Susan Nagi Turned a Vacation into a Career as Las Vegas’ New Mover Marketing Expert A trip to Las Vegas traditionally ends with cherished memories, some keepsakes and more often than not, a little less cash. Susan Nagi is bucking that trend. Nagi is the owner of a Phoenix-area Our Town America franchise and recently launched a brand-new franchise in Vegas. As an experienced franchisee of Our Town America , the nation’s fastest growing New Mover Marketing franchise, Nagi knows this isn’t a gamble – launching in Sin City is a well-calculated investment. A good chunk of Nagi’s youth was spent traveling. She was born in London, to parents who loved to explore, so she lived in multiple countries throughout her childhood years. “I lived in England, Greece, Germany, over in Europe as well as Texas here in the states before my parents decided to settle in Hawaii,” says Nagi. She’s kept her parents’ adventurous spirit ever since. Her decision to buy an Our Town America franchise was spawned practically by chance. “I bought my first franchise three and a half years ago after meeting a franchise consultant,” says Nagi. “We initially met on a social level and while I wasn’t completely sold on buying a franchise, I took her franchise matching personality profile anyway.” Nagi was apprehensive because in her head, a franchise equated to a chain pizza joint. She had already had an experience with pizza, as she helped run a mom and pop pizza joint in her teenage years. Years later, at 35 years old, tragedy struck when Nagi’s mother passed away. So, with inheritance in hand, Nagi purchased a Recreational Vehicle and embarked on a trek across the continental U.S. Part of that trip involved joining the carnival during the winter months in Florida. For a few seasons, she traveled with the carnival as the office manager. When that came to an end, Nagi found herself back in Hawaii. With the move, she found love and marriage. The pair moved to Phoenix, where she landed a job working for a printing company. “I thought I was on the verge of being a working stiff,” she says. Thankfully, she decided to take that personality test. It ended up changing her life. That test revealed Our Town America matched her skillset. She decided to push her chips into the middle of the metaphorical table. “I lacked the money to buy a franchise,” says Nagi. “Some stars aligned, some words were said, the timing was right, so I jumped in with both feet. I cashed in my IRA and took out the biggest personal loan I could.” The dive into entrepreneurship wasn’t always smooth as her first six months owning Our Town America The Valley were tough. “In the beginning, my sales skills and confidence level were in serious need of improvement,” she says. “Those two things I thought you either have or don’t have, and I thought I was in way over my head. Thankfully, things have changed!” Instead of clamming up, Nagi opened up, and reached out to improve her situation. She credits a professional sales coach and the book, You’re a Badass by Jen Sincero for a powerful transformation. “I learned skills to help me sell, but more importantly, changed my mindset as to what I am capable of,” says Nagi. “You have to shut down the inner-critic that so many people have grown up with. There are so many amazing people in the world, who are there to help, collaborate, teach and learn from. When you find them, hang on tight. Walk away from those who don’t help or don’t believe you can achieve your dreams and goals.” With the inner-critic conquered, she was on a newfound path to success with Our Town America. 13 months into her ownership, Nagi was number one in sales for a new franchisee. She hasn’t looked back. It was a class reunion that originally brought her to Las Vegas. It turned out the trip wasn’t all pleasure. The businesswoman discovered Las Vegas was America’s third fastest growth area. Now, she’s among those transplants. Nagi has a goal to make her Las Vegas Our Town America the largest producing franchise within the next two years. “I’m a proponent of the ‘law of attraction’ concept,” says Nagi. “I am so convinced that what comes around, goes around. The universe provides every opportunity you can think of if you are just open enough to see it, and act on it. Live fully, love fiercely and be a good human.” Do you want to realize your own business ownership dreams, like Susan Nagi? Does the Our Town America franchise opportunity sound like it could be for you? If so, learn more at https://www.ourtownamerica.com/franchise-us/. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]
Brittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations.
