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Our Town America Celebrates June’s Immigrant Heritage Month with Bassam Safi

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Bassam Safi Our Town America Franchisee Immigrant Heritage Month

America has several monikers, including “The Land of the Free,” “Home of the Brave,” “The Melting Pot,” and “The Land of Milk and Honey” among others. Bassam Safi’s road to success is comparable to most Americans’; he worked hard, faced some setbacks, persevered and is now thriving in the Our Town America system as a Regional Developer and owner of franchises in Wilmington and Raleigh, North Carolina. It’s the journey to where he is right now, that has Safi fond of one particular nickname for America, “The Land of Opportunity.” “I’m extremely grateful and appreciative to this country,” Safi says. “My appreciation for the opportunity of what we enjoy here is endless.” Family comes first for Safi. He is a husband and a father of two teenagers. He loves to travel, loves to learn and enjoys playing and watching sports of all sorts. At the age of 50, Safi considers himself amongst the nation’s retirees. “I’m already doing something that I enjoy so I’m already retired,” he says. Working with Our Town America is something that he enjoys because becoming an owner and regional developer is something Safi worked so hard to attain. Safi’s personal and professional journey has roots overseas. Safi was born to Lebanese parents who moved to Kuwait at the time of his birth. “Growing up in Kuwait was a wonderful experience,” Safi says. “It was a small community in the sense that people knew each other and cared about one another. The culture was hospitable. People would go out of their way to help you and others out if you needed direction or advice. It’s similar to what we call ‘Southern hospitality.'” Safi got a taste of ‘Southern hospitality’ when he moved from Kuwait to America after graduating from high school. The time was 1991. Iraq invaded Kuwait. For America, it meant leading a coalition of nations to wage war against Iraq. For Safi, the impact was also extremely personal. “I was enrolled in college in Wilmington when the war broke out,” Safi says. “At the time, my parents were funding my college tuition. However, Kuwait’s assets were frozen, meaning the money I was receiving from my parents was unexpectedly cut off. I had to get two, sometimes three, jobs to make ends meet.” That also meant Safi’s pursuit of a college degree was on hiatus. Instead, he was now a student at the School of Hard Knocks. Safi seized the opportunity presented to him and ran with it. Safi snagged a job delivering pizza part-time. That job became a career. “I went from deliverer to manager, to general manager to district manager, to an executive in the corporate office,” says Safi. “I spent a total of 17 years with the company. There’s nothing I didn’t do. I worked my way from the bottom to the top.” Climbing the corporate ladder within a pizza franchise would be enough for most. Safi is cut from a different cloth. “My goal was to own franchises along the coast. Unfortunately, none were available. I would’ve had to move to the Midwest.” For the first time in nearly two decades, Safi was looking for a new professional opportunity. Our Town America stood out above all others. “I had previous experience working with Our Town America as a client of theirs, so I was familiar with their services,” says Safi. “It was an excellent service that delivered on what they promise. They welcomed new people to the area and capitalized on the concept of hospitality.” Safi was ready to experience Our Town America from the other side, as an owner. He has been with Our Town America going on 11 years, and says he hasn’t looked back. Safi says, “It has been rewarding in every sense. Knowing that I’m able to make a difference in the community by easing the transition for the new movers and replacing the lost sense of belonging with a personalized and hospitable gesture and a gift from a local business.” The road hasn’t always been smooth, but Safi takes it all in stride. “Some businesses have canceled on me, and some have tried not to pay,” says Safi. “I’ve learned how to deal with collections by cutting losses early. I’ve also learned to not take it personally.” What he does take personally are the relationships he’s formed since joining Our Town America. That includes the bonds he’s developed with the communities he now calls home. “There’s so much growth here in Raleigh, as well as Wilmington,” he says. “They’re both such hot markets. Both consistently make the top of the lists of cities where Americans are relocating. They’re full of small businesses and owners who appreciate and understand Our Town America’s unique concept.” Safi is also appreciative of the unique relationship Our Town America’s corporate office offers, including how Michael Plummer Jr. manages to treat everyone as a member of the family. “As an Our Town America franchisee, you have all the necessary tools, the system, training, technology and support to succeed,” Safi says. “The corporate culture, from the CEO to our staff, makes you feel like family. They go out of their way to help you – which is reassuring. I don’t know many CEO’s who will pick up their phone on a Saturday or return a text on a Sunday.” Safi has worked hard his entire life to reach his current status. He’s capitalized on the opportunities and is appreciative of what they have produced. “I am incredibly grateful to this country and all that it has given me. I would never take this life for granted. I lived in a different world. Things that we enjoy here in America may be a given to many people, but they’re not everywhere. I appreciate the opportunity I’ve had here.” Do you want to realize your business ownership dreams, like Bassam Safi? 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 […]

