Our Town America Logo
Skip to content

Tag: New Movers

Entertainment Centers Use New Mover Marketing to Grow Business

Written by Brittany N. Johnson

Implementing New Mover Marketing campaigns can give entertainment centers (i.e. bowling center, movie theaters, go-kart places, etc.) a tremendous competitive edge. In today’s world, most people who move to a new house either have children or are young married couples who are likely to have kids in the coming years. Thus, new movers are prime potential customers for entertainment centers across America! Our Town America, the nation’s first and fastest-growing New Mover Marketing franchise, specializes in helping local businesses capitalize on the goldmine that is new residents. By delivering gift certificates with personalized offers right to a new resident’s mailbox, Our Town America helps local businesses get noticed. The moving industry is growing, so appealing to new movers continually draws in customers. Businesses just need a way to get their foot in the door; fortunately, Our Town America has the keys. The Moving Industry is Thriving A growing economy correlates to an increasing number of movers in the U.S. As companies begin to hire more and more employees, families are uprooting and moving to new areas to take advantage of those job opportunities. New, higher-paying jobs mean that families will likely have more expendable income. Local entertainment centers are a prime opportunity to get out of the house and do something fun as a family, so it’s no surprise that entertainment centers are keen to draw in those new residents. In addition, boomerang buyers are coming out in force. These buyers are the portion of the population who foreclosed on their homes during the recession and have been working to build their credit back up ever since. We’ve just about hit that point where those buyers are now able to jump back into the world of home ownership, and that often means a move to a new community. Regardless of why a family has moved, they are inevitably on the hunt for things to do in their new neighborhood. New movers mean new opportunities to draw customers in to your establishment. Why Target New Movers? As families move into new neighborhoods, they are naturally looking for the nearby necessities such as grocery stores, hair salons, auto mechanics and more. Finding safe, family-friendly activities is sure to be high on the list of priorities as the family settles in. The key is to draw those new residents into your establishment before they come across your competition. Grabbing new mover attention early will help you build brand awareness and loyalty. It’s much easier to get customers in the door if you aren’t trying to lure them away from competitors. According to the Harvard Business Review, acquiring a new customer can cost five to 25 times more than retaining a current customer, depending on the industry and market. This is because you are not expending as much time and resources to target new clients. Instead, you focus on building out the quality of your establishment and work on keeping your current customers happy. In fact, according to research done by the Frederick Reicheld of Bain and Company, if you increase customer retention by just five percent, your profits may increase between 25 and 95 percent!   Why Our Town America Works Through Our Town America’s New Mover Marketing programs, you are ensuring your company is seen immediately upon a family’s arrival to the neighborhood. That initial awareness shows your company is active in the community and will help establish your credibility. The next step is to provide the customer with the incentive to come visit. Our Town America’s personalized gift certificates do just that. Our Town America’s success lies with the expertise of our corporate staff and franchisees. Our Town America will work with your entertainment center one-on-one to devise the perfect marketing campaign for you and your market. Our Town America gift packages deliver personalized and valuable offers that are geared specifically toward your target demographic. That customization, attention to detail and years of experience will make all the difference in your bottom line. Testimonials Our Town America has a proven track record when it comes to capturing the interest of new movers on behalf of entertainment centers.   Consider… The innovative New Mover Marketing campaign has had a profound impact on businesses such as Royal Cinemas in Royal, VA. Rick Novak, the cinema complex owner, has used Our Town America’s services for more than seven years, calling it “the best Return on Investment for a business.” Unlike ordinary coupons, Our Town America evaluates each market and comes up with a custom strategy based on valuable offers built for that region. For Royal Cinemas, Our Town America capitalized on the trend of people migrating west of Washington, D.C. As a result, Royal Cinemas has seen an average monthly response rate of 11 percent, with some months exceeding 17 percent. Those numbers speak for themselves! New Mover Marketing campaigns work.   Rob Suess, owner of The Alley at Southshore in Riverview, FL, has seen tremendous results from Our Town America’s new mover campaigns. Suess offered one free hour of bowling plus free shoe rental. He says, “This is probably one of the best redeeming offers I’ve ever seen go out in my 20 years of this business. Dozens more new customers are entering our doors each month.”     The same is true for Robb Tacelosky, owner of Ultimate Play Zone in Cockeysville, MD Tacelosky has worked with Our Town America for years and could not be more pleased with the results. Since 2014, he has been offering new movers a three-for-one admission rate to his entertainment center. He has seen “an exponential amount of new movers who redeem the gift certificate to become repeat, long-term customers.” Tacelosky believes that Our Town America has been invaluable to his long-term success. If you’d like to take your business to the next level, visit OurTownAmerica.com to learn more about Our Town America’s New Mover Marketing Programs. You can complete a contact form or give us a call at 800-497-8360. Be sure to mention this article! […]

