Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue II, 2013 | Page 32

M U L T I - B R A N D
By Debbie Selinsky

No Turning Back

Former ski coach races to top-earning status in franchising

W

hen Jim Fitlow skis, he goes
at it full tilt. In fact, one of
his favorite quips is, “Turning
is highly overrated.”
Now the former ski racing coach and
his partner Mike Allen are applying that
same “go big or go home” philosophy as
multi-brand, multi-unit franchisees for
Re-Bath, Floor Coverings International,
and HomeStory Doors & More, all in
Utah and Colorado.
Fitlow, born in Florida, was raised in
Michigan where the ski bug bit him at
a young age. He met Allen later, in college at Montana State University. When
Fitlow got out of ski race coaching—“I
enjoyed it and had some success with
that for a few years,” he says—he began

PERSONAL
First job: After college, I was a ski racing coach.
Formative influences/events: When I was done with coaching, I knew
I liked the area and needed to do something else. My family had always had
small businesses going on, so I was influenced by their entrepreneurial spirit.
Key accomplishments: Getting married and having kids. From a business
perspective, it was big when we moved beyond the DIY business to building a
company. We’re still small, but we’re not a mom-and-pop operation.
Biggest mistake: Our biggest mistake was probably growing too fast without a well-established infrastructure.
Smartest mistake: Starting the business.
Decision I wish I could do over: I wish I’d focused on cash reserves during our growth phases instead of assuming the run would always be there.
Work week: My role has changed since my partner Mike and I have team
members who have been with us long enough to handle their work without
constant oversight. So I guess I’ve moved from a 24/7 work week to a “whatever’s needed” work week. I’m also working at home three days a week and
working in the office two days.
How do you spend a typical day? I don’t deal with fires much anymore. My typical day is a lot on the strategy side, working with franchisors. I’m
on some committees and boards so I spend time on that. Then I’m looking at
marketing, accounting, and reviewing reports, looking for ways to tweak things
for the better.

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Multi-Unit Franchisee Is s ue II, 2013

Favorite fun activities: Skiing, mountain biking, camping, hockey.
Exercise/workout: I started cross-fit a year ago.
Favorite tech toys: I don’t like any of them—I’m on them too much.
What are you reading? I’m usually looking at a business book or magazine. The problem with the digital age is that we spend so much time reading
all day, the last thing I want to do at night is stare at a screen or book.
Do you have a favorite quote? Turning is overrated (yes, that’s a skiing
reference).
Best advice you ever got: Say “Yes, dear.”
What gets you out of bed in the morning? The challenge.
What’s your passion in business? At this point, it’s to make a lot of
money. We want to be the highest income Re-Bath franchise in the country
ins FVB