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Our Town America’s Franchisee Success Series: Clint Finch, Houston TX

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Entrepreneur Our Town America Be Your Own Boss

Clint Finch loves to travel with his wife, Michelle. Cruises are their go-to. “We do at least two cruises a year,” says Finch, of Houston, Texas. He says it’s one of the perks the family enjoys now that he is a successful owner and regional developer with Our Town America, the nation’s premier new mover marketing franchise. Michelle is getting ready to embark on a cruise to celebrate their youngest daughter’s high school graduation. “I won’t be joining them this time. It’s a ‘girls only’ trip,” Finch says. It was the thought of spending more time with his daughters that propelled Finch’s transition from the corporate setting into the world of entrepreneurship. “I remember it clearly,” he says. “We were living in the Dallas area, and I remember taking my then eight and five-year-old daughters to vacation bible school. While I was simply dropping the girls off, other parents were staying to serve as volunteers. Between work-related travel obligations and other office commitments, I couldn’t join in the fun. That’s when I decided it was time to take control of my schedule.” Before Our Town America came along, Finch was thriving as a corporate executive, spending two and a half decades in advertising and sales for publishing companies. It was advice from his first boss, who remains a mentor to this day, that Finch will always remember. “He told me ‘you never get rich working for someone else.’ I have always had a drive to do my own thing, manage my own time and finances.” In 2005, with Michelle’s blessing, Finch acted on his intuition and branched out on his own. “I was considering another franchise system, along with a local business in the Dallas-Fort Worth area,” Finch says. He chose Our Town America, because of a previous interaction. “When I moved into my home from Houston to Dallas, I remember receiving a welcome package from Our Town America. I was new in the area, I had yet to establish any relationships with local businesses, and the welcoming package gave me that opportunity.” With his business partner, Finch was ready to join the Our Town America family with a purchase in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Immediately, he felt at home. “First thing when I met the Plummer family, including Michael, Sr. and Michael, Jr., I knew these were people I could trust,” Finch recalls. “The industry was one with which I was familiar and comfortable.” That wasn’t the case for his wife Michelle. First, a school teacher, and then a stay at hone Mom, to raise their two daughters, she wasn’t initiated in the world of sales. Finch says that didn’t slow her down one bit. “When I was at the corporate office in Tampa for training, Michelle called me to inform me she was going to set up sales appointments,” Finch recalls. “I was a little concerned. She had never experienced the rejection that can happen in sales, but I definitely underestimated her, because the very next day she scheduled three appointments for me the day I returned back home.” Michelle was particularly instrumental with their success in the Dallas-Fort Worth area; specifically, when Clint took an assignment with a former employer back in Houston. Clint was pulling double-duty, operating as both a corporate executive as well as Our Town America owner, but he says it was his wife who was carrying the heavy load during that period. Finch says it’s Our Town America’s brilliantly designed business model that helps owners become prosperous, no matter their previous sales experience. He credits the residual income that Our Town America produces, as well as the magnificent support from those on the corporate team, that makes operating the business efficient and profitable. “I can’t imagine another company providing this amount of support. You can earn money on day one.” However, he cautions, the system requires one major sacrifice. “You have to put in the hard work,” says Finch. “The opportunity for income, the opportunity to dictate your own schedule and lifestyle, it is there. However, you can’t have the mindset of ‘I own a business, so I am going to make money.’ No. you have to be ready to hustle.” The pay-off has certainly been worth it for the Finch family. Clint and Michelle work together. “She handles the tough side of the business: the appointments, the operations. I simply talk to people, something I truly enjoy.” Finch says the key to his success is not actually selling Our Town America to clients. “The key is to not think of it as how many people can I sell. The key is to show people how I can help grow their business. Our Town America has created the perfect product for new movers, business owners, as well as for us as franchisees.” Being in Houston also doesn’t hurt, according to Finch.  “Our move rates are always good, and the people are extremely nice here,. We have a diverse base of businesses which is particularly good for us, because we can help them grow.” Clint and Michelle Finch have grown together for more than three-plus decades, including 28 years of marriage. Working together at Our Town America has afforded them the opportunity for a better work-life balance together, but more time with their family. There are hopes the Our Town America business stays in the family when it’s time for Clint and Michelle to retire. “That’s the ultimate goal, to keep it in the family. Everything I do and have done is for my family. Our Town America has provided a great living for my family.” While he’s a little disappointed he won’t be with his family on this latest cruise, not all is lost. “While the cruise would be nothing short of awesome, I will spend some time on the golf course, so it all works out.” Time he’ll get to enjoy, all because of his decision to join Our Town America. Do you want to realize your own business ownership dreams, […]

