Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue III, 2012 | Page 26

MVP 2012

PERSONAL
Key accomplishments: Opened six successful, profitable, stores in eight
years in a midsized market that employ approximately 100 people. Developed
a comprehensive database for managing customer contact, marketing, catering, invoicing, and numerous other aspects of our business. Donated life-saving
equipment to three Greater Columbia fire departments (Irmo, West Columbia,
and Columbia) and to one private school through the Firehouse Subs Public
Safety Foundation. Recognized as Firehouse Subs National Franchisee of the
Year runner-up, 2004; and Firehouse Subs National Franchisee of the Year,
2006. Achieved regional recognition from Firehouse Subs for the highest percentage of catering sales in a store and largest percentage comp sales improvement (both in 2011). And 2012 MVP Award Winner for Innovation, Multi-Unit
Franchisee magazine.
Biggest mistake: Having too much patience and taking too long to dismiss
employees who don’t meet (or who are slow to meet) expectations, in the
hope that additional efforts to develop them will pay off. This very rarely works.
Smartest mistake: Our failure to explore other concepts when deciding to
invest in Firehouse Subs turned out to be a positive. We’re thrilled that we’re
with Firehouse. Had we considered other options, we might never have had the
success we’ve enjoyed with this brand.
How do you spend a typical day? 6 to 8 a.m.: email, sales analysis,
planning; 8 to 11 a.m.: marketing, invoicing, vendor coordination and payments,
GM communications; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: catering and support within stores as
needed; 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.: meetings, planning and administrative tasks.
Work week: Typically 5 to 6 full days.
Favorite fun activities: Reading, visiting with family, developing our business.
Exercise/workout: Mainly walking.

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Multi-Unit Franchisee Is s ue III, 2012

Favorite tech toys: Computer, smartphone, and Kindle. Filemaker Pro Software used to refine the database we developed for managing our business.
What are you reading? Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell; reread of
Good to Great by Jim Collins; Filemaker Pro 11 by Susan Prosser and Stuart
Gripman.
Do you have a favorite quote/advice? “If everything is going well,
you’ve obviously overlooked something.” Never assume you have everything
under control or that all is well. There is always room for improvement and
always opportunity to avoid or minimize the consequences of adverse future circumstances. Other favorites: “Those chains that bind us most tightly are those
that we fashion for ourselves;” “You are what you think and what you think is
what you do;” and “Something is infinitely better than nothing.”
Best advice you ever got: Follow your bliss. Do what inspires and captivates you.
Formative influences/events: 1) Growing up in sound families that
were focused on family and community. 2) Meeting as future husband and
wife over 40 years ago. 3) Working closely with our graduate school professors
and becoming a part of the professional networks they opened to us. 4) Gaining breakthrough employment opportunities at different junctures in our “first
careers.” 5) Successfully pursuing related first careers in different venues (Judy
in business, Charlie in higher education and consulting) allowed us to combine
skill sets and experiences useful in the formation of our own company.
How do you balance life and work? Life and work are well integrated.
We are a husband-and-wife team with strengths that complement one another.
We enjoy our “work” and find it fun, challenging, and full of opportunities for
learning and growing as a couple and as individuals.