Reblog: 20 Years in Business and Still Growing

 At Fibrenew, we are big on supporting one another. In doing that, we would like to share spotlight interviews with our franchisees. Today we are looking at Dan Hoffman and his Fibrenew Portland franchise in Portland, Oregon.

Dan has been a part of the Fibrenew family since 1995. Born into a family of mechanics, the automotive industry seemed a likely fit for Dan. But after spending some time as a paramedic/firefighter, he opted to start his own Fibrenew Franchise. Today, Fibrenew Portland is a multi-unit business with a hired technician, Dan’s son, and Dan himself. In the next 5-7 years, once his son is done school, his plan is to add more technicians and expand his business. Even after 20 years of operation in the Portland market, Dan recognizes that there is still plenty of room to grow.

Dan says one of the reasons he selected Fibrenew was the quality of leather, plastic and vinyl restoration products and the proven franchise business model. That and the flexibility of being an owner / operator and what that meant for his family’s lifestyle. . . continue reading!

Residential: leather furniture repair, sofas, couches, chairs, loveseats and footrests

Damaged leather couches, chairs and sofas, whether torn, worn, ripped, faded, is chewed by a dog, or scratched by a cat, can be restored by Fibrenew. Blemishes on leather furniture such as burns, stains, holes and cuts can also be renewed. If you’re looking to change the color of your leather furniture, turn to our expert color matching and re-dye services. We offer mobile leather furniture repair service to your home or business. Ask us for a quote!

Fibrenew Latest Franchisees!

Congratulations to our latest Franchisees! Back home today from training in Calgary. Wishing you all the best with your new business. We're here to support you all the way! For more information on how you can join our Fibrenew Franchise visit us at http://www.fibrenew-franchising.com/about-fibrenew/

Pictured left to right from top row:
Jim Eng - Fibrenew Firelands (Ohio)
Brian Kagebein - Fibrenew Woodstock-Kenosha (Illinois)
Sy Santos - Fibrenew Layton (Utah)
Evan Friemel - Fibrenew Amarillo (Texas)
Steve Bugg - Fibrenew Clear Lake (Texas)
Patricia Kagebein - Fibrenew Woodstock-Kenosha (Illinois)
Anne Friemel - Fibrenew Amarillo (Texas)
Dean Carroll - Fibrenew Australia
Randy Fuller - Fibrenew Central San Diego (California)
Luis Moraga - Fibrenew Australia

Fibrenew Edmonton: A Customer Service Company That Happens to Restore Leather, Plastic & Vinyl

 

 To operate a successful business takes a lot of elbow grease, products and services that solve people’s problems, and — perhaps most importantly — an understanding of customer service. Don Barnhouse gets it. Spending more than 35 years in a family-run grocery industry, working several different positions and managing a variety of groups means he has a lengthy, proven track record of treating people with respect.

“I’d say customer service is why we’ve done as well as we have,” he comments. “Be honest, upfront. If you say you’re going to do something, do it.”

Fibrenew Edmonton has been a thriving franchise for over 20 years, and with Barnhouse’s leadership since 2010, has secured a leading spot in the area’s leather, plastic and vinyl restoration and repair market. Serving a region of well over a million people leaves no room for slacking.  

“We’ve got high end stuff and low end — it’s a mix. Some days you see bonded leather and some days you see genuine leather. Sometimes people want to spend a lot of money to get the job done quick, and other days you meet people who are trying to save a dollar but still want quality.”

 With such a diverse demographic — from downtown apartment dwellers to acreage owners an hour past city limits — Barnhouse appreciates each atypical day and does the quoting and scheduling himself, allowing his two technicians the best opportunity to service the franchise’s territory most efficiently. To assist with Fibrenew Edmonton’s service calls, Barnhouse also has a reliable upholstery tech who pitches in when needed, and a skilled contractor who provides his expertise for siding service calls. Throwing another dynamic into the mix: Barnhouse’s wife Karin is a costume designer for a local theatre company, so really knows her way around a sewing machine... read more!

I Don’t Just Repair Your Leather – I’m Also a Car Guy

You may think of me as your friendly leather, vinyl, and plastic expert, but beside that and other hobbies, I’m also a big car enthusiast. Even my Fibrenew vehicle is a showcase of my hobby – it’s a custom built BMW station wagon that started life as a 2003 325i wagon residing in a tiny town in Vermont. I bought it for a song, after the owner told me the engine was shot (it wasn’t – I fixed and sold it).

