The Bloughs & Elements Massage
The Trigger
John and Donna Blough were both accountants, working for large corporations in companies they liked. The jobs were good, but the Bloughs were working a lot of hours – and they also had two young children at home.
Changes at their companies caused the Bloughs to start exploring franchising. With experience in business creation – due to a prior entrepreneurial stint – John was eager to move forward and liked the formulaic model of a franchise concept. Donna was ready to work for herself and take on the role of Owner.
The Smart Solution
In the winter of 2013, the Bloughs met with me to discuss their needs. I led them through an extensive interview process designed to guide me to their personal preferences, financial requirements, and future aspirations. This is how I find the right franchise match for my clients.
I then brought some choices to the Bloughs, narrowing them to concepts in (a) auto repair, (b) hearing aids, and (c) massages. The Bloughs took their time to explore – talking with executives at a few different franchise concepts and doing their own online research.
Franchise companies often conduct phone conferences with franchisees so interested buyers can jump on the call and learn more. On one of these calls was a franchisee for Elements Massage, a growing company with 240 locations across the U.S. and Canada.
Although the Bloughs weren’t initially thinking about a massage concept, they became more interested after this phone call. Its distinctive model fit their family’s unique goals.
The Bloughs and I had additional discussion and exploration, and then the Bloughs bought the franchise rights to open two Elements Massages locations in the Pittsburgh, PA area.
Life Today
Both of the Elements Massages locations are open, staffed and running. Both spouses are contributing to the business and are enjoying the financial freedom and flexibility it provides for their family.
Important to Donna was that she was home when her school-age children jumped off the bus each day. And this very meaningful goal is being achieved along with the work-life balance and gratification that only business ownership can provide.
