of home improvement experience.

During an economic downturn, jobs become unstable, and specific sectors (such as retail, hospitality, real estate,

and manufacturing) are typically the hardest hit first. Individuals looking to protect their financial stability while increasing their assets find owning a recession-resistant PatchMaster franchise a sound solution amidst economic unrest. During a recession, there may be more need for repair services as people are more likely to try to fix up their existing property rather than buy or rent new ones.

In addition, PatchMaster's franchise support model and community assist its franchisees in not only surviving but also thriving and adapting more quickly than other types of businesses.

“I would not hesitate to

recommend investing in a PatchMaster franchise. You will receive all the training, the steps to success, and ongoing support to make your franchise a fully functional and profitable business,” said Mandeep.

“PatchMaster Head Office is very supportive from the initial phase of setting up communications to implementation of marketing to hands-on training of how to patch.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kris Longmore, PatchMaster Development Director, is passionate about helping individuals and investors pursue their dream of business ownership through franchise systems. Kris has 10+ years in franchise development, including being a multiunit PatchMaster Franchisee location in Texas.

Healthcare With A Twist

Comfort at home is a unique healthcare business concept with a modern and diverse offering. Comfort At Home has combined the booming homecare/ senior care industry with medical staffing, lab and skilled nursing services. The combination allows us to be a “Walmart” in the senior-care industry. We are a company that focus on serving our clients wherever and whenever they need our services. Our unique offerings allow franchisees to choose to operate under the model with one or more of the services we offer.

As a homecare franchisee, we focus on providing our clients with the freedom to live independently wherever they call home. We celebrate independence with our clients by providing them with caregivers that not only help with activities of daily living but they also help maintain safety and provide companionship. Our model uses the standard payor sources in addition to other unique payor sources. Our model also allows us to retain the best caregivers in the industry and maintain compliance with regulatory bodies through our proprietary training platform.

As a staffing company we provide facilities and other agencies with reliable staff to combat the massive staffing shortages in the healthcare industry. As a skilled nursing agency we provide clients with nursing personnel (Licensed Practical Nurses or Registered Nurses) to care for their loved one in the comfort of their home. Our labs service clients from all walks of life and allows us to interact with people in different stages of their lives. Our lab service many local employers and

Our ideal clients range from individuals to corporations and small businesses. Our client list even include many government agencies.

A variety in service offerings not only affords the franchisee the opportunity to grow their business but it:

• Sets us apart from other senior care businesses and

• Allows us to service clients in multiple ways

• Generates more revenue

• Positions the franchisee for success

• Diversify your investment

If COVID has taught us anything, it is that diversifying our investment is the way to go. Gone are the days when one can safely invest and

expect a stable return on that investment. Comfort at home’s unique concept allows investors to diversify, scale and grow their business no matter what comes their way.

From a business opportunity perspective, Comfort at home has one of the largest customer demographics and provides the added benefit of supporting the health and wellness of your community. If you’d like more information about Comfort at home please reach out, we are happy to assist.

"WE FOCUS ON PROVIDING OUR CLIENTS WITH THE FREEDOM TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY WHEREVER THEY CALL HOME."

Plu g In To The Possibilities

• Recession resilient

• Innovating industr y

• Scalabilit y

Neighborly® empowers more than 5,000 franchise owners the oppor tunit y to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams with benefits exclusive to an organization of our scale, per formance, and experience through our 17 leading Nor th American brands

A key benefit exclusively available to Neighborly brand franchise owners, ProTradeNet® negotiated millions of dollars in upfront discounts and returned over $7 million in rebates to Neighborly franchise owners in 2021.

reading the article in our December 2022 issue.

Williams Chicken Corporate Sustainability Through Franchising

by Carlos White, Dallas, Texas Franchise Impact Ambassador

Williams Chicken is a Dallasbased company that operates quick service restaurants (“QSRs”), franchises QSRs, and owns and manages commercial properties. Williams Chicken was founded in 1987 by Dallas-legend, Hiawatha Williams. Mr. Hiawatha Williams serves as CEO and is known

for his business acumen and providing affordable and unique franchise opportunities. The company’s top executive, Tim Williams, Director of Operations and chief franchise officer (who also serves as a board member of the International Franchise Association), has been instrumental in the success of the franchise system.

Since Williams Chicken started franchising in 1995, they have grown to 35+ units (with current franchise development deals in place for Chicago, Illinois and Houston, Texas), have revenues of $20+ million, and along with their franchise partners employ nearly 500 employees. Williams is truly a shining example of corporate sustainability through the platform of franchising and helped to substantiate the need for Mayor Eric Johnson’s Franchise Initiative in Dallas and throughout the U.S.

Williams Chicken has been able to sustain and grow in the marketplace and create real (and not Ivory Tower-conceived notions) opportunities in communities that they serve, irrespective of the socio-economic factors. A large part of the company’s success can be attributed to the fact that they protected their intellectual property and branding and invested in and implemented a legally compliant licensing and franchising program. Economic inclusiveness and community

engagement are in the DNA of Williams Chicken Through the franchising program, Williams Chicken implements dynamic and sustainable business and operational strategies and partnerships (i.e., a “System”), and this System has led to internal growth as well as the ability to offer affordable and viable business opportunities for other entrepreneurs. In addition to having a racially diverse set of franchise partners, Williams Chicken hires diverse service providers and actively serves as a resource to many aspiring entrepreneurs. Their service activities include creating innovating programs that position franchise managers of Williams Chicken to be franchise owners with no initial cost outlays and increasing wealth-building investment opportunities by structuring a private offering that provided local citizens the opportunity to invest in one of its existing corporate units. Finally, Williams Chicken advocates on behalf of other small and minority business, including testifying in Congress on the lack of lending to small businesses located in Southern Dallas. Imagine Williams Chicken’s reach if they had hundreds of locations.

What is great about all of this is that Williams Chicken should not be considered a unicorn. There are many local and underappreciated concepts, throughout various zip codes in the U.S., capable of being successful businesses and community stakeholders. These concepts just need help with developing a system to help them to bring “life” to their mission statement and to wrap scalable and uniform policies

and procedures around their concepts. Accordingly, it is imperative that we have programs like Mayor Johnson’s Franchise Initiative to identify, cultivate, and connect these types of concepts to a franchising ecosystem.

Thank you, Mr. Hiawatha Williams and Mr. Tim Williams for your service and helping advance the cause for franchising and economic inclusiveness. Also, I would like to thank the Franchise Journal for highlighting them (pre-pandemic) as Franchise Titans in the February 2020 publication. If you are a company that is interested in or like to learn more about the Franchise Initiative and how it may benefit you, please feel free to reach out to me at carlos.white@lathropgpm.com.

IN ADDITION TO HAVING A RACIALLY DIVERSE SET OF FRANCHISE PARTNERS, WILLIAMS CHICKEN HIRES DIVERSE SERVICE PROVIDERS AND ACTIVELY SERVES AS A RESOURCE TO MANY ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS.

Tim Williams Hiawatha Williams

A Franchise Built for S trong Entrepeneur s

Handy Fac ts : Franchise owner s lead the team, not swing the hammer Low overhead and minimal of fice space required

Neighborly® empowers more than 5,000 franchise owners the oppor tunit y to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams with benefits exclusive to an organization of our scale, per formance, and experience through our 17 leading Nor th American brands.

A key benefit exclusively available to Neighborly brand franchise owners, ProTradeNet® negotiated millions of dollars in upfront discounts and returned over $7 million in rebates to Neighborly franchise owners in 2021.

Zach and Delisa

What is the name of your company?

Funky Mello

How long has your company been operating?

4 Years

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

We create the world's first refrigerated plantbased marshmallow creme that also happens to be vegan, top 8 allergen free, and gluten free! It's the perfect topping or mix in for coffee, fruit, and more.

Where is your company headquartered?

Austin, TX

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

Ghandi - what is the key to living the most fulfilling life?

How can we find your business online?

funkymello.com

Jessica Taylor

What is the name of your company?

Ezra Coffee Company

How long has your company been operating?

18 Months

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

Ezra coffee is a specialty company that provides a connects community, history and culture. We provided six blends that also compliment those who suffer from lactose intolerance, while providing scholarship opportunities for students perusing four year degrees.

Where is your company headquartered?

Dallas, TX

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

Ruth Simmons. You are a master strategist and problem solver, how do you assess which problems/opportunities you want to pursue?

How can we find your business online?

Ezracoffeeco.com

Kevin Knight

What is the name of your company?

Urban Events Global LLC

How long has your company been operating?

12 Years

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

UEG is a collective group of people looking for a fun and exciting time while networking and checking off their bucket list items. If you’re a solo traveler or a person that likes to travel in groups, we are the group for you. Our travelers vary per event, however, our general audience consists of hard-working African American professionals from across the United States that are ready to take on the world!

Where is your company headquartered?

Frisco, TX

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

Robert Smith - How did you become reach financial wealth & success?

How can we find your business online? urbaneventsglobal.com

Al and Leslie

What is the name of your company? Blessed in the Store - Edible Arrangements

How long has your company been operating?

19 Years

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

We brought the edible arrangements brand to Michigan 20 years ago, and currently operate 3 retail locations in Metro Detroit. Our great joy is helping people celebrate what's good in life with delicious gifts and treats including fruit bouquets, baked goods, chocolate dipped fruit, seasonal assortments of other food products and even live flowers. Pickup, delivery and shipping are available throughout most of the U.S.

