ShelfGenie - Thursday Jan. 22 on BlogTalk Radio

ShelfGenie Franchise Opportunity to appear on Franchise Interviews Weekly Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio Thursday, January 22, at 10AM EST.

Allan Young's successful, but short-lived, career as a small-business consultant in Richmond, Virginia was sidetracked in 2005 when he was deployed to the Middle East as an operations officer with the U.S. Army Reserve.

Young handed off some of his accounts to other consultants and returned six months later “thinking I wouldn't have any clients and would have to completely restart my business.”

One company waited. Launched out of a garage in 2000, the company designed, built and manufactured high-quality, custom Glide-Out shelving that fit existing cabinetry in kitchens, bathrooms and elsewhere throughout the home, gliding in and out with the touch of a finger and saving homeowners thousands on expensive remodeling while making their shelving more functional and easy to use.

The mother-son ownership team - Joyce Burgess and Andrew Kerwin - wanted Young to develop a growth plan and he implemented a dealership model for the business that Kerwin had launched after moving to Richmond from California , where he had worked in the shelf conversion industry and realized its potential. Within a year the company had 30 dealers throughout the country, all recruited by Young. What he saw in the industry was something he had witnessed before.

“I always viewed the closet industry as a very close cousin to ours. Looking at their history has enabled to make smarter, more strategic decisions,” Young said. “Ten to 15 years ago, the closet industry was where we were a couple of years ago. It was very fragmented and people never thought it would make it. Now you can find over 10 large, successful closet organization companies in every major market in the country.”

In what can only be described as a whirlwind, the 37-year-old Young, along with business partner and franchising veteran Barry Falcon, 56, has taken the foundation that Burgess and Kerwin established with their original concept and founded ShelfGenie Franchise Systems, the nation's only franchised provider of custom-built shelving solutions that glide in and out.

Franchising efforts were launched in May 2008. The company expects to grant two franchises a month through 2008 and expects to have 125 to 150 franchise owners by the end of 2010. ShelfGenie can be operated as a home-based business and the company is targeting major markets throughout the Northeast, Florida , Texas and California for initial growth.

ShelfGenie has planned and perfected a smooth, simple-to-operate business model.

Tune in on Thursday, January 22 at 10AM EST to find out more.

You can hear the live and recorded shows by going to FranchiseInterviews.com or BlogTalkRadio.com/Franchise-Interviews

Thursday Jan. 15 - Tune in for Naturell Franchise

Naturell Franchise Opportunity will appear on Franchise Interviews Weekly Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio Thursday, January 15, at 10AM EST.

Over the last two years, Franchise Interviews has had some of the biggest names in franchising on their weekly radio show as well as some exciting new franchise concepts. This Thursday, January 15 at 10 AM EST, franchisees to the Naturell franchise opportunity will appear on Franchise Interviews weekly radio show.

Without a college degree Mike Nero, CEO and Founder of Naturell, ventured out to the world of becoming an eco-preneur way before going green was considered "cool." Nero had been an employee for a carpet cleaning business and saw the harmful chemicals that were being used in the cleaning solutions. Nero was determined to find a solution that would be less harmful and completely organic. After all, wet carpet and dark places is the ultimate breeding ground for mold and mildew to grow - and to have your kids and pets rolling around on that is a little unsettling to the stomach.

After 10 years of testing out organic solutions out of his garage, Nero developed a cleaning solution he was completely happy with, patented it - much to his opposition - and now has a company that thrives in the San Francisco area and is opening a sea of franchises in the near future. In fact, his company, which currently has only one location, and completely organic solution is in such high demand that he turns away business opportunities, which is exactly why he wants to open more through franchising.

So here's a friendly Santa Clara that developed a completely organic solution that is, oh yeah, made from sea kelp - seaweed in Iceland 's pristine waters. Who would think about essentially rubbing seaweed on your carpeting to make for a safer environment for your kids? Nero also developed a solution that eliminates the use of gas-guzzling, vehicle powered equipment (perfect in this time of gas prices). His method even reduced drying time to 30 minutes and uses 20 times less water than traditional carpet cleaners. Talk about going green. Nero was on top of the green craze long before it was cool and he just rolled out the red carpet for a completely new segment in franchising and is making its debut as the nation's first green franchise to enter the $5.3 billion industry.

