Landscaping Franchise Green Life Interiors 'Plants' Strategy for Franchise Growth

By: Green Life Interiors | 3 Shares 325 Reads

Texas-based Concept Sees 'Green' Future as Nation's Newest B2B Interiorscape Franchise

WACO, TX (May 31, 2007) – Building off the emerging popularity of 'green' architecture, Green Life Interiors, a Texas-based interiorscape business that has been providing interior plant design and foliage maintenance for workplace and other environments for the past 27 years, announced today it has partnered with one of the country's most renowned names in franchising to transform it from a "blooming" concept into a nationwide franchise.

The Findley Group, led by former Curves International president Gary Findley, has invested the necessary financial resources and infrastructure to take Green Life Interiors to the next level as a national franchise. Under Findley's direction as president of Curves, the women's fitness franchise grew from 50 locations in 1996 to more than 8,000 in 2006.

"When we partner with a franchise concept, it has to be something that fills a niche and offers tremendous potential in the marketplace, and Green Life Interiors definitely meets the criteria," Findley said. "Startup costs are low, the business model is sound and the services offered are in high demand. An increasing number of employers are finding interiorscapes to be an affordable way to both enhance the beauty of their work environment, and boost their bottom line by increasing employee productivity and health."

The interiorscaping company, which offers interior design and layout, sales/lease of plants, installation and ongoing maintenance to mostly corporate but also some residential settings, has been successfully serving central Texas for 27 years. Eight years ago, Susan Sadler, a former administrative assistant and community college instructor, took the entrepreneurial plunge and purchased the Waco-based company, changing its name to Green Life Interiors. Since starting to offer franchise opportunities in 2005, Sadler has sold one franchise serving southern California.

Now, building on the success of both locations, Sadler has announced plans to work with the Findley Group to open 10 locations in Texas by the end of 2007, with 35 nationwide by 2010. Sadler expects ambitious entrepreneurs to jump at the chance to get in at the ground-floor of the established and growing interiorscape industry.

"As a business-to-business opportunity, Green Life Interiors franchise owners will enjoy working directly with professional business owners like themselves in their community," Sadler said. "It's a noble and environmentally-friendly business model that provides a much-needed service that adds both beauty and health advantages to the workplace."

Gallop polls reveal that working with plants is one of the most popular hobbies among working Americans. While Green Life Interiors marries people's green thumbs with the creativity of interior design, Sadler emphasized that a potential franchisee doesn't need a botany background to own the concept. "We are looking for franchisees that will enjoy building the business through client relationships and will benefit from Green Life Interiors' plant care and interiorscape training program," she said.

The initial start-up cost for a Green Life Interiors franchise is $50,000 to $70,000, which includes a $30,000 franchising fee to cover costs of initial and ongoing training and support and marketing materials. The business model is set up for franchise owners to lease office space and hire a team of sales professionals and horticultural technicians. In addition, the company has plans to test out a storefront retail location in the near future designed to capture street business, for a potential future offering.

According to Sadler, most business owners want to make their lobbies and offices look great and stand out with interior greenery, but they either don't have the time or the knowledge to do it themselves. "We provide an affordable and valuable way for them to do this," said Sadler, who pointed out that in central Texas, the average cost of Green Life Interiors' services is approximately $150 per month.

Health Benefits of Going "Green"
Although greenery is an excellent way to decorate the office, the benefits go well beyond aesthetics. Sadler points to the following well-documented facts:

* Plants create better air quality, which leads to healthier employees and a reduction of "Sick Building Syndrome."

* Foliage helps to lower heating and cooling bills, which is financially "healthy" for businesses.

* Greenery provides emotional support by reducing stress levels through a natural calming effect.

* Plants reduce noise levels if placed strategically throughout the office by absorbing and redirecting sound.

* Many companies use interiorscapes to help direct traffic flow by navigating people to, or away from, specific areas.

About Green Life Interiors
Originally established 27 years ago, Green Life Interiors began franchising in 2005. Green Life Interiors provides interior foliage design, sales and leasing of greenery, ongoing maintenance and special seasonal services to residential and corporate environments. Currently with two locations, projections call for 35 franchises operating nationwide by 2010. For more information, visit www.greenlifeinteriors.com or call 877-757-1445.

About The Findley Group
Founded in 2004, the Findley Group is a franchise consulting and development company led by the former president and franchise-builder of Curves International, Gary Findley. Under Findley's direction as president, Curves International experienced growth in franchises from 50 locations in 1996 to more than 8,000 in 2006. Currently, the Findley Group is working with 10 innovative and exciting companies who have unique offerings for today's marketplace. The Findley Group specializes in bringing new business concepts to the market and developing them into complete franchise offerings. For more information, please visit www.FindleyGroup.com