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Franchisee Success Series: Chris Beer on Family-First Culture

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Family Culture

God, football and his franchise – it sounds like something straight out of a “Welcome to America” pamphlet, but these things are essential to Chris Beer’s livelihood. He has carried a passion for sports, for as long as he can remember. “We are a football family. It stems as far back as my Grandfather who played without a helmet, to my Dad who played with a leather helmet and now I’ve passed it down to my children,” Beer’s passion for football is surpassed by his love for God and family. And it’s his work with Our Town America, the nation’s premier new mover marketing franchise that allows him to fully enjoy his life’s passion to the fullest! The Virginia native graduated from James Madison University with a marketing and business management degree. Beer applied the same discipline and mental toughness needed on the athletic field. He ran track and played football during his high school and collegiate years. Several injuries and a family illness kept Beer from playing his senior year in college. “This is when I decided to buckle down and direct my energy toward gaining success in the business world!” says Beer. “After graduating from college, low on funds, and in need of employment, I had an idea to stand in front of a grocery store and approach every sales representative that walked through the doors,” says Beer. “Thankfully, after telling him I was fresh out of college and in debt, the grocery store manager respected my gumption and approved of my plan. I got a bunch of business cards and made several positive connections. I was really close to landing a job when a headhunter put me in touch with my first employer. It was an experience that taught me, at a young age, that capturing an opportunity is possible through reaching out to people and clearly communicating goals and objectives.” Beer is a proud husband and father of three grown children: two sons and one daughter. He is also the successful owner of Our Town America of Atlanta. For 20 years, he has enjoyed connecting new residents with a wide variety of businesses in the Southeast’s largest city. Beer says his connection with his family has never been stronger because of his Our Town America franchise. “For the first 18 years of my professional career, I didn’t have the opportunity to control my time, my income earning potential or, most importantly, the time I spent with my family and my quality of life,” says Beer. “That all changed when I invested in myself and joined the Our Town America family.” Beer joined Our Town America in 1999, after a nearly two-decade-long run with two prominent consumer products companies. He excelled in corporate sales and marketing, but the job, and the rigors that come with being on the road, were wearing him thin. “There are very few things more valuable than quality of life, but unfortunately, my professional career was interfering with my ability to spend quality time with my family,” Beer says. “I reached a point where I needed to step away from working for corporations and strike out on my own.” The Beer family was quickly introduced to the perils that come with working for big conglomerates. “Two weeks after our honeymoon, I learned I was being transferred from Roanoke, Virginia, to Charleston, South Carolina,” recalls Beer. “We were in Charleston for under a year. Thirty days after buying a house there, I was transferred to Atlanta. That’s when my wife jokingly asked if this is what our life was going to be like forever.”   Married for 33 years, Beer credits his wife for his success. “I have the most supportive wife in the world,” he says. “Her belief in me and my desire to be an entrepreneur during the early years is the main reason why I am here today. You have to have a spouse who is supportive because making the transition from employer to entrepreneur is scary.” Family lineage also played a huge factor according to Beer. He is a third-generation American — his grandparents first arrived in the US via Ellis Island. “Both sets of grandparents instilled the need to work hard, set goals and look for opportunity,” Beer says. “My great-grandfather spoke five different languages, but no English. They were humble beginnings, and I learned how to listen and learn from them.” Beer says his dad also played a role in sacking any apprehension he might have had about leaving corporate life to become self-employed. His dad actually left a corporate position in Michigan and moved the family to Virginia in an effort to realize his personal dreams and improve the family’s quality of life. “It was a tough decision leaving a comfortable salary, benefits, and a corporate vehicle,” Beer says. “But I inherited a leap-of-faith mentality from my dad. I knew it was time to better control my quality of life.” After a brief experience as an owner with a different, less targeted direct mail marketing franchise, Beer wasn’t satisfied. That’s when he conducted even more research and got in touch with Our Town America’s founder Michael Plummer Sr. It didn’t take long before he knew he had found the perfect match with the nation’s premier new mover marketing franchise. “I was on the verge of rejoining the corporate work force after my first crack at entrepreneurship didn’t turn out the way I wanted,” Beer says. “Michael and I talked, and he sent me some information. After a lot of soul searching and praying with my wife, I called Michael back and we had a tremendous conversation. Sixty days after our initial conversation, I was signing the paperwork to open an Our Town America franchise in Atlanta.” Beer flew down to corporate headquarters in Tampa, but he wasn’t traveling solo. “My wife and three kids joined me during my first training session,” Beer says. “That’s how amazing Our Town America is as a company. The fact that […]

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Cleveland Woman is $3,000 New Mover Survey Winner!

