Pete First’s lifelong career in franchising reached a new level of purpose when he joined BrightStar Care® in 2018. After years in retail franchising, First yearned for something different: a mission-driven opportunity that made a meaningful impact every day, and he found that in BrightStar Care. By Lizzy Yeserski
Sarah Cox was the owner of her own successful piano studio, with long waitlists for her private lessons. However, it became difficult to juggle classes and being present for her own children. When her children were able to attend elementary school, Cox was ready to embark on a new business project. Her husband introduced her to the beem® Light Sauna franchise opportunity, and Cox immediately knew it was a great fit. By Kelsi Trinidad
Few industries offer the kind of built-in durability that home care does. Nearly 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day, family caregiving can be challenging and adult children increasingly live hundreds of miles away from aging parents. As those dynamics intensify, the need for reliable in-home care continues to rise regardless of economic cycles or consumer sentiment. By Tamara Rahoumi
As a medically supervised wellness franchise, Prime IV Hydration & Wellness specializes in providing clients with proactive, personalized care to boost energy, recovery, immune support, performance and longevity. Its services include IV therapy, weight-loss programs, micronutrients and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. By Erika Ortega
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If you are in the medical or senior care industry, you know that caring is just the beginning – and it is often what drives someone to start or join a franchise brand. By Dawn Abbamondi
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Andrea Dobkin launched her career in franchising more than 20 years ago, working in franchise development for an emerging brand – an experience she calls life-changing. However, franchising had been part of her story long before that first job. By Jesicca Petrucelli
Best Prices. Best Selection. Best Service. Guaranteed at New Pet Supplies Plus Fond du Lac
FOND DU LAC, Wis. — Pet Supplies Plus will celebrate the grand opening of its new Fond du Lac location March 28–29. Located at 477 W. Johnson St., the store will offer pet parents a hassle-free shopping experience with a wide selection of pet products at the best price guaranteed. Known for its friendly staff and helpful customer service, Pet Supplies Plus helps local pet parents save money and celebrate the fun of pet ownership. The store offers a wide array of natural pet foods and products for cats, dogs, reptiles, birds, fish, and small animals, along with amenities such as a full-service grooming salon, self-serve pet wash stations, a knowledgeable pet care team, and carry-out service, where team members carry heavy items to neighbors’ cars. Whether shopping in-store or online, choosing local is easy at Pet Supplies Plus in Fond du Lac.
Pet Supplies Plus focuses on providing a unique in-store experience for all of its “neighbors” (the term Pet Supplies Plus uses for customers). The new store is owned by local entrepreneur Dave Heather, an experienced business owner with more than 30 years in the automotive industry. After owning and operating several car dealerships in the region and selling them in 2014, Heather discovered Pet Supplies Plus as his next venture. He opened his first location in West Bend in 2020 and has since expanded to Neenah, Sheboygan, Green Bay, and Manitowoc, continuing his growth with the Fond du Lac location.
As a community partner, Heather will work alongside local animal shelters, rescue organizations, and nonprofits to host year-round adoption events, fundraisers, and pet food and product drives.
“I’m excited to bring Pet Supplies Plus to Fond du Lac and continue building connections in communities across Wisconsin,” said Heather. “We’re focused on creating a store where pet parents feel welcomed, supported and confident they’re getting the best care for their pets.”
To welcome the community to the new Pet Supplies Plus location, Heather will host a weekend-long grand opening featuring a $10 reward for any $30 purchase, special prize giveaways, huge discounts, and more. The free Pet Supplies Plus Rewards program allows members to receive regular coupons on products they frequently purchase, monthly specials, members only sales, and other personalized offers.
Beginning on Saturday, March 28 and continuing through Sunday, March 29, grand opening festivities at the new Pet Supplies Plus will include:
By signing up via text, you agree to receive recurring automated promotional and personalized marketing text messages (e.g. cart reminders) from Pet Supplies Plus at the cell number used when signing up. Consent is not a condition of any purchase. Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel. Msg frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. View Terms & Privacy: https://www.petsuppliesplus.com/sms-terms-and-conditions.
Neighbors can text “GRAND” to 72629 to receive 10% off their first purchase.
In addition, neighbors will have an opportunity to win either a $250, $100, or $50 gift card and receive a coupon. For more information and to enter, text “fonddulac” to 34653 or visit qkly.co/psp/fonddulacgiveaway.
