(Parkesburg, Pennsylvania)---People go into business for themselves for many reasons. For Garnet Valley residents John and Kate Fecile, their reason hits closer to home than most.
In February 2011, their son, Michael, suffered a traumatic, debilitating brain injury after falling four stories from his apartment balcony near Penn State University, where he was a sophomore majoring in psychology. A talented high school football player, Michael was a student manager for the Penn State football team and wanted to pursue a coaching career himself.
Though he survived the fall, Michael required 24-hour care and was confined to his bed, unable to speak. After fighting courageously for more than four years – aided by his parents, four siblings and extended family members along with an extremely dedicated group of health aides and volunteers – Michael passed away in May 2015 at home at the age of 24.
John and Kate Fecile opened CertaPro Painters of Western Chester County in July after John, 54, spent 30 years in the insurance industry.
“Our business was started to create a new life for us after Michael died in 2015,” John said. “Although he required 24-hour care, we cared for him at home until his death. We were helped immeasurably by the love and support of our families and our community. We chose to start our business to give ourselves a new life and to contribute more directly to our community.”
CertaPro Painters is America’s largest and most-referred painting company. Headquartered in Parkesburg, CertaPro Painters of Western Chester County also serves customers in Atglen, Avondale, Coatesville, Cochranville, Honeybrook, Landenberg, Lincoln University, Nottingham, Oxford, Toughkenamon and West Grove.
Commercial and residential painting is an estimated $40 billion industry in the U.S. and Canada. CertaPro has been ranked No. 1 by Entrepreneur magazine in its category for the last three years and boasts a customer referral rate that exceeds 95 percent.
Conversely, according to estimates, the largest U.S. painting companies have less than one percent market share and more than 76 percent of businesses in the painting industry have four employees or fewer. But best-in-class operational systems and procedures make CertaPro the most professional business model in the industry and its satisfied customers are the direct benefactors.
“I share CertaPro’s strong commitment to delivering a great customer experience and to the personal and professional development of everyone in the organization, including the painting contractors we employ,” Fecile said.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of actively employed painting and wall-covering contractors will increase by 38.5 percent during the 10-year period from 2010 to 2020. The bureau further concluded that sales of residential painting services are likely to increase by an annual rate of three to four percent during the same period.
“Our business goals are to create satisfied customers, painters and employees first,” Fecile said. “We would like to grow our business to include new territories as they become available. We expect to have a $3 million painting company in five years.”
Fecile said CertaPro Painters has been well-received throughout Chester County and the company is already giving back. CertaPro Painters is providing discounted services to Homes For Our Troops – which builds mortgage-free, specially adapted homes nationwide for severely injured veterans – as well as Home of the Sparrow, which is headquartered in Exton and provides housing and supportive services to homeless and low-income women looking to become self-sufficient.
About CertaPro Painters
Founded in 1991, Oaks, Pennsylvania-based CertaPro Painters is the largest painting company in North America. With more than 350 independently owned and operated franchises worldwide, CertaPro provides a customer-driven painting experience for both residential and commercial properties that is unparalleled in the industry (both residential and commercial). The company’s stellar service and proven business system have made CertaPro North America’s most referred painting company. For more information, visit www.certapro.com
(Denver, Colorado)---This might appear as a marriage of convenience for Lynn Wunsch, but she certainly doesn’t mind if anyone knows. In fact, the more people who know the better when it comes to spreading the word about her situation. Sound confusing? Well, it’s really not. In fact, it’s a pretty smart move on Wunsch’s part. You see, Wunsch is a successful realtor who specializes in investment real estate, specifically fix-and-flip, fix-and-keep (typically rentals), and new construction. And as of July 5, Wunsch became one of the newest franchise owners of Floor Coverings International, which offers an unmatched selection of flooring products including carpet, hardwood, ceramic, tile and vinyl, as well as specialty products such as bamboo and slate. Serving customers in south Denver, Floor Coverings International’s expert Design Associates offer free in-home Design Consultations, visiting customers’ homes in a Mobile Flooring Showroom with thousands of flooring choices to assist them in choosing the perfect flooring solution. It’s a win-win for Wunsch and her clients, especially given her specialty in the real estate business. Looking to maximize their investment, Wunsch’s clients can benefit from some great deals and advice on quality flooring. “Flooring is a major concern and expense when you’re buying and selling real estate as an investment vehicle,” Wunsch said. “Since I already have a strong background in remodeling and design, also being able to offer the services of Floor Coverings International can be quite a convenience for my clients.” Wunsch can use those same skills to give outstanding service to customers looking to improve and increase the investment value of their own homes. “I was looking for a new challenge and wanted it to align with my passion for home renovation and real estate,” Wunsch said. “Floor Coverings International was a very good fit. Their culture and core values were in perfect alignment with mine.” Wunsch was so enthused to get going that she condensed 45 days of franchise preparation into 30. “That’s what having your own business is all about,” Wunsch said. “It’s about rising to the challenge and seizing opportunities.” Wunsch’s timing couldn’t be better. According to a recent report by The Freedonia Group, the demand for hard-surface flooring in the U.S. is expected to increase 6.1 percent per year to 11.3 billion square feet in 2019, valued at $16.7 billion. The fastest growth will come from the residential market, driven by gains in housing completions and a shift toward hard-surface flooring in living and dining areas, where carpet has predominated, the report said. Not only is the industry flush with potential, but 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. “Anything to do with the home excites me and flooring is such a transformative product,” Wunsch said. “A customer can totally re-invent their home by changing out flooring. There are some super-cool products out right now. It never gets old.” About Floor Coverings International
Floor Coverings International is the #1 Mobile Flooring Franchise. The flooring industry is very stable although fragmented, allowing franchisees to quickly build market share utilizing the unique in-home experience and mobile flooring showroom. Floor Coverings International has 130+ locations throughout the U.S. and Canada with plenty of opportunity for continued expansion. In 2016 new units will open in Vancouver, Houston, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Ottawa, Toronto, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, San Antonio as well as many other strategic markets across North America. For franchise information, please visit www.flooring-franchise.com and to find your closest location, www.floorcoveringsinternational.com.
(Glenview, IL)-Dave Yuen has more than his fair share of work experience in his lifetime and they have required a wide range of skill sets. As a former trial lawyer, Yuen first practiced criminal defense in DuPage County for four years and then civil litigation in Chicago for the last 12. Prior to practicing law, he put his computer science degree to good use as a computer consultant for five years.
His newest career will be his first time owning his own business, a Window Genie franchise that opened at 2700 Patriot Blvd, Suite 250, Glenview, IL 60026 on April 25, 2016. Window Genie is a national franchise that specializes in window cleaning, window tinting, pressure washing, and gutter cleaning.