Where is your company headquartered?

Troy, MI

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

Oprah Winfrey or Dave Steward; How can we construct pathways for black families to create generational wealth?

How can we find your business online? edible.com

The Fresh Monkee blends custom Protein Shakes overflowing with fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and other whole foods. We are a clean, fun and convenient way to recover from workouts, replace a meal or snack and get back to your life. Join us as we grow!

NOW AWARDING FRANCHISES

MINIMUM BUILD OUT NEEDED FUN, CLEAN AND SIMPLE COMMUNITY HEALTH

LARGE CUSTOMER BASE

MINIMUM BUILD OUT SIMPLE CONCEPT LARGE CUSTOMER BASE

Franchise@TheFreshMonkee.com

Greg and Kevin Amada

What is the name of your company?

Amada Senior Care

How long has your company been operating?

8 Years

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

Amada Senior Care is America’s trusted resource for caregiving, Veterans benefits and long-term care insurance claims advocacy. Amada enriches the lives of our clients by helping with daily selfcare task like dressing, bathing, grooming and meal preparation. Most importantly, we perform this labor of love through trained, smart, fun, dedicated and expert caregivers who come to your home and who exercise the highest levels of compassion, integrity, and commitment.

Where is your company headquartered?

Farmington HIlls, MI

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

Nelson Mandela- After all of the cruelty, indignity and insult that you faced, how were you able to choose compassion as your leadership style?

How can we find your business online?

AmadaFarmingtonHills.com

Jose Pina

What is the name of your company?

Mr Rooter Plumbing of the Inland Empire

How long has your company been operating?

5 1/2 Years

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

We built a business on our passion to grow people. It's been a blessing to watch the next generation of plumbers and entrepreneurs go from not having much in life to buying their house for the first time. We look forward to watching them pass on their skills to the next generation.

Where is your company headquartered?

San Bernardino, CA

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

If I had the opportunity to sit down and have coffee with someone, it would definitely be Zig Ziglar. He has a saying that sticks with me, "You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want."

I would ask him what more I could do to help others get ready to win in life.

How can we find your business online? MrRooter.com/San-Bernardino

Patrice Mckinney

What is the name of your company?

Encore Salon Suites

How long has your company been operating?

Since 2016

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

Salon Suites are the newest concept in the multibillion dollar hair and beauty industry. As a franchisee, you’re basically a landlord in the hair and beauty industry. Its semi absentee and there’s no experience required and no employees required.

Where is your company headquartered?

Atlanta, GA

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

Oprah Winfrey. How she was able to achieve so much success, fame and money and still remain so peaceful, stress-free and happy.

How can we find your business online?

EncoreSalonSuites.com

Steven and Jewell Parker

What is the name of your company?

ShelfGenie of Austin

How long has your company been operating?

Since August, 2018

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings? We purchased our ShelfGenie franchise in 2018 in the greater Austin, TX area. We are family owned and run our business with our son who joined us in 2020. The corporate culture and values align with ours and the product makes a true and lasting difference in our customer's lives. Our first commitment is to our clients. We pride ourselves in providing top shelf service and value, helping our clients improve not only their quality of life, but their home's value also.

Where is your company headquartered?

SHG Corp is in Atlanta, GA

Neighborly is in Waco, TX

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

President Barack Obama - seeing our country from the inside out and having a global perspective. What did you learn about how our democracy works that we can share with each other to unite and transform our country?

How can we find your business online? https://www. shelfgenie.com/ locations/austin/

Making Entrepreneurial Wishes Come True

• High franchise owner satisfac tion

• Flexible and scalable model

• Lead a team of contrac t staf f

Neighborly® empowers more than 5,000 franchise owners the oppor tunit y to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams with benefits exclusive to an organization of our scale, per formance, and experience through our 17 leading Nor th American brands.

A key benefit exclusively available to Neighborly brand franchise owners, ProTradeNet® negotiated millions of dollars in upfront discounts and returned over $7 million in rebates to Neighborly franchise owners in 2021.

Small Business & Entrepreneur

Christopher Johnson

What is the name of your company?

Diamond K Services DBA Fish Window Cleaning

How long has your company been operating?

3 Years

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

Largest professional Window Cleaning company in US, large company support & resources, local and personal touch

Where is your company headquartered?

Franchisor - St. Louis, MO, Franchisee - Fairfax, VA

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

POTUS Barack Obama, How did you remain positive and successful when required to work with people focused on your downfall?

How can we find your business online? https://www.fishwindowcleaning.com/FairfaxVA-3141/

Curtis Corbins

What is the name of your company?

Southern Dallas Link Inc

How long has your company been operating?

6 Years

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

Providing transportation service to allow the impoverished to access all resources necessary to become self sufficent, independent and living at least 200% above the poverty level and connecting with Livable wage jobs

Where is your company headquartered? Dallas, TX

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them? Steve Harvey. I would thank him for being such a Positive influencer and encourager

How can we find your business online? cleetransportation.com

Greg Williams

What is the name of your company? Williams Management Group

How long has your company been operating? 2 Years

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

We are an innovative solutions company that proviodes business services to small to medium size companies. We work with purpose and passion to achieve one goal.

Where is your company headquartered? Dallas, TX

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

Roland Parish, If you had not bought into McDonalds brand what other brand do you think you would have had the same success with and why?

How can we find your business online? greatnessingreatnessout.com

Hallie Williams

What is the name of your company? Right Next Door

How long has your company been operating? Since 2021

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

Right Next Door is a consulting firm that advise and consult aspiring entrepreneurs and current business owners to own and operate a franchise. We have over 450+ emerging, regional, and national franchise brands in our portfolio. We believe in creating sustainable and vibrant communities by supporting small businesses and local entrepreneurs.

Where is your company headquartered? Accokeek, MD

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

(1) Robert F. Smith, Chairman & CEO Vista Equity Partners (2) What are some strategies you recommend to create more middle class millionaires?

How can we find your business online? https://www.rightnextdoor.biz/

Lawncare Can Lead to a Lifestyle of Freedom

• Recession-resilient business model

• Simply designed operations

• Improved work/life balance

Neighborly® empowers more than 5,000 franchise owners the opportunity to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams with benefits exclusive to an organization of our scale, performance, and experience through our 17 leading North American brands.

A key benefit exclusively available to Neighborly brand franchise owners, ProTradeNet® negotiated millions of dollars in upfront discounts and returned over $7 million in rebates to Neighborly franchise owners in 2021.

Digital Marketing Opportunities

Today’s Restaurant offers essential marketing options for advertisers who recognize the changing needs of buyers in today’s foodservice market.

Today’s Restaurant Digital Edition

Advertise in Today's Restaurant Digital Edition online and have your ad delivered to thousands of restaurant and foodservice buyers each month. From full page display ads to classifieds we have a size and price to fit your ad budget.

Advertising on the Today's Restaurant Website will expose your corporate or individual message to every visitor. Banner ads can be interactive animated messages. We’ll meet your ad needs and price point.

Eblast Marketing

We’ll email your ad or video to our verified database of over 15,000 restaurants in Florida, Georgia, Texas and around the country. A 10%-20% open rate can be expected with each Eblast and all Eblasts are posted on our social media sites for even more exposure.

Video Eblast

Video is hot! Show the industry what your company can provide with a Video Eblast featuring a great product or video interview. Ask to see a sample or call for pricing.

Eblast Follow-Up

A few days after your initial Eblast, reach out to your Eblast recipients with another special offer. A higher open rate of 40%-70% is often achieved with Eblast Follow-Ups.

Restaurant Leads Report

Subscribe to our Restaurant Leads Report and every month receive valuable industry sales leads on restaurant openings, restaurants under construction and under new management in an Excel spreadsheet format. Reports include the buyer’s name, phone number, zip code and email when available. Reports for Florida and Georgia are now available.

Branden Williams

What is the name of your company?

Seeds 2 STEM

How long has your company been operating?

12 Years

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

Seeds 2 STEM is an education firm that helps students reimagine how they think about science.

Where is your company headquartered?

Dallas, TX

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

If I could have coffee with anyone, it would be Robert Smith of VISTA EQUITY PARTNERS, LLC. I would ask him, “How do you plan to change what you do today to grow your business for the future?”

How can we find your business online?

seeds2stem.com

Marquis Paige

What is the name of your company?

K&M Cleaning Crew LLC

How long has your company been operating?

3 Years

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

We are a Commercial/ Office Cleaning company that strives to understand and meet the needs of every customer. We offer daily, weekly, or biweekly cleanings. We also offer Disinfectant Services, Coronavirus Prep, and Stripping/ Waxing Services.

Where is your company headquartered?

Dallas, TX

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

I would love to meet Barack Obama just to ask how did he set his mind and stake his life to achieve such a worthy goal.

How can we find your business online? https://www.knmcleaningcrew.com/

What is the name of your company?

BITS Tutorial Services

How long has your company been operating? 21/2 Years

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

We’re an Educational Firm that provides services such as tutoring and mentorship for our youth. We have expanded to providing computer classes for senior citizens.

Where is your company headquartered? Dallas, TX

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

It would definitely be Michelle Obama. I would ask her through all she's been through, what helps her to stay so poised.

How can we find your business online?

https://bitstutorial.org/

What is the name of your company?