Read More…

The Stresses of Moving – WBTV Charlotte

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Our Town America Charlotte Moving Stress

WBTV Charlotte (June 2018) – It’s no secret Charlotte is booming, ranked #19 on FORBES’ 2018 “Fastest Growing Cities List.” Right in time for May’s National Moving Month, a recent local survey reveals relocating here – and anywhere – will cause major stress on relationships. The local survey polled recent movers and reveals relocation scars personal relationships as couples fight over why they moved and where they moved while struggling with money problems and decreased intimacy. And get this – many recent movers admitted they secretly got revenge on their partner right before the move with “dirty dumping”.  More than 1 in 3 new movers admitted to “accidentally losing” a significant other’s prized possessions or purposefully tossing it in the Goodwill bag. Commissioned by Our Town America, the nation’s premier new mover marketing company, the survey of 300+ men and women who have recently relocated also revealed: Kids compound the problem – couples put their relationships on the back burner after a move because they’re paranoid about “finding the right school” for their kids and “helping them make new friends” – the top two child-related moving stressors. Unfriendly neighbors add to the stress – nearly half (49%) of survey respondents said meeting new neighbors is key to feeling comfortable in their new home, but say their neighbors are “too busy” and “aren’t as friendly” as the neighbors they remember as a child. Housewarming gifts are rare, but important – 88% of respondents said that receiving a housewarming gift would make them feel more comfortable in a new home, yet less than half (46%) have ever received a housewarming gift. This survey was released during the busiest moving time of the year.   These results are particularly timely as more than 40 million Americans are expected to relocate this year, and most will make their move during summer months when the weather is nice, and kids are out of school. Watch the WBTV Charlotte clip below.  If interested in partnering with your local New Mover Marketing experts, Jane and Tom McElhaney of Our Town America Charlotte, please complete a Contact Form or call 704-906-7434. Our Town America is a national franchise who supports businesses across the nation year round. Non-Charlotte area businesses can reach out to Our Town America directly to get in touch with their local representative at 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. […]

Read More…

The Financial Stress of Moving – KNXV Phoenix

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Our Town America The Valley Moving Stress

KNXV Phoenix (June 2018) – It’s no secret that Phoenix is booming, ranked #11 on FORBES’ 2018 “Fastest Growing Cities List.” A recent local survey reveals relocating to Phoenix – or anywhere – will cause major stress on relationships. The survey polled recent movers and reveals relocation scars personal relationships as couples fight over why they moved and where they moved while struggling with money problems and decreased intimacy. Many recent movers even admitted they secretly got revenge on their partner right before the move with “dirty dumping”.  More than 1 in 3 new movers admitted to “accidentally losing” a significant other’s prized possessions or purposefully tossing it in the Goodwill bag. Commissioned by Our Town America, the nation’s premier New Mover Marketing company, the survey of 300+ men and women who have recently relocated also revealed: Kids compound the problem – couples put their relationships on the back burner after a move because they’re paranoid about “finding the right school” for their kids and “helping them make new friends” – the top two child-related moving stressors. Unfriendly neighbors add to the stress – nearly half (49%) of survey respondents said meeting new neighbors is key to feeling comfortable in their new home, but say their neighbors are “too busy” and “aren’t as friendly” as the neighbors they remember as a child. Housewarming gifts are rare, but important – 88% of respondents said that receiving a housewarming gift would make them feel more comfortable in a new home, yet less than half (46%) have ever received a housewarming gift. This survey was released during the busiest moving time of the year.   These results are particularly timely as more than 40 million Americans are expected to relocate this year, and most will make their move during summer months when the weather is nice, and kids are out of school. Watch the KNXV Phoenix clip below.  If interested in partnering with your local New Mover Marketing expert, Susan Nagi of Our Town America The Valley, please complete a Contact Form or call 480-678-1366. Our Town America is a national franchise who supports businesses across the nation year round. Non-Phoenix area businesses can reach out to Our Town America directly to get in touch with their local representative at 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. […]

