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Franchise

Nominate a Business for the Small Business Resilience Award

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Small Business Resilience Award 2020 Our Town America

Fox 17 News | Grand Rapids, MI – The consequences of the pandemic have been absolutely heartbreaking for local small businesses. Several family-owned restaurants, shops and salons now have signs reading “Closed Permanently” on their doors. And so many other small business owners are watching this and worrying about which doors will close next. That’s why Our Town America created the Small Business Resilience Award. Community members throughout the nation can nominate a neighborhood business that they believe deserves this distinction. There can only be one winner in each listed community, but a nomination is something to be proud of as well as it’s a symbol of hard work during one of the toughest times in the nation’s history. Larry Neal, the Regional Developer for Our Town America’s Michigan franchises, met with Fox 17 to discuss the award & more!   Who to nominate? A restaurant that’s re-invented itself to offer a take-out friendly menu or built an area to provide outdoor seating A shop that’s kept all of its employees on the payroll despite being closed for part of the year. A salon owner who’s gone above and beyond to make customers feel safe. Etc. You get the picture! We want to find businesses that have truly beaten the odds to stay open! To vote for/nominate a business, simply click the red button below. It only takes a minute, but can go a long way. Local small businesses are struggling; this is a chance to put a smile on the face of an owner who has shown resilience through a rough year! Voting ends on November 29th – the day after Small Business Saturday. Our Town America supports small businesses across the nation 365 days per year. If you’re a local Michigan business looking to reach new or current customers, reach out to Larry Neal at ‭248-672-6046. If your business is located outside of MI, please call our corporate office at 1-800-497-8360 to get connected with your local representative.     Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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Why a Home-based, Low Cost Franchise is Ideal

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Work From Home Low Cost Franchise Our Town America

Americans are re-evaluating their careers as they navigate social distancing guidelines, telework and remote learning, prompting many to turn to franchising as a solution that provides flexibility and high earnings potential. Whether you were already considering franchising or just trying to find a career that will allow you to fulfill your responsibilities as a parent or spouse, home-based franchises can be an affordable option to consider. Like many Americans, you may be already working from home and learning to find your footing in a telework environment. According to research from the Brookings Institution, about half of Americans are working from home. Higher-income workers are much more likely to be working from home during the pandemic, and many experts predict the telecommuting trend is unlikely to end anytime soon. If you are considering opting out of the corporate rat race, now is an ideal time to consider entrepreneurship with a home-based franchise, like Our Town America, the nation’s leader in new mover marketing. Despite a difficult time immediately following the outbreak of COVID-19, the future of franchising is bright. Experts predict franchise sales to rebound. Industry leaders are forecasting that 2021 will be one of the strongest years ever for franchising, according to Franchising.com. Job insecurity and access to debt capital at low interest rates are prompting many Americans to consider franchising. High unemployment numbers are making it easier for franchisees to hire qualified employees, alleviating one of the primary concerns of new business owners. “We are truly committed to our culture and the people who make up our franchise system,” said Michael Plummer Jr., CEO of Our Town America. ”During this unprecedented time, Americans are struggling to balance work, family and safety. Putting an end to job insecurity by taking control of their career is a great first step to keeping worries at bay. Our home-based franchise offers business owners a proven model designed to fuel local businesses and help build and sustain economies.” Our Town America specializes in helping new movers adjust to their new communities and assisting local businesses to gain loyal customers. The company connects its partnered businesses with a new audience of movers every month, resulting in loyal, long-term customers and a welcoming sense of community. Some of the company’s valued well-known sponsors include Back Yard Burgers, Texas Roadhouse, and Mellow Mushroom, as well as numerous hair salons, dentistry offices and grocery stores. Our Town America provides franchisees with a proven business model they can tackle from the comfort of their home. At a time when safety and security are top-of-mind, teleworking provides a secure solution for a new entrepreneur. To determine if a home-based franchise is the right choice for you, here are some of the benefits of this business model. No Real Estate or Construction. Home-based franchises allow you to skip the difficult process of finding the ideal business location. Construction required to adapt your new location for your franchise model can be a costly and lengthy process. Working from home requires little more than investing in a good modem and laptop. During the pandemic, many businesses had to unexpectedly shut down during stay-at-home orders. Without a revenue stream, brick and mortar franchisees were unable to make rent payments, and many had to rely on government funds or dip into savings to stay afloat. A low-risk, home-based franchise is designed to weather the unexpected. Low Initial Investment. Home-based franchises offer a low initial investment as well as saving on construction costs. Our Town America’s up-front franchise fee is under $50k and is significantly reduced even more so for veterans. They are consistently ranked a Top 50 Low-Cost Franchise by the Franchise Business Review.  Flexibility. Home-based franchises give owners the opportunity to work at their own pace. They offer unlimited earnings potential, coupled with the time you need to take your children to their extracurricular activities. Technology That Gets The Job Done. Some home-based franchises offer their business owners the latest technology to help their businesses thrive. Our Town America provides an unmatched filtration process that produces a high-quality list of new movers. They mail to all new movers, not just homeowners. They offer a Welcome Package designed to appeal to new residents, and they send follow-up mailings to encourage repeat business. Our Town America uses proprietary management software so franchisees can easily manage their business on-the-go, along with full security and tracking features, mobile applications, social media, loyalty programs and more. If you’re considering opening a low cost franchise, please contact us to learn more about investing in a successful home-based franchise. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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Cause Marketing and Why Is It Important?