Window Genie of Killeen

How long has your company been operating? Since November 2014

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

We specialize in window cleaning, gutter cleaning, pressure washing and solar / security film. We also provide Holiday Lighting installation.

Where is your company headquartered? Killeen, TX

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

Kevin Hart – What was the driving source of his success; in other words, what motivated him to the level of success that he is now and keeps him going?

How can we find your business online?

https://www.windowgenie.com/killeen/

Nikki James

Eric Stewart

TURN YOUR PASSION INTO RESULTS

BECOME A PART OF ONE OF THE HOTTEST BRANDS IN THE FITNESS INDUSTRY 20+ 120+ SALES states & expanding locations structure to genera

Investment Range: $25

SBA Approved Veteran D For franchisin rockboxfitness@

Ramiro Luna

What is the name of your company? Somos Tejas Community Initiative

How long has your company been operating?

3 Years

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

We cultivate a vibrant culture of civic participation in the Latino community that becomes a transformative force towards a more progressive and inclusive Tejas.

Where is your company headquartered? Dallas, TX

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

I will have coffee with labor and civic rights leader Cesar Chavez and I would ask him how did he overcome the setbacks and defeats he encountered. I would like to know what grouded him or were did he find inspiration during the dark moments.

How can we find your business online? somostejas.org

Sergio Rodriguez

What is the name of your company? Aire Serv of The Coastal Bend

How long has your company been operating?

10+ Years

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

Mr. Smith, Our Air Conditioning Company specializes in working on homes like yours. Our level of professionalism in service and customer relationships exceeds the normal standards in the HVAC industry in our local area. We have created a great team through ongoing training, changed the customers' expectations and we have raised the bar in the service industry.

Where is your company headquartered? Rockport, TX

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

(1) Simon Sinek (2) Simon, when and how do you change your direction in life to serve and motivate others?

How can we find your business online? aireserv.com/thecoastalbend

Shirin Kanji

What is the name of your company?

Impact Holdings (family business with multiple business units -- Impact Properties, Impact Home Services, Impact RTO Holdings) owns the following Neighborly companies: Precision Door of Georgia, Precision Door Service of Macon, Precision Door Service of Chattahoochee, Precision Door Service of Atlanta, Precision Door Service of Savannah, Mr. Rooter of Atlanta and Mr. Electric of Atlanta

How long has your company been operating? 40 plus years.

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

We are a family business built on taking care of our customers and team members, striving to offer the highest quality product and service in our local markets.

Where is your company headquartered? Neighborly is in Waco, TX Impact Holdings is located in Tampa, FL

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them? Coffee with Bob Iger, CEO of Walt Disney, to ask how he is able to keep the “magic” alive for both customers and team members at such a large scale.

How can we find your business online? www.impact-properties.com https://www.neighborly.com/

Mike and Tyra Harris

What is the name of your company? PJ's Coffee of New Orleans

How long has your company been operating? 2.5 years

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

New Orleans based coffee company service small batch roasted, specialty coffee ....And yes, we have BEIGNETS!!!

Where is your company headquartered? The Franchise is headquartered in New Orleans, LA

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

Oprah Winfrey - How do you juggle business, family,, health, volunteering, etc?

How can we find your business online? pjscoffee.com

Opening

• In-demand specialized industr y

• No prior experience required

• Premium produc ts & ser vice

Neighborly® empowers more than 5,000 franchise owners the oppor tunit y to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams with benefits exclusive to an organization of our scale, per formance, and experience through our 17 leading Nor th American brands.

A key benefit exclusively available to Neighborly brand franchise owners, ProTradeNet® negotiated millions of dollars in upfront discounts and returned over $7 million in rebates to Neighborly franchise owners in 2021.

Nathan Prevost

What is the name of your company?

Glass Doctor of Greater South Houston

How long has your company been operating?

Since September 6th, 2023

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

Glass Doctor of Greater South Houston is a full service Residential and Commercial Glass company serving the South Greater Metropolitan Houston Area. We pride ourselves in providing the highest quality of service to all by adding customer value to their purchase and creating informed shoppers; we are truly a people business that just so happens to sell glass. When you think of glass repair, replacement, & frameless shower projects, think of Glass Doctor of Greater South Houston, your friendly corporate citizen.

Where is your company headquartered?

Pearland, TX

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

President Barrack Obama. How do you maintain composure in the face of adversity and disparaging remarks/comments?

How can we find your business online? https://glassdoctor.com/gshouston-home-business

Janel Silva

What is the name of your company?

ShelfGenie of Annapolis (owners: Janel and Victor Silva)

How long has your company been operating?

1 Year

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

We install premium, custom glide-out shelving in your existing cabinets. We would love to come out and give you a free, no-obligation design appointment which would include a 3D design so you can see what it will look like in your space. You will be amazed that we can turn space frustrations into joy.

Where is your company headquartered?

Severn, MD

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

Shaquille O’Neal. What made you choose franchising as a big focus in your portfolio?

How can we find your business online?

Shelfgenie.com/locations/annapolis

Lonice Stoker

What is the name of your company?

Laced by Lonice Spa & Boutique

How long has your company been operating? 8 years

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

My spa is an oasis to escape the day to day hustle and focus on Selfcare. Boost your confidence and improve your mental health through our spa services.

Where is your company headquartered? Dallas, TX

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

I would ask Shaquille O’Neal. What is the next for me invest it to take my business to expansion & growth?

How can we find your business online? lacedbylonice.com

Andre Walters

What is the name of your company?

The A. Shawn Group LLC

How long has your company been operating? Since 2017

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

The A. Shawn Group, led by former sports attorney and entrepreneur André Walters, invests in and operates franchise locations in national brands including the very popular Duck Donuts franchise.

Where is your company headquartered? Charlotte, NC

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

(1) Barack Obama; and (2) What is one of your uncompromising principles of leadership?

How can we find your business online? duckdonuts.com

Small Business & Entrepreneur

Dominque Hamilton

What is the name of your company? Black Girl Magic Museum LLC

How long has your company been operating?

2 Years

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

An immersive experience that highlights the impact of black women through curated exhibits.

Where is your company headquartered? Dallas, TX

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

Pinky Cole, How was she able to build her and scale her company to have a million dollar company when she had a brand name that was so taboo.

How can we find your business online? https://www.blackgirlmagicmuseum.com

Michelle Anderson

What is the name of your company? TheoryIllustrated

How long has your company been operating?

2 Years

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

I help entrepreneurs increase brand awareness, attract their ideal customers, create influence, add value and empower their team so everyone fully understands the culture of their brand. I do this by designing their brand book which outlines every aspect of their brand identity, from their core values and ideal customer profiles to social media graphics and other important brand assets.

Where is your company headquartered? Dallas, TX

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

Damon Dash - What's the single most important thing you have to keep I mind when building your empire while collaborating with others and executing on plans?

How can we find your business online? theoryillustrated.com

What is the name of your company? COIR Development

How long has your company been operating?

5 Years

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

COIR Development is a real estate development firm focused on revitalizing neighborhoods without gentrifying them. We specialize in planning and building homes, pocket neighborhoods, and mixed use developments.

Where is your company headquartered? DeSoto, TX

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

Dr. Muhammad Yunus. How can we leverage micro finance strategies to create economic development?

How can we find your business online? coirdevelopment.com

What is the name of your company? The Sports and Wellness Doc

How long has your company been operating?

6 Years

If you met a prospective customer on an elevator, how would you describe your company and its product and service offerings?

I'm Dr. Alexia McClerkin, Houston's favorite chiropractor and nurse practitioner. We are a full service integrated wellness practice that serves everyone from diaper to diaper. We offer a wide range of services including Ozone Therapy, IV Therapy, Chiropractic Care, Aesthetics and so much more. Let's schedule a lunch so you learn more about me and my business.

Where is your company headquartered?

Houston, TX

If you had the opportunity to have coffee with any living person that is not your relative, (1) who would it be and (2) what would be the most important question that you would ask them?

Tilman Fertita, how long did it take you to keep pushing before things finally came to fruition for you?

How can we find your business online? sportsandwellnessdoc.com

https://www.facebook.com/sportsandwellnessdoc/

Derek Avery

Dr. Alexia McClerkin

The

Neighborly® empowers more than 5,000 franchise owners the oppor tunit y to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams with benefits exclusive to an organization of our scale, per formance, and experience through our 17 leading Nor th American brands.

A key benefit exclusively available to Neighborly brand franchise owners, ProTradeNet® negotiated millions of dollars in upfront discounts and returned over $7 million in rebates to Neighborly franchise owners in 2021.

MORE THAN JUST PARKING

A new franchise system is about to revolutionize the multi-billion dollar municipal parking market. Based on developing true partnerships with large providers is the sweet spot that Dane Grey envisioned years ago as he built Elite Parking into a national, privately held company. Now, he is ready to expand and the franchise model is the perfect way to do it.

It is critical in today’s economic climate to find efficiencies in every aspect of life. Government entities are now more than ever looking for ways to generate revenue outside of the normal day to day tax increase. Elite Parking, an entity that has extensive experience in working with government entities, is now franchising their intellectual property across the country with a mission to support Minority Business Enterprises and to put money into the communities they serve. CEO and Founder, Dane Grey, has a story that could only happen in America.