Yuen has learned many things in the variety of careers he's had, including the fact that nothing can ruin a job like a bad manager, which is why he's so excited for the chance to be his own boss. "I didn't want to work for anyone else any longer," said Yuen. "I wanted to build something."
Now that he's working for himself, Yuen will be sure to put all of his career background to use in running his business. He intends to put his workers to good use by having"Technicians in place who can work on their own with little supervision and are able to train new hires as we continue to grow," said Yuen. That way, Yuen won't have to do every little thing himself.
Yuen was drawn to Window Genie due to the multiple services it provides and meeting new people every day. “I like the interaction with customers and meeting people every day. One of the main reasons I got into law practice was to help people,” said Yuen. “This business also allows me to help people in need, just in a different way.”
In the mean time, Yuen and his wife Maya will work together, using their combined skills to get the business to a point where they can hire more technicians. Maya, who is a physical therapist, will use her organizational skills and employee management skills to help benefit the company. "Each of us will be doing the work that fits our strengths the best," said Yuen. A well-matched team is essential for a successful business, so Yuen is lucky to have a life partner who will also make a great business partner.
About Window Genie
Founded in 1994 by Richard Nonelle, Cincinnati-based Window Genie is a national home service franchise specializing in residential and light commercial window cleaning, window tinting, pressure washing and gutter cleaning. Additional services in select markets include gutter re-securing, roof washing, solar panel cleaning, holiday light instillation, dryer vent cleaning and more, visit www.windowgenie.com. Window Genie currently operates with over 90 locations in 26 states. Target markets for growth include New York, California and Florida. For more franchising information, visit www.windowgeniefranchise.com
(Warren, Minnesota)---Dave Sumner had a lofty goal and he achieved it. Not content to rest on his laurels, he built upon his first achievement and turned it into another. But knowing where he came from and where he’s headed, it should come as no surprise to those who know Sumner.
Sumner has been a franchisee of Pillar To Post, the largest home inspection company in North America since xxxx. He serves multiple counties throughout northwest Minnesota and northeast North Dakota.
For 25 years prior, he held positions in several industries, always holding true to his mantra of “if you take care of your company, your company will take care of you.” It worked as he earned numerous promotions and pay increases at every workplace.
But there was a void in Sumner’s life story that he wanted to fill. That’s why in 2011, the xx-year-old Sumner earned a college degree after a failed first attempt right out of high school.
In fact, Sumner earned two bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Manufacturing Management from the University of Minnesota Crookston. And Sumner is only six credits away from earning a third degree - a bachelor’s in accounting.
“I was an older-than-average student, but it was a dream of mine to earn a college degree,” Sumner said. “I am the first one in my family to graduate from a university.”
Having always been successful in the workplace and now with a college education on his resume, Sumner decided it was time to focus his efforts on going into business for himself.
Sumner spent 18 months researching and evaluating various opportunities before finding a perfect fit with Pillar To Post, the leader in home inspections in the U.S. and Canada, giving homebuyers or sellers a clear, unbiased evaluation of a home’s condition and answering any questions they might have to help ensure peace of mind.
“I love the idea of managing my own business, yet still having the chance to get dirty once in awhile,” said Sumner, who estimates he invested about $25,000 to launch his Pillar To Post franchise.
A professional evaluation of more than 1,600 items inside and outside the home is at the core of Pillar To Post’s service. Inspectors input data and digital photos into a computerized report that is printed and presented on site. All information is provided to clients in a customized binder for easy reference, allowing homebuyers or sellers to make confident, informed decisions.
All Pillar To Post inspectors are members of regional, state, national and provincial associations across the United States and Canada, and all inspections are conducted within the Standards of Practice of those associations.
“Realtors I have spoken to have indicated that more and more people want a professional home inspection,” Sumner said. “One major agency even told me that 75 percent of all home sales involve a professional inspection. Since fewer people are knowledgeable about the systems that make up a home than in the past, I truly believe that both home sellers and buyers will be looking to Pillar To Post for my expertise.”
About Pillar To Post Home Inspectors Founded in 1994, Pillar To Post Home Inspectors is the largest home inspection company in North America with more than 530 franchises, located in 48 states and eight Canadian provinces. Long-term plans include adding 500-600 new franchisees over the next five years. For further information, please visit www.pillartopostfranchise.com
(Hudson, Wisconsin)---Mike Bebault might be the most uniquely qualified home inspector in western Wisconsin. Holding two degrees, an Associates Degree in architecture and a Bachelors Degree in environmental science –Bebault literally knows his stuff. But it’s when you combine Bebault’s knowledge with his calming, trusting demeanor that he really earns his stripes, especially with Millennials, many of whom are entering the real estate market for the first time. “I’ve had a few youngsters refer to me as ‘Grandpa’ when their parents accompany them on a home inspection review,” the 58-year-old Bebault said. “I find it entertaining, their parents not so much.” Bebault has been a franchisee of Pillar To Post Home Inspectors® the largest home inspection company in North America, since November 2013. He serves all of western and northern Wisconsin, east to Chippewa Falls and farther west into the St. Paul metropolitan area, if necessary. Pillar To Post is the leader in home inspections in the U.S. and Canada, giving homebuyers or sellers a clear, unbiased evaluation of a home’s condition and answering any questions they might have to help ensure peace of mind. Much as he performs his pinpoint home inspections from the ground up, Bebault began his career in similar fashion, earning all the tools necessary along the way. With his architecture degree in hand, Bebault first worked as a carpenter building homes, eventually moving into a 20-year career in commercial construction management. But when the economic downturn hit in 2007, Bebault found himself downsized. That’s when he decided to return to college at UW-River Falls to earn his environmental science degree, an area that had long held his interest. Unfortunately, it was a Catch-22. “It was difficult to find a company willing to hire a middle-aged man for an entry-level position,” Bebault recalled. Whether by fate or chance, Bebault one day found himself doing a favor for his brother by inspecting a home that he was purchasing. Bebault gave his written report to the realtor. “She told me it was more thorough than the reports she got from the home inspector she normally used,” Bebault said. “A light bulb went off. I had always enjoyed dabbling in real estate and with my construction background I felt this could be a good fit. I settled on Pillar To Post because it was so franchisee-friendly and had such a stellar reputation.” With his architecture/construction and environmental science background affording him special insight into identifying structural and/or environmental issues within a home, Bebault’s comprehensive reports prove a valuable tool for both homebuyers and sellers. A professional evaluation of more than 1,600 items inside and outside the home is at the core of Pillar To Post’s service. Inspectors input data and digital photos into a computerized report that is printed and presented on site. All information is provided to clients in a customized binder for easy reference, allowing homebuyers or sellers to make confident, informed decisions. All Pillar To Post inspectors are members of regional, state, national and provincial associations across the United States and Canada, and all inspections are conducted within the Standards of Practice of those associations. “I really enjoy working with first-time home buyers,” Bebault said. “I can put my ‘dad’ hat on and teach them about the many aspects of maintaining their biggest investment. I also enjoy helping out the busy professional or senior client who may be downsizing.”