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Our Town America 2017 New Mover Survey Winner

Cleveland, OH (April 2018) – When Danelle Daniels moved to Cleveland, she didn’t anticipate a housewarming gift worth thousands of dollars. On Tuesday, the Cleveland-based franchise owner of Our Town America, the nation’s leading new mover marketing company, presented Daniels with a $3,000 check after naming her the grand prize winner of our 2017 National New Mover Survey. “We are thrilled to celebrate and support anyone who calls the Cleveland area home,” said Dave Handa, Cleveland’s Our Town America franchise owner. “Like so many other new residents, we’re grateful she took the time to fill out our survey. It’s our turn to show our appreciation of her choice to move to a great city.” Daniels was one of the thousands of new movers across the country to complete the annual survey included in the Our Town America welcoming package — a personalized collection of free offers from local businesses, like Cleveland’s Rivals Sports Grille where Daniels received a giant oversized check for $3,000. A New Mover gift certificate led Daniels to the friendly neighborhood bar, and now Rivals Sports Grille has become one of her favorite new restaurants. Owner John Simmons says he enjoys connecting with new residents like Daniels through the Welcome Package— it’s one of many reasons he relies on Our Town America to introduce his business to Cleveland’s growing community. “A housewarming gift is supposed to make someone feel welcome and accepted,” said Simmons. “We want every new resident to feel like there’s always a seat for them at our table.” No word yet on how Daniels will spend her winnings, but she can of course spend the $3,000 to buy additional goods and services from local businesses! Dave Handa with Our Town America says the New Mover Survey is an excellent opportunity for local businesses and newcomers to Cleveland. “We’re learning more from new movers nationwide,” said Handa. “Danelle’s big win showcases how important it is for local business owners to reach out to new movers who appreciate their support as they settle into their new community.” “Moving was a huge step for my son and I, I’m thankful for the Our Town America package, because it helped during our busy transition. Thank you for caring and making us feel welcome,” said Daniels. Cleveland-area businesses interested in the Our Town America program can complete a Contact Form or call franchise owner Dave Handa at 440-376-1254.  For more information on the annual New Mover Survey, we invite you to explore our website. Want to see who the 2016 winner was? Click Here. [/column][/row][/lead] 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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Larry Neal Multi-Unit Michigan Owner

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Franchisee Success Series Larry Neal Our Town America

