Romancing the Closet

-I've Been Everywhere~Man-

Did you ever look-back shaking your head and saying to yourself: "Who Was THAT? Such a Big-Shot!"

I 'Schlepped' from state to state in my Baby-Blue M.B. Roadster; before they were as common as a Toyota. And, followed the guide-map towards each small town's Best-Western-Hotel. I had a long-whip-antenna to search any 'Roaming' frequencies for the best area reception; NOT a lot of Cell-Phone-Towers on top of each lamp post. I was just showing off my 1st car phone (Pacific-Telephone-installation bolted to the floor board) — never really worked at all - but looked important - a 100% conversation starter.

— Tell-um I went to Tim-Buk-Tu in search of Gold —

Remembering: As I walked to my car in the parking lot, at a Sizzler Steak House, my car was surrounded by groups of town residents. Come-on the Boomers didn't have access to an Internet-Highway at the time to let them digitally-peek at the other side of the tracks; a (1) road town. But, who is this guy from 'Hollyweird' with the Pastel-Blue 'Polyester' (3) piece shiny-suit along with wrap-around sunglasses? An anomaly in 'their' town; a Mercedes with California-Tags: They were peeking in at the heavy phone mounted to the center console. At the time as novel a curiosity as the Comic Book Character 'Dick Tracy's' Wrist Watch Phone.

Today even the most remote rural areas have internet and social media access, so things don't appear as exotic as they did when the only source of news was the local paper and the thirty minutes of nightly news on one of the three black and white television channels.

Of Course, it may have seemed like I was some kind of a movie star, or what? Definitely an or What Show-Off! Although, I think I made some friends that day. We had a lengthy parking-lot fun Q & A Session-Exchange beyond '70's Mod ~ Polyester ~

The Reason for the "Schlepping?" We were searching for Prospective Franchisors along with Prospective Franchisees from town to town: What may become an eventual fit for our Biz-Op formulas? Our focus was longevity on an ongoing basis under a mutually beneficial umbrella, rarely single item or service operations, although I did make a huge mistake passing on 'Just~Coffee~Only' businesses..!

~ A Hands-on-Hands-off Formula ~

Our Motto: Show us your Formula-for-Success, we'll pay your fee, forever — "Turn-Key-Me" —

While checking out the morning local paper ads noshing on a Complimentary Bagel @ the Best Western in Wichita, I noticed a (3) line ad for "Custom Wooden Cabinets."

So, I called the guy. Always looking for small business 'Entrepreneurs' that want/need to expand — That's WHY I was on the road.

A Discovery! Young guy (22) was advertising to install custom closets as well as general cabinetry. I asked him, not wanting to intrude, but generally how he was doing? But, of course, he had my Franchise-Person Card. And, he freely talked to me, asking my advice. He told me how frustrated he was trying to get his business off of the ground, saying he was a Craftsman not a Salesman—Where were the Newbie Influencers then? He lived with his folks and worked out of their garage. But, whew, when I visited him what an absolutely incredible craftsman. Everything seemed to fit our 'Formula' for success recipe.

— So Let's Start "Romancing the Closets" —

When interviewing prospective Franchisors whereby interested inquiries would buy and plug-into their 'Unique' system for all to benefit and grow. It never failed that the business owners recited, verbatim, that his "Schtick" is the best-ever and everyone will want in. Of course, there may be a bit of human-nature egos involved, but the only thing that matters is Can we SELL-it?

We setup our 'Biz-Recipes' from the reverse: We know that you like your product. Let's say that's the (Positive +). Now look at the opportunity from reverse: What's the worst thing that can happen—And WHY? Go marry your product (set it aside) we know you love it. We know it's hard to get past that reality check! I was never disrespectful — Just Biz!

So, I mentioned to him that I would contact him when I got home in L.A. But, as I started to leave I was astounded when he said to me: "You've been on the road for so long, come in the kitchen and get some home cooking." It was wonderful; a true Mensch! There and then I promised myself I'm going to set a path for him with us: True Story!

I co-authored several Pioneer Franchise Business Opportunities in the Franchise Industries during its Infancy-Stage when they were highly regulated from State/Federal Governmentally enforced registrations. "The Hands on-Hands off approach." Consumer Protection Watch Dogs were never shy about pulling your business' plug with violations.

Essentially it worked, almost as a co-op with combined overhead, as well as blanket media-advertising and customer financing - overall support.

— All business idea setups begin with a master-plan —

Here was the brief 'California Custom Closet' Franchise Opportunity setup scenario: I wrote a little story with my associate, as we always did as a precursor to a formal prospectus. Mart and I zig-zagged and came up with this:

Once the Franchise was sold: We implemented the 'Cabinet-Guy' as the 'Installer' of the program.

The prospective Franchisee would most likely be: A woman experienced as a decorator with a flair for design ~ aka "Romancing the Closet" approach.

I also wrote a how-to script as to the best way the Franchisee should approach the in home, office or garage installations Q & A's. Once the new Franchisee sold the 'Retail' program the 'Installer-Franchisor' would do his thing. Franchisor 'Licensor' would benefit continually with initial setup fees and ongoing design-service-royalties; an intricate reciprocal yet logical "Formula for Success!"

The "Mensch" is NOT working out of his Garage anymore.

Jay Kantor, Chatsworth, California

'Senior' Vocal Author - Vocal Village Community -