About Pillar To Post Home Inspectors Founded in 1994, Pillar To Post Home Inspectors is the largest home inspection company in North America with more than 530 franchises, located in 48 states and eight Canadian provinces. Long-term plans include adding 500-600 new franchisees over the next five years. For further information, please visit www.pillartopostfranchise.com
After 13 years in the travel industry, Joe Schlipman has set sail on his newest venture as a small business owner.
On Aug. 22, the 42-year-old Schlipman launched Window Genie of Miami, an award-winning franchise specializing in residential and light commercial window cleaning, window tinting, pressure washing, gutter cleaning and more. Schlipman will serve the greater Miami area from Palmetto Bay to Coral Gables.
Schlipman built a successful career in the cruise industry, spending his last five years as Operations Director responsible for onboard revenue with the world’s largest cruise line. But a downsizing cost Schlipman his job in 2013. After switching industries, Schlipman was laid off again late last year.
“I was looking for a new job earlier this year and when I got my last rejection letter from a cruise line, despite being overqualified, I knew at that moment I needed to travel along a different path,” Schlipman said.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about one in every 10 Americans is self-employed, that equals about 14.6 million people in the U.S. A franchise consultant helped Schlipman identify what type of business would fit him best, but he said it’s crucial for individuals to perform their own due diligence.
“You have to make sure it is the right time,” Schlipman said. “I looked at opening a franchise or small business three years ago, and thankfully, it took me two additional jobs and a few failed job searches to help make up my mind. You can’t succeed unless you are 100 percent committed.”
A proud alumnus of Loyola University of Chicago, Schlipman is understandably chomping at the bit to get started in his bid to become “the brand leader in South Florida when it comes to roof washing, pressure cleaning, window cleaning and window tinting.”
That’s probably no surprise to those who know Schlipman. In an interview with Loyola’s alumni association, he said, “too many times, people can get complacent and just rest on their previous achievements and not continue to push themselves further.”
Expect none of the above from Schlipman, a competitive sort who while at Loyola had a standing racquetball reservation every Tuesday afternoon with one of the Jesuit priests. Schlipman expects Window Genie to make a difference in the South Florida market.
“This industry in South Florida lacks a true sense of customer service and professionalism that one would enjoy in other markets around the country,” Schlipman said. “I am excited to bring my 13 years of knowledge about customer satisfaction in a corporate environment to every home and business that we service.”
The depth and breadth of its services makes Window Genie stand out compared to other competitors. Window Genie is also America’s largest installer of lifetime-guaranteed window film products that help consumers and businesses save on utility bills, reduce glare and fading and improve privacy and aesthetics.
Schlipman, who estimates he has spent about $100,000 in start-up costs, said Window Genie’s innovation is another strong suit, including a new roof washing system in which technicians sometimes don’t even have to step foot on a customer’s roof.
“I’ve been waiting patiently. Once I signed the paperwork I wanted to start immediately,” Schlipman said. “But everything takes time and for good reason, but I couldn’t be more ready to introduce Window Genie to Dade County.”
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About Window Genie
Founded in 1994 by Richard Nonelle, Cincinnati-based Window Genie is a national home service franchise specializing in residential and light commercial window cleaning, window tinting, pressure washing and gutter cleaning. Additional services in select markets include gutter re-securing, roof washing, solar panel cleaning, holiday light instillation, dryer vent cleaning and more, visit www.windowgenie.com. Window Genie currently operates with over 90
We all have priorities, whether personal or professional. But along life’s twists and turns they sometimes get misplaced or difficult to attain. It’s especially difficult to match business and personal priorities with one fell swoop. Often the two are like trying to fit a puzzle piece into the wrong spot. As many times as you turn it, the piece just isn’t going to fit.
But Jeff Spoor and his wife, Cathy, find themselves in an enviable position since becoming franchise owners with CertaPro Painters and recently opening CertaPro of Salem-Eugene. CertaPro Painters is America’s largest and North America’s most-referred painting company. Cathy serves as the company’s office manager.
Jeff, 62, spent more than 20 years working for one of the country’s largest property and casualty insurance companies in a variety of management positions. Cathy had worked as a mortgage loan officer, but has a background in advertising/marketing. Jeff also several spent years in the franchise consulting industry.
“I wanted to get back into entrepreneurship myself and take my life back,” Spoor said. “I wanted to spend my time the way I wanted, and likewise, Cathy wanted to get back to doing what she enjoys, marketing and customer service.”
Commercial and residential painting is an estimated $40 billion industry in the U.S. and Canada. CertaPro has been ranked No. 1 by Entrepreneur magazine in its category for the last three years and boasts a customer referral rate that exceeds 95 percent.
Conversely, according to estimates, the largest U.S. painting companies have less than one percent market share and more than 76 percent of businesses in the painting industry have four employees or fewer. But best-in-class operational systems and procedures make CertaPro the most professional business model in the industry and its satisfied customers are the direct benefactors.
“Having a family owned and operated business has been a lifelong dream of ours,” Spoor said. “It gives us the flexibility to prioritize our life the way we see fit. Our family and health are extremely important. Cathy and I hope that being healthy and having a balanced focus will help us to be better business owners, as well. The culture of CertaPro Painters is ‘family first’, and that suites us perfectly.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of actively employed painting and wall-covering contractors will increase by 38.5 percent during the 10-year period from 2010 to 2020. The bureau further concluded that sales of residential painting services are likely to increase by an annual rate of three to four percent during the same period.
Spoor said his focus is on steady growth, targeting the Eugene/Springfield area in the short term, while expanding toward Salem over the coming year.
“The improved economic outlook has definitely had a positive impact and I also believe the painting industry tends to largely be recession-resistant as a whole,” Spoor said.
It’s no stretch to say that Matt Lloyd knows a thing or two about “detecting problems”. And in the home inspection industry, that’s a good thing.
Since last April, the 47-year-old Haymarket resident and his wife, Lisa, have been serving northern Virginia as franchisees of Pillar To Post Home Inspectors, the largest home inspection company in North America.
Lloyd began his second career after spending 23 years in law enforcement, beginning in the early 1990s as a New York City police officer and detective before transitioning to the Federal Service within the Department of Homeland Security following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
After retiring from law enforcement, Lloyd spent months researching his post-vocation career and was literally in the process of opening a business when he came across an online banner ad for Pillar To Post.
“I sat with my chin in my hand for what seemed like a very long while. I was contemplating how and when, but never if. I just knew. This was it, right up my alley,” Lloyd said of the Pillar To Post opportunity.
It helped that Lloyd had been rebuilding “little-loved” homes since he was 16 and had a strong understanding of carpentry, electrical work and plumbing. And given his background, Lloyd naturally put the microscope to the Pillar To Post business model.
