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Our Town America Named a Top Franchise Brand by Entrepreneur Magazine

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Our Town America Ranked on Entrepreneur Franchise 500 List 2019

Clearwater, FL (January 21, 2019) Our Town America, the nation’s first and fastest growing new mover marketing franchise, recently ranked in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500®, the world’s first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking. Placement in the Franchise 500® is a highly sought-after honor in the franchise industry, as evidenced by the fact that Entrepreneur received more than 1,000 applications this year, making it one of the company’s most competitive rankings ever. Recognized as an invaluable resource for potential franchisees, the Franchise 500® ranked Our Town America 428th for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power. “As we celebrate 40 years of producing the Franchise 500, it’s a good opportunity to step back and look at how much has changed since that first ranking in 1980,” says Jason Feifer, editor in chief of Entrepreneur. “While the franchise business model has changed little, the strongest franchise brands are constantly evolving and innovating to keep up with changing trends and technology.” The key factors that go into the evaluation include costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. Each franchise is given a cumulative score based on an analysis of more than 150 data points, and the 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the Franchise 500® in ranking order. Over its 40 years in existence, the Franchise 500® has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for potential franchisees. Our Town America’s position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity. To view Our Town America in the full ranking, visit www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500. Results can also be seen in the January/February 2019 issue of Entrepreneur, available on newsstands January 15th. For more information on the Our Town America franchise opportunity, please visit https://www.newmoverfranchise.com/. About Our Town America For over 45 years, Our Town America has been providing new movers with traditional hospitality by mailing warm housewarming gifts from local neighborhood businesses in a premium welcome package. Since the company started franchising in 2005, Our Town America has consistently been placed in the Franchise Top 50, ranking top in their category for franchisee satisfaction. Our Town America’s dedication to the “sponsor exclusivity” concept, meaning Our Town America will only recommend one of each business type in any specific zip code within its welcome packages, has been one of the key catalysts for the company’s long-term success. In addition, sponsors consistently rave about other unique aspects of the new mover marketing program – such as their ability to reach a brand-new audience of impressionable new movers each month and the insightful data/metrics delivered by Our Town America’s innovative pinpoint tracking system. Due in large part to Our Town America’s devotion to those concepts, thousands of satisfied business owners throughout the United States attest to the success and effectiveness of the program. Additionally, dozens of locally owned franchisees validate Our Town America’s concept as a viable business opportunity. It is Our Town America’s mission to assist new movers adjusting to their community, help businesses gain new and loyal customers and provide franchisees with an excellent opportunity. The eight million households who receive Our Town America’s welcome packages each year prove that Our Town America is committed to following through on that mission statement. For more information, visit the Our Town America website at https://www.ourtownamerica.com 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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Dave Butz – In the Zone and Loving Life as an Entrepreneur

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Dave Butz Work Hard Our Town America

