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If There Were Our Town America Trivia, This Guy Would Win

Written by Brittany N. Johnson

Considering becoming a Franchise Owner? If you’re considering purchasing a franchise location, from any brand, of course, you’ll want to do your research. The same is true for Our Town America. You’ll likely want to talk to some of the people who know the company best. You might contact various Our Town America franchise owners, and at some point, you’ll likely want to talk to the CEO, Michael Plummer, Jr. And then there’s the real expert: Jack Kieffer. That’s our take, not his. Kieffer’s a low-key, unassuming guy. But, in all seriousness, in a way, the Bowling Green, Ohio, franchise owner may have more institutional knowledge about Our Town America than almost anybody else. Kieffer, 69, has been part of the company since 1997, working there during the days of the late Michael Plummer, Sr., when Michael Plummer, Jr., was serving in the military in South Korea. We caught up with Kieffer to get his story and his thoughts on being an Our Town America franchise owner. Kieffer is amicable and interesting, so the conversation flowed easily.   How he became an Our Town America Franchisee. For 23 years, Kieffer worked at Nabisco. He started out as a representative, became an account manager and was eventually promoted to sales manager. Then one day, the layoffs began, and, for a while, they didn’t stop. “I don’t think anyone I used to work with still works at Nabisco,” Kieffer says. After Nabisco, Kieffer began working for a direct mail franchise, one that we won’t name but he describes as “kind of a pyramid scheme.” While working with that company, he attended a convention. There he met Michael Plummer, the founder of Our Town America. Plummer’s company wasn’t yet franchised, and as Kieffer had soured on the company he worked for, he ended up jumping to Our Town America. Unlike the prior direct mail franchise, Kieffer had a feeling Our Town America was a solid, reputable business. He was right. Kieffer was given his own territory — Bowling Green, Ohio — to work, but since Our Town America franchises didn’t yet exist, he wasn’t an official franchise owner. That would come later. “A lot of people questioned franchising Our Town America, including me,” Kieffer says. “But it was a smart move.”   The best parts of being an Our Town America franchisee. Kieffer says there are a lot of things he loves about his career path, but one of the biggest benefits has been the flexibility to own his time. “That’s been the best part of it,” Kieffer says. “I got to coach my sons with baseball and wrestling, and they were very involved in 4-H, and so we’ve gotten to do a lot of that.” Additionally, he estimates since he started with Our Town America, he has gone on nine or 10 cruises with his wife. “It’s also allowed me to do things that I didn’t have time for when I was working for Nabisco,” Kieffer says. For instance, he and a friend started a local baseball tournament that gives money to local schools’ sports programs in the area. Kieffer (who received no money for running the tournament; nor did his friend), says that they raised $200,000 over 15 years before deciding to hand over the reins to other do-gooders.   The secret of any franchise owner’s success. “You have to be somebody who is a self-starter,” Kieffer says, echoing what many Our Town America franchise owners have said. “You have to be someone who can work alone and be motivated. If you’re the type of person who has to have a timecard and a supervisor telling you what to do, this is not the job for you.”   Where does Kieffer go from here? He isn’t sure. For now, he’ll keep building his business and meeting clients, an activity the community-minded business leader thoroughly enjoys. But sooner or later, as Kieffer approaches his 70th birthday, he is mulling over the idea of eventually retiring. So if there is anybody who lives in the Bowling Green, Ohio area and is thinking of becoming an Our Town America franchise owner, maybe you should contact Kieffer. In any case, he says he is glad Michael Plummer Sr. took a chance on him, and that he himself took a chance on Our Town America. “This is a good business and career to have,” Kieffer says. “You don’t need any employees. You can run it all by yourself. And you can make a great living. It’s been a very successful and fulfilling career, and I highly recommend it!”   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. […]

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Jennifer Moseley – Our Town America Was the Cure for Business Travel Burnout

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Our Town America Franchise No Business Travel

