Columns
FRANCHISEE OF THE MONTH: Nick Bertagna, Hammer & Nails
Nick Bertagna had been selling medical supplies in Ohio for 20 years when the company he was working for was sold to a large corporation. Once a small family company, the business changed into a less friendly version of itself and, after five years, offered him a severance package. The generous year-long severance package gave Bertagna the time to get out of the corporate grind and work toward fulfilling his goal of owning a business. By Kelsi Trinidad
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A FRANCHISEE: Celebrating Team and Culture Achievements, FS Cut and Color
For nearly a decade, Dean Ahuja has been a part of the FS® Cut & Color family as a franchise owner. After 25 years in the corporate world, Ahuja was looking at alternative career paths when a former colleague suggested Fantastic Sams. Ahuja has since opened three FS salon locations, and he’s eager to continue growing with the brand. By Shelby Green
From Vision to Victory: The Franchise Consulting Journey, FranServe, Inc.
Kathy and Jon Hylton’s foray into franchise consulting began quite unexpectedly. Jon, with his diverse background in education, ministry and sales, combined with Kathy’s extensive experience in business development for a communication company, created a unique synergy. Kathy, having honed her skills while working remotely for years, was well-acquainted with the discipline required for a home-based business. By Rose Mango
Invest What You Can in Your Own Business
Ready to expand your company into new communities? Think about franchising instead of opening a new location or territory. Reinvest in your brand through the franchise model. Take steps to create your FDD, protect trademarks and achieve faster growth. By Dawn Abbamondi
Naturals2Go: Easy Opportunity to Exit the 9-to-5
For anyone looking to gain a side hustle or find a permanent escape from the corporate world, Naturals2Go is the answer. A combination of advanced vending solutions and robust training and locating programs, Naturals2Go delivers a fully supported business opportunity. While satisfying customers across the U.S., Naturals2Go also fulfills the needs of entrepreneurs searching for the right venture. By Lizzy Yeserski
Global Financial Training Program: Low Cost, Unlimited Earnings & Territorial Freedom
After being downsized from the corporate world 40 years ago, Phil Dushey developed a financial services company, providing loans to business owners who could not access money at local banks. Twenty years later, he founded the Global Financial Training Program, teaching students how to secure those loans with ease. With a one-time fee of $19,950, this low-cost business opportunity has unlimited earnings potential. By Patty Horansky
Schooley Mitchell: Quitting the Coprporate Grind for Financial Freedom
Schooley Mitchell’s Neil Hostein was fresh out of college in 1998 when he started selling telecommunications services, including phone lines and large data networks for a major company in Canada. He quickly learned that he had a gift for sales, but his position in corporate telecommunications was unstable. As he watched co-workers lose their jobs without warning, he knew staying in that toxic work environment was no way to live. By Kelsi Trinidad
Real Estate Sales LLC: Investing in Real Estate Without the Risk
Real Estate Sales, LLC – Flip Cheap Houses™ is a lucrative, low-cost business opportunity that teaches beginners how to invest in real estate without risking their own cash or credit. For a one-time startup fee of $24,750, beginner investors gain access to the brand’s 17 years of experience, proprietary software and seasoned mentors. With these tools, investors learn how to analyze properties in their areas that are suited to fix and flip or fix and hold. By Patty Horansky
Best Option Restoration: THE BUZZ: Reaching New Heights
With 30 new locations over the last year, Best Option Restoration is positioned to become one of the nation’s most attractive franchise opportunities, and it shows no signs of slowing down. By Shelby Green
COVER STORY: You Attended the FranServe Convention. Now What?
