Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue IV, 2016 | Page 26

D OM I N A T O R S
BY DEBBIE SELINSKY

Baked in Success
M

Mara Fortin for the defense—of franchising!

ara Fortin wears many hats as a
Nothing Bundt Cakes franchisee:
taste-testing in one of her seven
San Diego–area stores, meeting
with local business owners, advocating
before Congress on issues of concern to
franchisees and small-business owners,
and mentoring young women.
A single mother with two pre-teen
daughters, Fortin graduated from law
school at 26 and moved to Las Vegas,
where she defended doctors and nurses in
malpractice cases. After 8 years, she left her
legal practice and, armed with her undergraduate degree in business, relocated to
San Diego to become the first franchisee
of Nothing Bundt Cakes. Today she is the
brand’s largest individual owner in a region
and her stores recently won “Best Dessert”
honors from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
She’s also become a vocal advocate for
franchising. In 2015, the IFA recognized
her work in this area with its second annual Franchise Action Network “FAN of
the Year” award, acknowledging her “consistent voice in speaking to the media and
lawmakers about the recent NLRB joint
employer ruling” and her work to “protect, promote, and enhance” franchising.
Despite the public recognition of her
energy and dedication, getting to where
she is today has not been easy, she says,
dealing with stress generated by working
so many hours, spending too much time

away from her daughters, and tackling the
learning curve that comes with franchising.
“I was the first franchisee for our brand,
have served as chair of the Franchise Advisory Council, and have received the
Outstanding Franchisee (Circle of Honor)
award, but sometimes I still feel the need
to prove myself,” she says. “I tell other
women who want to start in franchising
not to doubt themselves. There’s no reason

they can’t do what they want to do. I tell
them to have confidence—and when the
naysayers come along, listen to the words
they say and pull the nuggets of wisdom
out, but don’t let yourself be surrounded
by negative energy.”
Fortin also advises female franchisees
to seek out female executives as mentors.
“I mentor quite a few young women as
well as my team members. I’m watching

NAME: Mara Fortin
TITLE: Founder, president, owner
COMPANY: MV Kakery, K&K

Kakery

NO. OF UNITS: 7 Nothing Bundt

Cakes

AGE: 43
FAMILY: Daughters Kendall, 12

and Karyn, 10

YEARS IN FRANCHISING: 10
YEARS IN CURRENT POSITION: 10

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MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE IS S UE IV, 2016

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