“I did what I was trained to do, I investigated,” Lloyd said. “And I discovered that Pillar To Post was the most respected name in the industry. It was the benchmark to which all others aspire. As a former New York City detective – whose motto is ‘The Greatest Detectives in the World’ – I could relate to that. I wanted to be part of a phenomenal organization with no equal.”
A professional evaluation of more than 1,600 items inside and outside the home is the core of Pillar To Post home inspections. All Pillar To Post inspectors are members of regional, state, national and provincial associations across the United States and Canada, and all inspections are conducted within the Standards of Practice of those associations.
After spending 23 years “being told when I would be available to work – missing more than my share of birthdays, weddings, communions and holidays,” Lloyd sought a career where he was the decision-maker.
“I was going to be the master of my destiny,” Lloyd said. “I would succeed or fail based on my own personal work ethic,” he said. “And in this career I wanted to encounter people at their best, not when things were going wrong in their lives.”
It should come as no surprise that Lloyd brings the same dogged determination that he used as a detective to his role as home inspector. He knows what he does well and his clients are the benefactors. That’s why, with the basics of running the business under his belt, he’s concentrating on further building his business.
“I am one hell of an inspector, but it makes not one iota of difference how good I am if no one knows ‘who’ I am. We spend a lot of time figuring out ways to get our faces and Pillar To Post’s name in front of as many realtors, brokers and organizations as possible,” said Lloyd, who also calls his business partner and wife, Lisa, his “alternate perseverance.”
Lloyd said Pillar To Post is uniquely positioned for growth in the National Capital Region (NCR). While a study from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) found that the average buyer of a single-family home will stay in a home about 13 years before moving out, Lloyd said that timespan is much shorter in the NCR because of the constant ebb and flow of the region’s political, civilian-federal and military-based population.
“Combining that with an upcoming change in administrations and the tremendous boom in residential building means an ever-increasing share of an ever-increasing market of home sales that will have to be inspected,” Lloyd said. “And with more than one-third of current home inspectors reaching retirement in the next 36 months, the business outlook is stellar for the home inspection industry.”
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About Pillar To Post Home Inspectors Founded in 1994, Pillar To Post Home Inspectors is the largest home inspection company in North America with over 470 franchisees, located in 48 states and eight Canadian provinces. Long-term plans include adding 500-600 new franchisees over the next five years. Pillar To Post Home Inspectors is ranked the No. 1 home inspection franchise in North America by Entrepreneur Magazine. For further information, please visit www.pillartopostfranchise.com
It’s no stretch to say that Matt Lloyd knows a thing or two about “detecting problems”. And in the home inspection industry, that’s a good thing.
Since last April, the 47-year-old Haymarket resident and his wife, Lisa, have been serving northern Virginia as franchisees of Pillar To Post Home Inspectors, the largest home inspection company in North America.
Lloyd began his second career after spending 23 years in law enforcement, beginning in the early 1990s as a New York City police officer and detective before transitioning to the Federal Service within the Department of Homeland Security following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
After retiring from law enforcement, Lloyd spent months researching his post-vocation career and was literally in the process of opening a business when he came across an online banner ad for Pillar To Post.
“I sat with my chin in my hand for what seemed like a very long while. I was contemplating how and when, but never if. I just knew. This was it, right up my alley,” Lloyd said of the Pillar To Post opportunity.
It helped that Lloyd had been rebuilding “little-loved” homes since he was 16 and had a strong understanding of carpentry, electrical work and plumbing. And given his background, Lloyd naturally put the microscope to the Pillar To Post business model.
“I did what I was trained to do, I investigated,” Lloyd said. “And I discovered that Pillar To Post was the most respected name in the industry. It was the benchmark to which all others aspire. As a former New York City detective – whose motto is ‘The Greatest Detectives in the World’ – I could relate to that. I wanted to be part of a phenomenal organization with no equal.”
A professional evaluation of more than 1,600 items inside and outside the home is the core of Pillar To Post home inspections. All Pillar To Post inspectors are members of regional, state, national and provincial associations across the United States and Canada, and all inspections are conducted within the Standards of Practice of those associations.
After spending 23 years “being told when I would be available to work – missing more than my share of birthdays, weddings, communions and holidays,” Lloyd sought a career where he was the decision-maker.
“I was going to be the master of my destiny,” Lloyd said. “I would succeed or fail based on my own personal work ethic,” he said. “And in this career I wanted to encounter people at their best, not when things were going wrong in their lives.”
It should come as no surprise that Lloyd brings the same dogged determination that he used as a detective to his role as home inspector. He knows what he does well and his clients are the benefactors. That’s why, with the basics of running the business under his belt, he’s concentrating on further building his business.
“I am one hell of an inspector, but it makes not one iota of difference how good I am if no one knows ‘who’ I am. We spend a lot of time figuring out ways to get our faces and Pillar To Post’s name in front of as many realtors, brokers and organizations as possible,” said Lloyd, who also calls his business partner and wife, Lisa, his “alternate perseverance.”
Lloyd said Pillar To Post is uniquely positioned for growth in the National Capital Region (NCR). While a study from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) found that the average buyer of a single-family home will stay in a home about 13 years before moving out, Lloyd said that timespan is much shorter in the NCR because of the constant ebb and flow of the region’s political, civilian-federal and military-based population.
“Combining that with an upcoming change in administrations and the tremendous boom in residential building means an ever-increasing share of an ever-increasing market of home sales that will have to be inspected,” Lloyd said. “And with more than one-third of current home inspectors reaching retirement in the next 36 months, the business outlook is stellar for the home inspection industry.”
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About Pillar To Post Home Inspectors Founded in 1994, Pillar To Post Home Inspectors is the largest home inspection company in North America with over 470 franchisees, located in 48 states and eight Canadian provinces. Long-term plans include adding 500-600 new franchisees over the next five years. Pillar To Post Home Inspectors is ranked the No. 1 home inspection franchise in North America by Entrepreneur Magazine. For further information, please visit www.pillartopostfranchise.com
Sanderson & Associates has been restructuring and it's been a fun ride!! Somewhat. First we moved into WeWork in hot Fulton Market area. We were some of the first business pioneers down in the area when there were chicken heads all over the ground. YUM. Like NYC Chicago has completely gentrified their meat packing district with businesses including a brand new Google Building (yeah that raised my condo I bought on a foreclosure 6 years ago to 4x the value) and Oprah sold her state-of-the-art studio to--yep, McDonald's!!! Out of Oakbrook and down 2 blocks from my house and 4 blocks from our WeWork offices!
