It started at Cleveland's Corporate College, and ended up at a Cleveland area shopping center. This is a story about a special social enterprise...
Anne Hach, the director of Key Entrepreneur Center at Cleveland
Corporate College, wanted to make sure that the folks at the Cuyahoga
County Board of Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities
{MR/DD} were in attendance for my quarterly class on franchising at the
college. Anne informed me that they were interested in exploring the
franchise ownership model to help employ their workers. Anne made sure
that I met them before my class.
I remember talking with the group from the MR/DD immediately after my class on franchise ownership, and was pretty energized with their idea of the non-profit arm of the MR/DD purchasing a franchise that would allow their employees to work there, and to hopefully bring in some more needed revenue.
I had no idea if I would be able to find a suitable opportunity for them, but I wanted to try.
We scheduled a meeting, and I started learning more and more about their organization, and their specific needs. The MR/DD's Joanie Murman, who was involved with this project from the beginning, invited me out to the current facilities being used to employee these workers, so I could get a better feel of what they were currently doing.
Joanie and I started at a small manufacturing facility, where the MR/DD employees were doing some light assembly work. Then, we drove over to a hotel, and proceeded to take an elevator to the 3rd floor. This floor was manned by MR/DD employees, who were more than happy to share with me what they were doing. They loved their work, and I got the feeling that they felt it was their own homes that they were cleaning, and maintaining. Their attitude was amazing. Unreal work ethic.
A short time later, we scheduled a second meeting. During that meeting, I came up with a couple of specific ideas that I thought could be a possible fit for their organization.
{I usually meet with individuals/couples who are interested in exploring some franchise business ideas with me, not organizations.}
One of the opportunities that I presented was Just-A-Buck, a dollar store franchise offering based in New Windsor, New York. This franchise operation requires several employees whose duties would include handling new product shipments, keeping the store's shelves stocked, general cleaning, customer assistance, and even money handling.
As I was presenting Just-A-Buck, and discussing some of the duties that would be required, I remember saying to myself that "this was the one." As a matter of fact, I knew that this would be the perfect franchise for MR/DD, and I tried to keep my enthusiasm in check. {I always trust my intuition when I present specific franchise ideas. }
Steve Bakst, Just-A-Buck's founder and president, warmed up to the idea of awarding a franchise to a non-profit entity, almost immediately. This helped confirm my choice of this franchise offering for the MR/DD. It also says a lot about Steve's own values.
Not every franchise offering will be open to an arrangement like this. {Franchisors; This is a subtle hint.}
One very well known franchise company does something similar to this. Ben And Jerry's is a pioneer in social enterprise.
From Ben and Jerry's website;
"Ben & Jerry’s PartnerShop Program is a form of social enterprise, a growing movement in which nonprofit organizations leverage the power of business for community benefit."
As the weeks progressed, the group started warming up to this specific idea. I coached them through their due diligence, and they kept pressing forward. On their end, they had to do presentations to their fellow board members. {The Board of Directors at S.A.W. Inc.}
They had a lawyer or two at their disposal, but I encouraged them to seek a franchise attorney.
{I have seen it too many times before; A non-franchise attorney getting involved in the prospective purchase of a franchise, and not exactly "adding value" to the process.}
I recently did a guest post on a franchise attorney's blog. Read what I have to say about only using franchise attorneys when considering a franchise.
Anyway, S.A.W. Inc. decided to move forward with their decision to invest in a Just-A-Buck franchise, and they are now open for business!
WKYC-TV, an NBC affiliate, did a nice job with this story. Watch the short video.
This particular franchise consultation that turned into a "deal" for me, is the most important one I have ever done. Sometimes, it is not just about business.
Watch The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!
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1.
Susie,
Thank you so much for your nice comment. You are right. This was the coolest franchise placement I've ever made...
Also..Thank you for your cheer-leading and support. It helps. A lot.
The Franchise King
Joel Libava
Posted by: The Franchise King | November 07, 2009 at 09:52 PM
Joel,
I was raised in my family's 4th generation business. We specialized in hiring people with the same attributes as MR/DD folk. They took immense pride in their work and went the extra distance to make sure that everything they did was as perfect as they could make it. Their team spirit was immeasurable. We were one big family.
Yes, sometimes it's not just about business; I know you will carry the warmth of this experience forever. You just became a richer man, and it had nothing to do with money.
Congratulations!
Posted by: Susie Sharp | November 07, 2009 at 04:52 PM
Good info. Thanks for sharing this info and post.
Posted by: Franchise Opportunities | October 10, 2009 at 07:12 AM
If you happen to live in the Cleveland, Ohio area, Please stop by, and spend a few bucks. great store.
Thank you!
The Franchise King
Joel Libava
Posted by: The Franchise King | May 12, 2009 at 09:48 PM