Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue III, 2013 | Page 39

2013 MVP By Debbie Selinsky System-atic Success Spencer Smith is fully on board with both his franchisors S ometimes leaders gain followers by being flashy and charismatic. And sometimes role models are people like Spencer Smith, a soft-spoken multiunit, multi-brand franchisee who has earned his success by following “the program” and the Golden Rule. The 2013 winner of Multi-Unit Franchisee magazine’s Role Model MVP Award, he says following the program is a simple, yet powerful concept. “Years ago, I read an article about franchising and some of the mistakes people make,” says Smith, who opened 39 Aaron’s and two Big O Tires stores across 8 western states—all in under 9 years. “I gleaned from that article that when you buy into a franchise, you’re buying into doing business that particular way. If you have to be a maverick and reinvent the wheel all the time, both you and the franchisor will be frustrated. When I look at a potential franchise, I ask myself: ‘Am Name: Spencer Smith Title: President and CEO Company: Smith Group No. of units: 39 Aaron’s, 2 Big O Tires Age: 40 Family: Five children, 3 to 14, and an amazing wife who makes it all work Years in franchising: 12 Years in current position: 12 Multi-Unit Franchisee Is s u e III, 2013  37