Service-Based Franchisors and Franchise Brands

This is The Brand’s Fifth Location in The Peach State. 

ATLANTA — Blingle!, the premier outdoor lighting franchise, announced today its newly signed franchise agreement to expand the brand’s presence in metro Atlanta. The new franchise locations will be owned and operated by Smyrna resident Amber Hopeman.

A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Hopeman served in various roles across the world as a Surface Warfare Officer in the Navy for a decade prior to retiring as a Lieutenant Commander in 2010. In her post-service career, she found a passion for fitness becoming a Level Three Certified CrossFit Trainer and personal trainer. For the last four years she has been the General Manager and Head Coach of a CrossFit gym in the Dunwoody community while also running her own Personal Training business.

“I knew I wanted to own my own business, do something creative, and also set a great example for my two daughters of what it means to build something from the ground up,” said Hopeman. “I am excited to start this endeavor knowing that I have the training and backend support of the Blingle! team with their mentorship, expertise in the lighting industry, and proven systems and processes. I am looking forward to using my creative side to engrain Blingle! in the community to meet every lighting need and bring my client’s visions to life.”

Hopeman’s vast experience both in the Navy and running a small business have given her the skills that will be crucial to her being successful as she grows her own business. She knows the importance of listening to a client to help them achieve their vision, and how to build and train a successful team to create a strong culture.

Blingle! Of Buckhead, which is anticipated to open this October, will serve the majority of North Atlanta and parts of South Cobb, from Mableton to Buckhead, Brookhaven, Sandy Springs and Dunwoody providing residential, Commercial landscape, permanent, holiday and event lighting to the communities.

“We are excited to have Amber join the Blingle! family,” Josh Skolnick, Founder of HorsePower Brands said. “To be able to bring the premier products and services that we have to offer to more people in the Atlanta community is a great opportunity.”

To learn more about Blingle! please visit: blingle.com. For more information about franchising opportunities, please visit: blingle.com/franchising and horsepowerbrands.com.

This is The Brand’s Fifth Location in The Lonestar State

AUSTIN, Texas — Blingle!, the premier outdoor lighting franchise, announced today the signing of its newest franchise location in Austin, which is owned and operated by friends Chelsea Turner and Kelli Katzman. With the heart of operations based out of Liberty Hill, the new location will serve the greater north Austin area as far west as Bertram over east to Taylor, and as far south as Manor with reach into north Austin.

After moving to Austin at two separate times, Turner and Katzman had no clue in 2012 when they met while working at the same pharmaceutical company just how strong their friendship would be. Turner, originally from Missouri, was ready to ditch those frigid Midwest winters and randomly placed her finger on a map, and now 14 years later, she is bringing her own business to Austin. Katzman on the other hand, an Ankeny, Iowa native, graduated from the University of Iowa, and went to visit a friend in Austin for a week, and before she knew it, was an Austin resident herself.

Katzman and Turner covered the same territory in pharmaceutical sales and realized how well they complemented each other to build success. Before doing pharmaceutical sales, Turner worked in corporate sales and started her own door-hanging business. Katzman started her career in sales for a copier business followed by manufacturer and pharmaceutical sales before being recruited by Johnson & Johson (J&J) for medical device sales. When the opportunity arose with an opening on the team at J&J, Katzman knew just who the perfect person was for the job, and she brought Turner over.

After over a decade of working together in pharmaceutical and medical device sales, Turner and Katzman were ready to leave corporate America. Knowing how well they work together, and how their strengths play off each other, they decided to partner up to open a business. They knew they wanted to bring something to their beloved community of Liberty Hill, but at first, did not know what that business would be. After diligently doing research, the duo found Blingle!. They immediately put their sales hats on and saw the potential for growth, making the decision an easy one.

“We are excited about bringing this service to our community,” said Turner. “This brand has a design aspect that is fun and creative that allows for us to be personable. This just made sense for us.”

“We want to build this brand in Central Texas,” added Katzman. “Our goal is not only to provide great products and services to our customers, but also be able to give back to our community in various ways.”

Blingle! of Central Texas is anticipated to open in mid-September of this year.