If you haven't heard of WeWork come out from under your rock and Google this "disruptor" who is a young kid worth $16 billion and counting of course. As for us we are thrilled to pare down to our favorite clients who have been with us for over 20 years and just give them all the love and attention they need. We hope you are all doing well and if you come to Chicago look up because, yes the best restaurants in this country are here! And now even more so in our area.
Life is indeed a journey. You never know where it’s going to take you. Arlan Brady certainly did not. But for the last 25 years, he had unknowingly been preparing himself for the next chapter in his life that has just begun.
That’s when the 48-year-old Lexington resident officially opened for business as a franchisee of Floor Coverings International, which offers an unmatched selection of flooring products including carpet, hardwood, ceramic, tile and vinyl, as well as specialty products such as bamboo and slate.
Serving customers in Columbia, West Columbia, Cayce, Forest Acres, Dentsville, Blythewood, Pontiac and Hopkins, Floor Coverings International’s expert Design Associates offer free in-home Design Consultations, visiting customers’ homes in a Mobile Flooring Showroom with thousands of flooring choices to assist them in choosing the perfect flooring solution.
But for almost 25 years’ prior, Brady’s experience came from the global manufacturing industry. He worked in a variety of areas – engineering, operations, commercial – and was most recently responsible for logistics for North America. Brady’s experience included being the plant manager of a 250-person plant that ran 24/7 for all but five days of the year.
“I learned different things from each area that will help me tremendously in my new endeavor,” Brady said. “I learned project management and the ability to overcome obstacles to meet deadlines. I learned tremendous lessons about managing people and projects in order to meet and exceed customer expectations. And I learned the importance of cost control in trying to deliver outstanding customer service at a reasonable price.”
For Brady – who estimates he has invested almost $200,000 in launching his franchise – the timing for entering the flooring industry couldn’t be better. According to a recent report by The Freedonia Group, the demand for hard-surface flooring in the U.S. is expected to increase 6.1 percent per year to 11.3 billion square feet in 2019, valued at $16.7 billion. The fastest growth will come from the residential market, driven by gains in housing completions and a shift toward hard-surface flooring in living and dining areas, where carpet has predominated, the report said.
Not only is the industry flush with potential, but 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.
“Floor Coverings International is raising the standard for customer service in the flooring industry,” Brady said. “This speaks directly to my passion to provide outstanding customer service. I have a great desire to help people and this business gives me the opportunity to help people complete the flooring projects of their dreams.”
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ABOUT FLOOR COVERINGS INTERNATIONAL
Floor Coverings International has over 100 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada and expects to add 50 additional units by the end of 2016, targeting markets such as Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and Atlanta as well as other strategic markets across North America. For more information, please visit www.floorcoveringsinternational.com/
Steve Vicario (left) and Fred Vicario (right): The brothers will take this great concept; turn it around and blow people away!!
CHERRY BLOW DRY BAR TO TAKE TWO INDUSTRIES BY STORM: Beauty and Franchising
A new concept in hair care has made its way to the U.S., growing what has become a $40 billion a year global hair salon industry. Meet Cherry Blow Dry Bar, an expanding franchise that provides blowouts, hair extensions and makeup services for a perfectly finished look.
Under new ownership of franchise veterans Steve Vicario and Fred Vicario, the popular Australian export is being reinvented to meet Americans’ growing demand for quality hair care while also providing a business opportunity to entrepreneurs interested in the booming industry.
Offering blowouts for hair of any length for $35, hair extensions starting at $395 and a membership program starting at $59 for two blowouts with a membership for unlimited blowouts available, Cherry Blow Dry Bar is making a new name for itself in an industry that has taken off since 2010. Aimed at creating chic styles in an elegant yet classic blowout-bar setting, it's targeted to any woman looking for beautiful hair, no longer needing to be justified by a special occasion.
“Cherry Blow Dry Bar is taking what used to be considered a luxury and turning it into an affordable way to maintain one’s hair style, far more frequently than would be possible at pricier salons,” said Cherry Blow Dry Bar President Fred Vicario, who, along with brother Steve, was inspired to take over a franchise concept they determined ripe for growth. “Our focus is going to be on creating the perfect membership model for the industry.”
“The way the blow dry industry is today, most businesses can’t keep up with the demand,” said Fred Vicario. “Cherry Blow Dry Bar meets that demand, but what makes our concept unique is that it does so by providing blowouts, which most women expect to be sold for a premium. Ours are at a price that that’s far more reasonable than most competitors, a cost that allows women to have their hair done often. Many of our clients come two to three times a week.”
Each possessing years of franchising experience, brothers Fred Vicario and Steve Vicario saw a lot of promise in Cherry Blow Dry Bar. Formerly an executive at Maaco for 20 years, Fred Vicario grew that franchise from 300 units to 550 units during his tenure. He was also a Goddard School franchisee for 15 years, and, along with Steve, a regional developer for Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa that they grew by more than 30 locations. The Vicario brothers knew a good business opportunity when they saw it.
“We saw a similar blowout concept in California and were intrigued by the potential,” said Steve Vicario. “We came upon Cherry Blow Dry Bar and liked what we saw. We became regional developers in 2014, initially signed up to cover Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. But after negotiations with the previous owner it became clear that under our leadership, we could truly grow the brand not only regionally, but beyond.”
Recognizing areas in the system that could be improved, the brothers took over the franchise and began to leverage their business acumen and contacts immediately.
“Our successful experience with Hand & Stone gave us the confidence that we knew what needed to be done to turn this system around,” said Steve Vicario. “We hired our Director of Education and Operations, MariLynne Cosmillo, to provide a level of training to help franchisees succeed out of the gate. MariLynne has been in the hair care and blowout industry for over 10 years and quickly focused on the key issues we needed to solve.”
With eight locations currently in operation throughout California, Florida, New Jersey, Tennessee and Virginia, the new owners of Cherry Blow Dry Bar see big growth for the franchise. Within the next five years they aim to add an additional 200 franchised locations to the mix. Given their background, Steve Vicario believes that goal is readily attainable.
“Steve and I already had our own ventures before coming to Cherry Blow Dry Bar, so we wouldn’t have come aboard had we not seen something special in it,” said Steve Vicario. “Cherry has the right concept and has a core set of principles we really believed in. With the changes we’ve made, the quality styling we provide and the additional services we hope to soon offer, Cherry has a bright future ahead.”
About Cherry Blow Dry Bar:
Founded in Sydney, Australia in 2008 as Blow Dry Bar, the blow dry salon concept came to the United States as Cherry Blow Dry Bar in 2013. Making a name in what is a $40 billion per year global hair salon industry, Cherry Blow Dry Bar is aggressively expanding, aiming to add 200 franchisees by 2020. Cherry Blow Dry Bar has locations in California, Florida, New Jersey, Tennessee and Virginia. For more information owning a Cherry Blow Dry Bar franchise, visit http://www.cherryblowdrybar.com/franchise/.
