Fully Charged: Air Force Veteran Angel Cartagena Plugs In A Batteries Plus

Angel Cartagena was a cable TV project manager traveling between New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico and working more than 70 hours every week. He was looking for a change when he discovered Batteries Plus.

He thought it was something he could make work. In 2008 he opened his first store in Union, New Jersey. After two successful years in franchising the 54-year-old Air Force veteran received an SBA veteran-approved loan to help with the expansion of the store.

Like many before him he was able to capitalize on his military background and skills to get his franchise business going.

Cartagena served as security policeman in the Air Force for 24 years, from 1977-2001. While in the Air Force he served in Germany as a general's bodyguard and an area supervisor, as an Air Force recruiter in Arkansas, and then transferred to Brooklyn, New York, and finally worked as a flight chief in New Jersey.

"After five years of being in business, I feel like I'm on top of my game every day," says Cartagena. "Customers appreciate the extra service and feedback we give to help make their batteries last longer."

Franchisees face challenges and Cartagena is no exception. Tops on his list has been training employees to provide the same consistent quality of service each and every time - just as he would as the owner. He's eager to embrace the future and hopes to open a second store later this year.