Fred and Lisa Arthur strive to “be the buffalo” every day in their 1-800 WATER DAMAGE business. As Fred explained: “In Colorado, when storms come over the Rockies, herds of cows will start running away and then they get enveloped, whereas buffalo will head face-first into the storm and take it all on. So that’s our motto: We go headfirst into the storm.” By Lizzy Yeserski
Brandon Ezra was once just a guy who loved to ski, surf and fish. In 2009, as founder and CEO of Grand Welcome, he took his love of sea and sky and embarked on the biggest adventure of his life. By Lizzy Yeserski
For more than 14 years, Kevin Koelsch worked as a specialty contractor, installing interior finishes and industrial insulation for corporate clients. It was a career he once enjoyed but eventually outgrew. With no solid path forward, Koelsch began to explore other options. By Jessica Jones
Veterans interested in franchising have a unique partner on their side. VetFran is a non-profit entity of the International Franchise Association Foundation (IFA), designed to assist veterans in finding their perfect franchise fit among a plethora of other services, such as reducing the cost of entry for veterans who wish to open a franchise. By Matt Wiggins
As a decorated combat veteran and graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Shawn Gundrum takes his training routine very seriously. A former CrossFitter who spends at least five days in the gym each week, the Arlington, Virginia, resident has long been fascinated by functional fitness aimed at protecting and preserving the body. So when he learned about the MADabolic concept in 2018, he had to try it. By Jessica Jones
NerdsToGo, Inc. is celebrating great strides since becoming part of Propelled Brands in September 2020. Propelled Brands was formed by FASTSIGNS International, Inc., parent company of FASTSIGNS®, the leading sign, graphics and visual communications franchise company. Under the Propelled Brands umbrella, NerdsToGo is flourishing and has recently signed two new franchisees to the NerdsToGo franchise family. By Rose Mango
Linda Carlins Herrera joined the Air Force directly after high school and was specially trained to work on aircraft avionics systems – a skill she would use later in life while working for NASA as a test engineer for the space shuttle program that built the International Space Station. By Jessica Jones
After an 11-year career in the U.S. Army, Thaddeus Grage worked a short time in law enforcement before eventually becoming the owner of an aftermarket performance shop. From there, his interest in the automotive industry grew, and what initially began as a search for an automotive maintenance franchise resulted in Grage becoming the new owner of an existing automotive-styling franchise location: Tint World Gulfport, Mississippi. By Cindy Charette
Ram Malayan served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, and Hawaii before retiring in 2005. The experience enabled the native Filipino to travel to various parts of America – completing boot camp in San Diego, attending engineering school in the Great Lakes of Illinois and carrying out his first tour of duty in Norfolk, Virginia. By Jessica Jones
Many of the articles in our annual veterans issue share reasons why franchisors love having owners that are veterans as part of their network. Mr. Transmission/Milex (Moran Family of Brands) is no exception. By Nancy E. Williams