Franchise Interviews

Engineering for Kids comes from the mind of educator Dori Roberts. With an extensive educational background in math and technology education, Roberts taught engineering at the high school level for 11 years. During her teaching career, she saw a dire need for math, science and engineering programs. To fill this void, she started an afterschool club that participated in various engineering and science-based competitions. After membership hit 180 students and the group won multiple state championships, she decided to tailor the program and apply it to a wider age demographic. With the extremely positive response she received from parents and administrators, Roberts saw a great business opportunity, leaving the teaching profession and devoting 100 percent of her time to developing the Engineering for Kids program. Today, Engineering for Kids offers a suite of programs for children ages 4 to 14 introducing them to science, technology, engineering and math through a variety of workshops all aimed at developing problem solving skills. Programs include after school programs, evening classes, in-school field trips, workshops, birthday parties, home-school programs, scouts workshops, and pre-school programs. Engineering for Kids began when she noticed that there was a lack of engineering programs in the area to enroll her then 6 and 8 year old children.  We will speak with Dori Robers about this interesting franchise concept.

Mosquitoes are big news these days, and so is the solution. Mosquito control is a hot topic. Mosquito Joe, a leading mosquito control treatment company serving residential and commercial customers nationwide, has closed out 2013 with outstanding success. The brand has even found a way to expand by reaching franchise owners from another seasonal business – Liberty Tax.  Among the numerous highlights of the year, the brand celebrated the launch of its new logo, was ranked in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, opened 15 of the 39 territories sold in the year, and expanded into 10 new states. Of those new franchisees joining the MoJo family, there were multiple Liberty Tax franchisees who were looking to add another brand to keep their staff employed and generate revenue in their off-season. Their answer – join Mosquito Joe. Find out what makes Mosquito Joe such a hot franchise opportunity and why now is the time to get involved.  Kevin Wilson, CEO of Mosquito Joe.

We are meeting with Chip Paul (co-founder) from Palm Beach Vapors franchise.  Palm Beach Vapors is a pioneer in the e-cigarette vapor market. They started our company not with the purpose of selling just another product, but with a true passion for helping folks, just like you, lessen the risks involved with smoking.  From the moment you walk in a store, you’ll see why we’re so good at helping our customers find freedom from the use of traditional tobacco cigarettes. Their products are less expensive, cleaner, higher quality, and free from many of the harmful chemicals found in tobacco smoke.  Find out more by listening to the show.

We are meeting with Lawrence Eade of the Wok Box franchise.  Wok Box is a quick casual service restaurant specializing in amazing wok-cooked Asian food. Wok Box now has franchise opportunities available in selected regions in the USA.  With locations in North America, Wok Box is introducing a new Pan Asian dining experience which includes: •Fresh, quick and convenient wok-cooked meals •Stir-fry Noodle, Rich and Curry Boxes, Soups and Asian Banh Mi Sandwiches made with unique sauces. •Modern, fun and comfortable restaurant settings to engage customers with a memorable brand experience. We will discuss how Wok Box takes a different stance compared to competition when it comes to franchising.  Wok Box places emphasis on a very unique interior design and decor that matches the emphasis on quick and appealing food dishes. We will also discuss how Wok Box creates a brand experience that puts a lasting impression on customers. Each restaurant features open dining areas, tiled walls, plasma televisions, and an inviting, unique kitchen design.  Find out more about Wok Box by listening to the show. In part 2, we play a clip from our our interview with Wild Birds Unlimited franchisee Ellen Davis. Ellen discusses some interesting reasons why she choose franchising.  Find out what Ellen said by listening to the show.

Over the years, we have had some interesting and new franchise concepts.  This week Franchise Interviews is meeting with Tony Brea, Co-Founder of 1800Fix.com.  The mission of 1800Fix.com is to become the #1 alternative "secondary technology market" service and sales provider.  1800Fix.com provides consumers with a superior, alternative channel for smartphone and technology/electronics repair, sales, trade-ins, and must have accessories, making the latest technology both attainable and affordable for everyone to own and maintain. As Tony mentions on the show, they fix almost everything but toasters. In part 2, you will hear a clip from our interview with franchise consultant Tom Scarda on our Great Quotes in Franchising Podcast.