Jennifer Moseley was always traveling, without getting anywhere. That’s not quite true. She was very good at her job, for instance, and was by all measures a success, but she traveled so much, the airport and hotels felt more like her home than her real house. Moseley saw the people at the Transportation Security Administration more than her friends. “I would leave my home Sunday and get back Thursday,” Moseley recalls. The money was good – she worked for a textbook company, selling nursing textbooks to colleges – but she had no time to spend it. “I was just burned out,” Moseley says. She isn’t over-hyping that. To relax and deal with the stresses of a high-pressure job where she was always in a new city, Moseley said she started hanging out at the airport and hotel bars more than she should have. Even after she moved into jobs that required fewer plane tickets, she continued the habits she had picked up mingling with flight attendants and hotel minibars. Seven years ago, she finished her last drink, brushed up her resume and began looking for a fresh start.   Finding Our Town America Moseley found that much needed fresh start with Our Town America. But if there’s a typical way people become Our Town America franchise owners – and there really isn’t – this was as atypical as it gets. Moseley didn’t go looking to be a franchise owner, and at first, didn’t become one. She saw a salaried position for a corporate sales representative at the Our Town America headquarters. She liked what she saw. She would be working in an office. There seemed to be no, or minimal, traveling. And the more she read about it, she just had a good feeling about the company. She sent in her resume, was called in for an interview and got the job. She was good at it. In fact, one day, after about a year on the job, her boss, the National Sales Director, Michael Murphy, told her that her sales were, on average, a little higher than the franchise owners. Murphy couldn’t help but be pretty pleased – he had, after all, trained Moseley – and so mentioned her success to the company’s CEO, Michael Plummer Jr., who was impressed (“Damn, that’s awesome” is reported to be his response). Moseley naturally asked for a raise and a higher commission, and Murphy and Plummer immediately said yes. “They were wonderful to me,” Moseley says. Fast forward to another year later, and Murphy mentioned to his star pupil that he was thinking of investing in a franchise, but he didn’t want to run it. Instead, he proposed that they become business partners. He would put up the money to invest in a franchise, and Moseley would put in the sweat equity. Moseley liked the idea. She soon left the corporate headquarters and became the co-owner of Our Town America of Sarasota, Florida. Moseley found the Sarasota location because the owner, Sondra Conk, Our Town America’s first franchise owner, was looking to sell after being a franchise owner for about 15 years. Conk wasn’t unhappy with her business, though, and she wasn’t looking to retire. She was interested in selling for another reason. She had, unfortunately, been diagnosed with terminal cancer. “We had become friends, and she was a real mentor to me,” Moseley says. Conk would pass away far too soon, and far too young, in 2016 at the age of 69. Conk had been wary about selling her business, but Moseley would do well with her franchise, building the business up and hopefully making her mentor proud. In fact, Moseley seemed to be on track during her first year to quickly become an incredible success story and no doubt make Murphy very pleased with his decision to buy a franchise and make her a partner. But then Moseley was quickly reminded of her past with alcoholic drinks.   It isn’t what you think. Don’t worry; she didn’t take up drinking again. Moseley started having serious health issues due to her past drinking – it had taken a toll on her pancreas. During her first year of business, she reluctantly missed five months of work. Her second year as an Our Town America franchise owner wasn’t much better. She figures she lost four months due to her poor health. The next two years, maybe a combined three months. “I’m finally better now,” she says. She is extremely appreciative of the people working at Our Town America. “The opportunity that Michael Murphy and Michael Plummer provided to me was life-altering. I’ve truly never been happier – and I can now say, healthier. Those two Michaels changed my life.” But she credits Our Town America, and the strength of its business model, for allowing her the freedom to be sick. “The model is just so family-friendly. It’s just mind-boggling,” Moseley says. “I can’t think of any other franchise where I could have been sick – and still kept the business going. If you have a brick and mortar location, you have to worry about your lease, insurance, customers, etc. The support I got from corporate was just amazing. I don’t think with any other franchise; I could have been really sick and still had a good paycheck coming in.” And she cringes to imagine how employers in Corporate America would have reacted to her being sick. Granted, she had some existing clients from buying an existing franchise – and by the time her health issues crept up, she had landed plenty of new clients on her own and had built a revenue stream. It isn’t as if the model would have provided a paycheck had she not had any existing clients when she got sick. But, still, the business model kept her in the game – and allowed her to focus on her health and recover. “I also was able to take some time off to go take care of my mother […]

