Specialty Franchise Industry News & Announcements

May 24, 2012 // Franchising.com // Jacksonville, FL - After the devastating fire at New Berlin Road Church in Jacksonville, Fla., Paul Davis National, large loss specialists and part of the Paul Davis Restoration franchise network, provided emergency services and disaster response along with demolition, fire damage clean-up, drying and stabilization. The Baptist church congregation was originally established more than 100 years ago on Main Street in north Jacksonville. The newer 25,000-square-foot metal frame church building was erected at 2351 New Berlin Road in 2005.
On the evening of March 1, a motorist was passing by the church and noticed smoke pouring from the building. Inside, flames from an electrical fire had engulfed the sanctuary and parts of the fellowship hall, kitchen and offices...

Indicates Three-year Decline in Summer Purchase Intentions
LARGO, Fla., May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As consumers get ready to kick off summer this Memorial Day, the Valpak annual Consumer Savings Report reveals it's going to be a scaled-back summer for many of them. The third annual summer report* indicates a steady decline in consumers' purchase intentions over the past two years, from 70 percent in 2010 planning to spend the same or more to just 50 percent in 2012. Only 23 percent of consumers plan to spend more this summer over last, down five percent from last year, on purchases ranging from vacations to home improvement to electronics.
Valpak, the 44-year direct and digital savings leader, conducted the report to explore how consumer spending is evolving year over year...

Kid's Closet Connection expands to Columbia, Mo. Kid's Closet Connection offers a proven and profitable business model to savvy moms who understand just how profitable children's consignment franchises can be.
Columbia, MO, May 14, 2012 - (PR.com) - A treasure trove of like-new children’s clothing and toys can be found in nearly every household. Kids consignment sales, like Kid’s Closet Connection, continue to explode in popularity as more families sell gently used items through consignment to supplement income and buy children’s items at up to a 90% savings over retail to stretch their budgets. It is no wonder that Kid’s Closet Connection’s proven and profitable franchise model is attracting business savvy moms like Ashley Boock, one of the company’s newest franchise owners...

SOUTHBURY, CT--(Marketwire - May 7, 2012) - When thinking about protecting the future of our children, there are many lessons we can all learn from today's economy and job market. Chief Operating Officer and President of The Entrepreneur's Source® Brian Miller says parents and educators, in particular, should be asking: "Are we misleading our kids to believe that a secure job market awaits them after their formal education? With outsourcing and technology negatively affecting the job market today, what will it be like in 10 years?"
"There is a silver lining to these concerns," says Miller. "Let's start teaching our children about the value and benefits of business ownership at the middle school and high school levels. If we tap into the imagination of young kids early on, we will change the future of their lives, and possibly the future of our country, as well...

SOUTHBURY, CT--(Marketwire - Apr 26, 2012) - Most entrepreneurs work hard for every dollar earned. Business owners know all too well that business growth often goes hand-in-hand with a growth in operating expenses. As National Small Business Week approaches (May 21st), Brian Miller, president and COO of Expense Reduction Coaching® (ERC), wants business owners to know that, typically, the gradual increase in operating costs stems primarily from inadequate oversight.
"To ensure growth, business owners need to work 'on' the business and not 'in' the business," says Miller. "By focusing on profit-making efforts, they should leave the day-to-day operational support to staff and other experts. Having a cost-cutting expert on staff or as a coach is one very effective way to manage operating costs and positively affect the bottom line...

SOUTHBURY, CT--(Marketwire - Apr 26, 2012) - Many business owners are looking for ways to keep their enterprise visible and top of mind with customers. The explosive growth of social media provides an excellent opportunity to reach a new demographic, but many entrepreneurs are unsure how to best use the medium. Brian Miller, president and COO of Business Partner Marketing Coach ® says, "Business owners can benefit greatly when they understand how to take advantage of online technologies to grow their business."
As we celebrate the entrepreneur during National Small Business Week (May 21st- 26th), Miller says social media is more personal and can be more effective in lead generation than traditional forms of marketing.
"Social media tactics work interactively, giving a compelling, searchable and dynamic presence to a business, product or service in the online market space," says Miller...

SOUTHBURY, CT--(Marketwire - Apr 26, 2012) - Call it the economy, a need for a more flexible lifestyle or just a strong desire to be their own boss. Women are entering the small business arena more than ever, using their talents and passions and turning them into financial security. In celebration of National Small Business Week, beginning May 21st, Decor&You® DecorDesigners encourage American women to consider business ownership as a career option because, "Today, women are succeeding in industries that were once taboo for women," says Decor&You Founder and President Karen Powell.
The Small Business Administration finds that women-owned businesses account for 28 percent of all privately-owned businesses and they employ 9...