Articles by Brittany N. Johnson:
Local Businesses Receive Relief Checks from Our Town America November 2017 – Hurricane Irma was projected to cost the US an estimated $172 billion worth of damage – including the devastating spoiled food product and revenue losses suffered by countless local restaurant owners in Florida. Power outages shut down restaurants all over town for a week or longer following the storm, costing restaurant owners, and their employees, tens of thousands of dollars. This inspired Michael Plummer Jr., CEO of Our Town America – a national New Mover Marketing company headquartered in Clearwater – to host a Hurricane Irma Facebook fundraiser that raised more than $2000, all raised by their very own corporate employees and franchisees. Our Town America divvied up the money equally (roughly $500 for each) to four Florida businesses who needed a post-hurricane boost – Jets Pizza in Dunedin, Brix 33 and Ice Cream Palace in New Port Richey, and Great Clips in Fort Myers – after losing a combined $40,000+ in spoiled food and potential revenues. Our Town America’s Tampa-area franchise owners, Mike and Julie Fisher, as well as Fort Myers franchisee, Sally Hanson, personally visited their partnered businesses to give them their checks. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]
Our Town America Surprises Deserving Hurricane Irma victims ABC Action News (October 2017) – Hurricane Irma is expected to cost the US an estimated $172 billion worth of damage – including the devastating spoiled food product and revenue losses suffered by countless local restaurant owners in Florida. Power outages shut down restaurants all over town for a week or longer following the storm, costing restaurant owners, and their employees, tens of thousands of dollars. This inspired Michael Plummer Jr., CEO of Our Town America – a national New Mover Marketing company headquartered in Clearwater – to host a Hurricane Irma Facebook fundraiser that raised more than $2000 ($1500 in the Bay area), all raised by their very own corporate employees and franchisees. Plummer is donating the money equally (roughly $500 for each) to four Florida businesses who need a post-hurricane boost – Jets Pizza in Dunedin, Brix 33 and Ice Cream Palace in New Port Richey, and Great Clips in Fort Myers – after losing a combined $40,000+ in spoiled food and potential revenues. Our Town America’s Tampa-area franchise owners, Mike, and Julie Fisher, matched the raised amount Jet’s Pizza received, as they know the struggles owner Jim O’Connor and his employees went through as a result of hurricane. Here’s the catch – O’Connor, is giving the full amount to his employees. On Halloween, Our Town America gave O’Connor his check at the local Jet’s restaurant (located at 1350 Main Street, Dunedin Florida 34698). Watch video below for full story. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]
Luke Wood Uses Every Door Direct Mail to Spark Rapid Success as Our Town America’s Birmingham, AL-Based Franchise Owner There are certain signs in our life that prompt us to act and chart a new path. Luke Wood’s path to owning his Our Town America franchisee in hindsight, seems like a no brainer. “I pursued becoming an entrepreneur when I knew I was going to be let go,” said Wood, the owner of the Our Town America franchise in Birmingham, Alabama. Wood is thriving with Our Town America, the nation’s fastest growing New Mover Marketing franchise, and is not looking back on his previous experiences (check him out on local TV here). However, it’s his past that is fueling his successful run helping introduce new Birmingham residents to a variety of reputable and convenient businesses that can result in long-term relationships. Those previous experiences include a couple of sales based gigs, including working as an inside sales representative for a company that sold raw materials that produced signage. “I wasn’t happy there,” says Wood. “I knew what I wanted out of life and that job certainly wasn’t it.” With the writing on the wall, Wood knew he needed something to pay the bills. Instead of filling out another employment application, Wood determined it was time to strike out on his own. With words of wisdom from his mother and his father (an entrepreneur himself), Wood determined Our Town of America was a perfect match. “It truly sounded like a great idea,” Says. Wood. “There was low overhead, no real estate involved, and Our Town America’s business model aligned perfectly with my principles.” Those principles include being self-motivated, disciplined and willing to put in the work to create a successful environment. Two-and-a-half years into his venture, Wood is cruising along. He’s targeting a 60% increase in monthly gross sales. One concept Wood is utilizing to reach that target is Every Door Direct Mail® (EDDM). Wood said he toyed with the EDDM concept when he first opened his franchise and says it’s been an excellent addition to Our Town America’s core New Mover Marketing program. He says a key to taking advantage of EDDM is great customer service and having a good relationship with the decision maker. “EDDM customers usually aren’t as price conscious and like that they will see results up front.” Wood isn’t shy about why he is in business for himself. He wants to make money. And he says Our Town America is the vehicle that is driving him to his destination. “I