Brent Sharpless and three of his oldest friends got together and began looking for exciting franchise business opportunities. They searched for something new and disruptive, and when they came across WOW 1 DAY PAINTING, they were instantly hooked. The branding, concept and offering is what really resonated with them. They were also aware of the connection to 1-800-GOT-JUNK? (the world’s largest junk removal company), so they knew they would be investing in a franchisor that has enjoyed tremendous success over the years. Brent and his friends and jumped on a plane to Vancouver to meet with Brian Scudamore and the WOW 1 DAY PAINTING team. They were truly WOW’ed in Vancouver, purchased three franchises and the rest is history!
Franchisee: Brent Sharpless
Franchises owned: WOW 1 DAY PAINTING (three in Canada: Toronto, GTA West and Muskoka)
What factored into your decision to choose this franchise?
Being part of a new franchise system has its perks. As a franchisee you are able to help shape the direction of the brand and the business as a whole. It is really exciting to be in the driver seat that way. WOW 1 DAY PAINTING is also unique as a franchise system because while the brand is new, the folks working at the head office have 20 years of franchising experience and have been wildly successful. We are disrupting the painting industry one project at a time and are fundamentally changing customer expectations when it comes to residential and commercial painting projects. I think that is pretty cool. I also love how our brand is fresh, stylish and fun.
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How long have you this franchise?
Since 2012.
Why did you decide to get into franchising?
Franchising is an amazing way to fulfill ones entrepreneurial ambitions, while hedging some of the risk. It also allows franchisees to have a well-oiled machine to help with some of the front and back end work that is required in a business. This means franchisees can really focus on growing their businesses without the stress of some of the administrative burden that can plague start-ups. The other great thing about the franchise concept is that you have access to a large network of franchisees that are all pushing in the same direction. So much can be learned from other franchisees in the system who come to the business with unique skill-sets and diverse backgrounds.
What were you doing before you became a franchise owner?
I am a lawyer and continue to practice law while running the three franchises.
How much did you invest before opening your franchise?
The level of investment varies depending on the amount of geographic territory a franchisee purchases. For an average franchisee, the start-up costs range somewhere between $100,000-150,000.
Where did you get most of your advice/do most of your research?
We were sure to speak to as many franchise owners as possible. This included speaking with a number of franchisees in other systems, just to get a better grasp of how franchising works on a micro and macro level. The WOW 1 DAY PAINTING discovery process is also extremely thorough. All potential franchisees are required to do market research on their proposed territories, devise a strategic business plan and create a comprehensive three-year budget. The franchise development team is extremely knowledgeable and were able to provide an honest assessment of the opportunity.
What unexpected challenges have you encountered?
Regardless of the concept, the offering or the brand, I think most business owners would tell you that finding and retaining great people is a major challenge. We have been very lucky in that we have found an amazing group of people to work with and we have a lot of fun. Spending time and money on building and maintaining a great work environment is absolutely essential for success.
What advice do would you give to individuals who want to own a franchise?
Do your homework. Make sure to find a franchise business that suits your needs and aligns with your personal philosophies. Not all systems are equal, and with modern day technology, it is not overly difficult to put lipstick on a pig. Talk to as many existing franchisees in the system as you can. These are the people that are living and breathing the business every day and have truly great information to share that will help guide your decision. I would also say, take a calculated risk and do something. I am not aware of success stories where the individual involved did nothing. Get yourself out there and make it happen!
What’s next for you and your business?
It is an extremely exciting time for us right now. We have grown 100% each year and are rapidly expanding the business to meet customer demand. With added vehicles in our fleet and more great folks on our team, we are poised to break out as the number one painting brand in North America. Watch out for the WOW factor in 2015!
More WOW 1 Day Painting Information:
Website: wow1day.com
Twitter: twitter.com/WOW1DAYPAINTING
Facebook: facebook.com/wow1daypainting
YouTube: youtube.com/user/wow1daypainting
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/wow-1-day-painting
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