Franchise broker conferences are dynamic events where franchisors, suppliers and consultants converge to network, share insights and forge new business relationships. The FranServe Convention in July was spectacular! Following up after these conferences is crucial to capitalize on the connections made, and to take maximum advantage of the many opportunities. By Sherri Seiber
Tint World: FAMILY AFFAIR: A Road Trip to Success
Allyson and Kevin McBreen weren’t planning on pursuing a new business venture. In fact, they were gearing up for a well-deserved retirement with a three-month RV road trip. However, when they ran into a family friend who worked for a Tint World® Automotive Styling Centers™ their plans changed. By Shelby Green
Rita’s Italian Ice and Frozen Custard: BUILD YOUR FUTURE: A Life-changing Opportunity
Since the first Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard opened in 1984, the brand has been helping aspiring entrepreneurs achieve their dreams of owning their own businesses. But, for many of its franchisees, Rita’s is more than just a business; it’s a life-changing opportunity. By Shelby Green
Features
Home Helpers® Home Care: In-home Care Evolves to Reach Beyond Seniors
Home Helpers® Home Care is a comprehensive, holistic care company that has been delivering quality in-home personal and companion care to seniors and others for over 27 years. That longevity has allowed the brand to evolve with the booming in-home care industry and aging population. It now has more than 300 franchisees in over 1,500 communities nationwide. By Patty Horansky
That 1 Painter: Scaling Success
Since launching its franchise program in 2021, That 1 Painter has quickly learned that investors are attracted to its CEO model, which requires a minimum investment of five territories. As a result, it has been expanding the brand with business owners who have corporate backgrounds and team-leading experience. By Nancy E. Williams
City Wide Facility Solutions: Taking Training to New Heights
With a support center composed of experts in business growth, office location selection, staffing requirements and marketing, City Wide Facility Solutions prides itself on providing a streamlined experience for new and existing franchise owners. By Erika Ortega
Ace Handyman Services: Delivering the Ace Promise
Kim Porter and her husband, Ken, launched their Ace Handyman Services® franchise in Shorewood, Illinois, in late 2022. However, their journey was unique because Kim previously worked for the Ace Hardware corporate marketing team for several years. By Nancy E. Williams
Floor Coverings International: A Remarkable Dedication to Continuous Improvement
Vice President of New Franchise Development at Floor Coverings International® Alan Dickherber has focused on driving significant changes to the brand’s franchise program. The results have surpassed expectations by expediting ramp-ups and growing revenues. Dickherber has been leading the franchise development program for eight years after a successful career as owner and operator of CertaPro Painters. By Erika Ortega
Silver Bear Swim School: Dive Into a New Opportunity
Silver Bear Swim School has taught more than 10,000 children how to swim since it launched in 2006. With locations across Nevada and Utah and more to come, Silver Bear offers foundational learn-to-swim basics, technique-based skills training and special abilities programs for children 6 months to 18 years old. By Lizzy Yeserski
ERYD: Creating an Empire
During the 2020 pandemic, Mahmood Bitaraf and Adib Baghdadi were living in Houston and, like the rest of the world, were wondering what to do for fun amid public restrictions. With most businesses closed, the only place to go was outdoors. By Kelsi Trinidad
One You Love Homecare: Care for Family Leads to Franchise Ownership
Since 2021, George and Cindi Miller have owned and operated One You Love® Homecare of The Triangle, serving the Chapel Hill and Raleigh-Durham areas of North Carolina. The brand provides quality personal and companion care to seniors and other homebound individuals, allowing them to live safely, comfortably and independently. By Patty Horansky
FranServe, Inc.: Low Cost With High Earning Potential
Considering this issue’s low-cost brands special section, there’s no better business opportunity to discuss than FranServe, Inc. This home-based business consulting model enables owners to create profitable businesses, using coaching and relationships to introduce and place clients into franchise opportunities. By Nancy E. Williams
Mr. Transmission/Milex: Fixing the Auto Repair Experience
While some people are intimidated by the thought of getting their car repaired, Mr. Transmission®/Milex makes the experience quick and affordable. With 50 years in the automotive repair industry, the co-branded company is committed to maintaining client trust and convenience. Each Mr. Transmission/Milex location is able to do minor and major repairs under the same roof, making it the perfect one-stop shop. By Kelsi Trinidad
HomeVestors: BEYOND THE FLIP: Building Financial Freedom & Changing Lives
Melissa Negreros and her husband have been finding great success with HomeVestors® of America, Inc. for over five years. Negreros isn’t new to the HomeVestors franchise as her dad was a franchisee as well. With him as an inspiration, Negreros knew she wanted to take the first step toward financial freedom and invest in a HomeVestors franchise. By Shelby Green
Shop Talk
LEGAL: Audited Financials
One of the biggest frustration points for new franchisors is the sticker shock in terms of dollars, time and headache when they learn that they need audited financial statements of their franchisor entity. By Tom Spadea
Navigation
Back when I was learning to drive in the late 1980s, to get from your starting point to your destination, you needed a road map. You could only get road maps at gas stations. Once obtaining a road map, you had to go through the process of unfolding it and reading all the fine print, hoping it was the latest edition. Talk about taking your eyes off the road! By Don Clayton