would like for my investment accounts to increase drastically, so in two years I would like to have at least two more streams of income,” says Wood. And he knows that he only gets out what he puts in. Right now, he doesn’t have any employees, and there are no plans in the immediate future to bring anyone else onboard. His success lies squarely on his shoulders and he accepts that. “The first two years were tough, mostly because of myself,” he says. “There were challenges, but I was forced to look in the mirror and change the way I was approaching this business. I have greatly improved my time management skills, allowing me to grow and prosper.” Wood wouldn’t hesitate to go into business for himself again if he were to do it all over. And he says those considering making the move should do so as well. “Go for it or you’ll never make the kind of money you’re capable of and you’ll always be dependent on the whims of others.” Do you want to realize your own business ownership dreams, like Luke Wood? Does the Our Town America franchise opportunity sound like it could be for you? If so, learn more at https://www.ourtownamerica.com/franchise-us/. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]
83 Degrees Media (October 2017) – The 45-year-old Our Town America, a marketing firm that targets new movers, has moved its headquarters into 44,000-square-feet of office space in Clearwater — and is making plans to hire 15 to 20 additional staffers. “I’m anxious to get them in here and give them an opportunity to grow with our company,” says CEO Michael Plummer Jr. The company is in a growth mode by working with businesses that want to advertise to new residents. Such businesses are often grocery stories, restaurants, hair salons and auto repair shops, or doctors and dentists who want to develop new business relationships. Businesses pay on average $200 a month to target potential customers by things like age, size of household, income, and other demographics. About two to six weeks after move-in, residents receive an envelope offering “housewarming gifts” such as gift certificates for a free pizza or haircut to entice them to drop by and check out the neighborhood businesses. “When people move in, they’re still searching for those business,” Plummer explains. “They want to know where to go.” Our Town America disseminates about half a million envelopes every month — or more than 8 million each year. With some 63 franchises nationwide, they focus primarily on neighborhoods rather than zipcodes. “A lot of it is designed … to get you off the couch and into those locations,” he says. Once the initial contact is made, businesses may choose to follow up with another offer, a simple thank you, or a request for feedback. Our Town America moved last week from smaller rented space in Pinellas Park to its own headquarters at 13900 U.S. Highway 19 N. Clearwater. Built by local contractor Mike Sinwelski, the facility features a 2,700-square-foot, high-tech conference room, a huge breakroom, and LED lights, plus a roof with solar power options. The company, which employs about 58 locally, was founded by Plummer’s father in Des Moines, IA. After relocating to Omaha and Houston, the company moved to the Tampa Bay Area in 1990. It began selling franchises in 2005, and sold a record-breaking 12 this year. Despite its growth, it continues to be a family-based business with a welcoming atmosphere, which includes catered lunches, potluck dinners, company cruises and other perks. “The vast majority of our folks have been here for a very long time,” he adds. Our Town America is hiring for both part-time and full-time positions, with openings in customer service, appointment setting, inside sales and possibly production help for mailouts. Learn more by visiting the OTA website or calling 1-800-497-8360. Source: 83 Degrees Media Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]
If you want your employees to stay and thrive, a healthy work culture is essential Huffington Post (October 2017) – Companies are always looking to improve employee retention. Every employee represent an enormous investment on behalf of a company and when a good employee leaves it can be a big blow to a company’s morale, bottom line, and brain trust. I reached out to as many CEO’s as I could to learn what they do to create a work culture that improves employee retention. Click HERE to read input from all 99 CEOs. 67. Remember to Have Fun We are a family-owned company whose mission is to literally connect new movers with local businesses in their area. Therefore, we know what it takes to build a strong relationship between folks. It’s no different in the office and we understand the key is having fun and doing things differently. Few companies, if any, can rival our amount of team-building exercises and fun team-outings. We ensure that everyone at our company, regardless of role or tenure, feels a strong connection to our company and our leaders, including myself. Here are a few things we do: Annual company cruises with staff and franchise owners “Mandatory Fun” days where we leave work early and go to sporting events Countless potlucks that inspire whole families to interact Dress up parties for Halloween, July 4th and other holidays…and 80’s Day, Superhero days and others just for fun Lunch for all full-time employees almost daily To further extend the impact our culture has on employees, we are moving into a brand new 44,000 sq ft building this fall that will allow for employees to be much more comfortable in their work environments. Whether it be window-offices, offices in general (as some were previously in cubicles), a larger lunch room, larger conference room, etc. The new building will provide for a much more comfortable work environment, thus, happier employees. – Michael Plummer, CEO of Our Town America, the nation’s premier New Mover Marketing franchise Source: Huffington Post , written by Yitzi Weiner Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]
