Franchise Update Magazine Issue I, 2015 | Page 16

POWERHOUSE WOMEN
IN FRANCHISING

man would lead in order to get it right or
be perceived as capable. But that’s not the
key to success. I like to think that you have
to be your true, authentic self to be the
very best leader. Embrace your strengths
and acknowledge your weaknesses. I have
found that surrounding myself with team
members who complement my weaknesses
also helps to strengthen my leadership skills.
Can you have a family and a career
at the top? I have a wonderful husband
and an incredible son and daughter who
are proof that you can, in fact, have both
a career and a family. That’s not to say it’s
easy. But it is important to prioritize and
not miss out on things you can never go
back and do over.
What does it take for a woman to
become a CEO in franchising today?
I think it’s the same for a woman or a man.
You must be capable. You must have the
support and trust of your team. You must
be a good communicator. And you must

value a win-win equation: that success for
a franchisor is reflected in the success of its
franchisees and vice versa.
What’s at stake if women continue to
be underrepresented in the C-suite?
If you see this as a problem, please
explain. I think progress, albeit gradual,
continues for women in the C-suite. And
I am optimistic that those advances will
continue to reflect successful advances,
likewise, for the organizations they lead.
Are you doing anything to help the
next generation of women become
franchise leaders? We have done that
here not simply to promote women, but
to attract the very best qualified leaders.
There is Mary Thompson, president of Mr.
Rooter and the executive vice president of
The Dwyer Group, who is an incredible
leader and visionary. There is also Mary Kay
Liston, president of Five Star Painting, our
latest acquisition. She was previously vice
president of operations for Mr. Appliance,

another of our brands. We also have Debbie Wright-Hood, our chief administrative
officer, and Pam Harper, our vice president
of marketing. That’s just at the executive
level. We also have had incredible success in
promoting our Women in the Trades program to communicate career opportunities
across our service brands, at both the frontline level for our services and as franchise
owners capable of running the business.
What advice would you offer to women
seeking the C-suite? Seek out mentors
and leaders you admire. Study them closely.
Learn from those who have gone before you.
What would you like your legacy to
be? I want my message “Live R.I.C.H.”
to provide a lasting and meaningful statement for others, so that more people realize the true benefits of living and leading
a values-based life for themselves and for
their businesses. As Peter Drucker once
said, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast,”
and I agree. n

Unleash the power
of technology
with Naranga.
Take control of your brand with simple,
customizable tools that drive sales, improve
efficiency, and connect you to your franchisees
and your consumers. Our suite of proven
technology solutions delivers everything you
need for the growth and management of
your business!

Request a demo at

naranga.com | 800-900-8321

grow with us
Copyright © 2015 Naranga

14

Franchiseupdate ISS U E I, 2 0 1 5

fu1_dwyer(11-14).indd 14

2/6/15 5:54 AM