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Millennials New to Houston Moving Based on Jobs and Pay

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Millennials New to Houston Moving Based on Jobs and Pay

FOX 26 Houston (July 2019) – Our Town America commissioned a survey of more than 650 Millennials to learn about their ideal city to live in and their main motivations behind moving. Some cities stood out amongst the rest – Houston, TX being one of them. Houston, as many will attest to, fulfills many wants and needs for Millennials. In fact, Houston has the third-lowest house prices and sixth-highest household income, according to Nerdwallet. Also – when surveyed, 44.8% of Millennials said a lot of job opportunities is what makes a city a dream city. Houston was ranked 11th best Large American City. And, while Millennials have been stereotyped as being addicted to technology, they actually value time outdoors. In fact, 48.8% said they prefer to do things outdoors when possible. Houston is a short drive from the beach, there are plenty of biking/hiking trails, and water sports are accessible, as well as golf courses and more! Not so surprisingly, however, Millennials like the option to bring their pets whenever possible. 61% of Millennials surveyed have a pet(s), and 47.6% said that their pet(s) is their top priority when choosing a place to live. Well, Houston slides in yet again as a top contender as it has many dog-friendly restaurants and hotels, as well as parks & hiking trails for everyone’s favorite furry friend. But, once Houston proves itself to the new mover, it’s then the local businesses turn to do so. But how? That’s when Our Town America steps in to do what we’ve been doing best since 1972. We deliver Welcome Packages to the mailboxes of new movers – complete with one-time-use free housewarming gifts redeemable at local merchants. This is viewed by tens of thousands of new movers across the country as welcoming – not as a form of advertising. In fact, in the recently commissioned survey, 85% of Millennials said they’d take advantage of a local small business offer/freebie, and a whopping 98% said they’d likely revisit the businesses a second time after trying out the first offer. FOX TV featured Clark Hillegeist of Our Town America of Houston to discuss the survey results. Check out the video by pressing ‘play’ below. ### *Editor’s Note: *Please cite Our Town America as the source for this survey. *This online survey of 652 men and women was conducted by a third party and commissioned by Our Town America. *Survey participants have no affiliation with Our Town America. About Our Town America For 47 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. For more information, visit the Our Town America website at https://www.ourtownamerica.com or call 1-800-497-8360. 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. […]

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Millennial New Mover Wants & Needs

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Millennial New Movers

All statistics drawn from full survey commissioned by Our Town America, which can be found here —  Survey Says: What New Mover Data Shows About Millennial New Movers. 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. […]

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7 Things Millennials Want from Where They Are Moving To

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
What Millennial New Movers Want in a Town

