Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue III, 2014 | Page 40

2014 MVP AWARDS

“My ultimate goal is to have people
in place to run my companies while I teach
business and sales to others.”
area market. He now has three Pirtek units, along with his
three Snap-On units.
“Jim continues to grow with Pirtek and has been a true
asset to our franchise organization,” says Gwyn O’Kane, vice
president of franchise development at Pirtek. “He works with
the corporate team on projects to improve the system and has
spent weeks onsite at other Pirtek centers across the country
to help fellow owners with their businesses. He understands
his success is also dependent on other owners, and with his
general franchising experience has become a great mentor
to the Pirtek system.”
While Lager will continue to grow his business, he’s also
looking ahead with another plan in mind. “In 10 years, I
want to be at $10 million-plus in sales, but my ultimate goal
is to have people in place to run my companies while I teach
business and sales to others,” he says. “I like to teach, but
teaching doesn’t pay well, so I do it because it feels good.”

MANAGEMENT
Business philosophy: Never say no, or least try really hard not to.
Management method or style: Laid back and open-door.
Greatest challenge: I have just recently learned how to tackle my greatest challenge, and that is to live for today and to take enough time to smell
the roses. It’s hard to do that and be self-employed at the same time.
How do others describe you? Easy to approach and easy to talk to.

BOTTOM LINE
Annual revenue: $5 million.
2014 goals: I’m considering growing outside Texas, perhaps in California
or Florida.
Growth meter: How do you measure your growth? Revenue and
profit.
Vision meter: Where do you want to be in 5 years? In 10
years? I want to be at over $10 million in sales, but my ultimate goal is to
have people in place to run my companies while I teach business and sales
to others.
What are you doing to take care of your employees? My goal is
to give my employees a career, not just a job.
What kind of exit strategy do you have in place? I have key
people that I want to eventually take over my business and will likely implement a plan over time with them.

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MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE IS S UE III, 2014

PERSONAL
Formative influences/events: Usually my failures have led to my best
successes. I try to learn and improve all the time from my mistakes.
Key accomplishments: I am good at taking lousy businesses and turning
them into something, and I have had a few experiences where I have helped
failing franchises turn around, grow, and become some of the best franchises
in the area.
Work week: It varies, but I never stop thinking and dreaming.
What are you reading? Unfortunately, I’m so busy righ