The multi-billion dollar airport parking business is a fact of life and, if you are like most readers, you probably park at the airport many times a year. While COVID took a bite out of air traffic, it is coming back and will continue to grow. Of the almost 1 billion air passengers per year in the United states, a significant percentage of them park at the airport. In addition, there are over 9,000 parking lots and

garages in the USA. Every one of them is managed. This is the market Elite Parking has excelled in.

The son of a Jamaican family which had immigrated to Fort Lauderdale when he was 11, Dane graduated from high school then went to Jacksonville University to study aviation.

But after a couple of months, he called his mother and told her he wanted to go home. "I was very homesick, I was really homesick. I just wanted to leave. My dad got on the phone and said don't you dare come home, you stay there, you finish it, see it through, fight for what you want. My dad is really a rock. I could hear the seriousness in his voice." Fighting for that next chapter is one that resonates with many entrepreneurs and it certainly did with Dane.

So, as a devoted son, Grey stayed and in 2007 became the family's first college

graduate. "College was very humbling to me," he said, even though he graduated in three years. In his last semester, he took 24 credits and made A's and "one B-plus," while working a job and starting his own business. He later added an MBA.

Grey's story is about how far intelligence and hard work will get you in this country. In the years that he has helmed Elite Parking, they have become one of the premier companies in the parking management industry.

Along the way, Grey has created hundreds of jobs and was former Florida Governor Rick Scott's guest in the Capitol when Scott used his State of the State speech to ask the Legislature to cut taxes by $1 billion to diversify the economy and help small business.

That may seem like a big number, Scott said, "but let me put a face to this effort by

CEO and Founder, Dane Grey

GREY'S STORY IS ABOUT HOW FAR INTELLIGENCE AND HARD WORK WILL GET YOU IN THIS COUNTRY. IN THE YEARS THAT HE HAS HELMED ELITE PARKING, THEY HAVE BECOME ONE OF THE PREMIER COMPANIES IN THE PARKING MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY.

introducing you to Dane Grey … the CEO of Elite Parking Services in Jacksonville."

Grey stood in the gallery behind first lady Ann Scott, and the governor continued: "In college, Dane began a valet parking service to make extra money. Little did he know that his dorm-room business would turn into a company with 360 employees and locations all across the country before he turned 30 years old. Dane, thank you for helping to make Florida first for jobs."

You don't know Dane Grey, but you should, because he is on a mission to not only spread the knowledge he

has gained in his successful business through franchising but he also has a particular focus on empowering the minority community through business ownership.

“Education and business ownership are the hallmarks of our country. There is not other place in the world where you can achieve the success you can in America.” says Grey.

Dane’s story started in Jacksonville University when, to help with JU expenses, he and two "football buddies" had started valet-parking cars on weekends, first at one nightclub then at another and another. They bid on a valet-

parking contract at a South Carolina VA hospital, got it, then got two more VAs. The work kept coming in.

In 2010, Grey went out on his own as Elite Parking Services, attracted venture capital and won a contract for parking at the Memphis airport that grew into managing all that airport's ground transportation. Then he added similar services at the airports in Detroit, Huntsville and Jacksonville, then Veterans Memorial Arena and the sports complex, the Duval County Courthouse and Baptist Health.

Now Elite has those 360 fulltime employees, about 60 in

Jacksonville, handling a wide range of services including airport and valet parking, ground transportation, shuttles, taxi management and parking-garage and lot maintenance. Elite launched a new parking service to encourage more employers to move downtown.

“As we roll out our franchise operations, we are looking for people with white collar business experience who can manage and operate a large format business. We have all the tools and back office support to help close major contracts” says Grey. “Our platforms are the best in the business and we are looking for entrepreneurs who want to uplift their communities. Business is a catalyst for

positive change.”

One of the company's competitive advantages is that it manages its seven-state operation in real time with its cloud-based management platform using GPS tracking and mobile apps. On screens in the company's SunTrust Tower offices downtown, Grey can monitor how each of those 360 employees is serving Elite's far-flung and complex customers, and riders can track when the next shuttle bus is coming. He had the vision for the system and hired digital developers to build it.

Despite his obvious overachievement, Grey is humble and quick to give credit to others: his parents, his investors, former JIA executive director John Clark and "my

team, they just rock. I was especially humbled when the former acting Undersecretary of Defense, General Tony Tata, agreed to be on my board at Elite. With his experience and knowledge, he is a powerful advocate for our franchisees and for promoting veteran ownership of franchises”

And he credits his faith. "I believe in karma, something greater than humans. I mean God. A lot of stuff that happens, most people think was a plan, but now, it was prayer. He finally saw me through."

He even credits his friends, including Kerri Stewart, chief of staff for Mayor Lenny Curry, who says Grey "is simply one of the brightest people I've met in a very long time, age notwithstanding. He's driven, thoughtful, charismatic [with] a great heart. He's really, really bright, so you forget how young he is. He's always thinking, not dreaming, thinking. I don't think there are any limits for Dane Grey.”

The world of franchising is about to have a big new proponent who has a vision and mission to create efficiencies that support local governments and that is a recipe for success that any entrepreneur can get behind. To learn more about Elite Parking please visit https:// eliteparkingofamerica.com/

Diversity In Franchising— How Neighborly Makes Franchising Accessible

by Brian Woods, Group Vice President, Neighborly

FEBRUARY, A MONTH OF HOPE

This February, in honor of Black History Month, I’ve taken some time to reflect on the countless successes the Black community has achieved despite the difficulties we might have faced on this journey to making the world a better and more inclusive place. While the road to change has not always been easy, I look to the future with hope, remembering the men and women have paved the way for a more unified world. Because of their efforts, there’s a greater push than ever for equal opportunities, especially in the workforce.

I have a personal goal here at Neighborly® to keep building upon the strides the Black community has made for more diversity and inclusion in the workforce, using my voice to make sure all minorities are met with equal opportunities in the franchising space. Throughout February and beyond, it is important to consider the current challenges minority franchise owners face and to keep

actively seeking ways to implement our support in their franchising journey. My hope is that Neighborly can lead the way in welcoming more diversity into the franchising world and creating more opportunities for all minority franchise owners. Here are the guiding initiatives that are helping us do so:

THE STARTING POINT

The only way to create change when breaking down the barriers minority franchise owners face for entry into franchising is to address the issue head on by asking two simple questions: What is the problem, and how do we fix it? While these two questions

do not always have clearcut answers, relying on your knowledge and experience in the franchising space is a fundamental starting point for identifying the key challenges minority franchise owners face to determine where change needs to take place.

One of the biggest obstacles for prospective franchise owners is limited access to the capital needed to start up a franchise business. To combat these issues, more attention must be put on developing dedicated small business loan programs for minorities, as well as investment funds

created by private equity groups aimed at investing in minority-owned franchise businesses. This creates a strong foundation for franchise start up.

Additionally, broadening market selection for prospective minority franchise owners is essential to ensure minorities are not limited to a finite space where success might not be as easily attainable compared to other markets. But the only way for this community to learn is through the guidance of mentors.

CREATING MENTORSHIP AND DIVERSITY OPPORTUNITIES

Exceptional guidance from already-established franchise owners is key to building and fostering an inclusive environment that helps new franchise owners along in their business endeavors. That’s why at Neighborly, we’ve worked to leverage the Black Franchise Leadership Council, an organization created to open more opportunities for Black entrepreneurs in franchising, for the purpose of identifying successful minority franchise owners to help recruit qualified candidates. Minorities not only need to be given opportunities to enter franchising, but also deserve support once established as franchise owners as well.

Diversity initiatives also provide more opportunities for minorities and contribute

to driving success for organizations as well. It’s a win-win situation. As part of Neighborly’s Diversity and Inclusion committee and as a key contributor in the Black Franchise Leadership Council, my goals are to foster awareness, drive change, and present new ideas and initiatives at Neighborly.

I am proud to work for a company that is dedicated to creating opportunities for diverse franchisees and recruiting qualified diverse candidates. The diversity within our Franchise Development leadership team serves as a great starting point in attracting these diverse audiences. In addition, our partnership with the International Franchise Association and connections with minority franchise business consultants help present our brands to their diverse candidates.

LOOKING AHEAD

Neighborly is making a difference with its diversity and inclusion initiatives, but still, we can (and intend to) improve. Neighborly and other franchisors can create diversity franchising programs geared at making it easier to obtain a franchise through lower fees, added operational support, and so on. In addition, companies can invest in targeted diversity marketing and recruitment and dedicated recruitment of diverse leaders in franchise development. Leveraging our

Neighbors Like You program to target our existing diverse franchisees to refer their family and friends to join Neighborly and collaborating with trade schools and college institutions to get the word out on franchising at an early age are two ways I see we can create more diversity.

Diversity in franchising has already seen significant improvements, and Neighborly is helping lead the way. As we reflect on our progress as a nation and as an industry this month, it is important to continue looking ahead and striving for better. Diversity in franchising is a topic that means a great deal to me personally. Opening possibilities for entrepreneurs to achieve their dreams is the most rewarding part of my job, so seeing that same opportunity become available for more people is something worth celebrating, this month and every month.

Ready for a new opportunity?

Learn more about franchising with Neighborly.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brian Woods is Group Vice President, Franchise Development for Neighborly, the world’s largest home services company with more than 30 brands and 5,000 franchises collectively serving 12 million+ customers in six countries, focused on repairing, maintaining and enhancing homes and businesses, through a single, trusted, farreaching source to meet any service needs inside or outside their home or business.