“I wish we would have done it earlier,” says Larry Neal, speaking about his experience with Our Town America, the nation’s premier new mover marketing franchise. Neal and his wife, Paulette, became Our Town America owners 12 years ago in Detroit, and they haven’t looked back after making the life-changing decision. “I have no regrets,” says Neal. “Our Town America is a different company. The franchisee/franchisor relationship is extremely strong. Corporate will do anything and everything to help fuel your success.” Neal, an avid reader, says the Our Town America business model is just one of several factors that play to his success. He is quick to give credit to his Christian beliefs. “Our faith in Jesus Christ directs us in everything we do,” Neal says. In the early 1960s, Neal made the decision to leave his small town of Ironton, Ohio, nestled along the Ohio River bordering both Kentucky and West Virginia, to enlist in the Army. “In my family, no one went to college,” says Neal. “Very few people in my high school went to college. Graduation from high school meant either working at the steel mill or a life in the military. I chose the Army.” Neal spent three years in the Army, including one year in Vietnam, just as the war was escalating. “I was just a little boy, 17 and you think you’re a grown man,” he says. “You don’t know anything. My experience in the Army was eye opening. The culture, it opened my eyes and showed me there was more to the world than just a little town in southern Ohio. I enjoyed the experience of the Army.” After leaving the Army, Neal worked for a giant multinational chemical corporation in sales. Several times he was able to avoid layoffs, but after 25 productive years he decided to take a retirement package. That didn’t necessarily mean he was retired. Neal had already begun building homes as a part-time job. Now that he was “retired”, Neal was able to focus on building homes on a full-time basis. Like any successful journey, Neal encountered a few bumps in the road. For Neal, it came during the onset of the Great Recession in the 2000s. “I was building homes and then the economy started to take a turn for the worse,” Neal says. “Paulette and I couldn’t afford not to work. I knew at my age that it would be hard for me to get a job. We made the decision that we would have to go the entrepreneurial route.” The Neals consulted with a franchise broker who gave them a few options. Those options included a bagel franchise, a fire, water and restoration franchise, and Our Town America. The Neals quickly decided on Our Town America. “Our Town America was very inexpensive with very little overhead,” Neal says. “It fit my sales niche, it didn’t require a physical building or any employees, I was able to run my business the way I saw fit. Our Town America is a phenomenal organization.” In 2006, the Neals became the proud owners of their first Our Town America franchise in Detroit. Now, the couple has three franchises under their belt. “Detroit gets a bad rap,” Neal says. “Sure, there are bad apples, but that doesn’t represent what I’ve grown to love about the metro area. You need two things to be successful as an Our Town America owner: movers and businesses. There is an influx of movers moving in. And there are thousands of businesses in the Detroit metro area that I haven’t stepped foot in. The potential is unlimited here. Detroit is a great blue-collar town because of the Big Three (Chevrolet, Chrysler and Ford). It’s a great place to live and a great place to own a business.” Larry handles the sales and customer service. Paulette oversees the back-end work. The pair is thriving, both professionally and personally. “I can easily say I love her more now than I did 40 years ago,” Larry says. “Operating a business together isn’t all peaches and cream, but I can’t imagine ever doing this without her. She is my rock and support. When I’ve had a bad day and I feel that everything is going wrong, she comforts me. She’ll boost my confidence.” After 12 years as an Our Town America owner, Larry’s confidence is as strong as the steel produced in his hometown. That confidence is the sum of hard work, perseverance, and faith. “I would leave my house the first two-and-a-half years of owning the business at 8:30am and wouldn’t come home until 5pm,” Larry says. “I was knocking on doors, trying to get appointments or making presentations. In our first year we earned the ‘Rookie of the Year’ award. At the end of our second year, we won the title of ‘Franchisee of the Year.’” Having the right work ethic and being a self-starter is a must, according to Larry, if you’re interested in becoming a franchise owner. Larry says Our Town America’s business model set him up for the success. “I’m a firm believer that you have to have sales experience to be successful. It takes years to be a good sales person, but Our Town America will give you all the support you need. It’s a great organization. We have so many tools to make us successful. If you’re struggling in any way, the corporate office is there to give you support. When you talk with other franchise owners, you’ll learn that the relationship between franchisee and franchisor is surreal. You don’t have that friction with franchisees here at Our Town America.” Larry has the utmost respect for Our Town America’s corporate headquarters. And he says the respect is mutual. “It is truly like family,” Larry says. “Both with the franchise owners and the corporate office. There are few companies where you can pick up the phone and call a CEO and go to a ballgame. But you have that relationship here at […]

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Using attractively designed mail pieces for prospective customers.

Written by John Guerra
Direct Mail Marketing

Get Higher Response Rates with Direct Mail Marketing. When business owners reach out to new customers in their communities, they turn to direct mail marketing. It is effective and relatively inexpensive, compared to other forms of advertising, such as radio and television. What is Direct Mail Marketing? Direct mail marketing is the use of attractively designed mail pieces – from postcards to brochures to catalogs and everything in between – which are mailed directly to the homes of prospective customers. Business owners usually choose standard direct mail, which blankets the entire ZIP Code, sending ad pieces to every address regardless of who lives there. This can be more expensive and less effective than New Mover Marketing, which targets new residents. How Does Direct Mail Marketing Work? Our Town America mails a welcome package containing gift certificates from local businesses to the homes of new residents, allowing you to reach a unique and profitable customer base. We obtain an accurate and timely list of new addresses and mail the welcome package only to those addresses every month. Direct Mail Marketing Campaign – Get Higher Response Rates Here are just a few reasons why mailing to unique addresses every month provides a higher response rate than standard direct marketing: When people move to a new town or neighborhood, they must find new local businesses to create their new network of resources. Our welcome packages direct new movers to our partnered businesses locations. New residents spend five times as much as established residents in the 12 months after they move in. New residents are very receptive to Our Town America’s decorative welcome package, which contains housewarming gift certificates from local businesses. The businesses gift certificates are specifically designed to create customer response. New mover campaigns can be designed to attract new customers. From free pizza to discounted kitchen supplies, homeowners will redeem gift certificates for products and services they need. Marketing studies show that 80 percent of new movers redeem gift certificates from local vendors. Why Our Town America for your Direct Mail Marketing Campaign? Our Town America’s New Mover Marketing program has been refined for more than 45 years. By obtaining the most accurate new mover address lists available, we help businesses save money and gain new, loyal customers who are uniquely positioned to respond to your marketing campaigns. Let us help you welcome new families to the neighborhood! John GuerraJohn is a guest blogger for Our Town America and previously worked in national sales at our Clearwater, FL corporate headquarters. www.ourtownamerica.com […]

