Schooley Mitchell is the largest independent cost-cutting consulting firm in the U.S. and Canada. It offers a low point of entry for those with executive, management, sales, marketing or consulting backgrounds who may be looking to exit the corporate world or simply be their own boss. By Patty Horansky
Schooley Mitchell is the largest independent cost-cutting consulting firm in the U.S. and Canada.
It offers a low point of entry for those with executive, management, sales, marketing or consulting backgrounds who may be looking to exit the corporate world or simply be their own boss.
Unlike a traditional brick-and-mortar business and its associated expenses, Schooley Mitchell is a professional, knowledge-based B2B franchise. It provides owners with a multitude of benefits, including the ability to work from home, a low overhead, portability, scalability, recurring revenue, minimal competition, territorial freedom, recession resistance and unparalleled training, tools and support.
Its $68,000 franchise fee is an investment in Schooley Mitchell’s proven system, drawing from more than 20 years of experience helping small- to medium-sized businesses reduce costs and increase profits.
Founded in 1997 and franchised in 2004, the Ontario-based brand started as an accounting, computer and management consulting firm. Since then, it has grown to more than 250 franchises throughout North America and has helped nearly 30,000 clients save over $540 million in 13 cost-cutting categories.
“We knew that the opportunity for what we do is huge, so we took our time,” said Dennis Schooley, founder and CEO. “We expanded on a slow, methodical basis. We built a system with the intention to get to where we are now.”
In the past two to three years, the brand has nearly tripled in size and is growing. “More and more people have started to understand what a great opportunity this is,” Schooley said.
Many people aspire to business ownership but can’t afford a large investment. Low-cost franchise options allow people to overcome financial hurdles and fears and pursue their dreams, but Schooley explained that is not the only factor to consider.
“It shouldn’t be just about the cost,” he said. “It better have the results you can create for yourself as part of the formula.”
He calls it “ticking the boxes,’’ and that includes a good ROI, which Schooley Mitchell offers.
The brand practices due diligence to make sure candidates are a good fit. “We are very serious about that,” Schooley said, noting that business acumen is a must. “We’re going to teach them the rest.”
Franchisees make money by having their clients’ contracts and bills reviewed, identifying where they are losing time and money, and then helping gain savings.
Most business owners don’t have the time or knowledge to look for mistakes, seek better pricing or identify subtle shifts in their industries, Schooley said. The brand pinpoints errors and waste in several categories, such as telecommunications and merchant services, small-package shipping, less-than-truckload shipping, linens and uniforms, fuel, software as a service and more.
Franchisees are objective, receive no fees from vendors and are only paid if savings are found. This risk-free environment is attractive to potential clients, and it helps franchisees gain referrals, grow business and build a recurring income.
Training begins with six days of live virtual courses. Franchisees have access to the brand’s 100-plus support team members for ongoing training, coaching, systems guidance and more.
Schooley Mitchell is growing by five to 10 new franchises a month and continues to add cost-cutting categories.
“The market is so huge for what we do,’’ Schooley said, noting there are 80 million independent companies throughout North America. “We have years and years of growth and still will not saturate the market because every business needs what we do.”
Patty Horansky