RockBox Fitness Offers Community and Strong Franchisee Support

by Kristan Henderson,

Jamila Curry initially discovered RockBox Fitness as a class participant at the Blakeney-area studio while living in Charlotte, N.C. Following a subsequent move with her family to the Seattle area, Jamila quickly discovered that there weren’t any comparable fitness options that satisfied the same things she’d loved

about her RockBox studio. Jamila decided to solve that problem by opening a RockBox Fitness location in her new area. A graduate of Clemson University with a degree in economics, and mother to four children, it was important to Jamila to recreate the community she’d found at RockBox while also building a business legacy for her family.

Director

A boutique fitness concept focused on incorporating boxing and kickboxing into confidence-building routines, RockBox Fitness provides Owners with access to a deep support network. With 40+ years of fitness industry and franchising experience, the RockBox executive team is prepared to help lead new Owners to success. “Someone is always willing to answer questions and share tips and tricks that help the studios run well,” Jamila said.

Jamila also has benefitted from building relationships with other Owners across the RockBox network, allowing fellow franchisees to share valuable tips and tricks for success. “For RockBox Fitness specifically, I would say get to know the other people in the network. They are incredible people who make a great support system. They can help you with things that other people may not understand and it’s pretty sweet when you can offer support, too,” she said.

It was this ongoing builtin support that made RockBox Fitness an attractive

FranDevCo’s RockBox Fitness Development

franchising opportunity, along with her own positive experiences as a fitness enthusiast.

Part of the appeal for Jamila was the community created by RockBox that keeps participants engaged in pursuing their fitness goals. Each trainer at RockBox is professionally certified, accredited, and has a passion for helping others. Class participants can engage with their choice of challenges and programs, allowing them to meet other fitness enthusiasts and add a layer of personal accountability

to their workout plans. With a huge variety of workout options, RockBox takes pride in the diverse range of mix-and-match functional movements available on the studio’s iPad kiosks, as well as four different class types (upper, lower, core, full body) and focus types (speed, power, and strength). The boxing-based fitness studios cater to every range of athletic ability and previous fitness experience, and maintain a welcoming and encouraging atmosphere for anyone looking to put a new spin on their fitness routine.

As a new Owner, Curry’s advice to other prospective franchisees is simple. “My advice would be to make sure you have the time to dedicate to your investment. I like to be hands-on. Understanding all of the ins and outs and going through the entire process makes it that much sweeter when you open and see all of your hard work and hopes come to fruition,” she said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kristan Henderson, FranDevCo’s RockBox Fitness Development Director enjoys using her franchise development experience to connect entrepreneurs with the right franchise opportunities.

“SOMEONE IS ALWAYS WILLING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND SHARE TIPS AND TRICKS THAT HELP THE STUDIOS RUN WELL.”

—Jamila Curry

FIRST NATIONAL PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE FRANCHISE

B2B BUSINESS MODEL / ESTABLISH REPEAT ROUTES / DRIVE RECURRING REVENUE / SELL SAVINGS!

Pavement is an Asset, and it’s Everywhere $29B Industry, Unsophisticated Competitors, Recession Resistant

Market Leading Technology

Proprietary ‘Preventative Pavement Maintenance Program’, Innovative Solutions, & Diverse Service Offering

We Save Businesses Money

B2B, Recurring Revenue, Simple Trade & Safe Equipment, & Semi-Absentee Opportunity

Founded by Franchisees, Built for Franchisees

Fully Integrated IT Suite, National & Regional Account Opportunities, Thorough Support Systems

Strong Financials

Low Startup Cost with Unlimited Profit Potential, Lease or Buy Investment Option, Strong Revenue Potential

Franchise FastLane Driving US Development

ITEM 7

Investment Range: $127,762 - $186,256 (Lease) $155,341 - $237,146 (Buy)

ITEM 19

2021 Gross Sales: $1,975,661

2021 Gross Sales Less Cogs & Disclosed Expenses: $684,084 (34.6%)

2021 Avg Gross Sales (All Locations): $836,030

Avg Gross Sales Per Client Project: $8,197

Net Worth: $250,000

Liquid Capital: $75,000

TJ Kissane VP of Franchise Dev. tkissane@franchisefastlane.com

Mike Samson Dir of Franchise Dev. msamson@franchisefastlane.com

Chad Wright Dir of Franchise Dev. cwright@franchisefastlane.com

A Career with the FBI Helped This Pillar To Post™ Franchisee Spot Any Questionable Issues

by Rhonda Sanderson, CEO, Sanderson & Associates

“I suppose working for the FBI sharpened my skills to spot anything out of place,” said Joseph Lowery, smiling because his Pillar To Post Home Inspectors is doing very well after only one year. The franchise owned by Joseph and his wife, serves Richmond,

Virginia, and counties in and around it.

“Even through my other careers, “Joseph said, “I always liked real estate, and in fact I was a part-time Realtor for years. I got to learn the ins and outs of what makes home buyers and sellers excited and

happy. Most of it was customer service that I gave them very pointedly. This is something emphasized strongly in the Pillar To Post Home Inspectors franchise system, so it was a great match for me.”

Too young and energetic for retirement, Joseph decided

Joseph Lowery’s Pillar

To Post Serves Richmond, VA and surrounding counties

home inspection was for him and the facts of the market prove his choice to be a good one. The U.S. building inspector industry, measured by revenue, is has a market size of $4.9 billion, according to global research firm IBISWorld.

One of the many reasons Joseph chose Pillar To Post Home Inspectors, the largest home inspection company in North America, is the innovative technologies the company recently introduced. These advanced technologies, along with the business model, provide an exceptional home inspection with unique and innovative features that are all delivered within a seamless brand experience. All developed pre-pandemic and ready to be utilized when the pandemic struck, the new features further highlight Pillar To Post Home Inspectors’ standing as a visionary in its industry. Suffice to say, the recent technologies created by the company give customers a state-of-the-art experience that served everyone very well through the pandemic and beyond. The package is known as The Ultimate Home Inspection and it is so much so that it received a coveted “Franchise Innovation Winner” award from Franchise Update

Magazine for “most innovative self-service tools for the consumer” for 2022.

“We are very communityoriented,” Joseph concluded. “We are very involved in community engagement. It’s one of the reasons my wife and I settled on where we wanted to live, and to run an excellent business together. We plan to make our Pillar To Post Home Inspectors of Richmond another great asset to the community and are already doing so.

The past year has been amazing. We provided back packs full of school supplies to elementary students in need. In 2023 I plan to double the number of back packs I donated in 2022. Giving back to the community that supports me is particularly

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

important to me. In 2023 I look forward to expanding my business and helping others in their home buying endeavors as well as those in the community. It Is my goal to eventually offer multiple college scholarships to high school seniors.”

About Pillar To Post Home Inspectors®

Founded in 1994, Pillar To Post Home Inspectors is the largest home inspection company in North America with home offices in Toronto and Tampa. There are 558 franchises located in 49 states and nine Canadian provinces. Longterm plans include adding 500 to 600 new franchisees over the next five years. For further information, please visit www. pillartopostfranchise.com.

Rhonda Sanderson is a franchise expert who has owned and operated Sanderson & Associates and Sanderson PR, both specializing in, traditional, social media and crisis PR in the franchise space since 1986. She has authored many articles, helped grow numerous franchise chains is considered one of the Top 30 Small Business Influencers (Fit Business) in the U.S. Find her at Rhonda@sandersonpr.com or on LinkedIn where she is the author of Franchise Stars at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonda-sanderson-a6b658/

Lowery is proud of supplying local kids in need with back packs filled with school supplies this year

The Experts in Dryer Venting Services

• Low Overhead

• No Office Space Required

• Home-Based Model

Neighborly® empowers more than 5,000 franchise owners the opportunity to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams with benefits exclusive to an organization of our scale, performance, and experience through our 17 leading North American brands.

A key benefit exclusively available to Neighborly brand franchise owners, ProTradeNet® negotiated millions of dollars in upfront discounts and returned over $7 million in rebates to Neighborly franchise owners in 2021.

grow a healthy business

Saladworks is the original create-your-own, fast-casual salad franchise.

Healthy – USDA reports that American adults are choosing healthier foods such as fruits and vegetables to support a healthier lifestyle. That’s why nearly half of all Millennial and Gen Z consumers buy 3+ entrée salads per week away from home. Saladworks is on-trend.

grow a healthy business

Simple – Our concept is asset-light, equipment-light and easy to operate. No fryers and no hood means less expensive buildout costs for you. Just chop, slice and dice to serve the tastiest create-your-own salads around. Saladworks is turn-key.

Healthy – USDA reports that American adults are choosing healthier foods such as fruits and vegetables to support a healthier lifestyle. That’s why nearly half of all Millennial and Gen Z consumers buy 3+ entrée salads per week away from home. Saladworks is on-trend.

Accessible – The fast-casual landscape is overbuilt and cluttered with create-your-own burger, sandwich, pizza, Mexican and smoothie concepts. Landlords are looking for healthy concepts like ours. We have the market, venue, format and footprint you want. Saladworks is available.

Simple – Our concept is asset-light, equipment-light and easy to operate. No fryers and no hood means less expensive buildout costs for you. Just chop, slice and dice to serve the tastiest create-your-own salads around. Saladworks is turn-key.