Nation’s Premier New Mover Marketing Franchise Opens Brand New 44,000 Square-foot Facility in Clearwater, FL, Launches Search for 15-20 Employees PRWeb (October 2017) – Our Town America, the nation’s first and fastest growing new mover marketing franchise and one of Tampa’s largest and most successful franchise companies according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 2017 Book of Lists, is moving this fall. The company will open a brand-new, state-of-the art, 44,000 square foot facility located at 13900 US Highway 19 N, Clearwater, FL 33764-7238 on October 20th, 2017. 2017 has been a landmark year for Our Town America as the local company celebrates 45 years in business. Our Town America has generated 26% franchise system growth in the past two years and is on pace to set a record in franchise sales this year with 12 new locations. To accommodate this rapid growth, Our Town America is actively recruiting 15-20 appointment setting and sales representatives to help new and existing franchisees thrive in markets around the country. Our Town America’s CEO, Michael Plummer, Jr., says this sustained growth is the primary catalyst for the company’s relocation and believes the new Clearwater facility gives them room to grow. “As a company committed to new movers chasing big dreams, we’re excited about moving to a new facility custom-built to fuel our future growth,” says Plummer. “Our new Clearwater headquarters is more than double the size of our current Pinellas Park location, giving us an opportunity to hire dozens of talented Tampa-based residents in the coming months/years. We can’t wait to move to the new facility that’s been designed to remind us of fond memories while pushing us to reach new heights.” Our Town America is a family-based business (Plummer’s father, Michael Plummer Sr., started Our Town America in 1972) that prioritizes long-term, loyal relationships, so it’s no surprise the company partnered with Mike Sinwelski (Plummer’s childhood friend and a highly reputable local general contractor) to build the new Clearwater facility. Plummer remembered driving Sinwelski to school during their Catholic school days and already knew he could trust him. So, when the Mike Sinwelski Construction, Inc. team came in with a great plan and reasonable price, it was a no-brainer partnership. The partnership has worked out beautifully as the new facility will open on time despite the challenges presented by Hurricane Irma. When the doors open on October 20th, Our Town America employees will be greeted by fantastic new features, including… A high-tech, 2,700 square feet conference room large enough for company-wide meetings A massive break room perfect for collaboration and company events Energy-efficient LED panels and lights throughout the building and a massive roof area offering solar energy options Windows lining the entire building offering all employees great views And a large pond and fountain at the entrance creating an inviting ambiance Plummer says the expansion and design are all about helping each Our Town America employee thrive. “It sounds cliché, but we truly are committed to our culture and our people at Our Town America,” says Plummer. “First of all – the central county location keeps us out of flood zones, something that’s particularly important after Hurricane Irma, and offers a more convenient commute for most current employees. Plus, the design itself embraces our core values with large, well-lit spaces encouraging creativity, interaction, and growth. And of course, we have plenty of room for the pot lucks and holiday parties that bring our team together at the office. We truly are a big family over here at Our Town America and we’re excited about our new home!” For more information on Our Town America and what we do for new movers and local businesses, please visit https://www.ourtownamerica.com/. For more information about the Our Town America franchise opportunity, please visit https://www.ourtownamerica.com/franchise-us/. About Our Town America For 45 years, Our Town America has been providing new movers with traditional hospitality by mailing warm housewarming gifts from local neighborhood businesses in a premium welcome package. Since the company started franchising in 2005, Our Town America has consistently been placed in the Franchise Top 50, ranking top in their category for franchisee satisfaction. Our Town America’s dedication to the “sponsor exclusivity” concept, meaning Our Town America will only recommend one of each business type in any specific zip code within its welcome packages, has been one of the key catalysts for the company’s long-term success. In addition, sponsors consistently rave about other unique aspects of the new mover marketing program – such as