Millennials are on the move, but where are they moving? Millennials (defined as adults born between 1981 and 1996) are one of the most coveted demos in marketing, but finding the right balance for engaging this generation can be tricky. Our Town America commissioned a comprehensive survey and put together a list to help you take your local business marketing to the next level. So, what do Millennials look for in a new city that can help your business set itself apart? Millennials Care About Careers               One surprising piece of homeowner data our survey found was that Millennials care more about careers than you might think! Over 30 percent of our survey said that they relocated for their career for their last move. And that’s not all, 71 percent of Millennials surveyed said they would live in the middle of nowhere for a higher paying job. It’s no secret that jobs drive community growth, and you can bet that Millennials are moving where the jobs are. Millennials Want Convenience               Millennials want convenience in their communities, and that means convenience. Over half of those surveyed (57.4 percent) said that living within walking distance to restaurants and other stores is important to them. A quaint downtown area with diverse local businesses goes a long way in appealing to the Millennial mindset. Everyone knows that Millennials love to shop local, and from boutiques to salons to coffee shops, Millennials are ready to pound the pavement. Delivery Services Matter for Millennials               Even though our survey established that Millennials love walking, that doesn’t mean that they’re above delivery. Our homeowner information shows that two-thirds of survey participants (69 percent) think being in range of delivery services is important. Millennials are also loyal to local businesses. More than 60 percent of our survey said they were highly likely to re-visit a business they received a valuable offer from. Pets Take Precedence for Millennials               America is a nation that loves its pets. Millennials are no exception. The survey found that three in five Millennials have pets. What’s more, is that 70 percent of those pet owners said their pets influenced where they chose to live. Whether it’s dogs, cats, birds, fish, turtles, or bunnies, there’s no question that their furry friends have a big impact on where Millennials choose to live. A community being pet-friendly means much more than big yards. It means pet-friendly shops and ample pet parks for playtime. The same goes for pet-based businesses like grooming services, dog-walkers, and pet-sitters. Everyone Wants Community Events               While only 20 percent of Millennials said they want to live in the big city, over half still said they want to be in a community with lots of exciting events. Food festivals top the list of desirable town attractions with over 69 percent, followed closely by concerts, beer and wine tasting events, sporting events, and family outings. Whether it’s a food truck rodeo, a weekend out at a local brewery, or family fun at a folk-art festival, Millennials want something fun to do together. Millennials Want to Know Their Neighbors               Many people think of Millennials as the new “me” generation, but they might like to think of themselves as the “us” generation. Our survey found that three in four Millennials actually prefer meeting people in person (as opposed to online). Over 44 percent said that it’s very important for them to know the people living around them. A strong and vibrant community with a friendly feel and an air of hospitality can go a long way to bringing in Millennial movers. Housewarming Gifts Mean a Lot to Millennials               It may seem old-fashioned, but Millennials still appreciate a thoughtful housewarming gift. Our survey found that over 80 percent of Millennials would feel more comfortable in a new home or neighborhood if they received a housewarming gift. Even so, only 41.3 percent of survey participants said they’d ever received a housewarming gift. And housewarming gifts go beyond presents. Over 84 percent of our survey said they would jump on a proven offer from a local business. Helping Millennials feel connected to their communities goes a long way to attracting new movers. Connecting Businesses with Millennial Movers We hope this helps to give you a better idea of what inspires Millennials when they choose where to move. One thing is for certain, they want to know what’s out there. Nearly 60 percent of our survey said they wish they had been told more about their new communities after moving in. Whether they receive a welcome guide for new movers or join a new homeowner mailing list, a little info about their new surroundings goes a long way to helping Millennials feel at home. New mover marketing services help keep Millennials informed on local businesses and services while putting your brand in front of a valuable new audience. 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. […]

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Boise, Idaho: A Millennial Dream City complete with Beautiful Scenery

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Millennials Move to Boise Idaho, Our Town America Survey

Idaho Matters Podcast (June 2019) – According to a new national survey commissioned by Our Town America, the nation’s leading new mover marketing franchise, Millennials aren’t quite as co-dependent as many once chalked them up to be. As it turns out, they’re actually maturing into adulthood pretty nicely, and prioritizing rather common wants and needs when moving to a new city.  Factors like better jobs, higher pay, and benefits have become important to Millennials. Scot and Amy Hecht, Our Town America Franchise Owners in Boise, Idaho, guest star on the Idaho Matters Podcast to discuss survey findings from 650+ Millennial new movers (men and women born between 1981 and 1996). Boise ranked high on the list of desired cities to live in, and it’s no question why! Listen to the Idaho Matters Podcast to gain insight on survey findings.   Some main takeaways that explain just why Boise is a top destination? 59.7% of people choose their dream city based off of good scenery. Boise is a great place for an outdoor lover, as it’s filled with rivers, mountains, canyons, deserts, and lakes. 39.9% of people select their current residence based on price. Boise is ranked #17 out of 125 as a Best Place to Live in the USA by U.S. News. Boise’s affordability is one of its most attractive qualities, particularly when it comes to housing costs. 66.1% of people attend concerts and 26.7% attend plays and musicals. Boise is a cultural hub for jazz music and theater. Many popular music festivals are hosted by the city to remember some of the many famous jazz legends, such as Gene Harris. 24.8% said that their dream city has an easy daily commute. Boise’s average commute time is 22 minutes, which is 4.4 minutes less than the national average, allowing individuals to spend less time in traffic and more time doing what they love. ### *Editor’s Note: *Please cite Our Town America as the source for this survey. *This online survey of 652 men and women was conducted by a third party and commissioned by Our Town America. *Survey participants have no affiliation with Our Town America. About Our Town America For 47 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. For more information, visit the Our Town America website at https://www.ourtownamerica.com or call 1-800-497-8360. 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. […]