Accessible – The fast-casual landscape is overbuilt and cluttered with create-your-own burger, sandwich, pizza, Mexican and smoothie concepts. Landlords are looking for healthy concepts like ours. We have the market, venue, format and footprint you want. Saladworks is available.

Saladworks is the original create-your-own, fast-casual salad franchise. saladworksfranchising.com

$1,227,858 median net sales for top quartile*

saladworksfranchising.com

grow a healthy business

Saladworks is the original create-your-own, fast-casual salad franchise.

Healthy – USDA reports that American adults are choosing healthier foods such as fruits and vegetables to support a healthier lifestyle. That’s why nearly half of all Millennial and Gen Z consumers buy 3+ entrée salads per week away from home.

fransales@saladworks.com

Simple to operate. No fryers and no hood means less expensive buildout costs for you. Just chop, slice and dice to serve the tastiest create-your-own salads around.

Accessible cluttered with create-your-own burger, sandwich, pizza, Mexican and smoothie concepts. Landlords are looking for healthy concepts like ours. We have the market, venue, format and footprint you want.

saladworksfranchising.com

$1,227,858 median

fransales@saladworks.com

$1,227,858 median net sales for top quartile*

Skill Samurai Lays Out the Steps for Success for Franchisees

by Peter Cogan, Sales Coordinator, FranDevCo

When Skill Samurai CoOwner Deborah Steele realized she needed a change from the media and broadcasting business she’d been a part of for over 26 years, a pivot into franchising felt like a natural fit. Originally from the small Caribbean island of Trinidad

and Tobago, Deborah learned early on the value of hard work and persistence as she and her siblings witnessed their parents make sacrifices to give them the opportunity to graduate high school, attend college, and make a career for themselves.

When Deborah’s parents relocated their children to

New York to expand their schooling and future career opportunities, she quickly realized that studying hard was the key to advancing her career prospects. After graduating as valedictorian of her high school, Deborah successfully obtained a full scholarship to Cooper Union for the Advancement of

Engineering and Architecture in New York City. Following college, she applied for and received an internship at a media startup and grew her position within the company from intern to VP of Information Technology over the course of 26 years.

Choosing to pursue a franchising opportunity made sense to Deborah because of the template-based approach to successfully launching and running her new business. “There is so much that goes into starting a business - this lays out the steps,” Deborah said.

Feeling supported was another major factor in her decision to become a franchisee and the accessible nature of Skill Samurai’s Founder, Jeff Hughes, played a key role in Deborah’s confidence in Skill Samurai. “He works with all of us,” she noted. “He is open to improving things and to feedback.”

When looking into franchise types, Deborah quickly found common ground in the mission of Skill Samurai due to her professional background in technology.

As a parent to technicallyminded children, Deborah recognized the benefits of Skill Samurai’s core principles

and the leg up the programs give kids who would rather participate in computer games than sports. Deborah recommends other franchisees also find an opportunity that aligns with a sense of purpose. “Identify that driver for taking this step and never lose track of it, ” she said.

Founded in 2014, Skill Samurai is based around the philosophy of future-focused learning and features accredited instructors that prepare children for tomorrow’s workplace while fostering their natural curiosity through game-based learning. All Center Directors are certified by STEM.org to ensure they are up to speed on all developments and advances within STEM. Offering real programming languages to students, Skill Samurai is built to quickly adapt to changes and advancements and features over 150 different courses. Classes are available both in brick-and-mortar settings as well as on-the-go formats, offering maximum flexibility for students and parents interested in pursuing skills that can translate into successful tech careers. Students and parents can select from four distinct

learning paths, including Game Designer, Programmer, Visual Designer, and Robotics Engineer.

Like Deborah, Skill Samurai Owners can expect a quick ramp-up process, accessibility to multiple revenue streams, and natural cross-marketing that ensures repeat customers and a successful launch - all while making a meaningful impact on the workforce of the future.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Peter has been involved in franchising for 12+ years, including as a FranServe Consultant and owner of a Window Genie location. In his current role, he pulls on his range of franchising experiences to gain a deeper understanding of the needs of prospective franchisees so he can help guide them to the right opportunity.

Franchise Powerhouse: How Franchises Dominate Their Local Market Effectively

by Rusty Rich, CEO & Owner, Latitude Park

Establishing and growing a small business or franchise can be difficult if the right processes and procedures are not put into place up front to garner success. Latitude Park has worked with franchise groups for years and our experience with thousands of franchisees gives us an inside look at what helps the top businesses shine. Here is a short list we’ve put together to help you get an edge on the competition.

PUBLIC RELATIONS GIVES YOU AN EDGE.

Local Radio & TV

If you are dominating the local marketplace you want to start with local radio and tv. This may sound expensive but $1000 spent with the local station will give you a massive exposure and increase your authoritative position in your local area which will help drive all of your digital and social marketing campaigns as well. Even with digital music and on demand tv, the local stations still reach a big market.

Press Releases

Press releases flood all of the local news and station websites with event and promotional information about your business. These press releases establish you online and help grow the first results of search online.

LOCAL MARKETING GIVES YOU EXPOSURE ON THE GROUND

Local Events

Booths at local events help drive exposure to your business. Bring samples of your product or provide short sessions. Always keep a free trial offer card or takeaway and always get contact info.

Local Affiliation & Referrals

Establish relationships and barter with local businesses to cross market and increase real brand impressions where your customers are. Offer samples, sample services in the other business. Set up events, booths, offer specials for members of partner businesses. There are many ways to use the audience of a more established business to drive new customers to your business.

Hire Social Professionals

Hiring a team or lead that is a social butterfly, well spoken, and approachable is very important and helps bring the

BOOTHS AT LOCAL EVENTS HELP

DRIVE EXPOSURE TO YOUR BUSINESS. BRING SAMPLES OF YOUR PRODUCT OR PROVIDE SHORT SESSIONS. ALWAYS KEEP A FREE TRIAL OFFER CARD OR TAKEAWAY AND ALWAYS GET CONTACT INFO.

team together and customers in the front door. The ability to sell in every position is very important.

SOCIAL ADS GIVE YOU

A GOOD AMOUNT OF EXPOSURE, LEADS AND SALES FOR YOUR BUSINESS.

Social Prospecting Ads

Social ads are prospecting ads that grab people when they may not be looking for your service but because of detailed targeting you can target the right people you want to get your ad in front of. One of the biggest mistakes we see small businesses make is not spending enough

of their marketing budget on these types of ads.

Marketing Automation

Once leads are received, automated processes should be put in place to follow up with the lead in the form of a call, email, sms and direct mail. Leads should be bombarded with communications initially to try to capture the attention of the possible customer. Looking for a marketing partner that can help you establish your business or franchise? We’re here to help. Visit www.latitudepark.com and set up a time to speak with our team today.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rusty Rich is the CEO and owner of Latitude Park which provides marketing services for leading franchises looking to scale with leads and sales. Rusty has over 20 years experience in the performance marketing sector for online and location based businesses.

Award- Winning Franchise with a Simple Model

Neighborly® empowers more than 5,000 franchise owners the oppor tunit y to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams with benefits exclusive to an organization of our scale, per formance, and experience through our 17 leading Nor th American brands.

A key benefit exclusively available to Neighborly brand franchise owners, ProTradeNet® negotiated millions of dollars in upfront discounts and returned over $7 million in rebates to Neighborly franchise owners in 2021.

Dream With Me: Shalita Hale’s First Step to Securing an SBA Loan

by Scott McKelvey

As a single mom with two toddlers, Shalita Hale had reached a crossroads. She was making just enough money to stay afloat but wanted a better life for herself and her children. With a financial background, she started looking for a job as a loan officer.

“I must have applied for 30 or 40 jobs,” Shalita recalls. “I remember going to Kinko’s to have my resume printed on nice paper and hand delivering them to places with openings.”

Shalita eventually accepted a job that paid an hourly minimum wage plus commission. She was the

only woman and minority in the office. The odds seemed to be stacked against her, but it was an opportunity. She decided to bet on herself – and it paid off.

In her first year, Shalita earned 40 percent more than she was making previously. She quickly tripled her income the following year. Now, after more than a decade in lending, including working for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Shalita joined Immito, one of 14 non-bank, SBA delegated lenders in the country, as Vice President of Business Development.

Shalita helps clients in diverse industries but specializes in small businesses in beauty, health, and wellness, including franchises. For business owners, being a part of a proven franchise helps to strengthen the experience portion of their SBA loan applications. Example deals include $1.5 million for a medical spa with leasehold improvements, an $800,000 salon including inventory,

equipment, and commercial real estate purchase, a $500,000 franchise dental practice including state of the art equipment and real estate, and a $1,300,000 partner buyout for a tourism business without real estate.

Shalita’s personal journey continues to motivate her to help and inspire small business owners.

“I’m drawn to people who aspire for more.” Shalita said. “I admire those who overcome fear to take that leap. If you’re willing to show up, come prepared, and bet

on yourself; I’m willing to bet on you.”

Shalita enjoys having what she calls “dream with me” conversations with people seeking small business loans. She discusses each individual’s dreams and goals and their plans to achieve them. The best way to overcome fear and uncertainty is to develop a solid plan backed up by grit, determination, and persistence.

As a non-bank SBA lender, Shalita can help businesses access loan terms that are more favorable than a

Sign up for Shalita’s “Dream With Me” Virtual Workshop Series!