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Franchisee Success: Jane and Tom McElhaney | Columbia, SC

Written by Brittany N. Johnson

The old saying goes ‘it’s not the destination, it’s the journey’. For Our Town America owner, Jane McElhaney, the destination currently has her operating an extremely successful, well-oiled machine. She along with her husband Tom are rockstars in the Our Town America family. The pair, who reside in the Charlotte metro, are currently Our Town America’s number one franchisee in terms of revenue. But the path to get to the destination with Our Town America, the nation’s leading new mover marketing franchise, wasn’t paved with gold. Their path has been cemented in the proverbial blood, sweat and plenty of tears. Our Town America’s business concept – networking, generating leads, connecting businesses with new residents – is right up Jane’s alley. “I had many years in professional experience dealing with sales, so I was extremely comfortable once I learned what Our Town America was all about,” says McElhaney. “Prior to buying the local Our Town America franchise, I worked in the business equipment leasing industry as well as for a direct mail fulfillment company here in Charlotte.” Jane and Tom met in 1994 at a church in a divorce support group. Before long, their families, 5 children in all, would be united in marriage. Jane made the decision to raise the family as a stay-at-home mom and left the company where she was working. In 2007, the McElhaneys saw their life get flipped upside down. As their youngest daughters were preparing for college, Jane was contemplating a transition back into a professional work setting. 2007 also marked the downturn of the economy. Tom, unexpectedly and out of the blue, found himself one of the victims of the recession. “For 29 years, Tom was a devoted executive and just like that, his job was eliminated,” says Jane. “We were pushed into a situation where we knew we had to do something, even though it was a time when people were getting laid off. Our youngest daughters were heading off to college, and I had been considering what’s next. I thought ‘”How are we going to pay for college?” It’s true when they say, ‘When one door closes, another one opens.'” Like every journey worth telling, there’s always someone along the path to help you get back on your feet following a tumble. For the McElhaneys, one pivotal person along that route was Mike Fisher, Jane’s brother, and a successful owner of an Our Town America Franchise in Tampa, Florida. He had a hunch the Our Town America business model would work well for his sister and brother-in-law. “Mike invited Tom and I to come to Florida to go on sales calls and to see what Our Town America was all about,” says Jane. “Plus, he didn’t live too far from the Our Town America corporate headquarters, so I was able to meet Our Town America Chief Executive Officer Michael Plummer Sr. I was very impressed with the people and the culture of the company, along with the passion that Michael Plummer had for his business. By the time I left Tampa, I was ready to buy a franchise.” It’s that enterprising spirit that has fueled Jane’s success. It’s also why she says she and Tom make a great team. “I have a real outgoing personality,” Jane says. “On the other hand, Tom is more laid back. He likes to analyze the situation before reacting.” After careful consideration, and from Jane’s recollection, 10,000 questions, Tom was on board. In a mere two months after her brother introduced them to the company, the McElhaneys were signing documents to become franchise owners in Charlotte. They haven’t looked back. “When I was a stay at home mom, I volunteered with my church and other organizations,” says Jane. ” The community service aspect of Our Town America really appealed to her, helping direct new movers to businesses they are searching for and, at the same time, assisting local businesses in their growth by sending new and loyal customers through their doors. Both of us have a background in sales, so it was an easy transition. You must be willing to step outside of your comfort zone and introduce yourself to strangers. I have a really outgoing personality, so that isn’t an issue for me. Tom is more reserved, but he’s an excellent listener, which makes him a fantastic salesman. The experiences from our sales backgrounds have been extremely helpful and has made our business successful.” Jane says her passion for helping others is a driving force behind her success. “Our Town America is all about connecting great businesses with great people.” Four years after buying their first franchise, the McElhaneys were in a position where they could purchase the other Charlotte Our Town America franchise from the retiring owner. Three years later, in 2014, Our Town America issued a challenge to its owners. Any franchisee that sold more than 100 accounts in that year would be awarded a territory. The McElhaneys were targeting Columbia, South Carolina, where they own a lake house. “You put two sales people together and an incentive like that, there was no stopping us,” Jane says. “That year was exhilarating. We kept watching the numbers climb and climb. We were determined to hit that 100-mark. Nothing motivates a salesperson more than giving them a goal.” With their hard work, they cleared the mark and earned their Columbia territory. It’s that rush that Jane says makes her excited every day to be an Our Town America franchise owner. “Being an entrepreneur has several perks, but one of the best is creating your own success and never having to worry about someone calling you and saying you don’t have a job,” says Jane. “Specifically, with Our Town America, there isn’t a need for outlandish costs either. It’s not a brick and mortar business. There’s very little overhead. It doesn’t require a building or even an office. You can work from home, you don’t have to hire an outrageous number of employees. And the corporate […]