SOUTHBURY, CT--(Marketwire - Apr 26, 2012) - When you stop to think about the characteristics that typify the entrepreneur in today's oftentimes unpredictable, ever changing world, risk taking, decisiveness, creativity, and most of all perseverance are just a few traits that come to mind. With the National Small Business Week beginning on May 21st, Brian Miller, COO and president of AdviCoach®, says, "With more and more people choosing business ownership as a means to make a living and secure their financial future, let's all look for ways to invest in making our community service providers succeed."
"AdviCoaches work with many small business owners who are hard-working, community-conscience people who enjoy contributing to their community by providing a well-needed product or service," says Miller...

Pack and ship Mother’s Day gifts with helpful tips from Pak Mail.
Centennial, CO, April 25, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Pak Mail, one of the world’s premier packing and shipping companies, reminds thoughtful sons and daughters to follow a few simple steps when preparing Mother’s Day gifts for delivery:

Visit your local Pak Mail store and consult with their shipping experts. They will help you determine the best shipping options and carriers to deliver Mom’s special gift on time and intact.
Use new corrugated shipping containers to not only protect your item, but the environment as well.
Don’t send Mom a broken gift. Pack vases and other breakable gifts with cushioning materials, taking care to wrap each item individually...

SuperGreen Solutions to offer "One Stop Shopping" Concept For Energy Efficient Products
NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla., April 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- SuperGreen Solutions, a premium one-stop shop for all your energy efficient needs, announced today its plans to expand nationwide by offering franchise opportunities to qualified candidates. The announcement was made during The United Franchise Group's World Expo taking place in Las Vegas from April 15th-18th. SuperGreen Solutions is part of a joint venture with United Franchise Group, The Global Leader For Entrepreneurs.
SuperGreen Solutions opened its first corporate-owned U.S. location in North Palm Beach, Florida in 2011. The store was a huge success and generated more than $775,000 in sales in its first eight months...

April 17, 2012 // Franchising.com // Southbury, CT – Aspiring entrepreneurs are invited to participate in another exciting Start a Business Weekend Event and can do so either in-person or through “virtual technology.” “We’re changing the way people discover business ownership as a path to financial security,” says Terry Powell, CEO and founder of The Entrepreneur’s Source® (TES). “Technology is changing how we manage our everyday lives, but now it can help you change your long-term career.” Both events take place simultaneously beginning on May 3rd and runs through May 5th.
After a highly-successful initial “virtual” event in March, The Entrepreneur’s Source is once again playing host to this first-of-its-kind franchise industry “virtual exposition” where virtual visitors can spend a weekend interacting with many of the nation’s hottest business and franchise concepts – all in an effort to discover whether business ownership is their next career move...

SOUTHBURY, CT--(Marketwire - Mar 28, 2012) - As both large and small businesses begin to see a brighter light in this somewhat stagnant economy, Brian Miller, president and COO of Business Partner Marketing Coach, says, "We can all help each other if local companies look for local experts in the community to help grow their business. And in doing so, business owners will feed 'the circle of life' in their communities by continuously adding to the local economy."
Business Partner Marketing Coaches see the benefits first hand when partnering with business owners to bring more awareness of their products and services in their respective markets. "Many companies either don't have the expertise nor the budgets to have full time personnel handle many of the much needed functions like marketing to grow their businesses," says Miller...

March 28, 2012 // Franchising.com // Milwaukee, Wis. - Paul Davis National, the specialized commercial and large loss franchise of Paul Davis Restoration, Inc., has launched its updated website with a new look and expanded capabilities. The website has been overhauled with new content, photography, and a fresh design, that provides a more user-friendly site.
One of the many features of the site includes a one-stop location to access company information, interactive project status portals, an RFP submission tab, new Priority Preferred Customer program registration and access, and training, to name a few. The website will also allow users to maneuver several website portals without leaving the website address at www.pdnational.com.
According to Howdy Russell, Paul Davis National co-owner and spokesperson, the website includes several new items covering fire and water damage mitigation, smoke and odor removal, consulting services in estimating, dispute resolution and cost management along with detailed explanations about catastrophe services and mitigation response for Paul Davis offices and customers...