Dave Butz is in the zone. Being a business owner isn’t easy – but he makes it look that way. Before Butz became an Our Town America franchise owner in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, he worked as a plant manager. In fact, for eight years, Butz worked at an industrial factory that made building components. When we caught up with Butz recently, the former plant manager turned Our Town America franchise owner, he was a fountain of information. Here are a few highlights from our conversation. How Butz got started. Butz was good at his job and doing just fine at the factory, but it was a demanding profession, one that required him to be on call, 24/7. “After my son was born, I started thinking that I would like to do something on my own, so I could work my schedule around watching my kids grow up,” Butz says. He began doing research, looking into starting a business or buying a franchise. “I thought about restaurants,” Butz says, adding: “I have no restaurant experience, so I’m so glad I didn’t go that route. I’d probably be back working at my old employer if I had.” He also concludes that even if he had been a successful restaurant owner, it may have been a more time consuming job than being a plant manager. “I work with so many restaurant owners now,” he says. “They’re always working.” Butz learned about Our Town America through a business broker who introduced the franchise to him. Butz liked the concept of the New Mover Marketing company, and the rest is history. The best part of being an Our Town America franchise owner. The last dozen years have demonstrated that Butz’s decision to become a franchise owner was undeniably a good idea. When asked what’s the best thing about being his own business owner, Butz can’t quite come up with only one thing. “You’ve got a lot of flexibility in your schedule, and that’s nice. You’re home for the holidays. You can determine your own income. You’re your own boss,” he says. “Geez, what don’t I like about it?” Hardest thing about being an Our Town America franchise owner. But that isn’t to say running an Our Town America franchise is easy. Being a business owner never is. “You know, if you don’t work, you don’t get paid. So you’ve got to be very motivated,” Butz says. “Plus, there’s no water cooler, where you have a crowd of people with whom to interact.” Working in a city that’s known as a tourist destination. Being the owner of a New Mover Marketing franchise in a city like Myrtle Beach can be interesting. Some businesses in vacation destinations, of course, feel that they don’t need to necessarily market to the locals moving in as they have a slew of tourists paying money. Other business owners are desperate to market to the locals; it isn’t like a lot of tourists are flocking to a chiropractor or an auto repair shop in Myrtle Beach. Still, many business owners recognize that they want to attract everyone, local or not. In any case, for Butz, Myrtle Beach has been a good location to set up shop. It’s the second fastest growing area in the country, according to census data, Butz points out. “It’s awesome,” he says. “People are moving down here in droves. It’s turned into a place where people move to year-round, and that’s reason enough for business owners invest in New Mover Marketing, even during the winter, when many owners are careful about their spending.” What businesses seem to really gravitate to Butz. Restaurants, he says. “They’re a dime a dozen over here and very competitive.” The fun stuff. Butz is enjoying being an Our Town America owner, especially the work-life balance that he has managed to create. Butz and his wife, Tanja, are often at the beach or on their boat with their son Finley and daughter Emily. Butz often fishes with his son. The family skis, snowboards and mountain bikes. Tanja runs triathlons, and the kids are both on a soccer team that travels and occupies a lot of time, especially on the weekends, according to Butz. When they’re at home, they hang out with their dog, Lilly, and Finley’s pet turtles. Our Town America is a pretty great business for someone plugged into the community, according to Butz. “You absolutely build some great relationships doing this. I’ve become friends with a lot of my sponsors (clients), and you end up running into your sponsors at the grocery store. This is a small town.” And it probably helps if you’re an extrovert? “Actually, I wouldn’t call myself an extrovert, but I’m not an introvert either. I can turn it on and off when I want to. If someone is 100 percent introvert, this may not be the best fit for them, as relationship building is a large part of this business.” Advice for fellow franchisee owners, especially the new ones? In the beginning, Butz says, it can be challenging to start an Our Town America franchise. “There’s a sink or swim mentality when you first start the business, and if somebody does tell you no, that they aren’t interested, you have to work a little harder. But after a while, when you have a lot of accounts and somebody says no, it gets easier.” But whatever you do, Butz says, “Don’t take rejection personally. Maybe that sounds kind of cheeseball, but it’s all business. You have to stay motivated and not take a ‘no’ to heart. It isn’t personal.” Are you looking to get in the zone as a business owner, like Dave Butz? 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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Red Salon Celebrates Small Business Saturday

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Red Brick Salon Our Town America Fort Myers Small Business Saturday

WINK News Ft. Myers (November 23) — Sally Hanson of Our Town America Fort Myers is a small business owner, and decided to thank her partnered local businesses for Small Business Saturday. Featured on WINK News, Our Town Southwest Florida and Red Salon have a mutually beneficial relationship. If you’re a business in the Fort Myers area and looking to team up with Our Town America Fort Myers, please contact Sally Hanson at 919-349-7611. Our Town America is a national franchise who supports small businesses across the nation 365 days per year. Non-Fort Myers area businesses can reach out to Our Town America directly to get in touch with their local representative at 800-497-8360 or visit us online. Watch full WINK clip below, as well as Behind the Scenes below. 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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Welcome Package Encourages People to Shop Local

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Small Business Saturday Our Town America Indian Trail Hardware

