R E C O N N E C T
“ There will be obstacles along the way that may turn back most folks , but you keep your eye on that goal and when you run into that obstacle you go over it , you go around it , or you bust right through it .”
R E C O N N E C T
“ There will be obstacles along the way that may turn back most folks , but you keep your eye on that goal and when you run into that obstacle you go over it , you go around it , or you bust right through it .”
First job : Working for my dad ’ s construction company during my high school years .
Formative influences / events : Going into the Air Force in 1990 and going to Desert Storm . It gave me a perspective about being an American that not everyone gets a chance to see and appreciate . As for infl uences , I am a big believer in you are who you hang out with . I have been blessed to have been around people who are smart , hard-working , ethical people , and those are the ones I use to guide my own day-to-day decision-making ideas .
Key accomplishments : When I fi rst got into Tropical Smoothie Cafe I had a vision of just opening up one or two locations , and that would be it . I ended up opening up four within 2 years and becoming an area developer for the franchise , helping others open stores in different parts of Florida . Most recently , I partnered with the original founder of TSC to open a franchised location of his newest concept , Island Wing Company , here in Tallahassee .
Biggest current challenge : Opening a new full-service restaurant / bar has been a great reminder of how important it is to put all the pieces in place and to get and keep the best people in key positions . Hiring personnel is always the biggest challenge , but when the pieces are in place it allows me to focus better on the long-range goals .
Next big goal : I would like to reach a total of 50 Tropical Smoothie Cafe units in my area development business . That is my long-range goal . TSC has been exploding over the past few years and that number is looking very achievable .
First turning point in your career : I always look back to my mistakes or “ losses .” Those are the turning points that make me a better business person . I have said it many times : I have never learned as much from my successes as I do from my failures . I have an ability to fi nd the silver lining to just about any bad situation and use it to my advantage . This allows me to truly have very few regrets in life .
Best business decision : Hands down , getting involved in Tropical Smoothie Cafe when it was an unknown and there were doubters around me wondering why I would want to take such a risk . I am their oldest franchisee in the system .
Hardest lesson learned : Not fully understanding the real estate processes early on and what it takes to make a successful store work . Location , location , location is so important . When you have a great concept all you have to do is fi nd good real estate and it will really do well .
Work week : With so much growth going on right now in TSC and with the newness of IWC there is no a longer a “ typical work week .” I fi nd myself working harder than ever , including nights and weekends , but it ’ s fun and exciting . I ’ ve never been so optimistic about where things are going .
Exercise / workout : I converted my garage into a hybrid gym and typically
PERSONAL
do P90X or Insanity fi ve or six days a week . Right now I am training for a marathon , so most of my focus is running four days a week with one to two strength training days .
Best advice you ever got : I used to cling to a saying that I learned early in my career where someone told me , “ Employees will never live up to your level of expectations , but only your level of acceptance .” I still think about that often as it reminds me about how to manage people . But now , with all the things I have gone through and worked hard to get , there is another saying that constantly stays in the forefront of my head , especially when things get tough . I was told , “ Once you set your eyes on a goal you don ’ t ever look back . You run as hard and as fast as you can to get to it . There will be obstacles along the way that may turn back most folks , but you keep your eye on that goal and when you run into that obstacle you go over it , you go around it , or you bust right through it .”
What ’ s your passion in business ? I love variety . I enjoy the fact that I may have a few hours of offi ce work , a couple of meetings , site selection for a new store , or talking about upcoming promos or operational procedures all in the course of just one day . I never feel like I am strapped to the same routine every day . I have been able to have a job that completely fi ts me .
How do you balance life and work ? I used to really struggle in this department . I would be on vacations and end up working . Over the past several years I have become very vocal that when I am at work I am there to get things done , and on the fl ip side when I am on vacation or spending time with my family or friends I don ’ t want to talk about work or get distracted . This doesn ’ t mean that I don ’ t work at night or on weekends , just that when I have decided it is time to “ punch out ” I want to give my undivided time and attention to my family or friends .
Guilty pleasure : This one is easy . I am a pilot and still own a plane but don ’ t fl y it much because not more than a couple of people can fi t in it with me . A couple of years ago we bought a new boat . I love getting lots of friends together , and we go out on it during the warmer months and hang out together . What used to be my favorite thing to do is no longer because I really enjoy time with friends and family out on the water .
Favorite book : Because my mind is always so active , I don ’ t usually sit down to read much — it just isn ’ t that relaxing to me like it is to most people . But I have read many books and most of them are either business-related or motivational . One of my all-time favorites is a book about Charlie Plumb , who was a POW in Vietnam for 6 years . It ’ s called I ’ m No Hero and it is very inspiring .
Favorite movie : “ Forrest Gump !” There is no better movie that can take you from laughing to crying to being inspired to be a good person like that movie does .
What do most people not know about you ? I ’ m a pretty open book
34 MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE ISSUE I , 2017