Franchise Interviews

We have a great show today. We are meeting with Joni Brownstein of the Art Recovery Technologies franchise opportunity.  Art Recovery Technologies can quickly assess, recover and return your artwork and collectibles to pre-loss condition. They specialize in the recovery of many types of art including antiques, photographs, family heirlooms, keepsakes, paintings, mosaics, taxidermy and much more.  In Part Two, we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising Podcast.

We have a great show today. We are meeting with  Christo Demetriades, the COO of LunchboxWax, a boutique speed-waxing concept that combines refined techniques and the highest quality products. What makes LunchboxWax unique is their waxologists are trained to know how to wax every body and make the LGBTQ+ community especially the transgender community feel comfortable walking in and getting waxed. This inclusivity is present in all fronts of the business and each employee is put through a course of “culture classes” to ensure everyone is fully aware of the brand’s mission.The brand has 48 salons open and recently signed 2 multi-unit deals in brand new markets throughout the Midwest.  In Part Two, we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

We are meeting with Kelsey Stuart, CEO of Bloomin’ Blinds.

Bloomin Blinds FYI:

Family-owned and operated since 2001, Bloomin’ Blinds is a leading window treatment franchise serving 55 territories nationwide.Only window treatment franchises to offer product, installation, repair and cleaning.

Bloomin’ Blinds franchises are typically run by husband and wife or small teams, so customers are often dealing with the same people over the course of several interactions, helping to build trust and longstanding client relationships.

Combined, the leadership team has over 60 years of hands-on industry experience, bringing a personalized approach to training and a tight-knit family feel to the culture.

Innovative tech allows franchisees to run their business efficiently and provide quotes to customers almost instantly, helping franchisees to close-in on more contracts.

Franchisees are provided in-depth training at the home office with elaborate simulations to fully prepare each franchisee for the field. After training, franchisees head home and usually receive their first client inquiry within the first 12 hours of operation.

The young leadership, fresh vision and technology is appealing to the growing population of millennial home owners.

With more than 40 locations across the country, Bloomin’ Blinds is rapidly growing and plans to have 100 franchises open by 2022.

In Part Two, we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

An Evening with Franchise Teacher Chris Simnick

With over 40 years of experience as an independent businessman, franchisee, and franchiser, including fifteen years of international experience in launching and assisting franchise systems in Europe and the Pacific Rim, Chris Simnick knows the ins and outs of franchising, and how to establish and fine tune operations to ensure a profitable business at start-up, stability, or maturity - when a refresh or expansion to a new concept is desired.

Chris has accomplished this by creating the Synergy Franchise Group Network consisting of the Synergy Franchis Group LLC and FranchiseTeacher.com. Through these organizations, Chris and his team has  guided clients through the process of identifying and purchasing the right franchise based on their interests, personality, and skill level; and assisted others on the opposite end of the spectrum determine if their concept was suitable for franchising, how to recruit and develop franchisees, and how to set up the infrastructure and processes necessary to operate the system effectively and profitably.

They provide consulting to both franchisers and franchisees, in all industries and in all sizes, on specific issues ranging from the development of growth strategies to conducting operational reviews and profit & loss analyses to setting up lead generation and tracking programs. They also offer personalized one-on-one coaching to meet any need.

In Part Two, we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.  This clip also features Chris Simnick from the first time we had him on our podcast.

Steve Caldeira

President and CEO

We could not think of anyone better than inviting special guest Steve Caldeira. As President & CEO, Mr. Caldeira works with the IFA board to set the direction for the organization's strategic priorities: government relations and public policy, including the association's political action committee, media relations, public relations and professional development programs and research initiatives. He represents the association and acts as its primary spokesperson and liaison to government, news media, members, prospective members, business and professional organizations, educational institutions and the public, both domestically and internationally.

Last weekend I was doing some cleaning in preparation for fall.  As a business professor, I have thousands of books in plastic tubs.  One of the books that distracted me from cleaning was the Franchise Times Guide to Selecting, Buying and Owning a Franchise.  I was reminded of the interview Don and I did with Julie Bennett, author of the Franchise Times Guide to Selecting, Buying and Owning a Franchise.  The book, which has been updated, is filled with practical advice from real-life individuals who made the jump into franchising.  Some of Julie’s quotes made it into our Great Quotes in Franchising. We had fun on this interview.  In part two, we will play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

We are meeting with Mike Cline VP of franchise development for Alliance Franchise Brands.  Alliance Franchise Brands serves the multi-billion dollar market for marketing, print, sign and graphics communications services. Alliance Franchise Brands is considered a leader in franchise training, technology and implementation.

In its Marketing & Print Division, the company supports six brands: Allegra, American Speedy Printing and Insty-Prints in the United States and Allegra, KKP, and Speedy Printing in Canada. In its Sign & Graphics Division, the company supports three brands in North America and the United Kingdom: Image360, Signs by Tomorrow and Signs Now.

In Part Two, we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

We are meeting Scott Talley, CEO and founder of Network in Action. Network In Action Franchise (NIA) applies innovative principles to an industry that has long needed an update! There are an estimated 28 million small business in the United States and every one of them needs some type of marketing plan. According to their research if a business just has the funds for one marketing effort, networking provides the greatest return on investment!  Network In Action, a Houston-based networking franchise that has revolutionized the industry with its innovative use of technology, has created a Try Before You Buy program. The initiative gives entrepreneurs the option to go through a day in the life of a being a Network In Action group leader/franchisee, try the business model out by going through a five day training, recruit members, host their own meeting and then decide if they want to be a part of Network In Action within 48 hours. There is no fee associated with this initiative. 

The average business owner does not have 100 plus hours annually to attend weekly business networking meetings. NIA’s monthly meetings opens up an entire new market of business owners who wish to network. Additionally, by offering monthly meetings NIA groups tend to enjoy more owners as members than a group that meets weekly.

We are meeting with Brynson Smith. Brynson is a sales and franchise consultant with a strong background in helping entrepreneurs break into the world of franchising, as well as helping established franchise owners diversify their portfolio. Brynson is the Director of Franchise Sales for uBreakiFix, an electronic device repair franchise.  uBreakiFix is obsessed with gadgets and gizmos. They are the folks standing in line on launch day waiting for the latest smartphone or gaming console. They love all things tech and they are experts at what they do.  uBreakiFix fixes electronic devices (it’s in our name after all). From the classic phone drop in the parking lot to the tablet in the toilet. They have seen it all. They understand how traumatic it is when you break your favorite devices and they want you to feel better the moment you walk in. In Part Two, we will play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

iSold It was founded so that everyone-from individuals, to businesses, to fundraising organizations-would have an easy way to sell merchandise on eBay. Like many service stores personalized attention, reliability, and expert skills is what is important at iSold It.

 

Their business formula rests on the idea that busy people and small businesses want exceptional service to help manage their affairs. We are meeting with William Fikhman of the franchise iSold it on Ebay.  William is one of the youngest franchisees for Isold it on Ebay as well as the country.