New Ownership, New Outlook for Fibrenew Saskatoon

Everybody dreams about being their own boss and implementing the business values and missions that are important to the quality of work they perform. Why spend a lifetime making someone else’s company successful when you can invest that time and effort into your own future? Mike Taylor recently made his dream a reality when he took over Fibrenew Saskatoon, injecting new life into the city’s mobile restoration and repair service for leather, plastic and vinyl.

Taylor’s style of management and his evolving vision will no doubt create new partnerships for his business within the vast array of markets available. As a former journeyman automotive technician and service manager, he often felt stuck with his inability to implement business growth for his former employer. “Being my own boss is a big thing,” he explains. Prior to purchasing the Fibrenew Saskatoon franchise, he thought about how his hands-on skills and expansion ideas could be put to concrete use. “I had heard of Fibrenew, so [when the Saskatoon franchise became available] I knew I could make it my own and grow it the way I wanted. I see a ton of potential out there. This is my business, not my job.”

Taylor has been actively pursuing the previously untapped market in his city and expanding the existing client base. Currently, Fibrenew Saskatoon successfully completes a good mixture of furniture repairs and RV interior restoration. Taylor states he’s the “one-stop guy” to turn to, with plans of growing his vinyl siding services this spring.

His vision not limited to the here and now, Taylor is already hard at work fulfilling his five-year goal. He foresees two or three Fibrenew technicians assisting him, with his main role being mostly administrative where he can keep planning and implementing the revenue-generating visions he has for his business. Taylor currently has a home shop where he completes a portion of his contracts (“I still do on-the-spot jobs, as well.”) but plans on eventually establishing a Fibrenew Saskatoon store front.

Taylor’s entry into the Fibrenew brand was unique in that he has taken over an existing franchise and worked directly with the Fibrenew Development Team during the transition. He sees nothing but growth from his current standpoint. “I knew it’d be long days and many nerve wracking hours,” he admits. “But it’s different than working for someone else. If my wife, Violet, wasn’t helping me with the books,
I’d be losing my mind!” he laughs. “And I can see her getting more involved sometime soon — she’s very artistic.”

Between maintaining a new business and maintaining a personal life, Taylor says he and his wife are both committed to fitness through Cross-Fit and exercising with their dogs. He also dabbles in old-car restoration, such as his ongoing ’52 Bel Air hard-top restoration project. In the meantime, as he introduces his new business to the City of Saskatoon, Taylor emphasizes, “It’s a new Fibrenew. I stand behind my quality and my integrity.”

Source: New Ownership, New Outlook for Fibrenew Saskatoon

Frank Says: Save Your Hair, Change Your Career

“I wish I would have started this 10 years ago,” says Frank Costantino. The ‘this’ he’s referring to is his own business — Fibrenew Pittsburgh East. “I’d probably have a lot more hair, and less grey! I am so much happier now.”

Costantino purchased part of an existing Fibrenew territory from fellow franchisee Jeff Hecker. Owning his own leather, plastic and vinyl mobile restoration service has been a life saver for Costantino. Prior to joining the Fibrenew family he had worked for a data centre, on-call 24/7, 365 days a year. Recalling how stressful that was, Costantino says, “I have three young boys who are very athletic. So being out with them at a rink and getting a call saying I had to go in to work… it really took a toll. I was looking for a better quality of life and spending time with my family.”

But today? How are things going with the Costantino family? “It’s been a complete lifestyle change. My wife told me the boys say I’m a lot happier with my new job,” he grins. “Less stress, and more time to get home to them and relax or go skiing.”

The reason why he had to change his job is apparent. But why Fibrenew? Costantino admits he first considered investing in a manger-run franchise, but when he started adding up the costs for renting a brick and mortar building, hiring employees and paying franchise fees, he was turned off. He started researching the possibility of a Fibrenew franchise, and immediately appreciated it being a mobile business with low start-up costs and a minimal monthly fee. “I enjoy that the franchise fee is set and not based on how much I’m making,” he explains. “Plus, [Fibrenew head office] is there if I need. I can run my own business and still have support systems available in the background.”

To get Fibrenew Pittsburgh East off the ground, Costantino completed the Fibrenew Training Program in Calgary. “The training facility is top-of-the-line!” he says. “Everything was available and open 24/7 while we were there.” He’s also kept in close contact with Hecker, who he did his ride day with in the very beginning. “Jeff, Jennifer and Manni (fellow neighboring franchisees) have been very helpful,” he acknowledges, also adding that Hecker often sends referrals his way still today. “He helped me hit the ground running.”

A typical day for Fibrenew Pittsburgh Easy is pretty busy — Costantino estimates about 15 to 25 jobs a week at the moment, consisting of an existing contract with a large local furniture supplier and several other contracts he’s acquired from his regular cold calls. “Two weeks after training, since then it’s been pretty steady!” he says. “I still don’t know for sure how large of a customer base we have here — pretty much everyone I talk to in some way could be a customer of mine! There are endless possibilities. As much as you put into it, you get out of it.”

Source: Save Your Hair, Change Your Career

Fibrenew Named a 2017 Top Franchise by Franchise Business Review

Independent Survey Shows Franchise Owners Are Highly Satisfied with Fibrenew’s Performance

Franchise Business Review, a national franchise market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction, provides the only rankings of franchises based solely on actual franchisee satisfaction and performance.

Fibrenew is a market leader in the restoration of leather, plastic and vinyl. The niche service franchise operates as home-based, mobile operation that caters to the aviation, automotive, commercial, marine, medical and residential markets.

What The Survey Results Showed:

More of the story here and watch the survey explained: http://bit.ly/2kLh1xZ

After Leaving Corporate America, The Sky’s The Limit

That’s exactly how Mike Ozmon sees the potential with the new business venture he started with his wife Kristin: Fibrenew South Knoxville. He’s a recent graduate of the leather, plastic and vinyl restoration company’s extensive training program in Calgary, and has been working diligently at establishing his franchise as market leader in the Knoxville area. Prior to becoming a Fibrenew franchisee, Ozmon invested years with a national communications company, working positions from technician to maintenance. But something was missing. “Corporate America has changed so much that it seemed everywhere I went I was just a number, completely expendable,” he explains. “I was determined to secure the future for my wife and I and have more leeway in which direction we’re going.”

Ozmon has already set up his day-to-day operations with the precision of a seasoned business owner. He regularly works on the Fibrenew Apprenticeship Program Training each morning before heading out for face-to-face calls with new and potential clients. When he’s back in the office he’s researching prospects in the area who will benefit from his specialized services in repairing and restoring leather, plastic and vinyl products.

With a large market share (Chattanooga and Memphis being two to three hours away in either direction) Ozmon sees nothing but potential for his new enterprise. “McGhee Tyson airport is fairly large, and we have four or five smaller airports in the area,” he says. “And boating galore — we have lots of lakes, the Tennessee River and Douglas Lake, so lots of potential with marinas in the spring.” To add to Ozmon’s growing list of potential air and marine clients are the numerous medical and commercial operations in the vicinity.

Right now, Ozmon is preparing Fibrenew South Knoxville for exponential growth, and has forecasted his wife, Kristin, to soon join the team full time as office manager, freeing up more face-to-face contact for Ozmon and their clients...more on the interview here!