Ted Fisher, owner of Miracle Method of Northern NH and Miracle Method of Metrowest Boston with daughter and business partner Meagan Fisher
Ted Fisher, 56, spent much of his career in the renovation business. Yet as Fisher’s business began to founder, he thought that there had to be a better way. In 2007, he found that better way in his first Miracle Method showroom, Miracle Method of Northern NH located at 36 Littleworth Road Unit 1 and serving Concord, Dover, Rochester and York County.
Since his opening, Fisher’s life and business success has turned around dramatically. It inspired him to purchase another territory one year later, Miracle Method of Metrowest Boston, serving the area with the same cost- and time-saving refinishing business that has served North American homeowners since 1977. In Metrowest Boston Fisher brought his daughter Meagan on board as his partner. After forming their partnership they went on to purchase franchises in Southern NH and Worcester County forming Miracle Method of New Hampshire and Northern MA.
“My decision to purchase another Miracle Method franchise was a plan that was laid out after about six months into the business,” said Fisher. “Being the visionary and dreamer that I am, I knew I needed to bring somebody on board with organizational skills, who is grounded and can help get to the next level of a growing business. I chose my daughter Meagan, first for her abilities, and second because she wants to keep the vision alive that I had when I started the business. So far she has far exceeded my already lofty expectations; and comfortably runs Miracle Method of New Hampshire and Northern MA.”
Fisher’s previous business was not unlike the one he runs now. The former owner of an independent tile restoration company, Fisher was keenly aware of the value of refinishing unattractive kitchen and bathroom surfaces, especially compared to the costly process of replacing them. But the economy was tough, and Fisher faced some tough choices.
“My business was failing and I had used almost all my savings to keep it afloat,” said Fisher. “I went to a Miracle Method Discovery Day where I learned what the company has to offer and their vision for the future. I found that they had a great philosophy on the structure of a franchise and the relationship between a franchisor and franchisee. I am a firm believer in franchising because it saves costs and time that would otherwise be spent during the learning curve. You are surrounded by very successful people who are willing to share their knowledge.”
Encouraged by what he saw, Fisher purchased his Miracle Method business with his remaining savings.
“I took what little I had left and purchased a Miracle Method franchise because I believed in the company and its structure,” said Fisher.
In Fisher’s eyes, his success has come down to the system that has made Miracle Method a mainstay in the world of refinishing throughout North America.
“The Miracle Method system offers residential clients as well as commercial clients the ability to update their surroundings, to make them more appealing to themselves or to the clients that visit their establishments at a reduced cost and a much faster turnaround time,” said Fisher. “Our plan now is to build the best refinishing company in the northeast with the assistance of the Miracle Method system and give all our clients residential and commercial the service that we would all like to experience as individuals.”
Yes, it is the day of texting, LinkedIn, reaching out and touching someone, but only electronically.
According to some of the greatest sales pros in the franchise community, there is still no replacing the good old trade show. MFV Expositions, the producers of International Franchise Expos all over the world, are hosting yet another one at the Javits Center in New York City June 18-20th. Here are tips from some of the top trade show veterans in franchising:
Tom Wood-President of Floor Coverings International-Booth 715. "There is no substitute for the value of trade shows and meeting someone face to face. A handshake and a person-to-person discussion beats an email every time." www.flooring-franchise.com/
Peter Barkman-Vice President of Franchise Development for CertPro Painters-Booth 106. "We are looking for executive level business professionals. It's best to vet those people in person than over phone or email." www.ownacertapro.com
Michael Peterson-Director of Franchise Development at Liquid Capital-Booth 1005. "These shows work if you work them! They are truly the only place where you can get face time with 15,000 or more entrepreneurs." www.lcfranchise.com
Brian Wieters-Vice President of Franchise Recruitment for Pillar To Post Home Inspectors-Booth 540. "The face to face interaction has taken on more of a key role in our technologically driven world. It builds the trust necessary to be a successful franchise recruiter."
Nick Bruckner-Senior Vice President of Sales for Signarama, Booth 632, a 900-unit chain that is the linchpin of giant United Franchise Group, known as the Trade Show Kings, sums it up pretty well. He will be present and helping with UFG brands such as EmbroidMe-Booth 932, SuperGreen Solutions Booth 231, Transworld Business Advisors, Booth 769 and new powerhouse Experimac, Booth 833. Says Bruckner, "People buy from people they like. You can't know if you like a person you have never met."
Founded in 2002 by Beau K. Brothers, Sitters Etc. has been providing uniquely compassionate care services for the elderly for 13 years. The company was created by Brothers after he saw the need for much a better, organized and compassionate approach to care for seniors. Brothers became enlightened after he and other family members cared for his ailing grandmother in her late years and saw the difference care provided with heart could truly make.
After years of perfecting his system and 11 locations, Sitters, Etc. is poised for growth to meet the increased demand for care with compassion. That’s where newly-named Area Developer Craig Shaw comes in.
Shaw has 28 years of sales and marketing experience in the medical and pharmaceutical industries and recognized in Sitters Etc. an opportunity to bring better care to a booming population of age 65 and over.
“In my nearly three decades in the medical and pharmaceutical fields, the one thing I knew for sure is that this kind of care would be necessary for decades to come,” Shaw shared. “Georgia alone can hold 27 franchises offering this excellent care,” explaining why the career change made so much sense to him.
Another new Area Developer, Ralph Laughton will begin awarding franchises in Florida very soon. This is significant since all stats show that Florida is obviously the state where the senior population continues to grow exponentially.
“When the opportunity to provide a valuable service to Georgian seniors and their families presented itself, I knew I needed to jump at the chance,” said Shaw. “But I wanted to do it with a brand whose reputation I respected. With Sitters Etc., I found a company whose caregivers paid the utmost attention to each client. I came away from meetings with Sitters Etc. corporate feeling confident they are committed to raising the bar in non-medical home care and have years of growth ahead of them.”
According to a 2014 U.S. census report, America’s population of seniors stands to grow precipitously by 2050. By 2030, the report says, more than 20% of the U.S. population will be 65 or older, up from 13% in 2010. This, said founder Brothers, is one of the reasons why he is certain now is the right time for Sitters Etc.’s own growth.
In addition to launching a large expansion program, Sitters Etc. will be undergoing a name change. Effective April 30, Sitters Etc. will be known as SEI Healthcare Inc. This change, said Brothers, will reflect the company’s growth and diversification in the services it offers.
“Over the past 13 years we have refined our care process with a firm understanding of best practices for seniors,” said Brothers. “The sum of our combined experience and knowledge of how to provide the best care for seniors gives me tremendous confidence that any Sitters Etc. franchisee will have a great opportunity to succeed in providing non-medical in home care during a time when, more than ever, senior care is in high demand.” http://www.sittersetc.com/homecarefranchisee
Main Line Philadelphia CertaPro Owner Chris Drucquer
The home of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York is over 200 miles away from Chris Drucquer’s Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania CertaPro Painters. Given Drucquer’s impressive collection of awards, his entrepreneurial batting average is as impressive as any baseball player’s–and earned without any performance enhancers to boot! It might be high time to open a CertaPro Hall of Fame and Chris Drucquer would be in the inaugural class for sure.
