From School Teacher and Engineer to Franchise Business Owner

At Fibrenew we are big on supporting one another. In doing that, we would like to share spotlight interviews with our existing Franchises. Today we are looking at Mark Canon and his Fibrenew Franchise in South Orlando, Florida.

Mark joined the Fibrenew family in May of 2012. Coming to Fibrenew from a varied background; he was a Math and Science school teacher in his early to mid 20’s before returning to school and pursuing an engineering degree. Mark worked as a power systems engineer for 12 years before finding the Fibrenew opportunity.

One of the reasons Mark was drawn to Fibrenew was the freedom to control his own destiny and the ability work his own hours. Setting his own hours was important for two reasons. One, the heat and humidity of Florida has Mark out the door so he can complete projects early in the mornings and spend the hot afternoons making follow up calls and knocking on doors to build new connections. The second reason was his children, Mark likes that he is able to be available for school activities, sports, doctors appointments and other things related to his two children. He also appreciates that he does not spend a lot of time behind a desk.

Right now it is just Mark running his Franchise and for now he enjoys it that way, he likes the physical hands-on work that Fibrenew requires. He is not ruling out the potential for a technician down the road, but right now he enjoys working the Franchise alone. “It is good exercise” Mark jokes. He hopes to continue to see his franchise grow, particularly within the small specialty car industry, doing warranty work for local Orlando furniture shops and he would love to add some aviation plastic work to his consistent business… continue reading!

 

 

A Successful Fibrenew Franchise Owner Balances Work and Home Life

At Fibrenew, we are big on supporting one another. In doing that, we would like to share spotlight interviews with our franchisees. Today we are looking at Ann Benes and her Fibrenew Lincoln Franchise in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Ann and her family were looking for a small business franchise opportunity that would help supplement their farming income. Ann’s husband Pat was initially going to be the one running the business. The plan was to use the flexibility of owning and operating a Fibrenew franchise while he continued to operate the family farm. However, over 13 years later, Fibrenew Lincoln is now operated by Ann while Pat works the farm full time. The flexibility factor is still a huge perk for their family as Ann is able to work around the kids’ school and extra curricular schedules and still have plenty of extra family time.

A typical day has Ann seeing her children off to school in the morning before taking her Fibrenew vehicle out to complete various types of Fibrenew leather, plastic and vinyl repairs for her customers in and around Lincoln. Ann structures her schedule so she’s able to be home shortly after her children arrive home from school. This is when she tackles the day’s paperwork and answers emails and return phone calls. For now, it is a successful framework. When asked what the future holds for the Franchise, Ann says she just takes it year by year. As with any small business owner, their goal each year is to see growth. Down the road, one of their children may want to take part in operation or they will look at the possibility of selling the business . . . Read More!

What Goes With Leather Furniture?

If that hide-covered sofa is making you seek decorating solutions, we’ve got just the pairings for you.

Leather chairs, sofas and ottomans tend to be big, comfy and classic — no wonder they’re a popular choice for living room furniture. But too much bulky leather upholstery can make a space look dark, heavy or just … boring. Wondering what to put with all of that brown or black leather? These ideas should help.

Photo by Taylor Jacobson Interior Design – Look for transitional family room design inspiration

1. Rich painted walls and a Moroccan rug. Peacock blue is a bold (but highly livable) choice for walls, especially in a smaller room — the intense hue enhances and uplifts dark leather pieces. Pair it with a goes-with-anything Moroccan rug, an organic wood table and a gallery wall.

Photo by Cory Connor Designs – Browse transitional living room ideas

If you have wood bookcases or cabinetry in the room, consider painting these pieces to match the walls. Or, for a subtler effect, paint only the backs of the bookcases or the interiors of the cabinets.

Wild card: peacock blue and orange. Take rich peacock-blue walls up a notch by adding contrasting Hermès-orange accents. Try a pair of footstools or X-benches, or furnish a window seat with bold orange cushions, as shown here.

Photo by Morrison Homes – Look for contemporary living room pictures

2. Black, gray and texture. To keep things interesting in a neutral space, it helps to really play up texture and shine. Try smoky mirrored or reflective furniture (or a mirror on the wall); a soft, low-pile rug; and a plush faux-fur throw. Shades of gray, black and white make easy partners for a brown leather sofa. . . continue reading!

Fibrenew Latest Franchisees!

Congratulations to our latest Franchisees! Back home today from training in Calgary. Wishing you all the best with your new business. We’re here to support you all the way! For more information on how you can join our Fibrenew Franchise visit us at Fibrenew Franchising

Pictured left to right from top row:
Jim Eng – Fibrenew Firelands (Ohio)
Brian Kagebein – Fibrenew Woodstock-Kenosha (Illinois)
Sy Santos – Fibrenew Layton (Utah)
Evan Friemel – Fibrenew Amarillo (Texas)
Steve Bugg – Fibrenew Clear Lake (Texas)
Patricia Kagebein – Fibrenew Woodstock-Kenosha (Illinois)
Anne Friemel – Fibrenew Amarillo (Texas)
Dean Carroll – Fibrenew Australia
Randy Fuller – Fibrenew Central San Diego (California)
Luis Moraga – Fibrenew Australia

Reblog: An Adventure Every Day: Fibrenew Tampa Franchisee is Living His Dream

Sam Torres had high hopes for his family’s financial future, despite being massively underemployed during an economic recession of 2008. He knew he was smart. He knew he was a hard worker. He knew his strength was connecting with people and solving their problems. So when he and his wife Penny came across the opportunity to own a Fibrenew franchise, they pounced.