I then bought the full drive train from a 2005 BMW M3 and with the help of a very kind and knowledgeable friend named Paul, installed all those parts into the wagon.  Everything under the metal shell is from the M3 – the subframes, full suspension (upgraded to coilovers), brakes, steering, engine, transmission, differential, etc.

I’m also attaching some photos here for those who are car enthusiasts. I will have it out at local car events regularly and you should even watch for it to be lapping VIR (Virginia International Raceway) this coming fall with the BMW CCA Tarheel Chapter. Yes, my Fibrenew car will make a fun track car as well! read more!

Fibrenew - Leather, Plastic & Vinyl Repair Franchise

Market Leader in Restoration of Leather, Plastic & Vinyl:
We are a mobile service which caters to the aviation, automobile, marine, medical, commercial and residential markets. With all these potential revenue streams across so many markets, our company and franchisees have grown and thrived through every rise and fall of the economy. That really speaks to the fact that there is always a need for our services.

Experience, Stability and Growth:
Fibrenew has nearly 30 years experience in the development of our superior products and techniques. That, along with our proven support, operation and marketing systems have all contributed to our expansion into 5 countries with over 230 franchises.

Single Operator or Fleet:
A Fibrenew franchise can operate as a single operator or as a fleet. Our flat-fee franchise model and low overhead make it a great fit for budding entrepreneurs.

First-Rate Training and Support:
As a Fibrenew franchisee, you will become part of a global company that offers a premier training program and an unrivaled support network. You will learn the skills necessary to repair and refurbish damaged leather and cracked vinyl and plastic in cars, boats, airplanes, at home and in commercial settings.

An Eco-Friendly Business:
Fibrenew offers a business solution to a serious environmental problem. Our products and services help preserve mother nature by saving damaged goods from ending up in landfills.

If you are prepared to do what it takes to run a successful Fibrenew business, visit fibrenew-franchising.com and download a franchise information kit today.

Specialties
leather repair, plastic repair, franchise opportunities, mobile businesses, on-site repair service, vinyl repair

Website
http://www.fibrenew-franchising.com

Industry
Consumer Services

Type
Privately Held

Headquarters
Unit 102, 450 1st Ave NE Black Diamond, Alberta T0L 0H0 Canada

Company Size
201-500 employees

Founded
1985

Fibrenew Training Program

All Fibrenew franchisees are thoroughly trained at our Calgary training center. The 2 week training session is conducted by seasoned technicians who have all owned and operated their own Fibrenew Franchise. All told, our instructors have 50+ years of combined knowledge.

Prior to coming to the 2 week training session, franchisees conduct a 4 week pre-training program from home. This program involves getting the business set up and ready for successful operation off the hop.

Following the 2 week training session and after returning home, franchisees enter into a 12 week start-up training program. This involves coaching on introducing the business to local customers, getting web presence and marketing underway, a grand opening plan and much more... read more!

Oconomowoc’s Fibrenew Handles Leather, Plastic and Vinyl Restoration and Repair

 

OCONOMOWOC — Entrepreneur Keith Stewart and his wife, Laurie, are fading and ripped upholsteries’ worst enemies.

The Stewarts recently became the new owners of Oconomowoc’s Fibrenew, an upholstery repair and restoration service. Fibrenew repairs, re-dyes, restores and cleans leather, plastic, vinyl and fabric. Basically, if there’s faded or ripped fabric, Keith Stewart will do everything he can to bring it back to life.

Stewart works with furniture, cars, boats and even planes. There was even a time he had to reupholster 61 chairs for a Cousins Subs that was reopening. He had a little bit of help from Laurie Stewart and his father-inlaw on that one.

Keith Stewart became an entrepreneur after spending his entire post-college life in the metal industry, where he commercially heat-treated metal.

 A leather chair that was ruined by a dog

 The same chair after restoration

He enjoyed his time doing it, but after several years of doing it he realized there isn’t a lot of change or innovation in the field.

“We used to joke that heat treating is the second oldest profession,” Stewart said. “It goes back to the Middle Ages if not earlier. There isn’t anything going on and frankly, it was just boring. It was more interesting to try and do something new.”