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Millennials Moving to the Upstate, Greenville

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Greenville South Carolina Top Desired City Our Town America

WSPA Greenville (June 2019) – Our Town America recently commissioned a survey of more than 650 Millennials to find out what their ideal city to live in is and what their motivations behind moving are. There were a few cities that stood out amongst the rest – Greenville, SC being one of them! Greenville, as locals and visitors will attest to, has many key components that Millennials are searching for. In fact, Livability recently ranked Greenville as the #10 Best Place to Live. But what was so great about Greenville? Well, Millennials want to spend their time outdoors, and thankfully for Greenville, it is one of the top places to ride bikes! There is a vast number of hiking and biking trails, which allow people to easily step away from the city life and enjoy the outdoors without going too far out of the way. Our Town America’s survey showed that near half (48.8%) of Millennials choose their dream city based on the activities that they want to do outdoors. It’s no surprise that those who like to be outdoors also want to bring “man’s best friend”. 3 in 5 Millennials have pets, 70% of whom say their pets influence where they live. Greenville has numerous dog-friendly outdoor patios, and dozens of places to go for a walk with your favorite furry friend. 31% of those surveyed stated that they also look for culture, art and theater when choosing where to live. According to the City of Greenville website, Greenville is home to a large mix of museums and is filled with rich culture. And, of course, careers have to rank high on the list as well – considering most Millennials no longer live at home with their parents. 44.8% of the Millennials surveyed chose their dream city based off how many job opportunities were available. Greenville is ranked #3 for best downtown, and many young professionals are drawn to this area because of the strong job market. So, the newcomers make your city home… now what? That’s where Our Town America steps in. We deliver Welcome Packages right to the mailboxes of new movers – complete with free one-time housewarming gifts redeemable at their local merchants. This is genius and is looked at by tens of thousands of new movers across the country as inviting – not as advertising. In fact, in the recently commissioned survey, 85% of Millennials said they’d take advantage of a local small business offer/freebie, and a whopping 98% said they’d likely revisit the businesses a second time after trying out the first offer. WSPA TV featured Jillian West of Our Town America Greenville this week to discuss the survey results and more! Check out the video clip below! ### *Editor’s Note: *Please cite Our Town America as the source for this survey. *This online survey of 652 men and women was conducted by a third party and commissioned by Our Town America. *Survey participants have no affiliation with Our Town America. About Our Town America For 47 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. For more information, visit the Our Town America website at https://www.ourtownamerica.com or call 1-800-497-8360. 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. […]

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Survey Says: What New Mover Data Shows About Millennial Movers

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
New Mover Data Survey of Millennials by Our Town America