A father of seven, Drucquer’s accolades are all the more impressive given the demands he must meet as a proud dad. Below are just a few of the commendations Drucquer’s CertaPro Painters locations have received in the last few years of serving the Ardmore, Bala, Broomall, Bryn Mawr, Gladwyne, Haverford, Havertown, Manayunk, Merion, Merion Station, Narberth, Newtown Square, Penn Valley, Penn Wynne, Radnor, Rosemont, Villanova, and Wynnewood areas.
On January 7, 2012 Drucquer was named Franchisee of the Year from CertaPro—among more than 350 franchisees—based on his locations’ growth, profit, and overall customer satisfaction, as well as the Quantum Leap award for franchise growth.
In January 2014, Drucquer’s CertaPro was named Best of HOUZZ for its tremendous customer service. In June of 2014, Drucquer’s CertaPro was named Best of the Main Line in the category of painting businesses. In August, Drucquer was named on the Philly 100 as one of the 100 fastest growing businesses in Greater Philadelphia.
Chris Drucquer (third from the right) at the Philadelphia 100 award ceremony
Now, not even a month into 2015, Drucquer is already adding additional awards to his repertoire. This month Drucquer has been named CertaPro Painters’ People Grower of the Year, in recognition of his efforts to help people within the business, Brand Champion, for growing the CertaPro brand, and Crew of the Year, beating out 3,500 other crews for the distinction. Drucquer’s CertaPro Painters has also received the Best of HOUZZ award for its customer service record for the second consecutive year and is due to receive the Angie's List Super Service Award for interior and exterior painting in February.
Chris Drucquer with his award-winning CertaPro crew
Founded in 1991—the year CertaPro Painters became a franchise—Chris Drucquer and his crew at CertaPro deserve the recognition and stand as true All-Stars of the franchisee community.
For more information on franchising with CertaPro Painters, the largest residential and commercial painting company in North America, visit http://certapro-franchise.com/.
Today the country reflects on all that the men and women in service provide for its appreciative populace. We would like to salute some of our veteran franchisees by taking a look at how their unique military experiences have, in one way or another, contributed to their success as entrepreneurs. While owning a franchise pales in comparison to the tremendous good done by those in our armed forces, franchise ownership nevertheless requires the exhibition of many of the same skills, abilities, and traits which are inherent to our nation’s heroes. Below are but a few examples of how such valor is translated from the battlefield to the office.
A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a Gulf War veteran, Steve Taylor, owner of a Floor Coverings International franchise in Pleasanton, California, rose to Lieutenant and is no stranger to making bold decisions, a crucial trait for any successful entrepreneur. But more than just owning a business for the challenge it represented, Taylor was inspired by something quite basic—his longtime hobby as a craftsman. “I’ve always done a lot of home improvement projects around my home,” adds Taylor. “With my own business, I knew I could do for others what I was already doing—and do it better than the competition.”
Since opening, Taylor has worked on projects ranging from replacing water damaged floors, to flooring multi-million dollar homes. For Taylor, each new client offers a unique experience, an exciting prospect for a man used to a life of variety. “I love working with each individual customer,” Taylor explained. “When you work with your customers on a personal level, you can better tailor each project to meet their wants, needs, and desires.”
In the late 1990s, U.S. Air Force veteran Chad Marshall lost his father and three sisters in a span of 18 months. Heightening his grief, his mother was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease at the time, losing her primary caregiver upon the death of her husband. Yet the tremendous losses did not break Marshall. Instead, the experiences that caused him so much pain served in the end to inspire Marshall to a new calling: that of owner of ComForcare Senior Services at 827 N. Glendale Ave., serving the San Gabriel Valley including Pasadena, Glendale, La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta and Monrovia.
Marshall’s opening of his ComForcare location in July, 2009 was the culmination of a journey that was an often tumultuous, yet in retrospect, always tremendous learning experience for the veteran-turned-entrepreneur. A broadcast video engineer by trade, Marshall spent four years of active duty working in broadcast maintenance for the Air Force where his duties included documenting missile launches and fixing television equipment. Upon completion of his four-year tour of duty, Marshall worked for Panasonic Broadcast and Television Systems Company for 16 years. Inspired by what he witnessed as his mother suffered from Alzheimer’s, Marshall turned to ComForcare Senior Services to help care for others in a similar situation. Marshall's experience proves that a member of the military never really stops serving his or her community.
Window Genie franchisee Dick Stieren in Omaha, Nebraska may not be a veteran himself but he nevertheless has an important place in this story, as he plans to build a business legacy by mentoring and training U.S. veteran Wade Johnson to take over his business. Stieren wants to pass along his knowledge of business and success to someone he feels is capable of taking over his Window Genie. While Johnson works now as a Window Genie employee, Stieren has been imparting his business acumen so that Johnson can take over upon his retirement.
Diverse though their backgrounds may be, the drive, dedication, and resolve shown by these franchisees is consistent among all of the franchisees profiled--and, for that matter, for many military veteran franchisees in general. It's no wonder that franchising is a popular choice for those retired from the military. Franchising allows veterans to continue to use that which they've gained in service, making franchising an appropriate--and oftentimes successful--fit.
When Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson scored the first goal for Team USA at the 2014 Sochi Olympics this February, he did so with a blazing slap shot. As proud father Richard Carlson looked on, he knew that scoring goals had truly become a family affair.
Though the arena in which the elder Carlson works lacks the manicured ice, vocal beer vendors, and rowdy fans that populate John's workplace, his game is one that nevertheless requires the tenacity and drive of a hockey player.
When the former corporate healthcare worker was laid off due to restructuring and budget reductions, Carlson took time to reflect and weigh his options. He had, after all, many of them. With almost ten years of experience in health care, Carlson could have rejoined the system in which he had for so long achieved success. Yet it became apparent to Carlson that it was time to do some restructuring of his own and play a different kind of game.
Ultimately, Carlson decided that it was time to realize a dream he had long held. "I always wanted my own business, so I was determined to see the loss of my job not as a setback, but as an opportunity," says Carlson. After a thorough search for franchises which met his demands, Carlson came upon Window Genie. "I gravitated towards franchising so I didn't have to start with a blank page," Carlson explains. "I looked for a business that was service-related and straightforward. After years of dealing with the complicated rules and regulations in healthcare, I wanted simplicity. Window Genie was the answer."
In July, 2013, Richard opened a Window Genie location serving Ocean County and Southern Monmouth County in New Jersey and he hasn't looked back since.
