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Projected Opening Date: November 2011
Location:
North Raleigh
Q: Where are you from?
A: I’m from Tennessee. I moved to Wilmington, NC for college and
went to UNC-W. Since then, I’ve already
moved several times for corporate careers. Finally, after 12 years, I made it
back to North Carolina, relocating to the Raleigh area.
Q: What was your career before franchising?
A: For my over 15 years in corporate America, I
worked with consumer product goods companies including RJ Reynolds and Hostess
brands in various roles of sales and marketing. After two layoffs, I decided
business ownership was a way that I could choose my own destiny.
A: A franchise broker (Entrepreneur Source)
called me out of the blue. Just prior to that, my friend who had also taken a
severance package had told me he was going to open a franchise so the broker’s
timing was spot on. I chose to also look into franchising.
Q: Why did you decide to open your own
business?
A: Opening my own business symbolizes freedom
and flexibility to me. The accomplishments that I have in my business will be
so much greater. Ultimately I realized
that you can continue the madness in corporate America or you can control your
own destiny.
Q: When choosing a franchise, what were the
criteria you used to make your decision?
A: My
franchise consultant and I went through a discovery phase. I filled out
surveys, questionnaires; talked on the phone about my personal goals. I spoke
about wanting to have an opportunity to have residual income and selling a
profitable business when the time comes. I chose
Hand & Stone because it is
my time to help people feel good in a healthy way.
Q: What was appealing to you about joining
a franchise system?
A: I wanted structure, support, a team
environment and networking that franchising offers. Since this is an
established system, there are other franchisees I can talk to for advice and
guidance while starting my business.
Q: With regard to
your previous experience, what skills do you feel helped you in your business?
A: I think the
most important skill that I’ve refined throughout my career is being a team
player. I have a knack for dealing with customers in good or bad situations;
assembling successful and cohesive teams to reach goals.
Q: How did you finance your business?
A: I looked into all avenues. I chose to get
financed through a private investor. It is a win/win situation.
Q: What obstacles have you overcome to get
where you are today with your business?
A: I have been through two corporate downsizings
and a full range of emotions that come with that. After being with a company
for 16 years, I went through many different emotions, but the biggest thing
I’ve learned from the experiences is that now is the time for me to get out of
my own way. Working for a large company, you have the security or the feign
security, but when you are on your own, it is all on your shoulders. I had to
realize that I could do it on my own. I finally got to that point after this
second downsizing.
Q: What are your expansion or development
plans?
A: I
would love to develop more than one location, at least three to five ideally.
Parks, 40, had worked in sales and marketing for the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. for more than 16 years before he was laid off in the fall of 2008. He then went to work for Hostess Brands, calling on convenience stores and pitching the company's Twinkies, CupCakes and other products.