Tune in on Thursday, January 15 at 10AM EST to find out more.

You can hear the live and recorded shows by going to FranchiseInterviews.com or BlogTalkRadio.com/Franchise-Interviews

This Week: Superior Wash Franchise - Thursday Jan 8

Superior Wash Franchise Opportunity will appear on Franchise Interviews Weekly Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio Thursday, January 8, at 10AM EST.

Franchise Interviews ended 2008 with a fantastic interview with Christine Specht who is the President and COO of Cousins Subs. Cousin’s Subs is the brainchild of Bill Specht and Jim Sheppard.

Christine started working at Cousins Subs when she was 15 years old. Now 34, she assumed the role of president and COO in March 2008. Franchise Interview spoke to Christine about her transition from making subs, bussing tables and running the register to being Cousins Subs’ head honcho. After nearly 40 years in business, how does Cousins Subs continue to keep up with the ever-changing market? Go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/franchise-interviews/2008/12/18/cousins-subs-franchise-opportunity-meets-with-franchise-interviews to hear the whole show.

This Thursday, January 8 at 10 AM EST, Franchise Interviews will meet with Vincent Garcia and Jodi Scott, founders and owners of Superior Wash , a national 24-hour mobile fleet washing company.

The company is a leader in the fleet-washing industry and services Fortune 500 clients such as Coca-Cola, Fed-Ex, UPS and Budweiser trucks. Not only does the company help to alleviate the pressure of rising gas costs for corporate-owned fleet systems by conveniently traveling to an accounts fleet site, but they also use an environmentally friendly water recovery system in doing so. The concept was founded by Vincent and Jodi, who are former independent fleet washing competitors. They devised this unique US EPA-approved eco-friendly system as another way to set themselves apart from any other player in the industry. Not only do they target markets based on a distinctive system that differs from that of many other franchises, they also handle all billing matters differently- right in corporate headquarters. Another perk – any franchisees can start the business at home, which as you mentioned on a show preview coming up, is an increasing trend. ( SOHO )

Tune in on Thursday, January 8 10AM EST to find out more.

You can hear the live and recorded shows by going to FranchiseInterviews.com or BlogTalkRadio.com/Franchise-Interviews

Valpak - This Week on Franchise Interviews

Valpak Franchise Opportunity to appear on Franchise Interviews Weekly Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio Thursday, December 11, at 10AM EST.

Over the last two years, Franchise Interviews has had some of the biggest names in franchising on their weekly radio show as well as some exciting new franchise concepts. This Thursday, December 11 at 10 AM EST, franchisees to the Val-Pak franchise opportunity will appear on Franchise Interviews weekly radio show.

Layoffs and the down economy have consumers scrambling for more ways to save money. Valpak franchisees Bill and Michele Wagstaff are bringing savings right to resident's doorsteps with their business, Valpak, which targets approximately 40,000 households throughout Danville , VA and North Carolina every month. Not only do the Wagstaffs help consumers, but they're doing double-duty by providing valuable ads for local businesses

Valpak is one of the nation's leading direct mail companies delivering coupons to more than 45 million households in the United States , Canada and Puerto Rico . Through its combined products, including online savings portal Valpak.com, Cox Target Media - which owns and operates Valpak delivers.

Tune in on Thursday, December 11 at 10AM EST to find out more.

You can hear the live and recorded shows by going to FranchiseInterviews.com or BlogTalkRadio.com/Franchise-Interviews

10 til 2 Franchise - This Week on Franchise Interviews

10 til 2 Franchise Opportunity will appear on Franchise Interviews' Weekly Radio Show on BlogTalk Radio Thursday, December 4 at 10AM EST.