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Cause Marketing Our Town America Franchise

Franchising.com (October 2018) – We asked Steven Sgroi, National Sales Manager for Our Town America, “How is your brand’s involvement in cause marketing helping in franchise recruitment?” At Our Town America, community-building is built into our DNA and brand promise. As a new mover marketing company, our job is to create long-term, valuable relationships between reputable local business owners and folks who have recently relocated to the area. Our franchisees are literally improving the local economy while extending a helping hand to new movers — a wonderful cause in and of itself that attracts phenomenal franchise partners. However, it’s our commitment to go beyond that with all marketing efforts that has helped us attract the right kind of franchisees who embrace our culture. Here are three specific things we’ve done recently. We used Facebook fundraisers to raise thousands of dollars for local businesses in Houston and Tampa after the hurricanes wreaked havoc in those communities last year. The coolest thing? After handing over thousands to a local Shipley Do-Nuts to help with repairs, their owner turned around and gave it to an employee who had lost everything in the flooding — a phenomenal pay-it-forward moment! Each year, our franchisees visit their sponsors (the local businesses who partner with them) in the weeks surrounding Small Business Saturday. Functioning as a “Small Biz Support Squad,” they bring them gifts (such as free massages, restaurant gift cards, etc.) to encourage them to take a load off after working insane hours during the holiday season. Earlier this year, our Boise-based owners, husband-and-wife team Scot and Amy Hecht, partnered with a local doughnut shop to extend the impact of the “We Dine Together” movement in Boise. They brought free food and organized a breakfast, ensuring the grassroots movement applied to the breakfast hour too! How it helps These fundraisers and causes have accelerated the number of qualified leads contacting us because they see how invested we are in dozens of communities. They love that we think down to the local level and always have the best interests of the community in mind. It’s simple: employees and franchise owners love being associated with a company that cares. And we’re proud of that! Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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Army Veteran Finds Blueprint for Success

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Larry Neal Franchisee Our Town America Veteran

