Cary Hooper - Meridian, Idaho

In 1999, franchise owner Cary Hooper joined the Glass Doctor team; he has watched his professional and personal lives thrive ever since. Cary credits his success to the tremendous support provided by the Glass Doctor support team and The Dwyer Group.

What was life like before you invested in a Glass Doctor franchise?
I’ve been in the glass repair business since 1983. I was initially contacted by Glass Doctor throught a postcard which asked, “Are you working a job or building a business?” After 17 years in the glass repair business, I realized I had nothing to show except a lot of “blue sky.” On top of that, I wasn’t able to take time away from my work; I was the business. My wife, who was inititally wary of converting to a Glass Doctor franchise, finally said, “I’ll do this if you promise me we can take a regular vacation every year.” Since then, we have vacationed in Alaska, Cancun, Cozumel and Hawaii.

What challenges did you face when starting your business?
Employee recruiting and retention was the biggest challenge I faced. I think this was because I had so little knowledge and experience in growing a business the way Glass Doctor has allowed me to grow. Fortunately, the recruiting systems and training provided by Glass Doctor helped with this, and now I have the tools and resources to continue to build and better my crew.

What other benefits have you seen as a Glass Doctor franchisee?
I’ve been very impressed with the training and resources that Glass Doctor has provided, especially regarding the financial side of the business. They helped me learn how to price for profit and to keep track of exactly where my business stands every day. On top of that, the group-buying power that comes with being part of such a large franchise system gives me easier access to the resources I need. Finally, the ability to network with so many other Glass Doctor franchisees working in the same industry and tackling the same problems as I am every day is an invaluable resource.

Could it have been possible to grow and succeed without the Glass Doctor support system? Sure, it could have been. But I don’t think it would have been. I wouldn’t have had the confidence or knowledge it took to run a profitable business like I am today had I not become part of this group.

What advice do you have for business owners in our industry?

Most people who would consider owning a Glass Doctor franchise are in the same boat I was in. Most have glass shops and are feeling the same struggles as other independents. The reality is, though, that you can’t put together the kinds of programs and services Glass Doctor has all on your own, just because of the size of the support structure they provide. You may feel like you have a great shop, just like I felt, but it’s hard to take it to the next level without the competitive advantage franchising can give you.

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