Opening Fibrenew Tampa was the best decision the couple has made. Even through the struggling economy they worked diligently at forming a customer foundation that has grown steadily through every economic high and low. The franchise has not only provided Torres with a job for the past nine years, but has exceeded their financial goals, allowing the family a relaxed, comfortable lifestyle. “My wife said I am never allowed to give the business up!” Torres laughs.

Being a Fibrenew franchisee suits Torres well. “What I do for a living is not ordinary. It’s like an adventure every day,” he grins. His daily adventures include appointments with clients from a variety of industries: from moving companies and furniture stores to warranty companies and marinas. Fibrenew Tampa has been so accomplished with its performance Torres recently added Tesla to his client list. The secret to his success? “People skills,” he says. “If people like you, it makes them more comfortable.” continue reading!

From Banker to Business Owner – Fibrenew Franchisee Takes Charge

Josh Colwell admits he felt stuck in his former career. As a banking professional, his days were habitual, standardized routines where he was confined to his office. “I enjoy people, but the banking system isn’t really about that,” he explains. For 10 years he plugged along, supporting his wife as she started her online retail business. Colwell looked here and there for new opportunities that would allow for more interaction with people, and after reconnecting with an old friend he finally found what he was looking for.

Daniel Sheetz owned a thriving Fibrenew franchise and invited Colwell to join the business as his technician. Wanting to return to his farming background, Sheetz was looking for someone with passion and drive to take over Fibrenew Central Iowa as leader in leather, plastic and vinyl restoration. Colwell found the hands-on, creative problem solving elements of his technician’s role as a welcome surprise. “It was something that was missing from my day-to-day life. I really enjoyed it.”
fibrenew mobile franchise vehicleTen months into his technician’s role, Colwell purchased the business. “It was the right time. I knew it was an opportunity that doesn’t come along often, so I figured, ‘Let’s go.’” With the support of his wife, he has earnestly embraced his new role as entrepreneur, setting — and achieving — high standards for his Fibrenew Central Iowa franchise. The quality of the brand is something Colwell takes pride in being part of. “I am a big believer in our products and what we do. The [Fibrenew] trainers and support team help push me to another level of proficiency and raise my standards.” read more!

Fibrenew’s Commitment To The Environment

Long before the marketing departments of many large corporations touted their green nature, Fibrenew was playing its part to help save the environment. The mobile service company, which was founded in 1987, specializes in restoring damaged leather, plastic and vinyl. The company’s service helps save thousands of items from ending up in landfills each year.

“It’s win win.” says the company’s CEO, Michael Wilson. “We have built our business by offering a service that everyone needs. There is leather, plastic and vinyl everywhere that becomes damaged at some point in its lifecycle. Its in homes, offices, clinics, hospitals, boats, planes, trains and automobiles, you name it. Fibrenew helps customers save money, time and the environment by restoring damaged items and we make a living doing it. Everybody wins.” . . . read more!

Fibrenew Conventions, Seminars & Workshops

Fibrenew offers live training and meetings on a regular basis and requires all franchise owners to attend. Besides their educational value, these conventions, seminars and workshops offer everyone an opportunity to meet, network and share valuable business experiences. More on http://www.fibrenew-franchising.com.

All Fibrenew franchisees are trained at our Calgary, AB training center. The 2 week training session is conducted by seasoned technicians who have all owned and operated their own Fibrenew Franchise. All told, our instructors have over over 50 years of combined knowledge.

Ultimate Guide To Leather Infographic

Leather is practically everywhere nowadays. Aside from its outstanding reputation in fashion and furniture, it’s also well-known in a variety of industries from home decor and footwear to sports and aviation.

This infographic illustrates the many fascinating uses of leather that we encounter everyday. It likewise shows the best animal sources for leather and the best products that can be manufactured out of them. Fun and informative, this material will show you how leather is utilized not only in fashion, but in other trades like home furnishing and production of sports equipment, as well. Know more about leather and visit us at http://www.fibrenew-franchising.com – Best Franchise Business Opportunity.

Source: Ultimate Guide To Leather Infographic

 

Reblog: 20 Years in Business and Still Growing

At Fibrenew, we are big on supporting one another. In doing that, we would like to share spotlight interviews with our franchisees. Today we are looking at Dan Hoffman and his Fibrenew franchise in Portland, Oregon.

Dan has been a part of the Fibrenew family since 1995. Born into a family of mechanics, the automotive industry seemed a likely fit for Dan. But after spending some time as a paramedic/firefighter, he opted to start his own low cost franchise at Fibrenew Franchise. Today, Fibrenew Portland is a multi-unit business with a hired technician, Dan’s son, and Dan himself. In the next 5-7 years, once his son is done school, his plan is to add more technicians and expand his business. Even after 20 years of operation in the Portland market, Dan recognizes that there is still plenty of room to grow.

Dan says one of the reasons he selected Fibrenew was the quality of leather, plastic and vinyl restoration products and the proven franchise business model. That and the flexibility of being an owner / operator and what that meant for his family’s lifestyle.

His most memorable project to-date has been the restoration and custom leather dye job of the seats of an older model Lamborghini Diablo. The customer requested a very specific dye pattern of a fade from neon yellow to neon green to neon blue with blue trim. It was a time consuming job but both he and the customer were satisfied with a job well done. It is those satisfied customers and their word-of-mouth referrals that have helped build Dan’s business.

Dan’s advice to anyone looking at starting their own Fibrenew franchise; count on at least two years of hard work in building your customer base. Once that is established, the many rewards of owning and operating a successful franchise business will take shape.

On top of Dan’s commitment to his Fibrenew franchise and family is his commitment to his personal health and wellbeing. Dan starts each and every day with 90-120 minutes in the gym, in addition to being conscientious about what he eats and drinks all day.

If you are in need of leather, plastic or vinyl restoration in the Portland, Oregon area, contact Dan Hoffman: www.fibrenew.com/portland