their ability to reach a brand-new audience of impressionable new movers each month and the insightful data/metrics delivered by Our Town America’s innovative pinpoint tracking system. Due in large part to Our Town America’s devotion to those concepts, thousands of satisfied business owners throughout the United States attest to the success and effectiveness of the program. Additionally, dozens of locally owned franchisees validate Our Town America’s concept as a viable business opportunity. It is Our Town America’s mission to assist new movers adjusting to their community, help businesses gain new and loyal customers and provide franchisees with an excellent opportunity. The eight million households who receive Our Town America’s welcome packages each year prove that Our Town America is committed to following through on that mission statement. Source: PRWeb Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]
PMQ Magazine (October 2017) – Every new resident who moves to your town is an opportunity for a new loyal customer. With 45 years of running an industry-leading New Mover program, Our Town America’s data shows this to be true. “It’s the bread and butter of what we do,” says Steven Sgroi, director of sales. “When families move, they are completely open to their new environment. They don’t have loyalties yet, but they will eventually become somebody’s regular customer.” And that business could be yours! Using a combination of proprietary technology and 12 primary sources, Our Town America locates new movers in the area every month. The company keeps careful track of those who have already received a New Mover Welcome Package to make sure it’s the first time they receive a package from Our Town America. The mailing is addressed personally to the new mover household and stocked with valuable gift certificates. “The initial offer is a gift. It’s not a discount. That’s why the response rates are much better than typical mass mailers,” Sgroi affirms. Through the use of their mobile app, Our Town America allows businesses to track who redeems their initial offer, as well as the option to follow up with a second offer. “Businesses usually choose to offer something smaller, such as breadsticks,” says Sgroi. “If you can bring a customer back a second time, it’s much more likely they will be back a third or fourth time.” Our Town America’s data shows pizza restaurants, both dine-in and delivery, as the most successful category for their New Mover program. Regardless of record-breaking ROI in the pizza category, Our Town America continues to stay ahead with technological innovations. Their newest advancement allows businesses to apply a one-time-use tracking code on each new-mover gift certificate, providing better accountability amongst staff as well as POS integration. Business owners can now see who is redeeming their gift certificates without using a mobile app. With the hospitality industry’s relatively high turnover rate, large chains and pizzerias are thrilled about the program now being POS- friendly, as they don’t have to repeatedly train staff on the mobile app. Since this POS integration, the company has seen an uptick in tracking and a more thorough use of the New Mover Program’s capabilities, putting Our Town America ahead of the curve once again. To learn how Our Town America can help you win new customers, call 800-497-8360 ext. 226 and mention the ‘October PMQ article’. You may also complete a Contact Form, or sign up online with our New Movers on Demand portal! Source: PMQ Magazine Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]
After Thriving in Raleigh, NC, Franchisee Sally Hanson is Expanding to Fort Myers/Naples, FL The calming sounds of waves crashing on the shores. That distinctive feeling of sand running through the toes. The postcard perfect sunsets 365 days a year. It’s a way of life for Raleigh, North Carolina-based Our Town America owner Sally Hanson has anticipated for quite some time. It’s a way of life that’s more attainable as she prepares to open her second Our Town America, the nation’s fastest growing new mover marketing franchise, location in the Fort Myers/Naples, FL metro area. Traveling is embedded in Hanson’s soul. The mother of two adult children, she now enjoys every moment crisscrossing the globe with her husband, Roger. “We love to travel,” says Hanson. “We enjoy visiting different cultures and learning the history.” In fact, she is just coming off a trip to China. A decorated three-decade career based in sales and marketing afforded her plenty of opportunities to travel, quite often as a reward for her hard work and dedication to her craft. Hanson’s journey with Our Town America began with a trip to Hawaii. For three years, Hanson worked with an online marketplace that allowed registered users to buy and share things in their city. As one of the top sales representatives, Hanson earned a trip to the Aloha state. Refreshed and back home in Raleigh, the company informed Hanson she was being laid off. For Hanson, the news was a blessing in disguise. “I was tired of working for someone else, I had just had enough. My husband and I were already in the process of finding entrepreneurial opportunities when I learned I was losing my job.” That process got a major boost as she scrolled through her Facebook feed. A post from her high school friend, Mike Fisher, popped