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Franchisee Success: Scot and Amy Hecht, Treasure Valley, ID

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Our Town America in Boise, Idaho

Our Town America provided an opportunity for our entire family What do you cherish the most? Is it job security? Is it a clear path to retirement? Is it more time with family? Is it quality of life? For Scot and Amy Hecht, it’s “all of the above,” and then some. They are the parents of two young sons and the proud owners of Our Town America Treasure Valley in Meridian, Idaho. That’s just outside of Boise, and for the Hechts, right in the middle of everything they wanted in their lives – especially now that they’re thriving as franchise owners with Our Town America, the nation’s first and fastest growing new mover marketing franchise. The couple moved to Idaho’s Treasure Valley to escape the rigors, headaches and the ceaseless rat race that came from living in Southern California. “We wanted to improve our quality of life as we prepared to start our family,” says Scot. “Meridian gave us access to everything we wanted, camping, hiking, anything dealing with the great outdoors, on top of a slower pace of life.” Both Scot and Amy bring an extensive sales background to their Our Town America franchise. Scot, a graduate of San Diego State University, has worked in sales for his entire career since graduating. “I worked with several small businesses, startup businesses and family businesses, mainly doing outside sales for my professional life before Our Town America.” Amy worked with 2 Fortune 500 companies after graduating from Ohio State University. “For the first three years of my professional career, I worked in sales and I was great at it,” says Amy. “But it wasn’t intrinsically fulfilling; I lost the passion for it after three years doing it.” Amy found that passion as an educator. She first taught middle school science and math, before spending most of her teaching career in elementary schools. It was Amy’s educational background, that allowed the newly married Hechts to make the bold move from stable jobs in Southern California to the uncertainty waiting for them in Idaho. “Neither one of us had jobs waiting for us in Meridian,” says Amy. “All we had was one another and our belief that we were making the right move for ourselves and our future family.” It’s the belief in one another that makes Scot and Amy the perfect couple. When Scot was ready to make the leap to become an entrepreneur, it was Amy who proved to be his biggest cheerleader. “My wife was the person who encouraged me the most to have the confidence and make the investment in myself,” said Scot. After years of working for others, Scot was ready to invest in himself. “I was tired of working hard and making money for others,” Scot says. “I wanted to stop making money for other people and make money for myself. I knew I had the skills, drive and motivation to do it. Also, I knew with Amy having a stable public-sector job, I had a built-in safety net. Amy and I did a great job absolving all debt and putting enough in savings to make sure I could take the risk. Worst-case scenario, if I tried and failed, I knew we would still be able to pay the mortgage and feed the family.” Scot had strict criteria when searching for a franchise,  including no inventory, no real estate, no employees and no suppliers. Scot was referred to Our Town America and was quickly sold. “Our Town America is an established brand with a successful track record,” says Scot, who adds, “I haven’t looked back.” With his sales background fueling his new business, Scot experienced immediate success, landing a large grocery chain as one of his first clients. While Scot was succeeding with the new business, Amy, his biggest backer, was toiling through the daily grind that comes with teaching. “I love helping my students, you’re changing kids’ lives,” says Amy. “However, the long hours associated with teaching are ridiculous and began to wear me down. My family was suffering, I was suffering, and the work-life balance was lacking.” Scot wanted a company that required no employees. He wasn’t getting an employee when Amy decided to join his efforts. He was getting a partner. A partner who had the knack and business acumen that would take the already thriving business to the next level. Amy had experienced success during her previous run at sales. Working with Our Town America was like riding a bike. “Teaching is all about relationships and so is sales,” Amy says. “This is about helping people. In this case, I’m helping welcome people to the community. I’m also helping introduce businesses of all sizes in our community to new customers. I’m changing lives, changing the community and making people moving into Treasure Valley feel more comfortable.” Our Town America’s business model is the perfect fit for Meridian, Boise and all of Treasure Valley. In 2015, Meridian topped USA Today’s best cities to live in rankings. More recently, Money placed the town in its top 50 Best Place to Live in 2017.   This growth makes Boise/Meridian a fantastic place to be an Our Town America owner and helped Scot and Amy secure two fantastic TV features – this one, when they first got started, and another recent feature showcasing how they give back to sponsors over the holidays. “The Treasure Valley is a perfect fit for our business,” says Scot. “When we moved here, it was a small town, now it is growing at a phenomenal pace. It’s a hidden gem that people from across America are discovering. That’s good for the Our Town America business since we’re based on new movers. It ensures longevity for my business. Selfishly, I miss the small town feel that drew us here in the first place.” The rush of new movers will assist Amy in her arduous task to land 60 new accounts in six months. “I want 100 accounts,” says Amy. “We started with 48 […]