• Part 1: The Power of Partnerships, with breakouts for high-value networking.

• Part 2: Resources for Minority Owned Business, with underutilized grant resources provided.

• Part 3: Insider’s Guide to Business Funding, with tips from credit underwriters and bank executives.

Register today at www.shalitahale.com or Contact Shalita Hale directly at: 720.734.5500 x 548.

traditional bank loan. Shalita’s company also services their loans, which means they’ll always be there to support you on your journey.

Most importantly, you’ll have a partner who believes in you.

“I was turned down quite a bit early in my career,” Shalita said. “I’ve found that the most successful business owners don’t just have adequate funding. They have the determination to never give up. There’s nothing more rewarding than helping these individuals realize their dreams.”

AS A NON-BANK SBA LENDER, SHALITA CAN HELP BUSINESSES ACCESS LOAN TERMS THAT ARE MORE FAVORABLE THAN A TRADITIONAL BANK LOAN. SHALITA’S COMPANY ALSO SERVICES THEIR LOANS, WHICH MEANS THEY’LL ALWAYS BE THERE TO SUPPORT YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY.

CHANGING LIVEZ! CE NATION’S

At the heart of t he restaurant / mea l plan model s tir s an unwavering p ass ion to help individuals and families cha nge their lives. Through providing better nutrition o ptio ns, a steady do se of h ealth and wellnes s education – as well as a diverse sup port community – C le an Eatz c o ntinues to gain f ans around the n at ion. In fact, our fo otprint curren tly c onsists of mor e than 80 cafes in dozens o f states… and another 100 lo ca tions in the pipelin e!

LOW INVESTMENT

Clean Eatz has a lower investment cost than most fast casual concepts.

SMALL SPACES

Clean Eatz operates in smaller spaces than most fast casual concepts.

EASY MANAGEMENT

Stores can be run with great labor percentages.

ATTRACTIVE HOURS

Clean Eatz offers flexible hours for franchisees, with most cafes closing at 7pm.

MULTIPLE REVENUE STREAMS

FIVE to be exact! These include our café menu, Grab ‘N’ Go options, weekly meal plans, Marketplace products, and catering.

SIMPLE MENU

Our menu is streamlined and easy for anyone to reproduce whether you have food service experience or not!

NATIONAL BRAND RECOGNITION

We continue to get praise and coverage, from a devoted online social media fanbase to high-profile publicity outlets!

From the Philippines to LAX to Floor Coverings International

This Couple is Enjoying a Successful Top Mobile Concept

by Rhonda Sanderson, CEO, Sanderson & Associates

It’s not what you can’t do, it’s what you can do, and Zyra and Mike Ivey are testament to that phrase. An immigrant from the Philippines, who has only been in the United States for 10 years, 30-yearold Zyra is a franchise owner along with Mike, 51 having launched operations in 2022 with Floor Coverings International, the brand that’s consistently ranked No. 1 in the mobile flooring category, visiting customers’ homes in a Mobile Flooring Showroom stocked with thousands of flooring samples from top manufacturers. Floor Coverings International of Los Angeles serves customers from Hermosa Beach north to Marina del Rey, in California as well as adjacent inland areas.

Rising construction will drive global flooring growth at a 7 percent compound annual growth rate, reaching $391 billion by 2023. In 2014 the figure was $214 billion, including everything from carpets and vinyl to hardwood and laminate flooring. Rising lumber costs will pinch profits in the wood flooring segments, say analysts at Transparency Market Research.

“Zyra worked her way into management roles in her

career here, and is now running our business,” Mike said proudly of Zyra. “It goes to show that the American dream is still alive and well.”

Zyra’s prior experience was in the hospitality industry, where she supervised an international airline lounge at Los Angeles International Airport. “I enjoy engaging with people and I’m used to being with individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds. That certainly helps when I’m in customers’ homes advising them on products that will best suit their flooring needs,” Zyra said. Mike is a technology consultant in the commercial real estate industry and is keeping his position while assisting Zyra with back-office operations and supporting her day-to-day-role as the face of Floor Coverings International of Los Angeles.

“Floor Coverings International presented data about how a woman selling flooring in the customer’s home is uniquely positioned to be successful since women are primarily the ones initiating the process and making decisions,” Mike said. “And I, based on my background, was impressed with their emphasis on analytics and engagement with technology.”

In Floor Coverings

International, Zyra and Mike found a company that has tripled in size since 2005 by putting a laser focus on consumer buying habits and expressed desires, its impressive operating model, growth ability, marketing, advertising, and merchandising. Floor Coverings International further separates itself from the competition through its customer experience, made up of several simple and integrated steps that exceed customers’ expectations. For this, Floor Coverings International was chosen for the Innovation Award for Customer Response from Franchise Update Media in 2020 and 2021 for Best Use of Technology. Franchise Update is the benchmark publication and conference entity that is the Gold Standard of Franchising.

A chance encounter led Zyra and Mike to Floor Coverings

International. Zyra had become increasingly frustrated with staffing and scheduling issues in her former position when Mike had an exchange with a franchise coach on an online college football message board that led him to explore franchise opportunities.

“As we continued the process of evaluating

franchise opportunities, Floor Coverings International continued checking all the boxes as a compatible match. What began as a casual exploration of a new career path led to a passionate embrace of a new direction for our family,” Mike said.

“The growth of female-owned and/or led franchises in the Floor Coverings International network is very exciting news,” Zyra said. “I definitely believe that gives us a competitive advantage in the industry.”

ABOUT FLOOR COVERINGS INTERNATIONAL

Norcross, GA-based Floor Coverings International has ranked consistently as the No. 1 Mobile Flooring Franchise in North America by Entrepreneur Magazine. The 181 franchisees and their Design Associates offer a unique in-home experience with a mobile showroom that comes directly to the client’s door. More than 3,000 flooring choices are available to view in the home with and alongside

the existing lighting, paint, and furniture. The company will open several more locations throughout the U.S. and Canada through franchise expansion in 2022. For franchise information, please visit www.flooring-franchise. com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rhonda Sanderson is a franchise expert who has owned and operated Sanderson & Associates and Sanderson PR, both specializing in, traditional, social media and crisis PR in the franchise space since 1986. She has authored many articles, helped grow numerous franchise chains is considered one of the Top 30 Small Business Influencers (Fit Business) in the U.S. Find her at Rhonda@sandersonpr.com or on LinkedIn where she is the author of Franchise Stars at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonda-sanderson-a6b658/

DESIGN YOUR DREAM

Forget everything you know about remodeling franchises. We are an experience from start to finish.

Full-service, design, build & installation services for creating spectacular kitchens, bathrooms, and closets with the most premium assortment of cabinets, countertops, backsplashes, flooring, hardware and accessories.

Mix of services

Low start-up costs

B2B & B2C customers

Optimal profitability

Preferred vendor program

Premium Franchisee support

Breaking Barriers and Building Inclusion: One Founder's Journey

to a 100% Minority-Owned Franchise

by Ruth Agbaji, Founder, Code Wiz

When I decided to leave the corporate world and launch my own business, Code Wiz, I had a clear objective in mind. My goal was to establish an inclusive environment where people from all walks of life could feel welcome and achieve their full potential. Although franchising wasn't initially in my plan, but when I received comments like "Put a white man as the face of your business, and only then will you succeed," I realized that I had an opportunity to break the mold and prove that an immigrant and a woman of color can be successful in a male-dominated industry. I wanted to set an example for others who may feel underrepresented that it is possible to overcome barriers and achieve great things. And I am proud to say that we've made it happen, with our franchise being 100% owned by minorities, a rarity in both tech and franchising sectors. Although we strive to see a diverse representation, it is fulfilling to see that our brand, culture, and vision have

attracted individuals who are just like me. I make sure to keep these four things in mind to ensure that we remain a brand committed to providing a platform and a space for people from all backgrounds to flourish and grow their businesses.

SHARING MY FOUNDER STORY

There's nothing quite as motivating as a personal story. Openly sharing my difficulties, and the obstacles I have overcome and continually conveying my mission and vision to the public has assisted

us in drawing individuals who share similar beliefs. It's crucial to keep on sharing the Code Wiz narrative, as it naturally draws in the perfect candidates who align with our mission, vision, and values, values that honor our diversity and makes space for everyone to succeed, no matter their race, ethnicity, or backgrounds. I'll be honest, it can be uncomfortable to be vulnerable and share my story, but when I think of the individuals who might hear this story and be inspired to build their own business, it makes it all worth it.

MAXIMIZING OUR FRANCHISEES AS FORCE MULTIPLIERS

Now that we have a strong group of founding members, we aim to leverage their stories to amplify our brand's message. Many diversity and inclusion techniques are often employed, but I firmly believe that utilizing the personal experiences of our franchisees as force multipliers, amplifying the impact of our efforts and message, is the most effective way to promote and maintain a culture of inclusivity within our organization.

DIVERSE AND VISIBLE LEADERS

When it comes down to it, having a diverse and visible leadership team is crucial

for promoting diversity and inclusivity within an organization. When people from different backgrounds and experiences are represented in leadership positions, it sends a clear message to everyoneemployees, customers, and the public - that the company values and respects diversity. And for people like me, who might feel underrepresented, it creates a sense of belonging and representation. It makes it clear that this is a community where our voices can be heard, and where we feel valued and

included. And that's really important when it comes to attracting franchisees, staff, and even families to join our team."