Window Genie is a mobile cleaning services company focused primarily on its "big three" services: window cleaning, window tinting and pressure washing. The company also offers, among many other services, dryer vent cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, chandelier cleaning and gutter cleaning and re-securing. Window Genie services residential customers, small offices and commercial spaces.
As is the case with any NHL team's arduous 82-game season, Carlson faced challenges as his business grew. Yet just as any good hockey team perseveres from those challenges thanks to veteran teammates providing assistance, Window Genie was able to help Carlson block all the shots he faced. "I needed to learn how to market and advertise," says Carlson. "Management, hiring, those were things I had experience with, but I had to learn not just how to perform the excellent services we offer, but how to make this business an extension of myself. Window Genie was able to help me with those issues and get the word out about all that we could do."
Carlson's primary clients are residential, either dual-income home owners who have neither the time nor the desire to maintain the exterior of their homes, or retirees who are unable to maintain their homes by themselves any longer. Carlson's Window Genie business has been very well-received by his community. His phone, he says, is ringing constantly and his services are well known throughout the territory he serves.
"In today's corporate environment people like me are forced out of their jobs quite frequently," says Carlson. "I decided to take control of my career, and it was the best decision I've ever made." For Carlson, repeat business is the driving force that inspires his work at Window Genie. "Every day we're committed to providing quality services at reasonable prices so we become customers' preferred home services provider."
Throughout the Franchise Community, 9/11 Left a Story.
Here is one of them.
No one with a connection to the World Trade Center like the one Kelley Coulter has would be blamed for still carrying the scars 13 years after the tragic events of that day.
The truth is, Coulter himself would probably be the first to admit that the pain he felt that day still resonates.
He has, after all, experienced a lot of it.
Employed in the World Trade Center for 24 years as a commodity trader, Coulter would lose a number of loved ones as a result of the heinous attacks on our country, many of whom were the same first responders whose stories of heroism would populate the front pages of newspapers and magazines nationwide for years to come.
But what makes Coulter’s story distinct from so many others inspired by 9/11 is what he gained from that day filled otherwise with so much loss.
Inspired by the events, on September 12, 2001 Coulter volunteered for his local first aid squad where he has served ever since.
Experiencing the reward of helping others first-hand, Coulter was motivated to further aid others, particularly the elderly. In September, 2013 Coulter left the trading floor on which he had grown restless and opened his ComForcare Senior Services business in Red Bank, New Jersey.
As he reflects on a year of in business, Coulter stresses the human element of his operation. “My favorite customers are the ones in which they recommend ‘Kelley’ as opposed to the company because I want my clients and employees to know that I care about them and that it’s not just a business,” says Kelley.
As the 13th anniversary of the September 11th attacks passes and Coulter’s 1-year anniversary as owner of his ComForcare draws near, other franchisees stand to gain a lot from his story.
More than just trite bullet points to fill a stock “Value Statement” hidden in the dusty recesses of his company’s website, Coulter embodies the values he preaches as he helps the elderly and those otherwise incapable of taking care of themselves.
Not all franchises will serve the kind of special clients Coulter serves. Yet whether it’s a senior care service or a hamburger joint, turning adversity into positive motivation and staying true to core values are two habits that can benefit any franchisee.
Like millions of daughters over the decades, 2-year-old Katherine Barkman told her parents she wanted to be a ballerina. Her mom said studios don’t take 2-year-olds; she’d have to wait until she was 3.
“On my third birthday, I asked my mom if she’d signed me up for ballet, and then got mad that she hadn’t,” says Katherine, who is now 17 and on her way to the 2014 USA International Ballet Competition, June 14-29 in Jackson, Miss.
Leaping out of the Dance Elite Studio in Horsham, PA., Katherine is in elite company: She’s one of 48 juniors ages 15 to 18, and the only person from the greater Philadelphia area, to be competing in the USA International Ballet Competition (IBC) this June in Jackson, MS. Only 109 dancers from around the world have been invited to compete. The competition is an “Olympic-style” event held every four years since 1979. At IBC, dancers vie for medals, cash awards, scholarships and contracts with professional dance companies. The USA IBC is the official ballet competition of the United States by a Joint Resolution of Congress.
“Dancers invited to compete in the USA IBC know they have a chance to test their skills against the highest international standards,” said Sue Lobrano, USA IBC executive director. “The level of artistry and technique that this group of competitors will bring to the USA IBC stage will certainly be thrilling to watch.” “The USA IBC is synonymous with the discovery of new talents and the launching of careers,” says Lobrano.
Of the 99 scheduled to attend, 57 are senior competitors (ages 19-26) and 42 are juniors (ages 15-18). The United States leads in the number of participants (31), followed by Japan (17) and Brazil (9Katherine is in the junior group at 17 years of age.
“She has incredible ability to perform, which is pretty rare,” says her teacher, Nadia Pavlenko, who was trained at the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia, and knows a thing or two about international competition (she was a finalist in the 1991 International Ballet Competition in Helsinki, Finland). Pavlenko was also a soloist at the K.S. Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Theater in Moscow.
Mom Darlene Barkman, a Family Consultant at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia – who confirmed with a laugh that Katherine did indeed demand to be enrolled in a dance studio as soon as she turned 3 – said she had no particular childhood interest in dance. Peter Barkman, Vice President of Franchise Development for CertaPro Painters, said he and his brothers grew up playing sports.
“It was kind of a freak thing,” Katherine says. “Neither of my parents danced; there was nothing around me about the art form. I just got this obsession about being a ballerina.”
That obsession comes at a price.
In September 2013, after convincing her parents that it was the right thing to do for her professional ambitions, Katherine began training five to six hours daily, and switched to home-schooling. That regimen means she’s sacrificed the usual high school activities like going to football games or junior proms. Instead, she dances and rehearses all day, does nightly schoolwork, researches ballet history, and visits a massage therapist in Philadelphia weekly to handle and prevent injuries. “My wife and I struggled initially with the idea of Katherine taking such a non-traditional path, but her drive and passion has always been unshakeable, when it comes to dance,” says Katherine’s dad.
Katherine began training in the Vaganova style at age 14 – late by traditional standards, Pavlenko says, adding her student’s willingness to do the work required to excel is what made Katherine stand out.
“Katherine said she wants to dance, dance more than anything in her life.” Pavlenko says. “We said you have to do that full-time during the day and switch to home schooling at night. She said ‘Okay, if that’s what it takes to be a professional dancer’.”
”I get a lot of satisfaction in seeing improvement in my work even though it is often a struggle,” she says. “It takes a lot of patience…and a whole lot of tenacity to chase this dream of mine.” When asked about her next act, Katherine says she is keeping all of her options open. “My dream is to join a ballet company and travel the world sharing my art” but the USA IBC beckons first.”
