Jason Stucky by no means deliberate to personal his personal enterprise. However after working at his native Color Me Mine studio in Geneva, Illinois, he could not resist getting extra concerned.
Stucky is a Navy veteran who had a profession in retail management. He took a break to develop into a stay-at-home dad, then returned to the workforce in 2018 by managing his native Shade Me Mine studio. “Due to my retail background,” he says, “I noticed what they weren’t doing with branding and marketing.” When he discovered the situation was on the market, he needed in.
Stucky and his husband determined to take an enormous threat: They invested most of their 401(k) savings to purchase the studio. The primary few years had been grueling. However Stucky pushed ahead, bettering operations and fostering a way of neighborhood. The franchise was ultimately acquired by Twist Manufacturers, the dad or mum firm of Painting with a Twist, and the brand new possession was crucial in serving to Stucky open a second location.
Associated: No Experience? No Problem. How This First-Time Franchisee Built a $3 Million Business.
Right here, he shares classes from sudden entrepreneurship.
What was it like getting into the franchisee function?
The primary three years, it was just about a 24/7 job. Not that I used to be there all day, however I used to be undoubtedly there each single day, simply ensuring that issues had been being carried out correctly.
Was there any particular problem that you just bumped into early on?
Underneath the unique franchisor [before the sale to Twist Brands], there have been a whole lot of issues that had been “wild, wild west” and folks had been simply sort of allowed to do no matter they needed. There wasn’t a lot assist, and there was actually no attention to the branding, which is what we’re specializing in now with this new franchisor.
How have you ever needed to adapt your online business model from a conventional retail model?
Once I first opened, I might do all the things in my energy to not give a refund. I received some negative reviews on-line over stuff like that. And someday I wakened and thought, That is simply ceramics. Now, if somebody needs a refund, they get it. I do not argue with them, as a result of I would like them to go away completely satisfied so that they’ll come again. For those who battle with them and act like they’re attempting to get one thing over on you — which is what a whole lot of house owners do — you are alienating them.
Associated: How to go From Aspiring Entrepreneur to Successful Franchisee in 9 Steps
How a lot do these gentle expertise make a distinction in your business?
It is totally different than regular retail, the place for those who be certain all the things’s priced appropriately, it is clear, and the employees is pleasant, then all the things is meant to fall in place. In such a enterprise, it’s a must to make a connection with your community. It is not nearly coming and spending cash and leaving. The employees has enjoyable with prospects. We employed an assistant supervisor who actually makes this private reference to everybody. There are many 5-star evaluations together with his title in them. He and a pair different key new hires are making folks really feel like this is not only a house the place you are coming to color, however you are coming to color with pals — and the staff are your pals, too.
What led you to open a second location in 2023?
I all the time mentioned I used to be by no means going to have a second location, simply because staffing is the most important chore. However a number of years in the past, I used to be like, I wish to open up one other one. I do not know what made me suppose that, however I simply received on this kick and was like, We might completely do that.
Are you executed increasing?
I believe, for now, that is the place we’re at, yeah. However I might by no means say by no means.
Jason Stucky by no means deliberate to personal his personal enterprise. However after working at his native Color Me Mine studio in Geneva, Illinois, he could not resist getting extra concerned.
Stucky is a Navy veteran who had a profession in retail management. He took a break to develop into a stay-at-home dad, then returned to the workforce in 2018 by managing his native Shade Me Mine studio. “Due to my retail background,” he says, “I noticed what they weren’t doing with branding and marketing.” When he discovered the situation was on the market, he needed in.
Stucky and his husband determined to take an enormous threat: They invested most of their 401(k) savings to purchase the studio. The primary few years had been grueling. However Stucky pushed ahead, bettering operations and fostering a way of neighborhood. The franchise was ultimately acquired by Twist Manufacturers, the dad or mum firm of Painting with a Twist, and the brand new possession was crucial in serving to Stucky open a second location.
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