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Get Your New Mover Mailing List Now

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Our Town America New Mover List of New Residents

Target new residents and new homeowners with our proprietary mail lists Our company’s New Mover Marketing program, powered by our unparalleled new mover lists, is an effective strategy for your local advertising and marketing. You’re always searching for new customers ready to purchase your products and services. When new movers settle into their new neighborhoods, with their normal buying patterns disrupted, that’s your opportunity to earn a lifetime customer with our direct mail lists! New movers spend more money outfitting new homes and establishing new shopping habits than existing residents spend in five years. Because they’re new to the area, new residents and new homeowners don’t have favorite barbershops yet, for example, or grocery stores, car dealerships, dental offices, pet stores, or other everyday needs. To reach this audience with an accurate and timely mailing for your local marketing and advertising, contact us about our New Mover Marketing program now! Our direct mail company can manage your local postcard marketing campaigns as well. Tell us your ideas and we’ll design, print and mail your postcards. We can use the mailing list you provide, mail to a certain demographic area, or we can develop a mailing list with specific demographics. Choose an experienced new mover marketing company to run your local advertising and marketing How does our direct mail marketing company ensure that our new resident and new homeowner lists are accurate and up-to-date? We’ve been helping businesses gain loyal customers for over 50 years. Many marketing companies around the country claim to be specialists in local direct mail marketing, but as many as 80% have been in business for less than three years. We’ve helped tens of thousands of local businesses turbo-charge their local advertising and marketing by introducing themselves to new homeowners and new residents in the neighborhood. When partnering with us, you can use our direct mail marketing programs broken down by multiple ZIP Codes, single ZIP Code, carrier route, and other demographics useful to your business. Rely on new mover lists backed up by decades of managed data Our direct marketing company has half a century of experience in new mover history and data management. Local businesses can be assured that our new resident lists are effective in successfully targeting new families looking to buy goods and services, as mailing lists can be matched against previous lists – and previous successes with currently active customer bases. We collect and store data from up to 11 sources nationwide each month. This gives local businesses the comfort of knowing that our company’s new mover lists are timely, clean and accurate. That same care and experience transfer into our postcard marketing programs as well. How we ensure that our direct mail lists are the best Our New Mover Marketing program begins with an empty name file, and nationally recognized suppliers provide us with new mover intelligence, which identifies individuals and families who have filed an address change in the past 30 days. We receive millions of names, addresses, and other data for new residents each month. Sources of new mover information vary by community and part of the country, but data sources usually include deed transactions, credit cards, utility connections, credit bureau records, magazines, driver’s licenses or voter registration lists. A change of address does not necessarily indicate a move, though, which is why we process our data through our proprietary system to identify and eliminate potential errors. How our direct mail marketing company cleanses data The long list of addresses is standardized for postal validation. We go through the list again and remove any redundancies. That’s because the typical mover communicates up to eleven sources of his or her address change. We remove duplicate addresses to ensure that the same business doesn’t mail to the same address for at least six months. We compare every name to our historical database of 350 million households. Our Town America will never mail to the same name and address twice. The list undergoes final postal verification with the United States Postal Service. We are well-known in the New Mover Marketing industry as having direct mail lists with close to 100% accuracy To reach near-perfection, we discard as much as 60% of the names and addresses we receive. Businesses are wise to find the most accurate list of new residents before sending direct mail pieces to potential customers. Is the envelope addressed to the wrong family? Is it being mailed to an old address? How much of your local marketing budget can you afford to waste? Accurate lists increase a business’ return on investment, saving money and time. And our direct mail marketing company is known for our clean lists to help build customer bases for businesses just like yours. Period. 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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Franchisee Success: Susan Nagi, Phoenix and Las Vegas

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Susan Nagi Our Town America The Valley

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. […]

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