Read More…

Our Town America: Helping Gyms & Fitness Centers Boost their Bottom Line

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Our Town America Helps Fitness Centers and Gyms Get Customers

Club Insider — A revamped economy is fueling a recent surge in wages, new homes and America’s migration habits. The pendulum of homeowners on the move, stagnant throughout most of the decade, is gradually swinging upwards. New Mover Marketing firm Our Town America, the nation’s first and fastest growing new mover marketing franchise, is happily connecting residents to the local businesses that are the lifeblood of their new communities. As people move and adjust to their new city, Our Town America discovered that fitness centers are playing a major role in uniting new residents with friendly faces. The full gamut of fitness centers – ranging from national gym chains to CrossFit centers – are capitalizing on the uptick in moving. Our Town America is the perfect platform and partner for fitness centers looking to get a jump on new residents, and ultimately, new clients. They offer a strategic model that provides New Mover Marketing solutions through direct mail for local businesses eager to welcome new residents to the neighborhood. This includes gyms and fitness centers trying to replace members that have moved away with the people that moved into their homes. Each month, Our Town America helps gyms and fitness centers reach thousands of new movers across the country settling into their new neighborhoods. Those residents are sent warm, personalized offers from gyms and fitness centers in a customized Welcome Package that allows owners and managers to track and monitor their return on investment. But don’t take our word for it. Here are three gym owners who have dealt directly with Our Town America and are enjoying the results: Kristen Iuppenlatz – Pilates Collective in Sebastopol, CA: “Our Town America is the most effective local marketing program I’ve used in my eleven years in business because it generates long-term customers,” says Kristen Iuppenlatz, owner of Pilates Collective in Sebastopol, CA. Iuppenlatz has been offering a free introductory session (up to $85 value) to an average of more than 130 new movers each month since January. In fact, she says Our Town America introduced her to more than a dozen new movers within the first year who signed up for a five-session introductory offer and became loyal customers.     Michael Murphy – Anytime Fitness in Saint Petersburg, FL: Saint Petersburg, FL Anytime Fitness franchise owner, Michael Murphy, has been offering one free month of unlimited membership PLUS a free personal training session and thank you gift to new movers since September 2014. He says the key to his success is using the Our Town America program to get movers in the door which allows him to engage the entire family with the same offer. “I reach up to 1,000 new movers per month with Our Town America,” says Murphy. “I extend the same offer to ALL immediate family members when a new mover redeems the gift certificate.”     Brian Vest – YMCA in Charlotte, NC: “Our Town America is the most intentional and impactful marketing we’ve ever done at the YMCA,” says Brian Vest, Associate Executive Director at the Morrison Family YMCA in Charlotte. Vest offers one free month of membership. “Hundreds of new movers are finding the YMCA on purpose now, not by accident.   Our Town America is a strong partner for fitness centers across the country. Contact Our Town today to “work out” a deal that will help you replace those who’ve moved away with new, loyal members! Contact: sales@ourtownamerica.com or 800-497-8360 ext. 226 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. […]

Read More…

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. […]

Read More…

Boise Business Owners Teach Middle Schoolers a Valuable Lesson

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
We Dine Together Our Town America Boise

KTVB Boise (April 2018) — The cafeteria—the loneliest (and scariest) place for any anxious middle schooler—but not at Eagle Middle School Thursday,  April 12th morning. Armed with dozens of free donuts, a few icebreakers, and a little encouragement, two local business owners teamed up to help students make new friends and feel less isolated. “My family moved around a lot, so I know what it feels like to always be the ‘new kid,’” recalled Amy Hecht, a former Eagle Middle School teacher, turned local business owner. “As an educator, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact of bullying and loneliness on children who are doing their best to fit in at school. We want them to know that we see them, and we care about them.” Making new residents feel welcomed in Boise is the mission of Hecht’s successful business Our Town America, a new mover marketing franchise. After learning about the “We Dine Together” movement — a national student-led initiative that helps students from all walks of life feel included— from a recent “Seven’s Hero” feature by KTVB’s very own Maggie O’Mara, Hecht joined forces with Prum Nouhem, the owner of DK Donuts. Together, they lead by example. With a passion for activism and youth, both entrepreneurs are inspiring Boise’s youngest residents to embrace newcomers and learn more about their community. “Our kids represent the best of Boise, and it’s up to the grownups to support them,” said Nouhem, an immigrant who now calls Treasure Valley home after escaping political persecution in Cambodia. “We want a world where everyone can work toward peace, and that starts with encouraging our kids to believe in themselves.” Dozens of students enjoyed freshly baked donuts and friendly conversation with their classmates and teachers Thursday. Hecht and Nouhem have issued a challenge to other local business owners, asking them to donate food, supplies, and lessons in leadership for future “We Dine Together” events. “We can’t just tell them to make new friends, we have to show them how to do it,” said Hecht. “That means giving them space and the resources to make our world a better place.” Watch the KTVB Boise clip below for full story. To contact Amy Hecht of Our Town America of Boise, ID, complete a Contact Form or call 208-866-9540. 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. […]