“We are excited to have Kelli and Chelsea join the Blingle! family,” Josh Skolnick, Founder of HorsePower Brands said. “To be able to bring the premier products and service that we have to offer to the Austin community is a great opportunity.”

To learn more about Blingle! please visit: blingle.com. For more information about franchising opportunities, please visit: blingle.com/franchising and horsepowerbrands.com.

This is The Brand’s First Location in Virginia.

RICHMOND, Va. — Blingle!, the premier outdoor lighting franchise, announced today its newest franchise location in Richmond that is owned and operated by Billy Droste. This location, the first in the state of Virginia, will serve the entire area of Central Virginia.

Richmond born and raised; Droste became an entrepreneur in 2003 when he opened his own seamless gutter company. After owning his own business for nearly 20 years, Droste wanted a change and to slow down. In February of 2022, while at its peak, he sold the business and decided to work with a previous customer to help increase their residential sales. Following that opportunity, Droste was ready for his next venture, and to own his own business again. The Blingle! name came to the top of discussions while talking to some friends in December of 2023.

While franchising was never the top of mind for Droste, it was the various product and service options that ultimately made Blingle! the right choice for him. He was used to running everything by himself and was ready to have additional support to run his business.

“Blingle! is able to provide lighting options for any customer’s need to create the perfect one-stop-shop for the Richmond community,” Droste said. “I am excited to open the doors and get involved with the community to create projects they are proud to show off to friends and family.”

Blingle! of Richmond opened earlier this year to begin lighting the community.

“We are excited to have Billy join the Blingle! family,” Josh Skolnick, Founder of HorsePower Brands said. “To be able to bring the premier products and service that we have to offer to the Richmond community is a great opportunity.”

To learn more about Blingle! please visit: blingle.com. For more information about franchising opportunities, please visit: blingle.com/franchising and horsepowerbrands.com.

Premier Lighting Brand Illuminates New Horizons with Hirings and Technology Innovation in First Half of 2024

OMAHA, Neb. — Blingle!, the premier outdoor lighting franchise, is poised for a bright second-half of 2024 after a first six months filled with growth for the brand that included new signed franchise agreements, new locations opening, hirings and promotions, and the implementation of technology.

The Omaha, Neb., based company signed 6 franchise agreements in the first half of the year to bring locations to Kansas City, Mo., Richmond, Va., and Austin, Texas. Additionally, the brand signed three agreements in Florida to bring location to Naples, Port Charlotte and Miami. The Richmond Blingle! is the debut of the company in the state of Virginia.

“As a team we are thrilled to see the continued growth of Blingle! in the first half of the year,” said Josh Skolnick, Founder of HorsePower Brands. “We are excited to bring the premier services and products of Blingle! to new communities around the country.”

While the brand grew its franchise system, Blingle! continued its commitment to franchisee consumer support with the introduction of HOWIE, a revolutionary homeowner-focused platform designed to simplify and enhance the homeownership experience, by its portfolio company HorsePower Brands. This technology provides educational resources, a curated network of trusted service providers and streamlined communication tools. HOWIE empowers homeowners to confidently manage their homes and connect with the right professionals for their needs.

Blingle!, which was named 30^th on Entrepreneur’s Emerging Franchise List earlier this year, paired its new technology with the promotion of Nels Peterson and hiring of Michael McAllister. Peterson was promoted to Vice President and Brand Leader, and he plays a key role in the franchise development process. McAllister was brought in as the new Group President for Blingle! and Heroes Lawn Care. In this position, he assists the franchisees by providing them with resources and support as they look to grow. He will look to lead and develop the team to build and optimize the current processes, ultimately putting the brands in the best position possible.

“Adding HOWIE as a resource for our customers is a pivotal move in creating a seamless experience for them and our franchisees,” added Skolnick. “By pairing that with the promotion of Nels and the addition of Michael, our franchisees can provide each customer with their dream lighting project.”

To learn more about Blingle! please visit: blingle.com. For more information about franchising opportunities, please visit: blingle.com/franchising and horsepowerbrands.com.

McAllister Brings With Him Over Two Decades of Experience in Franchising.

