For almost two decades, Beth McMillan and Dennis Schooley have helped businesses across the U.S. and Canada save money and improve their services. After years of purposefully “slow” and “methodical” growth, the duo has built the largest independent cost-reduction consulting firm in North America. By Brianna Bohn
For almost two decades, Beth McMillan and Dennis Schooley have helped businesses across the U.S. and Canada save money and improve their services. After years of purposefully “slow” and “methodical” growth, the duo has built the largest independent cost-reduction consulting firm in North America, which has resulted in over $380 million saved for clients and high rates of profitability for over 200 franchisees.
McMillan and Schooley’s years of experience and altruistic spirits have acted as a driving force for their business, and they recognize the importance of building up others. “Our style of leadership is to try to empower the people around us to perform at their optimum level. That includes our staff and our franchisees. Excellent people that are motivated to learn, build and grow is what we strive to realize. That’s where exponential growth and success resides,” Schooley explained.
Schooley, who calls the consulting firm a “family business,” ensures that staff and franchisees receive all the tools and support necessary for the success he so proudly speaks of. In addition to being guided by a coach and having access to a state-of-the-art distance learning platform that was rolled out at the beginning of the pandemic, franchisees gain continual support from training courses, virtual presentations, and annual conferences.
And, of course, McMillan and Schooley make sure that they stay active in franchisees’ progress, especially by providing advice they have gathered over the years. “You will experience success and realize expectations. You will also experience challenges and disappointments, and those are just as important as the successes, as they provide the lessons to turn those circumstances into future successes. ‘Next’ is an important concept to employ. You can’t change what just happened, but you can adjust and affect the next thing that will happen,” Schooley said.
Practicing what he preaches, Schooley ensures that the brand stays ahead of the curve and is always growing. In fact, after recognizing how much businesses have been overpaying for vital programs and storage, the consulting firm is going to launch software as a service as its next cost-reduction category.
Schooley’s final words of advice: “We preach that the word ‘decide’ may be the most important word in the dictionary. If you decide to succeed and accept no excuses, then you will succeed. If you decide to earn a certain amount, then you will. You are the only one that can decide,” he said.
Brianna Bohn
Contact: schooleymitchell.com, fd@schooleymitchell.com, 888-311-6477