Survey Says: What New Mover Data Shows About Millennial Movers Believe it or not, Millennials are growing up. A new local survey shows that Millennial movers are shedding their carefree vibes and are more concerned with careers when it comes to where they live. Whether it’s higher pay or a convenient commute, these Millennials are thinking practical when it comes to putting down roots. In fact, new mover data for Millennials (aged 22-38) shows that they’re starting to sound a lot like their parents! Our Town America commissioned the local survey of more 650 Millennial men and women who have moved in the last five years. See the full transcript of our survey to find new mover information and what new movers are looking for in their favorite cities. Also view accompanying Infographic here. Getting Personal with Millennial New Movers   Firstly, the survey determined personal information about our respondents. With more detailed info on our Millennial movers, we were able to put together a much more accurate picture of the new mover data. 1. When asked, ‘What year were you born in?’ • 3.8% said 1981. • 4.9% said 1982. • 3.7% said 1983. • 7.8% said 1984. • 6.6% said 1985. • 8.1% said 1986. • 4.8% said 1987. • 7.1% said 1988. • 9.4% said 1989. • 6.7% said 1990. • 8.6% said 1991. • 9.4% said 1992. • 6.9% said 1993. • 4.3% said 1994. • 4.4% said 1995. • 3.5% said 1996. 2. When asked, ‘What is your gender?’ • 49.5% said male. • 50.5% said female. 3. When asked, ‘Which of the following, if any, have you done in the past 5 years? Select all that apply.’ • 27.6% said ‘Purchased a new home.’ • 100.0% said ‘Moved into a new residence.’ • 26.5% said ‘Got Married.’ • 31.9% said ‘Had a child.’ • 36.3% said ‘Purchased a pet.’ • 29.4% said ‘Went on an international vacation.’ • 57.7% said ‘Purchased a new vehicle.’ Where New Movers are from and Where They’re Going The next step of gathering our new mover information was determining where Millennials are coming from and where they want to go with their new move. By finding the living situations for Millennial movers we put together a clear picture of our respondents. 4. When asked ‘How many times have you moved in your life?’ • 3.8% said they have moved 1 time. • 8.1% said they have moved 2 times. • 14.4% said they have moved 3 times. • 14.7% said they have moved 4 times. • 8.3% said they have moved 5 times. • 6.4% said they have moved 6 times. • 44.2% said they have moved more than 6 times. 5. When asked ‘What’s the greatest distance you have moved in your life?’ • 4.6% said within the neighborhood. • 8.9% said within the town limits. • 14.0% said within the county. • 25.2% said within the State. • 36.7% said out of State. • 10.7% said out of the Country. 6. When asked ‘Where do you live now?’ • 6.6% said they live at home with their parents and pay rent. • 4.0% said they live at home with their parents and don’t pay rent. • 4.3% said they live with relatives and pay rent. • 1.7% said they live with relatives and don’t pay rent. • 8.4% said they live with roommates and pay rent. • 0.9% said they live with roommates and don’t pay rent. • 31.7% said they rent with a significant other. • 19.2% said they own with a significant other. • 15.5% said they rent a place alone. • 7.7% said they own a place. 7. When asked ‘You mentioned you live at home with your parents. Do you want to move out?’ • 66.7% said yes, but they’re in no rush because they’re not sure they can afford it. • 18.8% said yes, as soon as possible. They can’t take it anymore. • 14.5% said no, they’re fine living with their parents. 8. When asked ‘You mentioned you live at home with your parents. Why don’t you move out?’ • 59.4% said they can’t afford to move out because their job doesn’t pay enough. • 27.5% said they can’t afford to move out because they don’t have a job. • 2.9% said they can’t afford to move out because of student loan debt. • 4.3% said they don’t want to move out. They like living with their parents. • 5.8% said that they’re a bit afraid to move out because of all the responsibility. 9. When asked ‘How far do you live from the closest major city?’ • 36.8% said they live within the city limits. • 10.9% said they live within 5 miles or less. • 14.3% said they live 5-10 miles away. • 14.3% said they live 10-20 miles away. • 9.2% said they live 20-30 miles away. • 5.5% said they live 30-40 miles away. • 3.7% said they live 40-50 miles away. • 5.4% said they live more than 50 miles away. 10. When asked ‘In what State were you born?’ • 13.2% said California. • 4.9% said Florida. • 4.8% said Illinois. • 3.5% said Michigan. • 7.5% said New York. • 4.3% said Ohio. • 4.8% said Pennsylvania. • 6.6% said Texas. • 2.3% said Alabama. • 1.1% said Alaska. • 2.3% said Arizona. • 1.2% said Arkansas. • 1.1% said Colorado. • 1.4% said Connecticut. • 0.5% said Delaware. • 2.3% said Georgia. • 0.9% said Hawaii. • 0.6% said Idaho. • 2.5% said Indiana. • 0.8% said Iowa. • 0.9% said Kansas. • 0.6% said Kentucky. • 1.2% said Louisiana. • 0.8% said Maine. • 1.8% said Maryland. • 2.5% said Massachusetts. • 0.6% said Minnesota. • 1.1% said Mississippi. • 2.1% said Missouri. • 0.2% said Montana. • 0.9% said Nebraska. • 0.6% said Nevada. • 0.8% said New Hampshire. • 2.9% said New Jersey. • 0.6% said New Mexico. • […]

