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When searching for a franchise, most people are interested onlyin how successful the business is and how much money they'llmake. When presented with a sinking ship, they either jumpoverboard or just pass it by. Except for Steve Jecha.
In 1994, with little net worth and no experience in the printingindustry, Jecha left the world of insurance to become anInsty-Prints franchisee. The executives at the printing franchisemade him an offer he couldn't refuse--no money down andfinancing over seven years. The catch? He had to turn around a St.Paul, Minnesota, franchise that was going out of business.
Jecha decided to give it a shot--and what a shot it was. Thefranchise's sales grew from $70,000 in 1994 to $932,000 in1998. He expects this year's sales to hit $1.1 million.
So what did it take to turn this failing business around? Agreat sense of humor, Jecha maintains. The 36-year-old entrepreneurstarted grabbing people's attention with humorous postcardsfeaturing a character called Swift Steve. "The main thing isto try to keep print purchasing fun and easy for [customers],"says Jecha, who acquired a second franchise in March 1999 under thesame conditions. "We try to get that across through ourmailings, postcards and newsletters."
Perhaps he acted craziest last year, after President Clintontestified before the grand jury. Jecha put up a roadside sign thatread "Honk once for Clinton. Honk twice for Starr," andsent a press release to the media. Before he knew it, he had amedia frenzy at his door and a spot on the national news.
Insty-Prints currently has 248 locations and is seekingfranchisees nationwide. Start-up costs begin at $320,000.
`Toon Time
By Karen E. Spaeder
About five years ago, Daniel Ford was ready to open his ownjewelry store in a mall near his Lewisville, Texas, home. He'dnegotiated his lease and done his homework--plus he had years ofretail experience under his belt. Soon, though, Ford found himselflooking for a new opportunity when the deal fell through due tocircumstances beyond his control.
That may have been just what he needed. Rather than open ajewelry store, Ford discovered Chuckies, a business opportunitythat sells novelty gifts. "My fear--which I'veovercome--was that I would fail and I'd be out of money,"says the 32-year-old, who sells personalized pictures (like the oneat right) and mouse pads featuring the Chuckies cartoon charactersfrom carts in malls and at crafts shows. "But I decided theonly way to succeed was to take a chance."
Beyond that, though, Ford has found that his success stems fromthe solid support he receives from the headquarters of parentcompany Cowboy Chuck Co. in Moorpark, California; his loyal staff;and his active involvement in the business, which he operates onlyduring November and December.
The products, he adds, can appeal to anyone--provided you havethe necessary gusto to sell. "It's not a product thatsells itself," says Ford, who expects sales of $250,000 thisseason. "You have to find out what each person's interestsare and personalize their product. To make it work, you have to beinto the business 100 percent."
Start-up costs for a Chuckies opportunity range from $895 to$5,750.
Make The Call
- Insty-Prints, (800) 779-1000, http://www.in-print.net
- Cowboy Chuck Co., (800) 378-7175, http://www.chuckies.net