This week Franchise Interviews is meeting with franchisee of AdviCoach Ann Connor.  Ann recently received a Crystal Award from WEBB Women Empowered By Business  Every year, WEBB - Women Empowered By Business , an organization designed to support, encourage and empower women to go into business and to grow their business, recognizes select female entrepreneurs for their exceptional success and mentorship to other women in business. For her outstanding achievement, mentorship effort and work ethic, Ann Connor, owner of the AdviCoach(r) in Keene, N.H., was awarded with the WEBB Crystal award. WEBB's mission is to promote successful entrepreneurship among women by providing opportunities and resources designed to educate, empower, and enlighten them as they embrace the challenges of business ownership. The organization presents the WEBB Crystal award each year to women within its network who exemplify this mission by mentoring women entrepreneurs in their local communities as well as WEBB members. "Ann is constantly going above and beyond the line of duty for her clients and for the female entrepreneurs she mentors," said Judy Stoleson, co-founder of WEBB. "Her work ethic and dedication, not only to her own success, but to the success of other business owners in her community serves as an inspiration to the women in our network." Prior to investing in AdviCoach, a premier source for business coaching and advisory services, Connor served as a Senior Buyer for the retailer Sam's Club and other large organizations. While she enjoyed her work, and had built success in the retail industry, Connor wanted to pursue a career that allowed for more autonomy and thus began an independent company whose purpose was to develop new products for a variety of retail companies.  In part 2, you will hear an interview with the President of Franchise Interviews Marty McDermott on WVOX radio.

Co-Founder Jack Griffey's wife was a hair stylist who rented a chair in a salon suite. He quickly saw the potential to launch a creative real estate development and leasing business in the franchise industry that provides high-end retail space for beauty and wellness practitioners. In December 1997, not knowing how to develop a salon suite business, Jack and his business partner Cecil Miller conducted two separate focus groups, each consisting of 10-12 beauty professionals (i.e. hair stylists, nail technicians, facialists, etc.), all of whom worked in conventional salons. The idea was to gage their interest in the business model. Despite a consensus among the participants that such a business was a fad, Jack and Cecil proceeded with their plan. Tapping into their personal funds and securing a SBA loan, Jack and Cecil opened the first Salons By JC in 1998. They started offering a franchise opportunity in 2008 and sold their first four franchises to family and friends. We are meeting with Jack Griffey, co-founder of Salons By JC. The San Antonio-based concept has quickly become one of the nation's fastest-growing franchises in the nearly $20 billion salon suite industry.

We are meeting with Valerie White..Chief Merchandising Officer of Flips.  And Flips is America’s only Fashion flip flop store. Here is some more information about Flips: Located at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, MN, Flips takes fashion & comfort flip flop footwear to a whole new level!With over 200 styles of brand name flip flops for women, men, & kids, we go from beach to bling, pool to pedicure, week-end to wedding! Flips also offers a great selection of orthotic-quality flip flops.Flips has “the” perfect flip flop for every occasion 365 days a year!  That’s “heaven on earth” for flip flop lovers!It’s staffed with friendly  flip flop “experts”, passionate about the product & our customers & who provide memorable customer service.It’s a fun cool place to shop where it’s summertime all year long!

We are meeting with  Mark Bollman, the President of Creative Colors International.  Creative Colors International is a mobile-operated service company specializing in repair, reconditioning and color restoration on leather, vinyl, fabric, plastics and carpeting in the automotive, commercial and residential markets

We are meeting with Wanda Sieber, Unishippers of Green Bay. Unishippers is focused on just one thing: helping small and medium-sized businesses save time and money on all their shipping needs. And as the largest reseller of complete shipping services in the country, we have the buying power to ensure that we succeed.  Wanda will tell us about Unishippers in Green Bay’s most recent wellness program and what inspired her to launch this program for her Unishippers staff.