Franchising USA (October 2018) — As a three-year veteran of the U.S. Army who served during the Vietnam War, Larry Neal demonstrated discipline and commitment. As a corporate manager for 25 years, he learned and honed sales skills. As a self-employed home builder during the Great Recession, Neal experienced the value of persistence. All of those chapters of his life culminated in the decision by Neal and his wife, Paulette Neal, to purchase their first Our Town America franchise in Detroit in 2006. And by applying lessons from each of them, Neal has succeeded handsomely: The couple now own and operate three Our Town America franchises and have become regional developers, as well. Neal has found a particular fit for his military experience with the management philosophy and approach to business taken by Our Town America, which now counts three veteran-owned franchise units among 65 overall franchise locations. “In the U.S. Army, I learned about the value and effectiveness of sacrificing your individual desires in the service of large and important collective goals,” Neal explains. “I also saw how important it is for a group to have a proven road map to achieve its goals. So when it comes to Our Town America, Neal says, “The business model itself is a perfect fit for veterans because each owner can follow a blueprint of proven processes and procedures toward personal success.” In the early 1960s, Neal decided to leave his home town of Ironton, Ohio, to enlist in the Army. “High-school graduation meant either working at the local steel mill or a life in the military,” he recalls. “I chose the Army.” Neal’s Army service came just as the Vietnam War was escalating. “My experience in the Army was eye-opening,” he says. “It showed me there was more to the world than just a little town in southern Ohio. I enjoyed the experience of the Army.” After discharge, Neal went to work for a multinational chemical corporation and excelled in sales roles for two and a half decades. He had begun building homes as a part-time job, and after “retirement,” Neal slid into building homes on a full-time basis. But the brutal recession beginning in 2008 shook his world because the national housing bubble burst. So, Larry and Paulette decided to investigate the possibilities for owning a franchise. Our Town America proved to be a perfect match, and not only because Neal could apply leadership lessons he’d learned in the military. “It hit my sales niche; it didn’t require a physical building or any employees,” he says. “I was able to run my business the way I see fit. Our Town America is a phenomenal organization.” And Our Town America does more than its part to help veterans like Neal find that fit. For U.S. military veterans, the company offers a $10,000 discount on the franchise fee. “It’s already an affordable, home-based franchise opportunity,” Neal says. “It truly is a win-win, because you can make a huge difference in your community while successfully realizing your own entrepreneurial dreams. All veteran business owners want to be able to make a powerful impact in their community, but that desire is meaningless unless the business model fits their skill set and bank account.” For information about opening an Our Town America Franchise, please visit www.ourtownamerica.com/franchise-us or call 1-800-497-8360.   Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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Franchisee Success: Scot and Amy Hecht, Treasure Valley, ID

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Our Town America in Boise, Idaho

Our Town America provided an opportunity for our entire family What do you cherish the most? Is it job security? Is it a clear path to retirement? Is it more time with family? Is it quality of life? For Scot and Amy Hecht, it’s “all of the above,” and then some. They are the parents of two young sons and the proud owners of Our Town America Treasure Valley in Meridian, Idaho. That’s just outside of Boise, and for the Hechts, right in the middle of everything they wanted in their lives – especially now that they’re thriving as franchise owners with Our Town America, the nation’s first and fastest growing new mover marketing franchise. The couple moved to Idaho’s Treasure Valley to escape the rigors, headaches and the ceaseless rat race that came from living in Southern California. “We wanted to improve our quality of life as we prepared to start our family,” says Scot. “Meridian gave us access to everything we wanted, camping, hiking, anything dealing with the great outdoors, on top of a slower pace of life.” Both Scot and Amy bring an extensive sales background to their Our Town America franchise. Scot, a graduate of San Diego State University, has worked in sales for his entire career since graduating. “I worked with several small businesses, startup businesses and family businesses, mainly doing outside sales for my professional life before Our Town America.” Amy worked with 2 Fortune 500 companies after graduating from Ohio State University. “For the first three years of my professional career, I worked in sales and I was great at it,” says Amy. “But it wasn’t intrinsically fulfilling; I lost the passion for it after three years doing it.” Amy found that passion as an educator. She first taught middle school science and math, before spending most of her teaching career in elementary schools. It was Amy’s educational background, that allowed the newly married Hechts to make the bold move from stable jobs in Southern California to the uncertainty waiting for them in Idaho. “Neither one of us had jobs waiting for us in Meridian,” says Amy. “All we had was one another and our belief that we were making the right move for ourselves and our future family.” It’s the belief in one another that makes Scot and Amy the perfect couple. When Scot was ready to make the leap to become an entrepreneur, it was Amy who proved to be his biggest cheerleader. “My wife was the person who encouraged me the most to have the confidence and make the investment in myself,” said Scot. After years of working for others, Scot was ready to invest in himself. “I was tired of working hard and making money for others,” Scot says. “I wanted to stop making money for other people and make money for myself. I knew I had the skills, drive and motivation to do it. Also, I knew with Amy having a stable public-sector job, I had a built-in safety net. Amy and I did a great job absolving all debt and putting enough in savings to make sure I could take the risk. Worst-case scenario, if I tried and failed, I knew we would still be able to pay the mortgage and feed the family.” Scot had strict criteria when searching for a franchise,  including no inventory, no real estate, no employees and no suppliers. Scot was referred to Our Town America and was quickly sold. “Our Town America is an established brand with a successful track record,” says Scot, who adds, “I haven’t looked back.” With his sales background fueling his new business, Scot experienced immediate success, landing a large grocery chain as one of his first clients. While Scot was succeeding with the new business, Amy, his biggest backer, was toiling through the daily grind that comes with teaching. “I love helping my students, you’re changing kids’ lives,” says Amy. “However, the long hours associated with teaching are ridiculous and began to wear me down. My family was suffering, I was suffering, and the work-life balance was lacking.” Scot wanted a company that required no employees. He wasn’t getting an employee when Amy decided to join his efforts. He was getting a partner. A partner who had the knack and business acumen that would take the already thriving business to the next level. Amy had experienced success during her previous run at sales. Working with Our Town America was like riding a bike. “Teaching is all about relationships and so is sales,” Amy says. “This is about helping people. In this case, I’m helping welcome people to the community. I’m also helping introduce businesses of all sizes in our community to new customers. I’m changing lives, changing the community and making people moving into Treasure Valley feel more comfortable.” Our Town America’s business model is the perfect fit for Meridian, Boise and all of Treasure Valley. In 2015, Meridian topped USA Today’s best cities to live in rankings. More recently, Money placed the town in its top 50 Best Place to Live in 2017.   This growth makes Boise/Meridian a fantastic place to be an Our Town America owner and helped Scot and Amy secure two fantastic TV features – this one, when they first got started, and another recent feature showcasing how they give back to sponsors over the holidays. “The Treasure Valley is a perfect fit for our business,” says Scot. “When we moved here, it was a small town, now it is growing at a phenomenal pace. It’s a hidden gem that people from across America are discovering. That’s good for the Our Town America business since we’re based on new movers. It ensures longevity for my business. Selfishly, I miss the small town feel that drew us here in the first place.” The rush of new movers will assist Amy in her arduous task to land 60 new accounts in six months. “I want 100 accounts,” says Amy. “We started with 48 […]

