(This is a guest post from Joel Libava. Joel helps Spring-Green with marketing, and was the first person to start a franchise business-related blog focused on military veterans)
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Spring-Green Lawn Care corporate headquarters is always abuzz on Veteran's Day. Part of it has to do with Spring-Green's chairman, Tom Hofer. You see, Tom was in the Navy. He was a pilot for 5 years during the Vietnam War...
I think that Tom's military experience has helped him in business throughout the years.
I think Tom agreed;
"Those who have spent time in the military have the discipline to follow a proven formula for performance, the willingness to work hard and a strong belief in core values," said Hofer. "The other intangible that veterans offer is the ability to make decisions: They have not only been trained to follow the rules and regulations of a system, but also how to react."
Tom Hofer was featured on Fox Business News last year, for a story about Veteran's Day that Fox was doing-as it related to small business. please watch this short video-interview;
Tom's a proud guy. Humble, too. I know. I've met him.
I visited Spring-Green franchise headquarters last year. I wanted to get a feel for the company, first-hand. (I had worked with them in the past, but never had the chance to see the operation in person.)
I was able to spend time with the executive team. Folks; they're focused. Focused on what, you might be wondering?
The Spring-Green franchise team is focused on winning.
They really want their franchisees to win. In the franchise world, winning means that they want their franchisees to break-even quickly, and be very profitable. That's a good thing for a franchisor to focus on.
Hofer wanted to make it easier for veterans to either get their start in, or return to the business world, but understood that a corporate environment may not be the best fit. He felt that the strong work ethic the military created made veterans the ideal candidates to grow the Spring-Green franchise system. His military background played an integral role in Spring-Green's participation in VetFran, a subsidy program offered through the International Franchise Association that aids veterans in buying a franchise. Through VetFran, the company will apply up to $15,000 of the initial franchise fee toward start-up expenses designated or approved by the company.
If you're looking to go into franchise ownership, find out what the executives at the franchise you're considering are focused on, and then ask them for some specific examples of what they shared with you. It's where the rubber hits the road.
Franchises for Vets
A couple of years ago, I came up with an idea. As I observed websites and blogs related to franchising being started on an almost weekly basis, I always felt that there was one thing missing; a focus on Military Veterans. The VetFran initiative was in full swing, so that was one online property focused on Vets that were interested in the idea at least, of owning a franchise. But, there wasn't really a place in which real issues regarding franchise ownership options for Veterans was being published.
So, I created one; The Franchise Blog 4 Vets.
If you're a Military Veteran, or an active member of the Military, and you're even remotely interested in the idea of someday owning a franchise, go to The Franchise Blog 4 Vets, and grab a copy of my popular eBook, "How To Carefully Select a Franchise." Today only, (Veteran's Day, 2010) it's Free for Military Veterans and active duty Military personnel. (It normally sells for $77.) It's my gift to you. Thanks for all you do, and all you did, to preserve my freedom.
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This post is really about our Veterans, and as I said, the charman of the board of Spring-Green is a Veteran himself. Here's his Veteran's Day message;
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My military service was a long time ago; so long ago that today it doesn’t even seem real. I seldom think about that time in my life anymore, but each year on Veterans Day I remember what military service really means.
While there are many different forms of military service, military families typically experience long periods of time separated from their loved ones. Like many people who have served in the military, I endured a lengthy separation from my family. However, unlike many military veterans I did not experience the true horrors of war. My life was not threatened on a daily basis, I was not wounded, I was not permanently disabled, I was not a prisoner of war, I did not lose my life.
Veterans Day is to honor military people and their families. I am proud of my military service, but I am much more proud of the men and women who have experienced military life on an entirely different level. They are the ones who have truly sacrificed for their country, and they are the ones who deserve our sincere gratitude.
Like most Americans, I take our way of life for granted. However, on Veterans Day I am reminded that freedom is not free and I thank those who have sacrificed for all of us.
- Tom Hofer, November 11th, 2010
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The entire staff at Spring-Green Lawn Care salutes our Veterans.
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