OMAHA, Neb. — Blingle!, the premier outdoor lighting franchise, announced today the hiring of Michael McAllister as Group President. A franchising industry veteran, McAllister will also join the Heroes Lawn Care as part of his new role.

“We are very thrilled to have Michael join the HorsePower Brands team, bringing with him his franchising expertise,” said Josh Skolnick, Founder of HorsePower Brands. “He has a proven track record of helping scale franchises that benefit both the franchisees and franchisor, and we have no doubt that he will help take Blingle! and Heroes Lawn Care to the next level.”

After earning his graduate degree from University of Alabama at Birmingham, McAllister began his professional career at a commercial construction firm where he was the director of tech and training. In 2005, after a call from a friend, he was introduced to the idea and success that comes with franchising. Following his entrepreneurial spirit, he became a multi-unit franchisee with Fitness Together in Charlotte before he went from franchisee to franchisor.

His career took him to Denver when he joined the WellBiz team where he provided operational support to the franchisees and development to grow the brand. McAllister has also worked for HealthSource and Sanford Medical, two health and wellness franchisors. Most recently, he served as the Vice President of Operations for LINE-X. In that role, he oversaw over 500 locations across the United States and Canada.

“I am very excited to join the HorsePower Brands family,” said McAllister. “Blingle! is an emerging brand, and it is very unique within the space. Being put in this position, with such a young company, allows me to help put an imprint on the franchisees from the start to help grow and scale both brands.”

As Group President, McAllister will assist the franchisees by providing them with resources and support as they look to grow. He will look to lead and develop the team to build and optimize the current processes, ultimately putting the brands in the best position possible. When it comes to franchisees, it is his responsibility to help them become profitable. His long-term goal is to have 100-plus units for Blingle! and Heroes Lawn Care.

“Franchising is about relationships and connections,” added McAllister. “This role is about supporting and connecting with the franchisees, which I enjoy tremendously. I am excited to see each franchisee succeed with the systems we put in place.”

To learn more about Blingle! please visit: blingle.com. For more information about franchising opportunities, please visit: blingle.com/franchising and horsepowerbrands.com.

This is The Brand’s Sixth Location in The Sunshine State

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Blingle!, the premier outdoor lighting franchise, announced today the signing of its newest franchise location in Port Charlotte that is owned and operated by Patrick Dunivan. This location will serve North up to the communities of Brownville, Arcadia, North Port, Englewood and Rotonda, and reach as far South as Fort Myers. Additionally, the new franchise will bring light to Venice, Boca Grande and Cayo Costa, including Punta Gorda.

A native of Ft. Lauderdale, Dunivan’s career began with serving eight years in the Marine Corps before going back to school, ultimately earning a degree in Business Administration and Information Technology from University of Missouri-Kansas City. Upon graduation, he began his corporate journey in IT consulting, first with Sprint then with T-Mobile. After spending 23 years of his career in Kansas City, Dunivan found his way back to Southwest Florida in 2020.

Following his 25-year career in IT, he was ready to be his own boss. He began working with an entrepreneurial coach who matched his personality to execute and get things done with a variety of brands. When it came down to making a decision, it was the people and treatment he received from the Blingle! team that made it a no brainer.

“Blingle! offers a great support system to help set franchisees up for success,” said Dunivan. “I am looking forward to getting out from behind a desk and involved with the community to provide all their lighting needs.”

Blingle! of Port Charlotte is expected to open in early Summer of 2024. Once his territory is up and running, Dunivan has intention to grow and bring Blingle! to more communities in Florida.

“We are excited to have Patrick join the Blingle! family,” Josh Skolnick, Founder of HorsePower Brands said. “To be able to bring the premier products and service that we have to offer to the Port Charlotte community is a great opportunity.”

To learn more about Blingle! please visit: blingle.com. For more information about franchising opportunities, please visit: blingle.com/franchising and horsepowerbrands.com.

This is The Brand’s First Location in The City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Blingle!, the premier outdoor lighting franchise, proudly announced today its newest franchise location that will serve the South Kansas City Metro area on both the Kansas and Missouri side. This new operation is owned and operated by a local luminary and respected lawyer with deep community ties who is embarking on a new entrepreneurial journey.