Over the last two years, Franchise Interviews has had some of the biggest names in franchising on their weekly radio show as well as some exciting new franchise concepts. This Thursday, December 4 at 10 AM EST, the 10 til 2 franchise opportunity will appear on Franchise Interviews weekly radio show.

10 til 2 is a part-time placement service specializing in placing college-educated professionals in long-term, part-time positions. They are the nation's first staffing service of its kind. Topics discussed will be the following:

• How moms find balance after working in corporate jobs and now have the opportunity to focus more on their families because of 10 til 2.
• Discuss what types of industries 10 til 2 places people. Times are changing - young mothers today are much different than their parents. Why are so many women leaving high power corporate jobs an advanced degrees staying home with their kids?
• The 10 til 2 franchise opportunity
  

Tune in on Thursday, December 4 at 10AM EST to find out more.

You can hear the live and recorded shows by going to FranchiseInterviews.com or BlogTalkRadio.com/Franchise-Interviews

Tips for Selling Your Business

Selling your business? Follow these steps to increase your selling price:

1. Differentiate yourself – If customers see your products as unique and different outside the market, you can sell more at a higher price. If your product is not different, then show customers what makes you different from the rest.
2. Focus on niche markets – Position your products by focusing on specific industries. Pick a niche market that can drive the greatest sales and profitability.
3. Sell unique products – Products that are unique can increase the desire of a buyer and offer protection from the competition.
4. Reinvent yourself – Repackage what you offer to drive sales growth and profitability. Bigger sales = bigger growth and bigger offerings.

FranchiseInterviews Celebrates Anniversary

FranchiseInterviews Reaches Milestone Celebrating Two Years and Their 100th Franchise Radio Show

Almost two years ago, Franchise Interviews launched their first national radio show. Their mission in creating the show was to introduce and educate aspiring entrepreneurs on franchising. Using a grass roots marketing approach, they have been able to generate thousands of visitors to our website FranchiseInterviews.com as well as thousands of listeners and subscribers to our weekly franchise radio show and franchise newsletter.

Since starting the show, they have received dozens of accolades.

Franchise Times magazine featured a two-page story in their November/December 2007 edition on our weekly franchise radio show.

• Rush on Business called Franchise Interviews “A Sound Resource” in their August 15, 2007 edition.
• Small Business Trends Radio stated, “Franchise Interviews…. The content is great. The range of topics covered is broad and comprehensive ranging from the beginner to franchising to the multi-location master franchiser.”
• Eastern Pennsylvania Business Journal interviewed the hosts on several occasions as experts in the topic of franchising.
• Karol Mercurio, consultant for Matchpoint, stated, “Being part of Franchise interviews was such a wonderful and positive experience for me. The information provided to the listeners who are thinking about business ownership or are currently engaged in the due diligence process is incredibly valuable. You provide your listeners with a wealth of information that will help them determine if franchising is the right path to explore or perhaps being self-employed is not an option and they should continue working on their careers.”

On Thursday, November 20 at 10AM EST, Don Johnson and Marty McDermott will discuss the last two years. They will talk about highlights from the last 100 shows, what they learned, what is ahead for the next two years and even some funny moments from the show. You will also here clips from legends in franchising like:

• Jim Rudolph, CEO of Rita’s Water Ice franchise opportunity
• The legendary Michael Gerber
• Hall of fame speaker Warren Greshes
• John Hewitt, founder of Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax franchise opportunity
• George Naddaff, founder of Boston Market franchise opportunity
• Kevin Hein, one of the top franchise attorneys in the country.

Marty McDermott, the President of Franchise Interviews state, “It is so exciting to reach this milestone. We have listeners from all over North America including the world. It is a wonderful feeling to have made a positive impact on the franchise community.”

Don’t miss this two-hour special of Franchise Interviews Thursday, November 20 starting at 10AM EST! You can hear live and recorded shows by simply going to http://www.franchiseinterviews.com or our show page on BlogTalkRadio.com http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Franchise-Interviews