So he tried something new. With the help of a franchise coach, Stewart spent a year researching businesses he wanted to be a part of. The business coach found Fibrenew and presented it to Stewart.

Along with Laurie, Keith Stewart spent time talking to the local development person in Hartford about the company. He spent a day shadowing a franchisee in Chicago and when he decided the business was right for him, he approached the former owner, who was looking to retire... read more!

Freedom To Be His Own Boss

 When asked; Why Fibrenew? Franchisee Henry Garner responds; Because being a Fibrenew franchisee means you’re your own boss, you’re part of a supportive head office, and no two days are alike.

Since opening Fibrenew Alpharetta in 2012, Henry Garner has become the go-to guy for leather, plastic and vinyl restoration in the area. How does he know he provides solid service using top-of-the-line products? “The only time I ever really hear of my competition is when they’ve screwed up and someone calls Fibrenew to fix it!” he says.

There were a few components of Fibrenew that drew him to the franchise in the first place. First, the freedom to be his own boss was compelling. Garner admits this is something he appreciates every day. “If I had someone telling me what to do or looking over my shoulder it would drive me crazy!”

Leather Furniture Redye By Fibrenew Second, he immediately recognized the encouragement for success from head office. When recalling his early exploration into the company, Garner says, “I was really impressed with the support Fibrenew had. I remember before I purchased the business I was talking to the support team about the process and they genuinely cared about me being part of this.” And even after opening the doors to Fibrenew Alpharetta Garner received the same support from the franchise team. “One of the many things I appreciate is how quickly you can get somebody on the phone and how there is always someone there to answer questions.” read more!

From Banker to Business Owner, Fibrenew Franchisee Takes Charge

Josh Colwell admits he felt stuck in his former career. As a banking professional, his days were habitual, standardized routines where he was confined to his office. “I enjoy people, but the banking system isn’t really about that,” he explains. For 10 years he plugged along, supporting his wife as she started her online retail business. Colwell looked here and there for new opportunities that would allow for more interaction with people, and after reconnecting with an old friend he finally found what he was looking for.

Daniel Sheetz owned a thriving Fibrenew franchise and invited Colwell to join the business as his technician. Wanting to return to his farming background, Sheetz was looking for someone with passion and drive to take over Fibrenew Central Iowa as leader in leather, plastic and vinyl restoration. Colwell found the hands-on, creative problem solving elements of his technician’s role as a welcome surprise. “It was something that was missing from my day-to-day life. I really enjoyed it.”

Ten months into his technician’s role, Colwell purchased the business. “It was the right time. I knew it was an opportunity that doesn’t come along often, so I figured, ‘Let’s go.’” With the support of his wife, he has earnestly embraced his new role as entrepreneur, setting — and achieving — high standards for his Fibrenew Central Iowa franchise. The quality of the brand is something Colwell takes pride in being part of. “I am a big believer in our products and what we do. The [Fibrenew] trainers and support team help push me to another level of proficiency and raise my standards.” read more!

Sofa Psychology Infographics

Sofa Psychology Infographic created by Consignment Northwest

Do you know that choosing your sofa tells something about you? Do you prefer loveseats? Chaise lounges? Reclining sofas? Sofa beds? Leather couches? What about colors? Red? Black? Yellow? White? See this infographic and find out! Know more about leather furniture repair in http://www.fibrenew-franchising.com/.

Fibrenew’s Commitment To The Environment

Long before the marketing departments of many large corporations touted their green nature, Fibrenew was playing its part to help save the environment. The mobile service company, which was founded in 1987, specializes in restoring damaged leather, plastic and vinyl. The company’s service helps save thousands of items from ending up in landfills each year.

“It’s win win.” says the company’s CEO, Michael Wilson. “We have built our business by offering a service that everyone needs. There is leather, plastic and vinyl everywhere that becomes damaged at some point in its lifecycle. Its in homes, offices, clinics, hospitals, boats, planes, trains and automobiles, you name it. Fibrenew helps customers save money, time and the environment by restoring damaged items and we make a living doing it. Everybody wins.” . . . continue reading!

Franchising Myth Busters

Very interesting infographic about franchise myths, hope you like it!

For franchise business opportunities visit Fibrenew franchising.
www.fibrenew-franchising.com
Contact: Bob Johnston
Director of Franchise Development
Phone: 262-457-4272
Email: info@fibrenew.com