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Franchisee Success: Susan Nagi, Phoenix and Las Vegas

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Susan Nagi Our Town America The Valley

Susan Nagi Turned a Vacation into a Career as Las Vegas’ New Mover Marketing Expert A trip to Las Vegas traditionally ends with cherished memories, some keepsakes and more often than not, a little less cash. Susan Nagi is bucking that trend. Nagi is the owner of a Phoenix-area Our Town America franchise and recently launched a brand-new franchise in Vegas. As an experienced franchisee of Our Town America , the nation’s fastest growing New Mover Marketing franchise, Nagi knows this isn’t a gamble – launching in Sin City is a well-calculated investment. A good chunk of Nagi’s youth was spent traveling. She was born in London, to parents who loved to explore, so she lived in multiple countries throughout her childhood years. “I lived in England, Greece, Germany, over in Europe as well as Texas here in the states before my parents decided to settle in Hawaii,” says Nagi. She’s kept her parents’ adventurous spirit ever since. Her decision to buy an Our Town America franchise was spawned practically by chance. “I bought my first franchise three and a half years ago after meeting a franchise consultant,” says Nagi. “We initially met on a social level and while I wasn’t completely sold on buying a franchise, I took her franchise matching personality profile anyway.” Nagi was apprehensive because in her head, a franchise equated to a chain pizza joint. She had already had an experience with pizza, as she helped run a mom and pop pizza joint in her teenage years. Years later, at 35 years old, tragedy struck when Nagi’s mother passed away. So, with inheritance in hand, Nagi purchased a Recreational Vehicle and embarked on a trek across the continental U.S. Part of that trip involved joining the carnival during the winter months in Florida. For a few seasons, she traveled with the carnival as the office manager. When that came to an end, Nagi found herself back in Hawaii. With the move, she found love and marriage. The pair moved to Phoenix, where she landed a job working for a printing company. “I thought I was on the verge of being a working stiff,” she says. Thankfully, she decided to take that personality test. It ended up changing her life. That test revealed Our Town America matched her skillset. She decided to push her chips into the middle of the metaphorical table. “I lacked the money to buy a franchise,” says Nagi. “Some stars aligned, some words were said, the timing was right, so I jumped in with both feet. I cashed in my IRA and took out the biggest personal loan I could.” The dive into entrepreneurship wasn’t always smooth as her first six months owning Our Town America The Valley were tough. “In the beginning, my sales skills and confidence level were in serious need of improvement,” she says. “Those two things I thought you either have or don’t have, and I thought I was in way over my head.   Thankfully, things have changed!” Instead of clamming up, Nagi opened up, and reached out to improve her situation. She credits a professional sales coach and the book, You’re a Badass by Jen Sincero for a powerful transformation. “I learned skills to help me sell, but more importantly, changed my mindset as to what I am capable of,” says Nagi. “You have to shut down the inner-critic that so many people have grown up with. There are so many amazing people in the world, who are there to help, collaborate, teach and learn from. When you find them, hang on tight. Walk away from those who don’t help or don’t believe you can achieve your dreams and goals.” With the inner-critic conquered, she was on a newfound path to success with Our Town America. 13 months into her ownership, Nagi was number one in sales for a new franchisee. She hasn’t looked back. It was a class reunion that originally brought her to Las Vegas. It turned out the trip wasn’t all pleasure. The businesswoman discovered Las Vegas was America’s third fastest growth area. Now, she’s among those transplants. Nagi has a goal to make her Las Vegas Our Town America the largest producing franchise within the next two years. “I’m a proponent of the ‘law of attraction’ concept,” says Nagi. “I am so convinced that what comes around, goes around. The universe provides every opportunity you can think of if you are just open enough to see it, and act on it. Live fully, love fiercely and be a good human.” Do you want to realize your own business ownership dreams, like Susan Nagi?   Does the Our Town America franchise opportunity sound like it could be for you?   If so, learn more at https://www.ourtownamerica.com/franchise-us/. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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Franchisee Success Series: Luke Wood – Birmingham, AL