Read More…

Direct Mail Still Works: How To Use Tech To Elevate Traditional Marketing

Written by Michael Plummer, Jr.
Direct Mail Still Works: How To Use Tech To Elevate Traditional Marketing

Forbes — Direct mail may sound old-fashioned and outdated in today’s technological world, but if we only utilized new forms of advertising, there would be no Super Bowl ads — or TV ads, period (television has been airing for the masses since the 1940s). There would be no radio ads (America has been listening to radio programs since the 1920s). We wouldn’t do trade shows (those have been around since the 1800s). Even some modern-day marketing strategies are growing gray hairs, as email has been around since the early 1970s and internet advertising was launched in the 1990s. Direct mail — especially niche-based, targeted direct mail such as the new mover marketing program we offer at Our Town America — has endured because it works. Helping local businesses create valuable, long-term relationships by delivering thoughtful and personalized gift certificates direct to new mover doorsteps is what we do. It’s in our DNA. Sure, it’s old-school, print-based advertising, but it’s effective because it can reach a niche customer base when they’re interested in finding new, go-to solutions for everyday needs (groceries, hair care, restaurants, etc.). That’s the key to effective marketing, both online and offline: the ability to reach customers when they’re actively searching for answers. And in today’s world, technology plays a pivotal role in determining who those customers are and where/how they’re searching for solutions. You must always be open to embracing new technology — even if it’s in conjunction with an old-school form of advertising — that helps you efficiently reach and influence target audiences. So what if you own a direct mail company and know you need to evolve? Or perhaps you’re a business owner considering direct mail marketing and you want to be sure the company you choose “gets it.” Keep these three things in mind: Technology Is Still Essential To Key-In On Target Audiences Direct mail efforts without demographic-based strategies can be a waste of money. These days, you can use technology to pinpoint target audiences. If your core customer group is within two miles of your place of business, don’t send to a 10-mile radius. If your products are best-suited for senior citizens, don’t send offers to millennials. And if you want apartment dwellers, it’s silly to send direct mail to McMansions. Too many businesses throw money to the wind because they aren’t specific about reaching their core audiences at the right time. Technology affords us the ability to only send to specific zip codes, neighborhoods, etc. Create Human Connections With Customers Ready To Act … And Track Redemptions That is, when you send potential customers gift certificates to try out your business, include a tracking mechanism (like a QR or barcode on the certificate that you can scan). This should be done so that if they redeem your offer, you will know it’s being used. This also helps you secure their contact info, so you can follow up with an additional offer, thank them for being a customer and invite them back. All customers want to feel appreciated. But they don’t just want discounts or coupons — they want real, thoughtful offers (such as a free pizza, not just 10% off). That’s the key to inspiring action and increasing redemptions — getting them in the door when they’re ready to act and delivering an unbelievable in-store experience that keeps them coming back for years. This is the human factor of direct mail that technological advancements don’t compromise — the opportunity to send a real, tangible, personalized offer delivered directly to someone’s doorstep. Don’t Let Technological Advancements Scare You Away From Direct Mail Look, it’s easy to think that direct mail doesn’t work because everyone’s using the internet to find out where they’re going and what they’re buying. But that’s actually a reason direct mail could be beneficial. Potential customers can be overwhelmed by all the information they find online and don’t know where to turn. You’ve got that person’s mailbox, sometimes to yourself, and you can use technology as a facilitator to help connect with potential customers in a direct way. So it’s important to remember that technology is your friend. Implement tiny aspects of it to create a personal touch and avoid bombarding potential customers with emails and push notifications. The internet is a technological marvel, but everyone uses it. Seeing an ad on the internet is like looking at the night sky and picking out a favorite star. They all look the same after a while. But that’s where direct mail — if you use it properly — can separate your business from the crowd … especially when you’re using technology to elevate the reach and impact of direct mail programs. And, besides, as the saying goes: Everything old is new again!   Michael Plummer, Jr.Michael Plummer, Jr. is Our Town America’s President and CEO. Michael strategically leads Our Town America while maintaining our core principals of connecting new residents to the local businesses in their communities. www.ourtownamerica.com […]