Leader in Local Print and Digital Coupons Seeks to Target Untapped Recruiting Source for Sales Positions
LARGO, Fla., March 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Valpak, a leader in local print and digital coupons, announced today its commitment to hire 100 veterans by the end of 2013. With the recent passing of the VOW to Hire Veterans Act, a national bill to encourage businesses to hire military veterans, Valpak plans to recruit veterans to join its sales team. According to recent studies, military candidates interested in sales have advantages over non-military when it comes to key sales traits including cordial communication style, competitive approach and accountability for core business results.
"With more than 40,000 troops expected to return from Iraq, joining another 2...

"Ridiculously Affordable" Fashion and Handbags Available Starting Thursday, April 12!
PLYMOUTH, Minn., March 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Lillians®, The Hippest Shoppe in Town®, today announced the opening of its two newest franchise locations: Dickinson, North Dakota; and Okoboji, Iowa. Just in time for summer, Lillians of Okoboji is set to be another "hot spot" in the Iowa Great Lakes Region. And Lillians of Dickinson brings a bit of retail therapy to the booming economy in the heart of North Dakota's black gold rush.
Lillians offers women the latest looks in boutique and department store fashions and accessories at "ridiculously affordable" prices. Both of the new store locations will follow the brand's unique "occasional sale" with "un-traditional hours...

Digital Franchise Expos Offer Current and Prospective Entrepreneurs the Ability to Explore Business Opportunities and Gain Advice from Experts without Leaving Their Home or Office
March 22, 2012 // Franchising.com // SOUTHBURY, Conn. -- Recognizing the evolution of technology and the way people communicate, The Entrepreneur's Source has introduced a state-of-the-art virtual franchise expo series called "Start a Business Weekend" (SABW). Through a partnership with ON24, the global leader in virtual events and webcasting technologies, these new digital expos allow both current and prospective entrepreneurs the ability to explore business opportunities and gain expert advice from the comfort of their own home or office.
"The SABW series offers a whole new model for exploring franchise expos that goes beyond anything that's available on the web," said Terry Powell, CEO and founder of FranchisEsource Brands International, The Entrepreneur's Source's parent company...

Digital Franchise Expos Offer Current and Prospective Entrepreneurs the Ability to Explore Business Opportunities and Gain Advice from Experts without Leaving Their Home or Office
March 14, 2012 // Franchising.com // SOUTHBURY, Conn. — Recognizing the evolution of technology and the way people communicate, The Entrepreneur’s Source has introduced a state-of-the-art virtual franchise expo series called “Start a Business Weekend” (SABW). Through a partnership with ON24, the global leader in virtual events and webcasting technologies, these new digital expos allow both current and prospective entrepreneurs the ability to explore business opportunities and gain expert advice from the comfort of their own home or office...

From Humble Handwritten Beginnings to More than $3 Billion in Annual Savings Each Year, the Coupon Proves Its Worth; Receives Long Overdue Party
LARGO, Fla., March 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today more than ever before, consumers love savings, and businesses are using deals and discounts to drive their bottom line. The coupon turns 125 years old this year, and to commemorate the birthday, Valpak®, the 44-year-old savings and direct marketing leader, is throwing a "virtual party" celebrating their love of all things thrifty with a $5,000 Facebook sweepstakes, and expert advice to help consumers save money in today's digital age, including recommendations from writer, blogger and personal finance expert, Leah Ingram.
Humble Beginnings For The Coupon
More than a century ago in 1887, an Atlanta businessman created the first coupon to offer free samples of his new cola, now one of the most popular soft drinks in the world...

SOUTHBURY, CT--(Marketwire - Feb 29, 2012) - Smart business owners routinely look for ways to add to their revenue streams, whether it be creating more visibility in the marketplace, adding new service features or increasing margins on products and services. "However, many don't realize that improving indirect cost structures can also add to the bottom line," says Brian Miller, president and COO of Expense Reduction® Coaching (ERC). "And these are long-term savings, not a one-time event."
As a cost cutting expert, ERC coaches focus on helping companies and organizations realize measurable cost savings in various indirect expense categories such as supplies, telecommunications, staffing, printing, maintenance contracts and professional services...

SOUTHBURY, CT--(Marketwire - Feb 29, 2012) - With the 'home' being the heart of any family, and the economy struggling to right itself, more and more people are creating family memories and events from the comfort of their home environment. So, it's more important than ever to have an inviting, beautiful space where people want to gather together. Decor&You Founder and President Karen Powell says that people need to be aware of the top five decorating risks and potential blunders before they spend countless hours, money and time when on a decorating project.
"Many people are overwhelmed with the thought of creating a great room," says Powell. "It first helps to understand what can go wrong when inexperience and lack of knowledge gets in the way of achieving a great living space...