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Direct Mail EDDM Our Town America

Luke Wood Uses Every Door Direct Mail to Spark Rapid Success as Our Town America’s Birmingham, AL-Based Franchise Owner There are certain signs in our life that prompt us to act and chart a new path. Luke Wood’s path to owning his Our Town America franchisee in hindsight, seems like a no brainer. “I pursued becoming an entrepreneur when I knew I was going to be let go,” said Wood, the owner of the Our Town America franchise in Birmingham, Alabama. Wood is thriving with Our Town America, the nation’s fastest growing New Mover Marketing franchise, and is not looking back on his previous experiences (check him out on local TV here). However, it’s his past that is fueling his successful run helping introduce new Birmingham residents to a variety of reputable and convenient businesses that can result in long-term relationships. Those previous experiences include a couple of sales based gigs, including working as an inside sales representative for a company that sold raw materials that produced signage. “I wasn’t happy there,” says Wood. “I knew what I wanted out of life and that job certainly wasn’t it.” With the writing on the wall, Wood knew he needed something to pay the bills. Instead of filling out another employment application, Wood determined it was time to strike out on his own. With words of wisdom from his mother and his father (an entrepreneur himself), Wood determined Our Town of America was a perfect match. “It truly sounded like a great idea,” Says. Wood. “There was low overhead, no real estate involved, and Our Town America’s business model aligned perfectly with my principles.” Those principles include being self-motivated, disciplined and willing to put in the work to create a successful environment. Two-and-a-half years into his venture, Wood is cruising along. He’s targeting a 60% increase in monthly gross sales. One concept Wood is utilizing to reach that target is Every Door Direct Mail® (EDDM). Wood said he toyed with the EDDM concept when he first opened his franchise and says it’s been an excellent addition to Our Town America’s core New Mover Marketing program. He says a key to taking advantage of EDDM is great customer service and having a good relationship with the decision maker. “EDDM customers usually aren’t as price conscious and like that they will see results up front.” Wood isn’t shy about why he is in business for himself. He wants to make money. And he says Our Town America is the vehicle that is driving him to his destination. “I would like for my investment accounts to increase drastically, so in two years I would like to have at least two more streams of income,” says Wood. And he knows that he only gets out what he puts in. Right now, he doesn’t have any employees, and there are no plans in the immediate future to bring anyone else onboard. His success lies squarely on his shoulders and he accepts that. “The first two years were tough, mostly because of myself,” he says. “There were challenges, but I was forced to look in the mirror and change the way I was approaching this business. I have greatly improved my time management skills, allowing me to grow and prosper.” Wood wouldn’t hesitate to go into business for himself again if he were to do it all over. And he says those considering making the move should do so as well. “Go for it or you’ll never make the kind of money you’re capable of and you’ll always be dependent on the whims of others.” Do you want to realize your own business ownership dreams, like Luke Wood?   Does the Our Town America franchise opportunity sound like it could be for you?   If so, learn more at https://www.ourtownamerica.com/franchise-us/. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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Our Town America’s Franchisee Success Series: Sally Hanson, Raleigh, NC