At Pet Supplies Plus, neighbors are encouraged to bring their leashed pets in-store, where knowledgeable and caring team members are on-site to answer any questions, or offer tips. The experienced in-store team is extensively trained in the areas of natural and holistic foods and can answer a broad range of questions about dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and fish.
Pet Supplies Plus Fond du Lac offers one-hour curbside pickup and free same day delivery on all online orders. The store will be open Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Neighbors can connect with the new store on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on events and promotions. To contact Pet Supplies Plus of Fond du Lac, call (920) 204-0007, or visit https://www.petsuppliesplus.com/store/wi/fond-du-lac/4687-fond-du-lac/4687.
About Pet Supplies Plus
Your neighborhood Pet Supplies Plus has everything you need for your furry, scaly and feathery friends. Its shelves are stocked with pet essentials, including a wide selection of over 11,000 products from 400 brands. Easily find all their favorites at prices you love, whether you shop in store or online using free curbside pickup, same-day delivery or Autoship. To help keep your pets happy and healthy, pet prescriptions can be filled online and delivered directly to your door. As the nation’s largest pet retail franchise with over 725 locations and counting, Pet Supplies Plus makes shopping local simple. For more information visit www.petsuppliesplus.com.
The shift is reshaping how people build careers, signaling a growing desire for deeper, more meaningful professional relationships.
OKLAHOMA CITY — A growing majority of Americans say networking no longer feels like relationship‑building but a thinly veiled transaction — and new survey data shows just how pervasive that discomfort has become.
According to a recent Express Employment Professionals–Harris Poll survey, 79% of U.S. hiring managers and 75% of job seekers say networking today feels more like a business transaction than a genuine personal connection.
At the same time, 84% of job seekers say networking is primarily about identifying job opportunities — not building relationships — revealing a widening gap between what professionals want networking to be and what it has turned into.
And the problem goes far deeper than awkward small talk.
Tech Is Making Networking Worse
Online platforms were supposed to make meeting people easier, but instead, they’ve introduced a new layer of artificiality.
And perhaps the most telling figure: 85% of hiring managers now evaluate networking contacts based strictly on their influence or usefulness.
In other words, the “what can you do for me?” energy is unmistakable.
Younger Workers Feel It the Most
Gen Z and millennials — the generations most fluent in digital networking — are also the ones most likely to say it feels shallow, performative or forced.
Their concerns echo a broader trend. In separate national research by Freeman, 91% of Gen Z professionals say in‑person events are essential to building real interpersonal skills, and over two‑thirds believe technology has left them feeling less connected at work.
The Return of Real Connection
While nearly all hiring managers (92%) and job seekers (84%) agree networking is critical for getting a foot in the door, there’s mounting frustration with how it’s done.
The disconnect is clear. People want opportunity, but they don’t want to feel like a commodity.
With 81% of hiring decision-makers agreeing that authentic relationships are difficult to build when networking feels transactional, both sides appear ready for something different.
“The most valuable connections in our professional lives come from showing up with authenticity and a genuine interest in others,” said Bob Funk Jr., CEO, President and Chairman of Express Employment International. “When we approach conversations with openness rather than expectation, we create the foundation for relationships that grow over time. Technology can help us meet, but it’s our human commitment to listen, engage and invest in people that gives those connections lasting worth.”
Discover more research and real-world workforce trends from the America Employed series at ExpressPros.com/Newsroom.
Survey Methodology
The Job Insights survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from Nov. 3 to 19, 2025, among 1,002 U.S. hiring decision-makers.
The Job Seeker Report was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from Nov. 7 to 20, 2025, among 1,003 adults ages 18 and older.
For full survey methodologies, please contact Sheena.Hollander@ExpressPros.com, Director of Corporate Communications & PR.
If you would like to arrange for an interview to discuss this topic, please contact Sheena.Hollander@ExpressPros.com, Director of Corporate Communications & PR.
About Robert (Bob) Funk Jr.
Robert (Bob) Funk Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of Express Employment International, a global staffing franchisor founded and headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He leads a portfolio of workforce solution brands, including the flagship Express Employment Professionals franchise, along with several affiliated brands serving specialized markets. The Express franchise brand is an industry-leading, international staffing company with franchise locations across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
About Express Employment Professionals
At Express Employment Professionals, we’re in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing more than 11 million people globally since its inception. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com.