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Dana Nelson Has Made Friends and Helped Family, Thanks to Our Town America

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Our Town America Lifestyle

Dana Nelson’s tale is a familiar one. If you talk to enough successful franchise owners of Our Town America, patterns begin emerging. For instance, it’s a “people person” business, and it helps to have a driven personality and a knack for sales. On all counts, Nelson fits the bill. For most of her career, Nelson was in wholesale account management. She oversaw a five-state territory for a business in the custom-made home furnishings industry. Nelson trained staff on the products and how to sell them. Additionally, she coordinated marketing programs with accounts. She often talked to business owners, of both large and small companies, learning what their frustrations were. She pretty much did it all. And then one day, she, along with a slew of other coworkers, was downsized during what’s often called the Great Recession. That was one big life event that helped steer Nelson toward Our Town America, but that wasn’t the only event. She had something else going on in her life — her parents were both aging and having trouble living on their own. “They were still in their own home, and they needed in-home health care,” Nelson says. “My mom had dementia; and my dad, as far as he was concerned, was going out of the house in a pine box.” They were 170 miles away, and Nelson began thinking that instead of trying to make it work as an employee, maybe she would have more flexibility to go check in on her parents and spend time with them if she could make her own hours. Nelson tried the interior design field for a while, a career that had been hers before she worked at the custom-made home furnishings company. “But it had changed so much,” she says. “And it wasn’t as lucrative.” From there, Nelson started working with a franchise broker to find out what her options were. She knew she didn’t want to be tied down to a brick and mortar business, one that would come with employees and a lease. That option would likely prevent her from spending more time with her parents. Ultimately, the broker recommended Our Town America. Nelson liked what she heard about the New Mover Marketing company. She loved the attractive, oversized Welcome Package that was sent to those new movers and felt it would be contributing to her community. She began having that internal dialogue we all have when thinking about a big decision. “The timing seems good. The business seems like a good fit. Do it now, or don’t do it,” Nelson told herself. She did it. In the waning months of 2013, about two years after the lay-off, Nelson became the owner of Our Town America of Little Canada Minnesota. She has done well since then, and for those looking for inspiration for their own businesses, there are about four reasons why Nelson has thrived. The flexibility factor. It’s hard to work when you’re worried about loved ones, and because she had a job that allowed her to make her own hours, Nelson was able to help her parents get that in-home care they needed. Her mother passed away a couple of years later, and her father passed several years ago, on his 93rd birthday. But in the midst of all of that, Nelson was able to continue to work on building her business clientele. After convincing her father to move into a nursing home, Nelson and her siblings had the time to properly clean out their parents’ home, renovate it and ultimately keep the cherished property. “If I hadn’t that time with my parents, I would not have been a happy daughter,” Nelson says. The experience factor. It helped Nelson that she was comfortable in the world of sales. Still, she says her personality isn’t one where she is comfortable doing “the hard sell”. She sees her job as more of an educator and a listener. “Don’t tell anyone you can help them until you understand what their needs are,” she advises. “If you get them talking, they’re going to tell you what they need, and then you’ll be able to show them how the product will help them achieve their goals.” The bounce back factor. “The best advice I can give anyone is to stay focused. You are going to get no’s and rejections. If you’re patient, you will eventually get positive results that are going to boost you back up,” Nelson says. “You might meet with people several times, and then a year or two later, you end up working with them because the timing is right. Timing and persistence are important.” The “people person” factor. As noted, Nelson likes people. That’s helped her business grow quite a bit. She doesn’t want to waste time pitching business owners who aren’t going to be receptive to her message, so she is selective about whom she approaches. For instance, she might go into a store, look around and buy something and then later, contact the owner. If she gets the sense that the business isn’t interested in good customer service, she won’t contact them. That practice has served her well. For example, she cites one of her first customers, a liquor store, as a good example of a store that cares about customer service. Upon learning Nelson was a first-time customer, the Owner of the store offered to take her on a little tour of his business, having no idea she was going to pitch him her services. She could tell by this experience that he cared about his business and his customers. He quickly became an Our Town America partnered Sponsor business, and he still is to this day! Now, let’s jump ahead to more recent times. Nelson was recently at a local Papa John’s talking with the new franchise owners and discussing Our Town America. The owners, a husband-and-wife team, were worried about landing new customers. But, while they saw the wisdom of marketing to new movers, they weren’t sure if […]