OPENING THE DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY TO ALL

As we push forward in our mission to promote diversity and inclusivity, it is important that we don't only focus on ourselves but also remember to lift up those around us. Unfortunately, many children from low-income backgrounds are unable to participate in our classes and camps, widening

"I WANTED TO SET AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS WHO MAY FEEL UNDERREPRESENTED THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO OVERCOME BARRIERS AND ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS."

the gap in access to STEM education. These children are often from minority communities. Our goal is to reach 1 billion children throughout the lifetime of our brand, and to do that, we need to make sure that our students come from a variety of backgrounds. After all, the next big tech innovation could come from a child who is currently unable to afford our programs. So, it is crucial for us to provide access to children from different backgrounds and low-income families to ensure that no one is left behind.

As the founder of Code Wiz, I am so happy to share that we are a brand that truly believes in diversity and inclusivity. When I started this journey, my goal was simple: to create a place where people from all different backgrounds could feel welcome and achieve their dreams. And by being open about my own experiences, working with our franchisees to amplify our message, and having a leadership team that represents a variety of perspectives, we've built a community that feels like home to so many people. And, as a leader, it's important for me to ensure that everyone has access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. That's why we make sure to reach out to children from different backgrounds and low-income families - because you never know who might be the next big innovator.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ruth Agbaji is the CEO and Nerd-In-Chief of Code Wiz and has a passion for helping kids connect with their inner genius. Code Wiz offers kids a wide variety of technology to express their creativity through coding and robotics. Agbaji’s love for coding started when she taught herself to code back in Nigeria. Loving this newly found “powers”, she proceeded to get a Masters in Computer Science from Tufts University and work as a Software Engineer for tech giants like Microsoft and Kronos. Desiring to make a direct impact on the next generation and having a need for flexibility, in 2017, Agbaji quit her day job to open Code Wiz. Her vision was to have a center where kids of all abilities and socio economic backgrounds could come and learn about problem-solving through coding and pour their imagination into personalized projects. With her first center a success and 25 locations in various stages of development across the US, Agbaji is looking to grow Code Wiz into a household brand name in the enrichment education space.

"OUR GOAL IS TO REACH 1 BILLION CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE LIFETIME OF OUR BRAND..."

Why PrideStaff?

A Thriving and Essential Industry

• The staffing industry consistently outpaces the growth of the U.S. GDP and generated nearly $195 billion in annual revenue last year.

• Staffing firms employ over 17 million Americans each year.

Large Protected Territories

• PrideStaff provides you with some of the largest protected territories in the staffing industry.

Ongoing Training and Back Office Support

• We’re fully committed to your success by providing ongoing training, back office support to help your business run smoothly, and more than a 1:1 ratio of offices to corporate support staff.

Best-in-Class Satisfaction and Service

• According to ClearlyRated, an independent staffing industry satisfaction firm, PrideStaff consistently ranks in top .5% for Client and Talent satisfaction.

The #1 Outdoor Pest Control Franchise

Improve your Work/Life balance: Home-based, seasonal opportunity with a flexible schedule

Neighborly® empowers more than 5,000 franchise owners the opportunity to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams with benefits exclusive to an organization of our scale, performance, and experience through our 17 leading North American brands.

A key benefit exclusively available to Neighborly brand franchise owners, ProTradeNet® negotiated millions of dollars in upfront discounts and returned over $7 million in rebates to Neighborly franchise owners in 2021.

GET AHEAD OF THE GAME

GIG Pairs Franchises with Athletes and Celebrities to Create Influencer Marketing

Athletes building wealth with franchise ownership while supporting the franchises they own. This is a winning combination and Global Influencers Group (GIG) has created a market that makes them an agency for pro-sports agents and top talent as well as pioneering in the collegiate NIL (name, image and likeness) space to support the best franchise ideas in the world.

Top athletes earn sizable fortunes not only by endorsing products and services, but also by actually owning the businesses that produce them. This unprecedented athletic wealth is a legacy passed down to them through sports history. GIG - Global Influencers Group continues this legacy of creating win-win scenarios between professional athletes and businesses. Before LeBron produced movies and Shaq launched Chicken Shaq, there was a long line of champions who paved the way. Ancient Olympians didn’t receive monetary compensation for their efforts, but champions

were given the modern sports celebrity treatment at home. Their success led to fame, repute, and perks that modern day athletes would recognize instantly.

GIG, specializes in connecting franchise brands with professional athletes, celebrities and influencers and has provided access for private businesses to expand and grow through partnerships with athletes from major US sports leagues like the NBA, NFL, and MLB as well as leagues from abroad.

Physical prowess and athleticism have been prized traits throughout human

evolution. Though originally prized for ability to hunt or defend others, physical fitness and skill are still admired attributes in modern day society. Business and sports share many traits and this is why since the dawn of sports, athletes have been held in high esteem and when their personal brand is attached to a business offering, the connection is rapid, this is a champion therefore the offering must be a champion as well. The first paid endorsement deal can be traced to Honus Wagner, the Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop who started out at the Louisville Colonels, where he befriended Bud Hillerich

"GIG IS PROUD TO BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF CONNECTING FRANCHISES WITH PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES AND ARE COMMITTED TO HELPING OUR CLIENTS ACHIEVE THEIR BUSINESS GOALS THROUGH THESE PARTNERSHIPS."

of Louisville Slugger fame. When they started selling bats to the general public, the company paid Wagner $75, the equivalent of about $2600 today, to use his signature on its bats. Today, the majority of MLB players use eponymous clubs…. and endorsements are not quite so inexpensive.

Card collectors might also note American Tobacco’s Wagner trading card that sold for approximately $6.6 million in 2021, the most expensive ever sold. The rarity of the card is now apocryphal as to why Wagner ceased their production. Theories range from his reluctance to associate with cigarettes to anger at not receiving money for his image from the tobacco company. It is unlikely that a sports personality would endorse unhealthy products today as their image relies upon being a paragon of human achievement.

Our athletes are the history makers and they have reached the top of their game through

dedication, commitment and an ability to exploit their genetic gifts. The key to their success and their high regard is universally beloved in every country.

It takes a strong work ethic to spend countless hours preparing for competition that's often measured in seconds. And as crushing as it may feel in the moment to lose, athletes pick themselves up, learn from the experience and prepare for the next challenge.

When it comes to building brand awareness and driving sales, professional athletes can be a powerful asset for any business. But how do you connect with the right athletes, and create a partnership that is mutually beneficial? This is where GIG comes in.

The team at GIG takes into account various factors such as the athlete's image, fan base, and values when identifying potential partners. They work closely with the athlete’s agent, business managers, and

advisors in connecting with the franchise to create a customized partnership that aligns with the franchise's goals and objectives.

Through our extensive network of professional athletes, we are able to connect franchises with the perfect ambassadors to represent their brand and help increase their visibility and reach. By partnering with these highprofile individuals, businesses are able to tap into the massive fan base and following of these athletes, giving them a competitive edge in their respective industry.

The power of professional athletes as influencers cannot be denied. These individuals have built a loyal following due to their exceptional talent and dedication to their craft. Their fans look up to them as role models and trust their endorsements and recommendations. By partnering with a professional athlete, businesses are able to leverage this trust and

credibility to increase brand awareness and drive sales.

GIG understands the unique needs and goals of each franchise and works closely with them to identify and secure the perfect professional athlete partner. We take care of all the details, from negotiation and contract drafting to market strategy and execution. This allows franchises to focus on what they do best - running their business - while we handle the logistics of the partnership.

One of the key reasons for the success of GIG is their focus on trust and creating mutually beneficial partnerships. They understand that both the franchise and the athlete need to see value in the partnership in order for it to be successful. By aligning the goals and objectives of both parties, they are able to create partnerships that bring real value to both sides.

GIG President Benjamin Khabie discussed a recent project working on a partnership with his network of professional basketball players and a custom clothing franchise called Pearce BeSpoke. “Guys that are 7’2 immediately understand the value of high quality custom clothing since there is no way they are getting what they want off the rack. The fact that the players can design whatever they want and share it with their fans made this concept a big hit with the pro athletes who saw it. There are several large master license deals in the works currently and I suspect once the NFL guys see it, they’re going to want to be a part of the story as well” said Khabie.

Nathan Pearce, the founder

of Pearce BeSpoke said of the partnership “The GIG connection has led to plans about franchise sales expansion throughout the US and future opportunities to expand internationally. This partnership not only will increase sales for the franchise, but also helps the players build long term assets and grow as partners together with the business. We are amazed at how rapidly GIG connected us with well known athletes and how they were there for us every step of the way in putting the deals together. I always thought you needed millions of dollars to do pro sports endorsement

In today's fast-paced and highly competitive business world, it's more important than ever for businesses to find innovative and effective ways to stand out from the crowd.

Partnering with a professional athlete can be a great way to do this, but it's not always easy to know where to start. GIG takes the guesswork out of the process and makes it easy for franchises to connect with the right athletes and create successful partnerships.

GIG is proud to be at the forefront of connecting franchises with professional athletes and are committed to helping our clients achieve their business goals through these partnerships. If you are a franchisor looking to increase your brand visibility and drive sales, please contact us to learn more about how we can help.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information on GIG can help your brand or clients please contact Joseph Landesman at jlandesman@ globalinfluencersgroup.com