Name: Cristina Romero
Title: franchisee
Brands: Bath Tune-up (2 territories), kitchen mood (2 areas)
Units: 4
Years in franchising: 2
Why did you choose a franchise company?
I was dressed by a service franchise because I knew that I wanted to be a business owner and entrepreneur with an established brand. My husband and I are both made of Ecuador and our background is in project management. The selection of a service franchise enabled us to approach the brand in a way that felt familiar and was brought into harmony with our experience. I also knew that an established service brand could provide the structure, resources and guidelines that are necessary to offer our customers good service.
How did you choose the home conversion sector and why did you choose a franchise company with Bath-Tuning and kitchen mood?
When we dealt with franchise opportunities, we examined many types of industries, but ultimately decided to pursue the conversion of Baths because we knew that we were able to apply our skills for project management to design and process the expansion and treat any advice as a project. It was just the case that Bath Tune-up in our region had the availability of territories, and we were thrilled with the prospect of serving our neighbors and working on site and becoming a business owner in our own garden.
After we were successful with Bath Tuning, we decided to expand our business by buying two additional tunitories in the kitchen. This made it possible for us to use the skills and services that we master for the conversion of Baths and enter a whole new part of the house – something that not only helped us, but also helped our customers. One of our two areas overlooked one with our existing bad tune-up service area, so that we already had an established trust that we could continue to build on.
What different skills are required for franchising with a service brand?
Communication is one of the most important skills you need when you work with customers in your houses as we do with our companies. With the remodeling of the bathroom and the kitchen, work takes place in their room, and sometimes customers can be involved anxiously or really into the process. Therefore, clear communication is something to keep our homeowners up to date and to keep up. We also pay special attention to the needs of our customers so that they have not only dealt with the project itself, but also through every step of the way to ensure that their vision is brought to life.
How does Bath Tune-up and kitchen arrest have an opportunity to thrive on you and other women in the system as a business owner?
In our system we have a very supportive network of women that extends from our brand president and the leadership to the franchisee because we know what it is like to be women in construction and home services- two primarily dominated industries. At our annual conference for Home Franchise Concepts in February, we had a breakout meeting for women in our network to meet as a group and share tools and resources to expand our business and promote success. As a woman and franchise owner, it is great to have this support system from other women in the kitchen and bathing-tune-up network because we can get together and learn from each other.
How can you compensate for your responsibility as a franchise owner with several units together with those in your personal life that are mother and woman?
Setting goals and staying organized with my schedule helps me keep me up to date and ensure that I achieve everything I need to finish. In my office I have a board with which I can plan my projects and keep the first steps up to date, which is particularly helpful as a multi-brand owner. The status of our daily bathing and kitchen redesign is important for me and my organization.
As a mother, I also consider the schedules of my children and pursue your school events and sports practices to ensure that I am available for you at important times and present for you. It was the best instrument to compensate for my responsibility as parents and business owners how I manage my time every day to reconcile my responsibility.
What are some of the best ways to market and promote your company?
For us, transfers and ratings were a great source of leads as well as pay-per-click and Facebook ads. In addition, all of our cars are branded, as it is as if you have mobile phone places in the city. We also like to promote local companies and have found a value in networking locally, which helped us to build a presence in the business world of North Dallas.
What are some keys to be able to operate several franchise companies, especially as a multi-fire operator?
Trust, discipline and organization. You cannot control everything and do everything yourself. You have to trust that your team is there to help you and offer support. They also have to be very disciplined and very organized to expand a multi-unit company with several brands. All three factors play together and were of essential importance for our success.
What would you recommend to a woman who is considering a franchise ownership?
I think franchising is a great opportunity for women who are looking for business owners because franchising offers a proven business model that is less risky than a company from scratch. I also think that if you choose a franchise, you have to be able to manage your time and maintain a work-life balance that works for you.