Franchise Success Story: Lynn & Rick Halpin of Fibrenew Upstate

This month, we caught up with Fibrenew power couple, Lynn and Rick Halpin for a chat. We checked in with the husband and wife team to learn how they got on board as franchise owners back in 2009 and how they’ve been running their business in the mean time. The Halpin’s business took off (despite the downward economy at the time) and has been growing ever since–a true entrepreneurial success story. Lynn and Rick had the option to handpick their preferred location, and chose to open up South Carolina’s first-ever Fibrenew in the Easley area. Easley, just west of Greenville, is one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. The two happily share the wisdom they’ve picked up along their way, and talk about the benefits and flexibility their investment has afforded them. If you’re considering a franchise of any kind, or even joining the Fibrenew family, we invite you to read on!

Finding Fibrenew

Out of university in the 1970s, and armed with a Biology-Chemistry degree, Rick went to work in South Carolina’s booming textile industry. He became a management trainee at a global textile manufacturer, working his way up to VP of Operations, overseeing the North American and Asian markets. The job brought him and the family to many new places; including a stretch of time in beautiful Melbourne, Australia. Years in the field of dyeing and finishing textiles helped him amass ample knowledge of color and color matching. His expertise has been handy, since distinguishing colors is essential to running a successful leather repair business. Though you don’t necessarily need to have 15+ years experience in textiles to run a Fibrenew franchise, it certainly hasn’t hasn’t hurt!

Lynn, started her professional journey in South Carolina as well, working as an Executive Assistant to the VP of Sales and Marketing for a medical-surgical company. She spent much of her time organizing events and conventions, and stayed busy even when the family moved to Australia. They were raising two children at this point, and she cheerfully jokes about being the family’s “tourism director” while abroad. She put her planning and organizational skills to good use volunteering with the philanthropic American Women’s Association, coordinating major fundraisers for the Royal Children’s Hospital. Eventually, they returned to the U.S., taking up residence in Raleigh, North Carolina. At the time, Lynn was the sole-proprietor of a restaurant-advertising business which she was actively managing up until just recently.

“Everybody will need the services of a company like Fibrenew in their life, probably multiple times.”

– Rick Halpin
Franchise Owner, Fibrenew Upstate

Rick was contemplating his next career step, when a colleague asked if he’d ever considered investing in a franchise. They attended to a tradeshow together, and Fibrenew was there. Though Rick looked at other franchises, he kept returning to the Fibrenew business model–as he aptly puts it “Everybody will need the services of a company like Fibrenew in their life, probably multiple times.” One weekend, while Rick was in Calgary for a training session designed for new franchise owners, Lynn was busy back home, working to sell their house. To their delight, it sold immediately after its first showing. It seemed like everything was falling into place, and they took the quick sale of the house as a positive sign about their new direction... more of the interview here!

(Podcast) What Does it Take to Become a Fibrenew Franchisee?

With quick regard on the surface, one might think that a natural transition from the hustle and bustle of corporate America’s IT, communications and sales world into the role of owning a mobile service franchise business specializing in leather, plastic and vinyl restoration does not exist, but JT Thompson proves that assumption wrong.

Thompson is the proud owner / operator of Fibrenew Nashville Metro, a business that is thriving and expanding because of his due diligence, commitment to craftsmanship and good old fashioned hard work.

“[Twenty years in middle management] was fine,” he says. “It was my ‘job.’ But as the adage goes, ‘If you do for a living what you enjoy you’ll never work a day in your life,’ I had to make a big decision.” So, after his corporate position was phased out how did Thompson take control of his future?



Before Owning Fibrenew Nashville Metro, JT Thompson Had Two Advantages:

First, he understood himself and his talents well. “I love working with my hands. Old world craftsmanship is a passion of mine,” he explains. In fact, he first came across the Fibrenew brand as he was working on an old BMW with leather seats in need of attention. A quick Google search in his area resulted in no formative leads, but he did come across one name many times — .... more of the article here!