Emulating his father’s path from banking to entrepreneurship, our local owner brings a legacy of business acumen, honed from representing some of the world’s largest companies as a lawyer. Inspired by his father’s triumphs and the cherished legacy of family business, he is poised to chart his own course with Blingle! The franchise’s sterling leadership and the vibrant home service sector clinched his decision.

“The excitement is palpable as we introduce Blingle! to Kansas City,” stated the franchisee. “Our brand is more than just a business; it’s a visionary concept set to infuse joy into every corner of the community through our distinctive products and services. We’re confident that Kansas City will embrace Blingle! with the same enthusiasm and passion that captured my heart upon discovering the remarkable identity of the brand.”

Looking forward to an early June 2024 launch, Blingle! of South Kansas City is already setting sights on expanding its presence, ensuring the brand becomes a household name across the region.

“We are excited to bring Blingle! to the Kansas City community,” Josh Skolnick, Founder of HorsePower Brands said. “To be able to bring the premier products and service that we have to offer to the city is a great opportunity.”

To learn more about Blingle! please visit: blingle.com. For more information about franchising opportunities, please visit: blingle.com/franchising and horsepowerbrands.com.

Premiere Lighting Franchise Proves Influential in Lighting Industry

OMAHA, Neb. — Blingle!, the premier outdoor lighting franchise, was honored with award recognition for its franchise opportunity, having announced this morning that the brand was ranked 30th by Entrepreneur magazine as being one of 2024’s Top New & Emerging Franchises; one of the industry’s most coveted rankings.

As the Entrepreneur team shares, the companies on this list are ranked based on the scores they received in the outlet’s Franchise 500 evaluation, which analyzes more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. To view the full ranking, visit entrepreneur.com.

“To receive such an honor, and be ranked as high as we our, it’s an exciting time for the entire Blingle! team,” said Josh Skolnick, Co-Founder of Blingle!. “Being named to this prestigious list is credit to our committed team that we are doing the right things.”

As outdoor lighting continues to grow at an exponential rate, the need for premier services and products continues to rise. Entrepreneurs of all experience levels are looking for scalable business opportunities, that has sparked the growth of Blingle! to 48 units since the brand began franchising in 2021.

“We are constantly striving to be a leader in the lighting industry, and being named a top emerging franchise showcases those efforts as we continue to grow,” added Skolnick. “Blingle! is always looking for the best franchisees to help them achieve entrepreneurial success.”

To learn more about Blingle! please visit: blingle.com. For more information about franchising opportunities, please visit: blingle.com/franchising and horsepowerbrands.com.

This is The Brand’s Seventh Location in The Sunshine State

MIAMI — Blingle!, the premier outdoor lighting franchise, announced today the signing of its newest franchise location in Miami that is owned and operated by brothers John and Jeff Evans. The new location, which opened earlier this month, will serve as far North as Miami Beach and as far West as the Everglades.

John and Jeff, while opening their first franchise business, are no strangers to opening a new business. John went on to help open a new company after serving six years in the Navy, while Jeff assisted in founding a private equity real estate firm in Miami. Combined, the duo has over two decades of experience in running a business.

Now, John a father of two and Jeff a dad to three, wanted to strengthen their brotherly bond in a busy world by joining forces with their business expertise. After taking some time to look at various opportunities, in Spring of 2023, the duo decided Blingle! was the right fit for them to help stay connected. With the strong support structure already in place, the Evans brothers knew the brand would set them up for success as they grow a business that they one day hope will be multi-generational.

“Our goal is to make Blingle! a staple within the Miami community,” said John. “We are looking forward to getting involved in the community by giving back and showing our support, ultimately, we want people to know we are here to serve them.”

The Evans brothers have aspirations of to grow to 15 territories over the next 5 years, all within Florida.

“We are excited to have John and Jeff join the Blingle! family,” Josh Skolnick, Founder of HorsePower Brands said. “To be able to bring the premier products and service that we have to offer to the Miami community is a great opportunity.”

To learn more about Blingle! please visit: blingle.com. For more information about franchising opportunities, please visit: blingle.com/franchising and horsepowerbrands.com.