Spectrum News Charlotte (November 28) — Small Business Saturday is all about shopping local and one group is working with local stores to spread the word about their business in Indian Trail. Our Town America sends out monthly packets to new neighbors full of coupons to local shops. Stores like Indian Trail Hardware have been including coupons to their store for eight years. On November 24, Indian Trail Hardware customers got Small Business Saturday deals and coupons to a pop-up shop featuring local artists at the store next week. “We’re just glad that they want to participate and be here. Hoping to bring more people for us and for them too,” Karen Wingo, owner of Indian Trail Hardware said. In honor of Small Business Saturday, Our Town America gave Karen Wingo, and the Indian Trail Hardware store, a community service award for their support of local businesses. Watch full video from Spectrum News below. 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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Tavern 14 Reopens, Served Free Thanksgiving Buffet

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Tavern 14 Wilmington North Carolina

Wilmington Business Journal (November 21) —Tavern 14, at 6309 Market St. in Wilmington, reopened last week following extensive repairs. Owner Christyne Nagaishi said last month that the building sustained significant water and mold damage as a result of Hurricane Florence. In addition to the damage, Nagaishi estimated a loss of more than $12,000 in food and spirits. She was unsure whether the business would survive. Then, in mid-October, she was informed that Bassam Safi, owner of the Wilmington branch of Our Town America, a national marketing company that targets new residents, had launched a Facebook fundraiser to help a local business get back on its feet following the storm. Nagaishi was recipient of his efforts and received a check for $1,500. “Aside from the money, the donation provided me with a glimmer of hope,” Nagaishi said. “At that point we didn’t know which way to go. We were struggling to get answers from government agencies and insurance companies. This generous gift lifted us up and gave us the kickstart we needed.” Tavern 14 now has a new roof and new floors and ceilings throughout. Nagaishi credits family and friends with helping to get the restaurant back open last week. “It’s been so good to see everyone,” Nagaishi said. “We really wanted to reopen by Thanksgiving so we could give back.” Nagaishi will offer a free Thanksgiving buffet with all the traditional fixings beginning at 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. “Because of the economic toll the storm has taken on so many in our region, many people may not be doing what they normally do,” Nagaishi said. “We want them to know they can come here and enjoy themselves and maybe we can provide that glimmer of hope for someone else that is struggling.” Tavern 14 is open from noon to 2 a.m. daily, with a full menu served until closing. 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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Kristen Lundgren: A Working Mom on a Mission

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Kristen Lundgren Single Mom Our Town America Franchisee

