Tiffiny Consoli is booming in the swimming pool industry. She was the first Pool scouts Franchisee, and now operates a company of $ 3 million with 23 vehicles and 19 routes in the Raleigh region, in North Carolina.
Given her success, people are sometimes surprised to learn: at first, she knew nothing about the swimming pools.
Instead, Consoli has come from a career Retail management management. She loved customer service, but wanted to manage her own business. She started looking for a franchise to buy, and in 2016, she made the jump and joined the swimming pool. As she discovered, many of her old skills have proven to be precious in her new business – often in a way in which she did not necessarily expect. Here, she explains how she learned the strings and why she thinks that the home services sector is an excellent adjustment for Entrepreneurs.
You were the first franchisee of the swimming pool. What gave you the confidence to dive into an area in which you had no experience?
I first looked at a Mosquito Joe franchise, who belonged at the time by Buzz Franchise brands (parent company). The timing and what they had available in my region did not work for me, but when I went to talk to them, I won a lot of confidence. They had great people who worked for them. About a year later, they said they were starting pool scouts and I called them immediately. I was the first at the door.
Has your experience in retail management helped you as a new franchisee?
As a store director, I had a budget to join throughout the year, and I reported to a director who held me responsible for these figures – but I also had customers coming every day that I wanted to satisfy. I learned a lot in terms of work with people, to understand the importance of Relationship creationAnd manage finances.
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What were some of the most difficult lessons you learned during the first years of managing your franchise?
First, you need to get customers. But you must also have employees to support these customers. Now you have to hire, but you have to train these employees and maintain them year after year. And if you are in a seasonal business, it’s difficult. At first, I did not know that these things would be so difficult.
What advice would you give to aspiring franchisees when evaluating opportunities?
I think it is important that people connect very well with their franchisor And believe in the brand itself. There must be a synergy there. I think some franchisees are missing that you are responsible for the success of your business. The franchisor is not responsible for this. They will give you the model to succeed, but at the end of the day, it falls on you to do everything they have planned for you.
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If anyone was considering the swimming pool service industry, what would you tell them?
Industry has a lot of growth potential. There are lower starting costs with service companies, and this gives you the flexibility to be where you need to be every day. So I think that does it more accessible to women And those who balance a career and a family.
What is your greatest advice with potential franchisees?
Don’t do it just because you think you’re going to earn a lot of money. It requires so much determination and tenacity that it is better something that you really like to do.
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