Written by Brittany N. Johnson

After Thriving in Raleigh, NC, Franchisee Sally Hanson is Expanding to Fort Myers/Naples, FL The calming sounds of waves crashing on the shores. That distinctive feeling of sand running through the toes. The postcard perfect sunsets 365 days a year. It’s a way of life for Raleigh, North Carolina-based Our Town America owner Sally Hanson has anticipated for quite some time. It’s a way of life that’s more attainable as she prepares to open her second Our Town America, the nation’s fastest growing new mover marketing franchise, location in the Fort Myers/Naples, FL metro area. Traveling is embedded in Hanson’s soul. The mother of two adult children, she now enjoys every moment crisscrossing the globe with her husband, Roger. “We love to travel,” says Hanson. “We enjoy visiting different cultures and learning the history.” In fact, she is just coming off a trip to China. A decorated three-decade career based in sales and marketing afforded her plenty of opportunities to travel, quite often as a reward for her hard work and dedication to her craft. Hanson’s journey with Our Town America began with a trip to Hawaii. For three years, Hanson worked with an online marketplace that allowed registered users to buy and share things in their city. As one of the top sales representatives, Hanson earned a trip to the Aloha state. Refreshed and back home in Raleigh, the company informed Hanson she was being laid off. For Hanson, the news was a blessing in disguise. “I was tired of working for someone else, I had just had enough. My husband and I were already in the process of finding entrepreneurial opportunities when I learned I was losing my job.” That process got a major boost as she scrolled through her Facebook feed. A post from her high school friend, Mike Fisher, popped up. Fisher, along with his wife, Julie, are co-owners of an Our Town America franchise in Tampa, FL. The couple was profiled by the Wall Street Journal in an article highlighting people who left corporate America and succeeded as franchisees. Bang! The Facebook post allowed Hanson to catch up with her old friend, as well as pick his brain about Our Town America. The phone call, would forever change her life. After conducting their own research on various franchises, Sally and Roger concluded Our Town America was an opportunity they couldn’t pass up. “We learned about the company and determined it would be a great fit for us. The business model allowed us to be in control of our earnings, and more importantly, gave us a better work-life balance, a pathway to retirement, and control of our destiny.” Three months after reaching out to Our Town America, Sally was the owner and operator of her very own franchise in Raleigh. The knowledge of the area coupled with her background in sales and marketing played to her strengths. So much so, by the end of the year, Sally was named Our Town America’s “Rookie of the Year.” “I just went out there and followed the blueprint the company laid out during training,” says Hanson. “I have 25 plus years of sales/marketing experience and I’m very comfortable in this market. I lived and worked in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area for more than 20 years, so I know the area well. It’s a thriving area, one of the fastest growing metros in the country which allowed me to help several businesses gain new customers.” Hanson wrapped up her second year of ownership similarly to her first, earning awards and accolades. She was one of two franchisees to earn a trip to Peru for having the highest revenue growth within the company. It’s those perks that confirm Hanson made the right choice. “I wish I would’ve done this years ago. I love having my own business and being in control. It hasn’t been all roses, but once I made the jump, it has and continues to be a really good journey.” It’s a journey that Hanson says wouldn’t be possible without the support from her husband. “It is vital to have a supportive spouse and I certainly have that with Roger. He’s the one who said, ‘you can do this.’ I wouldn’t have taken on this venture without him.” While Sally carries the bulk of the load, Roger is there to assist with the business. He works behind the scenes, handling billing and other back end functions, but mainly, he is Hanson’s number one advocate. Together, Sally and Roger are preparing for their next journey. The Fort Myers/Naples, FL location is opening-up this October. Sally is optimistic for the area’s potential. “The housing market is booming, the area, similar to Raleigh, is experiencing excellent growth in housing and overall economy. More importantly, it’s warm during the winter months, we like the area and may consider moving there permanently in the next several years.” Our Town America has made Hanson’s retirement dreams an achievable reality. For those looking to make the leap into entrepreneurship, she says don’t hesitate. “Our Town America is a great company, particularly for those who have a strong sales background. If you’re self-motivated, and if you can get out there and sell, Our Town America is a wonderful opportunity. Go for it!” Do you want to realize your own business ownership dreams, like Sally Hanson?  Does the Our Town America franchise opportunity sound like it could be for you?   If so, learn more at https://www.ourtownamerica.com/franchise-us/. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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Leading the Modern-day Denver Gold Rush