There’s a lot to admire about Kristen Lundgren. In 2014, Lundgren, a single mom, left a six-figure sales job because she wanted to work from home to be there for her son, Gabe, who is now 18 years old and a college student. “I was missing soccer and basketball games and leaving him home alone for long stretches of time. He’d get home at 3, and I might get home at 7 or 8, depending on traffic,” Lundgren says. It’s easy to imagine some parents shrugging and figuring that’s just how it is.   And, of course, plenty of parents in the same situation simply can’t change their situation without going into financial turmoil. But, in any case, Lundgren is definitely not the type of parent to shrug, so she started looking for a way that she could work from home and still make a good living – while being there for her son.Kri That’s how, in the course of her research, she became the franchise owner of Our Town America in Eden Prairie, a suburb of Minneapolis. We caught up with her recently. Here are a few highlights from our conversation. “That’s one of the really nice things about owning an Our Town America franchise: the freedom and flexibility you have. You do have to put the hours in and work hard, but when you do, it pays off.” Best thing about being your own boss. “Having my own free time,” Lundgren says. “For instance, last summer, before Gabe went to college, I spent a lot of time with him. I chose my own hours and took him to San Diego for a week.” She sounds sheepish for a moment before saying, “I really didn’t work much that summer. Luckily, I had built up the business, so I could do that, although, yes, it probably hurt my bottom line in the long run. But it was so nice to have that time with him. That’s one of the really nice things about owning an Our Town America franchise: the freedom and flexibility you have. You do have to put the hours in and work hard, but when you do, it pays off.” Most surprising challenge Lundgren faces as a business owner. “Working at home when you’re an extrovert is really hard,” she says. “But the positive is you get to interact with so many fantastic local business owners.” Least surprising challenge Lundgren faces as a business owner. Landing clients. Of course, sometimes it’s easy, but sometimes it isn’t. And sometimes it’s surprising who is hard to keep as a client. “So, dentists seem like such a great category, where they would want to market to people moving into a neighborhood for the first time, but it’s sometimes difficult to connect with them because they often keep their distance behind gatekeepers,” Lundgren says. But that said, one of Lundgren’s very first clients was a dentist – and who must have had a pretty good response rate from new movers because she has kept that dentist on as a client since she started her franchise in 2014. “I called their marketing agency, which is sort of a gatekeeper for them, and they said right away, ‘We’re not interested,’” Lundgren recalls. “And I said, ‘But you don’t know what you aren’t interested in.’ And I got the reply, ‘No offense, but I’m sure the dentist won’t be interested.’ And I said, ‘How do you know?’” Ultimately, Lundgren kept working at it and was finally allowed to make her pitch to the dentist, who ultimately signed up. Lundgren’s advice for her fellow franchise owners. She recently utilized a Sales Training and consulting firm that does a lot of work with Our Town America. “They had a Sales Trainer speak at our last convention, and offered a discounted rate if we signed up following convention. My last session was last Friday, and the trainer was just phenomenal,” Lundgren says, adding that the training includes strategies for cold calling that she found invaluable, or as she put it, “golden.” And Lundgren’s advice for somebody considering buying a franchise. “You need to ask all of the right questions, and if you do become a franchise owner, you need to be prepared that it isn’t going to always be easy. You’re going to have days where clients cancel if they don’t get the response they were looking for, and that’s going to be frustrating. But you have to be able to go back out there and be creative and resourceful,” Lundgren says. In other words, if you get discouraged easily, this isn’t the business for you. If you enjoy selling and running a business and all the perks and pitfalls that come with it, and you enjoy creating your own schedule and carving out time to hang out with your kids, then this just may be your thing! For more information about opening an Our Town America franchise, please visit https://www.ourtownamerica.com/franchise-us/ or call 1-800-497-8360, or if you’re a business interested in partnering with Kristen – give her a call at 612-709-3859 or email klundgren@ourtown.net. 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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Michael J. Avallone – From Frequent Army Brat Mover to New Mover Marketer

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Our Town America Relationship Builders