up. Fisher, along with his wife, Julie, are co-owners of an Our Town America franchise in Tampa, FL. The couple was profiled by the Wall Street Journal in an article highlighting people who left corporate America and succeeded as franchisees. Bang! The Facebook post allowed Hanson to catch up with her old friend, as well as pick his brain about Our Town America. The phone call, would forever change her life. After conducting their own research on various franchises, Sally and Roger concluded Our Town America was an opportunity they couldn’t pass up. “We learned about the company and determined it would be a great fit for us. The business model allowed us to be in control of our earnings, and more importantly, gave us a better work-life balance, a pathway to retirement, and control of our destiny.” Three months after reaching out to Our Town America, Sally was the owner and operator of her very own franchise in Raleigh. The knowledge of the area coupled with her background in sales and marketing played to her strengths. So much so, by the end of the year, Sally was named Our Town America’s “Rookie of the Year.” “I just went out there and followed the blueprint the company laid out during training,” says Hanson. “I have 25 plus years of sales/marketing experience and I’m very comfortable in this market. I lived and worked in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area for more than 20 years, so I know the area well. It’s a thriving area, one of the fastest growing metros in the country which allowed me to help several businesses gain new customers.” Hanson wrapped up her second year of ownership similarly to her first, earning awards and accolades. She was one of two franchisees to earn a trip to Peru for having the highest revenue growth within the company. It’s those perks that confirm Hanson made the right choice. “I wish I would’ve done this years ago. I love having my own business and being in control. It hasn’t been all roses, but once I made the jump, it has and continues to be a really good journey.” It’s a journey that Hanson says wouldn’t be possible without the support from her husband. “It is vital to have a supportive spouse and I certainly have that with Roger. He’s the one who said, ‘you can do this.’ I wouldn’t have taken on this venture without him.” While Sally carries the bulk of the load, Roger is there to assist with the business. He works behind the scenes, handling billing and other back end functions, but mainly, he is Hanson’s number one advocate. Together, Sally and Roger are preparing for their next journey. The Fort Myers/Naples, FL location is opening-up this October. Sally is optimistic for the area’s potential. “The housing market is booming, the area, similar to Raleigh, is experiencing excellent growth in housing and overall economy. More importantly, it’s warm during the winter months, we like the area and may consider moving there permanently in the next several years.” Our Town America has made Hanson’s retirement dreams an achievable reality. For those looking to make the leap into entrepreneurship, she says don’t hesitate. “Our Town America is a great company, particularly for those who have a strong sales background. If you’re self-motivated, and if you can get out there and sell, Our Town America is a wonderful opportunity. Go for it!” Do you want to realize your own business ownership dreams, like Sally Hanson? Does the Our Town America franchise opportunity sound like it could be for you? If so, learn more at https://www.ourtownamerica.com/franchise-us/. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]
Deserving Hurricane Harvey victim Surprised with nearly $3,000 Check CBS Houston | Texas (October 2017) – After Hurricane Harvey destroyed her Houston home, Lucia Flores, a Mexican immigrant and single mother of two, has been desperate for a miracle. And on Tuesday, October 3rd, she unexpectedly received thousands of dollars from an unexpected source. Our Town America, a national new mover marketing company with a local representative in Houston, recently raised nearly $3,000 through a Hurricane Harvey Facebook fundraiser. The company donated the money to a local Houston partnered business, Shipley’s Do-Nuts, who suffered flooding damage during the storm. Here’s the catch – local Shipley’s owner, Mike Simon, didn’t take a dime. He, along with Our Town America beside him gave it all to Lucia – a devoted employee who has worked for Simon for years. Simon teamed up with local Our Town America franchise owners, Clint Finch and Mitchell Saulsberry, to surprise her with the check on Tuesday, October 3rd at the local Shipley’s store (located at 12403 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX, 77077). Few people deserve good news as much as Lucia. She has been raising her two kids (21-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter) on her own and, without renter’s insurance, lost everything when Hurricane Harvey flooded her home up to her waist. Watch video below for the emotional moment as two local business owners present Lucia Flores with a much-needed check and something much more – a reminder that those closest to her recognize and admire her for being a wonderful and devoted mother doing her best under impossible circumstances. **This story was also featured on CW Houston & ABC Houston. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]
