Lice Franchise Coverage: Day Two
I was going to tell you about an interesting food concept today, but I’ve still got lice on the brain (though, luckily, not the scalp). The nice, enthusiastic and immediate comments Lice Squad’s Dawn Mucci left on yesterday’s post reminded me why I like working with new and emerging franchise concepts. I call it the Founder’s Fire. Yes, smaller and newer franchises have not stood the test of time, and some of them won’t. But, by God, they’ve got the fire raging, don’t they? This woman’s on a lice-eradicating mission. She’s out to change the world one scalp at a time. There’s something to be said for decades of experience and proven systems, but those considerations don’t always outweigh passion, comaraderie and the excitement of being there at the very beginning.
I look back fondly at the early days when we were launching Auntie Anne’s Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels. Freshly made pretzels in malls was a brand-new concept, and I had moved to Amish country, PA from Chicago to help grow the new franchise company. I literally shared a single desk with founder Anne Beiler’s husband Jonas and her brother Merrill. “Shared,” as in we had to take turns using it. Today, Auntie Anne’s is approaching 1000 stores, and while I’m sure programs, procedures and availability of office furniture are vastly improved, I doubt the excitement and enthusiasm felt throughout the chain rivals those early years.
Dawn Mucci says:
A BIG thanks for your feedback and comments on LiceSquad. Yes we love our jobs and we look forward to being able to help many more communities as we grow. One unique feature about LiceSquad is that we have on site access that allows our teams to screen large groups of children at schools, camps and daycare centres. This is a huge part of our franchise service. Many familes feel most comfortable having this concern treated in their own home. This is why we chose the on site vs salon setting. It also allows us to keep the costs lower for our customers and allows us to reach a greater area of service to those that need help. We are looking forward to the years ahead and to new technology and tools that may further help us in our battle against the bugs.
Then again, I didn’t receive any comments from Lice Squad franchisees, though I emailed the link to several of them. And my enthusiasm could be self-serving, as I am angling for a free Nit Free Terminator Comb, As Seen on TV and on the Lice Squad web site.
For some of the advantages of new or emerging franchise concepts, read my article: BRAVE NEW FRANCHISES: Why New Franchises are Worth a Look.
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POSTED IN: LICE SQUAD
8 opinions for Lice Franchise Coverage: Day Two
Caroline Bonham
Dec 2, 2006 at 4:50 am
I am a new franchise owner of the Lice Squad for the London-Sarnia region in Ontario. I couldn’t be more excited about this business. In fact, I tell my customers that this is the most useful work I have done in my life and I have been working for 25+ years!
I got into this work because of a personal experience and I felt the frustration, stress, and helplessness that my customers feel. The relief this service provides to parents and caregivers is phemonenal. To remove head lice efficiently, effectivly and safely as well as providing education and clearing up misconception is so welcome.
I do advertise in low-cost, community papers, but am finding that people find me through a google search or via word of mouth. People want to talk about head lice. They ask for more than one business card. Just yesterday I had business from my UPS delivery person who told a friend after we had a conversation at my front door.
This is my first franchise experience and it has delivered in terms of franchise support, a tried and tested service protocol, fast delivery of product, and continual and successful PR/marketing effort from our head office.
Karin Koen-Butt
Dec 13, 2006 at 7:53 am
I am the owner of the Central Toronto Licesquad Franchise since March 2005. What an amazing business this is. I can’t think of many businesses where your clients are so grateful when you return their call. I can feel the stress level going down in their household just by talking to them, and even more so when we show up at their house. Although many people are still worried, that we show up with a big bug on the car. That shows me that their is still a huge stigma attachted to headlice. This is one issue that The Licesquad tries to eliminate as well as the lice themselves.
I have been much bussier then I thought before I got the franchise. Hence it took me a while to post a comment.
I am very pleased with Head office and the support I get from Dawn. It’s a great business to be in.
I wish everyone louse-free holidays.
sean
Dec 13, 2006 at 10:43 am
Caroline & Karin:
Thanks for taking the time to leave comments regarding your experience as franchise owners. I am glad to hear that although Lice Squad is a new and small franchise company, you are pleased with the support and guidance from the “Head” office (I love that). I plan to share your marketing observations with other franchisees at our franchiseemarketing.com site and relentlessmarketer.com. Feel free to participate, visit and hopefully get some good tips at those sites as well.
