Cartridge World USA has evolved over the years from its ubiquitous brick-and-mortar stores to a home-based, executive model established in 2014. The model allows franchisees to work from anywhere while benefiting from low overhead, no inventory or employees, recurring revenue, a work-life balance, unlimited earnings and more. By Patty Horansky
Cartridge World USA has evolved over the years from its ubiquitous brick-and-mortar stores to a home-based, executive model established in 2014. The model allows franchisees to work from anywhere while benefiting from low overhead, no inventory or employees, recurring revenue, a work-life balance, unlimited earnings and more.
Founded in 1988 and franchised in 1997, Cartridge World USA boasts more than 120 franchises and is recognized worldwide for its recycling and remanufacturing of toner cartridges, which helps to reduce eco-waste. The brand provides businesses with quality products and services as well as major savings over its competitors. It also provides new franchisees with 40 hours of online training, live webinars, marketing, ongoing support and more.
Franchisees Micaela and Gary McConnell, owners of Cartridge World Sacramento Region in California, jumped onboard in 2007 and, at one point, owned three brick-and-mortar stores. Since 2019, they have worked solely from their home, having adopted the executive model.
The McConnells began looking at franchising after Gary was downsized from the mortgage industry in 2007.
“We were trying to control our own destinies, be in charge of ourselves,” he said.
The couple were recently married and were raising their blended family of six children when they learned about Cartridge World at an eco-friendly expo. Micaela was drawn to Cartridge World’s environmental aspect while Gary was attracted to sales, networking and building relationships.
As brick-and-mortar store owners, the McConnells and their employees interacted with customers in the front offices while recycling and remanufacturing ink cartridges behind the scenes. They now work out of two rooms in their home, one for product and the other for their office.
“Just before COVID hit, we were hearing about executive models, and I said, ‘Let’s do it,’” Micaela recalled.
“The bottom line is really much better without brick-and-mortar,” Gary added.
He still enjoys networking, meeting clients and making sales, while Micaela manages the business, including accounts receivable, vendor relationships and inventory control.
“We’re looking at reducing the product that we house and doing more drop-shipping and more remote e-commerce business, which has been the direction that Cartridge World has been heading,” Micaela said.
Dropshipping means that Cartridge World ships directly to customers, eliminating much of the need for hand delivery. The cartridges are now remanufactured at brand headquarters, which ensures quality and uniformity throughout.
This past year, the McConnells embraced Cartridge World’s subscription-based No-cost Printer Program™, which helps clients receive discounted toner, cartridges, supplies and services. Through the program, the McConnells provide customers a free printer, and they agree to purchase their printer supplies from Cartridge World for a two-year period. Micaela helps clients find the best printers for their needs, and the program has further increased the couple’s profits.
The husband-and-wife team has streamlined their business over the years. According to Gary, it’s important for executive-
model franchisees to create distinct lines of responsibilities, such as one person handling the sales and the other managing the office. New owners need to network and establish relationships in their communities, even in the era of e-commerce. Micaela emphasized the importance of resourcefulness, an independent mindset and an entrepreneurial spirit.
The McConnells love the lifestyle the business has afforded them because it allows them to travel and visit their now-grown children.
Patty Horansky