Female Founders
the right positions and then letting them
go with guidance and direction, as needed.
I don’t keep people in ill-suited positions
for too long.
What is the key to your company’s
success? Hartnett: All in the company
sharing a commitment to the highest
standard of excellence—headquarters
staff, franchise owners, and their staff—
everyone sharing this commitment and
passion. Rogers: 1) the people involved in
the company—franchise owners, teachers,
and staff; and 2) a great program that’s fun,
educational, and always new!
BEING FEMALE
Was being female an advantage or
disadvantage for you in building your
company? How? Hartnett: Our franchise
system consists mainly of women. I think
this provided us great common ground to
begin our relationship with our owners.
They are often stepping into business for
the first time, and we can relate to their
challenges as women. Rogers: Perhaps
an advantage because most of the people
who purchase the Abrakadoodle franchise
are women, and we can identify with the
challenges they face in building a business
while juggling personal and family issues.
Have you found specific advantages
or disadvantages to being a woman
business owner? Hartnett: Women often make great multi-taskers, a good skill
to have when you run a business. Rogers:
I feel that women have an advantage in
businesses that thrive on building relationships, such as Abrakadoodle. Our
franchise owners build relationships with
people in schools and other community
locations. Also, there are a lot of organizations devoted to helping other women in
business such as the National Association
of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
and the Women’s Franchise Network. A
distinct disadvantage is that women are not
always invited to the table to participate
on boards and other influential venues.
Less-qualified men are often chosen over
highly talented women.
What has been your biggest challenge as a woman entrepreneur?
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Hartnett: Time management! Juggling
all the balls—a family with 3 children
and running a business. Rogers: Making
everything work well—business, family,
and other obligations.
Why do you think there are fewer
start-ups with female founders than
male ones? Rogers: Really? There are
conflicting reports on this. I think that
women start smaller businesses than men.
They are more likely to start small and build
rather than to raise money and start a business on a grander scale. Hartnett: Mmm…
I know quite a few women who are the
founders of their companies! Women, in
general, however, I would say tend to be
more risk-averse.
What do you think is the biggest issue for women in the workplace?
Hartnett: Being paid equally as their male
counterparts and building confidence in
their abilities. Rogers: Equal pay for equal
work. It’s crazy that we are still talking
about this.
From a woman’s perspective, what
notable changes have you seen for
women in franchising since starting
your brand? Hartnett: There are more
women envisioning themselves in and
achieving leadership roles than when we
started in franchising. The fact that so many
of our women leaders in franchising are
committed to mentoring other women has
and will continue to grow female leadership. Rogers: There are longer lines in the
restrooms at conferences. Yes, there are a
lot more women in franchising companies
than when I started my career in franchising. And they are savvy and taking strong
leadership roles in the industry.
Which female leaders do you admire?
Why? Hartnett: My business partner,
Mary Rogers, who has provided great vision, friendship, and collaboration. She
also has the best laugh you’ve ever heard!
Kathryn Morgan of the IFA Educational
Foundation and Jan Muhleman at re:group
have served on our board of advisors and
offered invaluable counsel over the years.
Women like Dina Dwyer-Owens of The
Dwyer Group, Melanie Bergeron at Two
Men and a Truck, and Karen Powell of
Decor&You have been longtime colleagues
and friends who have shared their time,
experiences, learning, and offered great
examples in leadership. Rogers: Kathryn
Morgan, who is wise, thoughtful, and fun.
Rosemarie Hartnett of Abrakadoodle, who
is a skilled communicator, steady, focused,
and funny. And Jan Muhleman, who is a
quiet force in the world of marketing, very
innovative and smart.
Has mentorship made a difference in
your professional and personal life?
How? Hartnett: It is so very important to
be open to different perspectives and feedback. It is instrumental in helping you see
the opportunities and different solutions to
challenges for your brand, as well as your
personal life. To surround yourself with
positive and talented people you trust—
and who won’t hesitate to sometimes “save
you from yourself”—is invaluable. Rogers:
We have been so fortunate to have a very
strong board of advisors. They are always
ready to offer their perspective and advice.
They bring wisdom, experience, and encouragement. I’ve been fortunate to have
friends and family who offer their support
and do not hesitate to let me know what
I need to hear.
Are you involved in any female entrepreneur organizations? Hartnett: Yes,
I am co-chair of the IFA’s Women’s Franchise Network in my area, and a longtime
supporter of the IFA’s Women’s Franchise
Committee. Rogers: NAWBO, and the
Women’s Franchise Network.
PERSONAL
What does your typical day look like?
Rogers: Busy. Hartnett: Very busy.
How do you maintain a work/life balance? Hartnett: I’m still working on this
one, but I do try to emulate role models
who I think do a good job at this. Rogers:
I like hard cider. Seriously, it’s not a big
issue now that I’m an empty nester.
What are your top 5 favorite things to
do? Hartnett: Learn new things, travel to
interesting places, explore museums, and
wander... I just love to wander. As J.R.R.
Tolkien said, “Not all those who wander
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