Michael J. Avallone already knows the perfect customer for Our Town America, the nation’s premier new mover marketing franchise…because he himself IS that perfect customer. Avallone became an Our Town America franchise owner after a friend moved and told him about the Welcome Package he had received. Immediately, Avallone thought that was an intriguing business concept. Avallone’s father, after all, had been a major in the army, and so Avallone knew a lot about moving as a child, mostly shuttling around cities throughout New York and Ohio. And then, as an adult, Avallone’s career in shipping logistics had bounced him around between New York, Ohio, and Florida. So, when he heard about Our Town America, a business model based on a personalized welcome package catering to new residents of a city or town, it seemed like a genius idea. it’s just a wonderful program, not just for the new mover, but also for local business owners who want to meet those new movers “As somebody who moved a lot, I understand the process of establishing the necessary business relationships to live your everyday life,” Avallone says. “I talk to clients about this all the time now – when I lived in cities like Albany, Rochester, Columbus, Orlando – and now St. Pete – I had a dentist in all of those places. I got my hair cut in all of those places. I did my dry cleaning in those cities. All of these things that I’ve done as an adult and remember my parents doing, you have to find those places when you move to a new community, and so it’s just a wonderful program, not just for the new mover, but also for local business owners who want to meet those new movers.” And as luck would have it, about the time he heard about Our Town America, he was looking to start his own business. And then working with a business broker, Avallone learned that a franchise in his area just happened to be for sale. Which is how earlier this year, Avallone came to be the owner of Our Town America – Tampa Bay. In fact, right now, Avallone is more like his customers than even he probably realizes. As everyone knows, moving is stressful – can be exciting sometimes, but still stressful. And so is starting a new business. As well as raising a family. Avallone has done all three within the span of a year. He only recently moved to St. Petersburg, Florida (just down the way from Tampa Bay). He just bought his Our Town America franchise and is adjusting from being a paid employee (a sales manager) for a shipping company to being a business owner. And he and his wife, Stacey, recently had a little boy named Matthew who just turned 8 months old. “I’ve literally been a mess of stress… I’m a headcase. But I’m learning, and I know it will get better with time,” he jokes, shortly after a visit with a prospective new client. Oh, he’ll do fine – and Avallone admits that he thrives on stress, and that he is very motivated to run a successful, thriving business. Plus, while his last name sounds like “alone” (if you say it quickly… okay, really quickly), he isn’t alone. First, he has a very encouraging spouse (“I can’t say enough good things about my wife,” he says). Avallone also has a very supportive team behind him. “All the folks at the corporate office in Clearwater have been so tremendously helpful at every turn. It’s an amazing group a people and they are a team in every sense of the word. I’m lucky to be a small part of that team,” Avallone says. He also gives a special mention to Mike and Julie Fisher, who owned the Tampa Bay franchise before him. “Even though they aren’t technically required to answer questions, they’ve been so helpful, and I can’t thank them enough. Mike and Julie still love the business and that is a big reason why I bought the franchise. I knew I’d have their support and they continue to provide it any chance they get,” Avallone says. “And the other franchise owners around the country, they’ve been so incredibly supportive, helpful and welcoming – and full of good advice as I try to learn the business and promote to local businesses to do their marketing with Our Town America.” And it sounds like he’s doing a great job. You can hear the excitement in Avallone’s voice when he talks about the Our Town America concept. “You have that audience who, for the first three to five weeks after they move in, are walking to their new apartment or driving to their new condo. They have to grocery shop somewhere. They have to find a doctor somewhere. They need to get their car serviced somewhere. We know that, and that’s a powerful way to not just attract a new customer but to have the first chance to earn their business for as long as they’re going to live in their new home.” Are you looking for the excitement of being a business owner like Michael? More specifically, an Our Town America franchise owner? If this opportunity sounds like it could be for you, 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 Hurricane Florence Fundraiser Helping Local Businesses

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Tavern 14 Wilmington North Carolina Hurricane Florence Fundraiser

Wilmington Business Journal (October 24) — The impact of Hurricane Florence on area restaurants was far reaching, from the loss of perishable products and structural damage to the loss of revenue. Many independently owned establishments are struggling financially. Bassam Safi, owner of the Wilmington branch of Our Town America, a national marketing company that targets new residents, was inspired by the company’s past efforts to help hurricane victims. Our Town America franchise owners hosted Facebook fundraisers following hurricanes Irma and Harvey, to help businesses impacted by the storm, and Safi said he wanted to follow suit. Safi’s Hurricane Florence Facebook fundraiser generated more than $1,500, which he will be donating this week to Tavern 14, located at 6309 Market St. Tavern 14, which remains closed, sustained significant damage due to water and mold, forcing owner Christyne Nagaishi to gut the 5,000-square-foot structure. In addition to the mounting repair costs, Nagaishi estimates a loss of $4,000 in food and $8,000 in liquor, beer and wine. While her employees are currently receiving unemployment benefits, she is concerned that the longer she remains closed, the fewer of her employees will be likely to return to the tavern. Nagaishi began working at Tavern 14, formerly a private club that operated under a number of names for the past three decades, when she moved to Wilmington six years ago. At that point it was located across the street at 6320 Market St. She purchased the business two years ago and when the building was sold this past spring, Nagaishi moved to the current location and integrated a kitchen. When she reopened June 1, she began working with Safi on targeted advertising to capture new business as well as keep the loyal clientele she had worked hard to build. “I invested everything into the move and took out a loan to add the kitchen,” Nagaishi said. “So for this to happen three months later is really devastating.” Nagaishi said she learned of Safi’s efforts and the money she would be receiving from the Our Town America corporate office. “I wasn’t surprised that Bassam was behind the effort, but I had no idea he was doing this with us in mind,” Nagaishi said. “He truly embodies the local spirit of taking care of one another.”   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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