The very uncomfortable nature of discussing head lice seems to be your marketing advantage, along with the tremendous word-of-mouth marketing potential. Keep us informed of what works, what doesn’t, and how you all are making out.
We welcome the experiences of other Lice Squad franchisees to share their experiences & thoughts at this post. Please encourage them to visit.
Keep up the good work, Dawn.
Dawn Mucci
Dec 14, 2006 at 7:53 am
It is so nice to start the day with such positive feedback. I too feel the team spirit and shared passion that my franchisees feel everytime we help someone through a head lice experiance. I started this business to help others and one of my gaols was to make this an affordable and flexable career choice. Creating this franchise system as a work from home/on site model has allowed myself and others to have a profitable career and still stay home to raise our families. Personally I have 3 year old twins and a 15 year old. I am here for them and still able to earn a good living with LiceSquad. Rather than paying for bricks and mortor, LiceSquad franchisees use this capital to market the business. We train others in the form of contractors to work the field which allows the owners some freedom when needed. This is my dream job. Learn more by visiting my franchise page.
Regards,
Dawn Mucci
Jennifer Hay
Dec 15, 2006 at 8:45 am
I am the owner of two franchise areas with The LiceSquad. My journey into the franchise world came over a year ago when I purchased the Brampton/Vaughan franchise. I was excited and nervous at the same time. My background is in health sciences and not at all business related. My experience with The LiceSquad has been nothing short of wonderful. I have had open support from head office and the other franchise owners. Dawn has provided direction and encouragement from the start. It is hard not to get caught up in her enthusiasm and drive for this business. Dawn’s vision is encouraging and inspiring. So much so that after one year I decided to purchase a second franchise. I now have a staff of 9 Nitpickers. I love this job. I get to work my family. I get to help families feel better. I get to go into schools and educate children. I sometimes describe it as a “selfish” job as the feelings of gratitude and thankfulness that comes from treating a desperate family is amazing. I have not one single regret in my decision to become a franchise owner. I see great things happening for this company and I want to be a part of it.
Kathy
Jan 4, 2007 at 8:39 am
I am the owner of the Niagara Area Licesquad. I too feel that most of my business is through word of mouth. I have tried expensive ads and they have not been worth the time. I advertise weekly in Niagara This Week (which includes other small free local papers covering my area) and feel that this is the best way to go. There has been great support through head office. I can tell you from my personal experience that Dawn is not in it for the money. She has helped me greatly and her support and encouragement is very much appreciated. There is also much support and idea sharing from the other franchises. More recently while on an accidental extended vacation one of my bordering franchises made special trips to my area to make sure my customers were serviced. Although the money earned was hers it ensured that my area was being well taken care of and that a good reputation for speed and care was taken (thanks Janine). Starting a franchise is frustrating in the beginning and it does not happen over night. I am far from rich but still making what I did before or a little more, while working for myself and setting hours that are condusive to my family life. I have more time now to volunteer at my children’s schools and keep my household running while working with a fulfilling business. I took on this franchise due to my experience working in the insect research industry and due to a bad personal experience with lice 9 years ago. I am very pleased to “stop the stigma” (see the website for the article) and educate people. It is great to see how relieved they are when you “bust all the myths” (website again) and let them know they don’t have to go to extremes in cleaning and using poisons in their household. Thanks for the wonderful write up on our “lice community” and the great comments from the other franchise owners.
sean
Jan 4, 2007 at 9:28 am
Excellent comments. I admit that I first posted a story about Lice Squad for the novelty, even humor, value. It’s been a nice surprise to learn more about your group, and to hear the positive outlooks and experiences of a dedicated group of franchisees… and an equally passionate franchisor (Dawn).
I almost wish I had lice so I could personally experience your service. I said Almost.
Thanks for the comments!
Dawn Mucci
Jan 8, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Words can not say how great it makes me feel to share my passion with others.
I have not had lice now for over 10 years. Thank God if I do get it, I have many to turn to for help.
Why start from scratch? The best made things come from the heart. This business is a recipe for success.
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