emerging brand

1 03, 2024

Franchisees of the Month: Noah Dorson & Zim Harry, Bazooka Charlie’s Barber Co.

2024-03-01T00:12:06-05:00March 1st, 2024|Tags: , , |

With their insurance and mechanical engineering backgrounds, Noah Dorson and Zim Harry are not the average barbershop entrepreneurs. Their unique skills and personalities make them ideal franchise owners for Bazooka Charlie’s Barber Co. By Shelby Green

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29 12, 2023

Bazooka Charlie’s Barber Co.: More Than a Haircut

2023-12-29T15:42:30-05:00December 29th, 2023|Tags: , , , |

When someone steps into a Bazooka Charlie’s Barber Co., they can expect much more than just a haircut. This emerging brand strives to provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all of its clients. From the moment they walk through the door, they’ll be met with eye-catching wall murals, comfortable barber chairs and, most importantly, down-to-earth stylists who love what they do. By Shelby Green

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29 11, 2023

Bazooka Charlie’s Barber Co.: Grabbing Attention

2023-11-29T14:33:59-05:00November 29th, 2023|Tags: , , , |

Bazooka Charlie’s Barber Co. is an attractive emerging brand in the lucrative men’s grooming arena. With six corporate locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the brand began franchising this year and, according to Owner Justin Goehring, is poised to disrupt the old-school barber industry. By Patty Horansky

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26 06, 2023

Salty Dawg Pet Salon: Making Grooming Front and Center

2023-06-26T17:37:09-04:00June 26th, 2023|Tags: , , , |

More than 65 million households in the U.S. have at least one dog, according to a recent survey by the American Pet Products Association. “The pet space is absolutely exploding,” said John Kanski, founder and CEO of Salty Dawg Pet Salon. By Patty Horansky

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29 06, 2022

Taking the Leap

2022-06-29T17:21:14-04:00June 29th, 2022|Tags: |

You became a small-business owner and made a success of your independent, local brand. Now you ask, “Is franchising next?” If one of these align with your unique story, it is time to start your franchise journey. By Dawn Abbamondi

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30 04, 2022

PetNmind: Making a Difference

2022-04-30T11:23:30-04:00April 30th, 2022|Tags: , , , , |

PetNmind is an emerging brand that is making a difference in the lives of pets and their owners. According to IMARC, a marketing research firm, the global pet-food market has a value of over $22 billion and is rising with the growing number of pet owners who have recognized the benefits of premium food choices and eco-friendly products. By Jorgette Krsulic

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28 02, 2022

Runningboards Marketing: Three Reasons (NOT) to Buy a Franchise

2022-02-28T16:26:11-05:00February 28th, 2022|Tags: , , , , |

In the franchise world, Runningboards Marketing (RBM) hasn’t been around as long as McDonald’s or 7-Eleven. After launching in 2018, the brand’s leadership quickly realized it had a special model that was perfect for franchising, and it did just that one year later. By Nancy E. Williams

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1 01, 2022

The Fix Is In: Fitness Machine Technicians

2022-01-01T15:59:39-05:00January 1st, 2022|Tags: , , , |

For almost 20 years, Fitness Machine Technicians has delivered world-class maintenance and equipment repair for commercial and home-exercise facilities. Clients include gyms, hotels, condominium developments, schools and more. By Lizzy Yeserski

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2 03, 2019

Step out of your comfort zone

2019-03-12T11:45:37-04:00March 2nd, 2019|Tags: , , , , , |

stairway to the sky

Step out of your comfort zone

by Jessica Melendez
Certified Franchise Consultant

I have often compared a franchise consultant to a psychologist because both professionals observe, interpret, and record the client’s objectives and desired outcomes. While working as a franchise consultant, I have come across clients who say what they want and what they don’t want. But then as I start to uncover their true objectives and desired outcomes, what they originally told me doesn’t match up.

For instance: A couple of years ago, I worked with a client who planned to invest in a franchise while he kept his corporate job. He wanted nothing to do with restaurants or a brand-new franchise. Along the way, he also told me that St. Louis was changing and he felt it was ready for something innovative. He wanted to be at the forefront of an industry or product in his market. He also wanted to buy multiples to make an impact and build an empire. As we continued our conversation, he said he had a passion for health and fitness.

At the time, FranServe added the new brand Rush Bowls. Rush Bowls is a concept that targets the on-the-go health-food industry in a unique way. Rush Bowls restaurants serve flash-frozen, thickly liquefied fruit that is topped with other healthy ingredients—a meal replacement in a bowl. Because Rush Bowls was an emerging brand, it had only two franchisees at the time. St. Louis was wide open for development, and the company’s concept was the innovative product my client sought in an industry he was passionate about.

Despite my client telling me he didn’t want to be in the restaurant business or be a part of a new franchise, Rush Bowls had everything else: the ability to build an empire while keeping his job and a concept currently missing from his market. When I presented this option to him, I issued a disclaimer outlining the two negatives, the things he specifically said he didn’t want, but I also suggested he keep an open mind about this brand. Lo and behold, what he thought he didn’t want was the very thing he ended up with. The pros to this brand ultimately ended up prevailing over the things he perceived as undesirable.

This client is the perfect example of why you need to look beyond your comfort zone. He was receptive enough to step outside the box and look at something that would have never occurred to him. By doing that, he ended up with exactly what he wanted. He is the proud owner of three Rush Bowls in St. Louis and may develop a total of seven to 10.

Sometimes an open mind and a willingness to leave your comfort zone can pay big dividends.

Jessica MelendezA trainer and mentor for FranServe, Inc., the world’s largest franchise consulting firm, and the CEO of WestStar Franchise Group, Jessica Melendez coaches and educates prospective franchise owners and helps them find businesses that align with their personal and professional ambitions. As a franchisor and president of Dryer Vent Squad, Melendez has first-hand experience in all aspects of franchising, which makes her an excellent resource for prospective franchisees. Contact Melendez at 915-202-8272, email Jessica@weststarfranchisegroup.com, or visit https://www.weststarfranchisegroup.com.