Written by Steven Sgroi
Our Town America in Denver

The Gold Rush of the 1860s brought thousands of people to what is now Colorado, all trying their luck at striking it rich. Towns sprung up like Butterfly Milkweed flowers, including Denver, where prospectors panned for gold in Cherry Creek and the South Platte River.  […]

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Unique Ways to Finance a Franchise Opportunity

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Our Town America Credit Cards

creditcards.com (May 2017) – Starting a business, paying for education and even financing a once-in-a-lifetime trip – sometimes credit cards allow people the freedom to take a risk they couldn’t otherwise afford. “There are times when making a charge that is beyond your ability to promptly repay makes sense,” says Martin H. Lynch, director of education for Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp., in Agawam, Massachusetts. Financing a dream is one such case, but while dreaming big is good, having a repayment plan is better. After you’ve exhausted other payment options such as low-cost loans, crowdfunding and asking loved ones for help, funding a risky or dream venture with a credit card may be your best option. Here are seven rules to help you determine if the risk is worth it, and how to avoid ruining your financial life in the process. 1. Determine the value of the risk. Make sure you’re spending your money on something that has value. One example: Paying for a training course that could increase your future earning potential. There may be intangible benefits to using credit to finance a risky venture to consider, too. Investors often look favorably upon those who are willing to take on debt themselves for their businesses, says Clifford R. Ennico, small-business expert and author of “Small Business Survival Guide.” “As one investor once told me, ‘Don’t ask me to put my house at risk if you are not willing to do so yourself.’” 2. Consider your credit history. Your credit score influences the amount that new debt will cost you. With a high credit score, you can take your pick of loan offerings with low interest rates. Case in point: Susan Nagi of Tempe, Arizona, took out $52,000 in personal loans and used credit cards for living expenses when she started a business in 2014. She says owning an Our Town America franchise – a company that helps local businesses connect with new residents in a community – was a success partially because with a credit score in the 800s, “Everybody wanted to give me money.” 3. Make sure you understand the downside. Credit card interest rates are rising in the wake of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes, so know that paying for your dream will cost you more in the months ahead. Also, taking on debt will likely lower your credit score. Talk over your plans with loved ones, too. If you’re not single, “Make sure your spouse and family are on board before you do this – they may not have the same appetite for risk that you do,” Ennico says. 4. Imagine the worst-case scenario. Think about what you would do if your dream failed. Would you be able to pay the debt you’re getting ready to take on? When Dallas-based small-business funding expert Myra Good used credit cards to finance a handbag line back in 2010, she was still working full-time so she knew she’d have a salary to help pay off the debt even if the venture did not succeed. Having multiple streams of income or the ability to pick up contract work in a pinch can also minimize the risk of going into debt. 5. Start with the end in mind. Calculate a time frame to pay down your credit card balance quickly by paying more than the minimum. Josh Skolnick used credit cards to spend $75,000 on advertising and marketing costs for his southeastern Pennsylvania tree removal business Monster Tree Service in 2008. He paid off all of that within six months out of the profits he made from his business. “When I put the charges on the credit card, it was never meant to be a long-term play,” Skolnick says. 6. Look for a promotional rate. Shop around for a business credit card. Your best bet is a business card offering 0 percent for an introductory period, which is basically a temporary interest-free loan. Several business credit cards currently offer 0 percent interest for nine or 12 months. Matthew Blackmon of Long Beach, Mississippi, used credit cards to help cover living expenses while he got his pool service franchise, America’s Swimming Pool Co., off the ground in 2012. “If you have 24 months of 0 percent interest, make a plan to get it all paid off, or a large majority of it paid off by the time that interest kicks in,” Blackmon advises. 7. Find tangible things to sacrifice. When Good used credit cards to finance her handbag line, she gave up trips to Dubai and other exotic locations she enjoyed visiting. Look for ways to cut back in order to speed up the repayment process. Ask yourself: “Are there expenses that you could significantly reduce or eliminate, at least temporarily?” Lynch says. “Make those cutbacks now to make paying yourself back easier.” Read article on creditcards.com. By: Tamara E. Holmes — Looking to open your own Our Town America franchise?  Call 800-497-8360 ext. 236 or complete an online Franchise Application. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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