If you’re searching for a low-entry, profitable and fun franchise that produces earth-friendly and aesthetically pleasing products, look no further than Boulder Designs. By Patty Horansky
If you’re searching for a low-entry, profitable and fun franchise that produces earth-friendly and aesthetically pleasing products, look no further than Boulder Designs.
The company’s man-made engraved rocks are beautifying homes, yards and parks and drawing visitors to restaurants, tourist attractions and more throughout the U.S. and Canada.
“We use an engineered stone material that contains natural, earth-friendly products. No chemicals or harsh ingredients are used in our process,” said Les Sander, COO of the Texas-based business and its sister company, Border Magic. Sander said the brand creates some of the most environmentally friendly signs, which are dense, durable and guaranteed to withstand the elements.
The rock-solid business also offers a “boot camp” that teaches new franchisees all aspects of the business, including building boulders step by step. Franchisees create distinctive, customized boulders of any size, shape or color using Boulder Designs’ proprietary admixture.
“Our new franchisees find it to be a fun, enjoyable, almost therapeutic process,” Sander said. Trainees often bring family members, and many franchises are family owned and operated.
Franchisee John Torrey acts as the salesperson for Boulder Designs by TLI, in Spring, Texas. His son, James, handles production while Robyn Alex designs and helps paint and carve their custom-crafted products. John’s wife, Lisa, is the owner and president of their umbrella company, Torrey Lifestyle Investments, or TLI, and is actively involved with the Boulder Designs business.
“We enjoy being around one another and creating a product that is unique,” John said.
While Boulder Designs is built upon its distinctive landmark signage, other popular products include residential address markers, custom benches, memorial stones and gifts, such as drink dispensers. With 150 franchises, the brand is looking to grow in the eastern and northeastern U.S.
“Boulder Designs does not require any previous skill set,’’ Sander noted. “However, we find folks that enjoy hands-on projects and who are goal-oriented, folks that like meeting new people and are passionate about the product they represent, are the ones who become successful franchisees.”
Patty Horansky