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Birmingham: A Top Desired City by Millennials per Our Town America Survey

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Birmingham Alabama Top Desired City

WBMA Birmingham  – According to a new national survey released for May’s National Moving Month and the busy summer moving season – Millennials are growing up. They are choosing where to live based on factors like better jobs, higher pay, and benefits. The survey, commissioned by Our Town America, the nation’s leading new mover marketing franchise, paints a new portrait of the Millennial generation who are often accused of having their priorities backwards.  Millennials are actually eager to move for job opportunities that equate to a better future for themselves and their families. Luke Wood, Our Town America Franchise Owner in Birmingham, Alabama, sits down with WBMA TV to discuss survey results from more than 650 Millennial new movers (men and women born between 1981 and 1996). Birmingham ranked high on the list of desired cities to live in! Watch the video below, recently featured on WBMA TV in Birmingham, to gain insight on survey findings. The national survey reveals: More than half (58 percent) would move to a city they don’t like for the right job 71 percent would choose to move for a higher paying job in the middle of nowhere over a lower paying job in their dream city Nearly 1 in 3 (30 percent) made their most recent move for their career 39% said price mattered most when selecting current residence – well guess what? Birmingham was recently named as one of nation’s 10 most affordable cities. Those who moved for a job cite higher salary and better benefits as top reasons for the move 86 percent of Millennials who live with their parents or relatives want to move out 84 percent of Millennials plan to buy a home Most Millennials (72 percent) said they don’t live in their dream city; the reasons are practical and calculated.  “Price,” “the neighborhood,” and “proximity to work” were the top three reasons Millennials moved to their current city. Millennials also love to have fun, but want to keep it close to home…in a place their dog can be comfortable too.   The survey shows convenience wins with Millennials on the move.   Respondents said their home must be: Within range of delivery services (69 percent) Within walking distance to restaurants and stores (57 percent) Home to great community events (53 percent) – the top five favorites, in order, were food festivals, concerts, sporting events, bar hopping/wine tasting, and family-friendly events And a great fit for their pet(s) – 3 in 5 Millennials have pets, 70 percent of whom say pets influence where they live And so much for bright lights, big city.   When asked about their ideal living situation: 80 percent said they’d prefer a different option other than “Big City Life” More than 1/3 (35 percent) of those surveyed would choose to move an Uber ride away from the city 1 out of 4 (25 percent) want to move to the suburbs, living even further away from the city Only 1 out of 5 want to move to the city (20 percent), barely beating out the rural boonies (19 percent) as the ideal living situation for Millennials The survey also shows that when Millennials move, this Phone-in-Face generation actually craves Face-to-Face connection with new neighbors. 76 percent say they’d prefer to meet new people in person rather than online 44 percent try to meet their neighbors 80 percent say they’d love a housewarming gift and 45 percent say they have given a housewarming gift Those who don’t try to meet their neighbors say it’s because they’re concerned with safety when knocking on doors More than 2 in 5 (41 percent) fear that social media has become the new neighborhood Millennial respondents say their ideal city has good scenery, great weather, fun outdoor activities, and plenty of job opportunities. Over 48% said they want to have outdoor activities available to them in their dream city. Thankfully, Birmingham is known for providing access to plenty of outdoor activities including great walking tours, botanical gardens, biking, cable skiing, hiking and more! The study also shows that if Millennial is new to town, they’d love a new business to welcome them. 85 percent say they’d take advantage of a local small business offer/freebie (like a free meal or haircut).  Almost all (98%) say they’d likely revisit the business after trying out the offer. ### *Editor’s Note: *Please cite Our Town America as the source for this survey. *This online survey of 652 men and women was conducted by a third party and commissioned by Our Town America. *Survey participants have no affiliation with Our Town America. About Our Town America For 47 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 […]

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