Read More…

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 […]

Read More…

One Man’s Decision to Take Over the Family Business Has Helped Thousands

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Our Town America franchise business

Our Town America is more than just a business to many By Yitzi Weiner and Casmin Wisner I had the great pleasure to interview Michael Plummer, Jr, President and CEO of Our Town America, the nation’s leading new mover marketing franchise business with more than 60 franchises nationwide. Thank you so much for doing this with us! What is your backstory? My journey to becoming the CEO of Our Town America began when I was 20 and my dad—a very hard working and generous man to everyone—offered me a job at the family business. The salary would have been a fortune for most 20-year-olds, but I declined. Instead I enlisted in the army and became a medic for the U.S. Army. My dad didn’t exactly think it was a great idea, but I wanted to work in medicine and create my own path. That was a decision I will never regret—and eventually my dad came around. Before long, you could tell he was very proud of what I was doing, and that I was forging my own path. In the year 2000 my dad had a major heart attack, and while he came out of it okay, I decided to finally take his job offer and work with him at Our Town America. I’ve never regretted that decision either. In 2009, my dad—who was only 57—had another heart attack and passed away suddenly. A few days after the funeral I was in my dad’s office signing paychecks for his 30 employees when once again I had a big decision to make. A business broker asked if I was interested in selling the business. I immediately said that I was not, but then I started having doubts. The recession was raging and it was a scary time. I started thinking that it might not be such a bad idea to sell the company. Long story short, I decided to throw myself into Our Town America, and fortunately, I’m three for three. I’ve never regretted that decision either. I’m extremely proud that we are celebrating 45 years in business as we unveil our brand new 44,000 square foot facility in Clearwater. Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company? After growing up into my teens swearing I didn’t want to be like my dad, I am proud to say I am very much like him. I remember sitting with him on many occasions at 6:30 in the morning, enjoying a cup of coffee and listening to him explain some things that we were working on and why they were important. Some of the choices didn’t make a lot of sense to me at the time, but now—since having been in similar situations—I find myself doing similar things and making similar choices. While some situations call for obvious decisions, some need a little more heart and finesse. So, what exactly does your company do? We are a new mover marketing company that specializes in connecting businesses with new, loyal customers. For 45 years our innovative, new mover marketing program has helped businesses nationwide develop a constant stream of new, loyal customers. We do that by connecting businesses with families that have just moved into the community and other potential customers near their businesses using our famous welcoming package and full-color postcards. You get new customers each month who are actively searching for new businesses. It’s a niche market, but if you think about it, businesses want new customers, and customers who have just moved into an area want to know what’s out there. They’re actually far more receptive to advertising than residents who have lived in the area forever. What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story? After 45 years we have not only perfected our craft, but we have grown to be the most technologically savvy new mover marketing franchise in our industry. Our program offers tracking by barcoded certificates and postcards, tells you who came in by month, and allows you to build reports based off who redeemed the first offer. Unlike most other welcome programs, we reach all new-mover families (not just home purchases). Plus, people really respond to our high-value gift certificates. Our loyalty program thanks customers after their visit with a postcard to generate repeat visits, and our e-survey gives business owners survey feedback from their customers to help them monitor customer satisfaction and post favorable comments to their Facebook page. None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are? This won’t be surprising, but I’m grateful for my father Michael Plummer Sr. He founded Our Town America in 1972 and truly had a love for our company and each of our franchisees. His guidance—in business and in life—helped shape me into the person that I am today and paved the way for this company. How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world? I believe that hard work breeds success. If you truly want something, go for it. I’d like to think our company is making life a little better and friendlier for people moving into a community. A big move can be stressful and even scary, so I hope we’re doing our part to help people. I’d also like to think our company is helping franchise owners and their employees provide for their families. What are your “5 things I wish someone told me before I became CEO,” and why? Having been mentored by my father, I think I was somewhat told what to expect, but here are some lessons I have learned through experience and from my father. By no means is running a company a spectator sport. The job can be 24/7. I have worked on vacations, my honeymoon, and during breaks at family events. When things need to be done, you need to do them. I […]

Read More…

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 […]

Read More…