The U.S. military ingrains in each of their disciplined members a set of ordered principles. Veterans have had extensive training in following procedures and systematic rules. They have also already identified their specialty through the Military Occupation Specialty training.

Veterans have access to more advantageous loans, credit and discounted franchise costs. The idea of moving to reach an opportunity does not scare most veterans either, as they are used to traveling.

There are many companies who are willing to facilitate a veteran’s transition, like Recruit Military. The multi-day programs offered to those transitioning out of the military invite speakers from many different brands to come and speak. Another opportunity is to learn entrepreneurship and job-hunting skills.

One of the International Franchise Association’s most successful programs is called VetFran. This program was founded by the late Don Dwyer Sr., founder of The Dwyer Group, to help guide those returning home to what is next in life for them.

When a franchise participates in this, they provide discounts to veterans acquiring a franchise in their company. There is a list of all participating franchise companies on VetFran.com. Nearly 400 franchisors have taken advantage of the program. Since tracking began in 2002, more than 1,700 veterans have purchased a franchise through the program.

A veteran may also find franchise opportunities at events like the West Coast Franchise Expo in November, which offers a Franchising 101 for Veterans session.

With these resources available, veterans may easily see the benefits and advantages to beginning their own franchise.

Franchises have a lot of appeal to women. They offer a flexible schedule, perhaps the opportunity to work from home or maybe the chance to go into business with your spouse. Specifically to The Dwyer Group, there are many husband-wife teams in which the women are involved in running the office while the husband is training and inspecting jobs. Some own their own business, keeping in mind that since women are the customers, who better to know what is needed?

But why should women even consider beginning their own franchise? According to Dina, women are naturals when it comes to business. Women are willing to collaborate, organize and hear from a team of people on how to improve.

There are countless women who have founded great franchises, many who have gone unnoticed. “We just can’t ignore that there are great women like Debbi Fields, who started Mrs. Fields® Cookies, one of my favorites. Then there’s Mary Ellen Sheets, a good friend of mine. Her and her daughter, Melanie Bergeron, franchised Two Men and a Truck®. That’s a very nontraditional business for a woman, but you know what? It’s perfect for them because they get what they want from a mover.”

With over 80 industries that are franchising, there are more opportunities to find one geared to a service or product interesting to women. “There are those women who are getting into the very specific-women type businesses. I’ve got some friends who own Young Chefs®. I think women are going toward what attracts them. For some women, it’s not so much that they love plumbing, but they love the idea of making that customer have a wonderful experience with a service provider.”

A great aspect of franchising is that there are businesses to fit all lifestyles. Some, like tutoring or cooking lessons, are more structured for those women who perhaps are looking for that sense of fulfillment or accomplishment during the day when their children are away at school. Others can ask you to devote your day to ensuring the business thrives.

Some words of wisdom from Dina to her female audience:

Think of the opportunities before you anticipate obstacles. There are special programs offered through lending institutions for women getting into business.

One of the most likely hurdles to overcome is the desire to be great at everything; best mother, spouse, business leader. We just have to be happy with letting go or delegating. Try joining IFA, if you are looking for mentorship, where people are so willing to talk and help.

Finally, get clarity about your passions before you get into franchising. Look for what doesn’t feel like work for you. Do your homework, visit the franchise sites and just practice smart business to discover what drives you. It might even be plumbing!

The following people attended a weeklong basic training course April 19-23 at the company’s corporate office in Waco, Texas:

• Michael and Dawn Pant – Montcalm County in Michigan
• Jamie Smith and Rob Whitley – Baltimore, Maryland
• John and Penny Maxwell – Carter, Sullivan, Washington Counties in Tennessee, and Watauga County in North Carolina.

“We are delighted to help this great group of business people develop their businesses,” said Mary Kennedy Thompson, president of Mr. Rooter Corporation. “It’s nice to grow our Mr. Rooter brand with great individuals who want to provide outstanding customer experiences for their communities.”

Mr. Rooter Plumbing technicians follow an established and professional system. For example, they wear covers over their shoes when inside a customer’s home or business to protect their property.

Technicians also give customers the price before work is done to ensure there are no surprises about the cost of service. Mr. Rooter Plumbing shops provide service 24 hours a day, seven days a week and there are no extra charges on nights, weekends and holidays.

During the week-long trip, they will teach women in Haiti how to test, bag and sell water. But it doesn’t stop there. These companies hope selling water can become a trade for Haitian women.

“We want to give Haitian women the opportunity to have a business that stretches past the rebuilding efforts,” said Mary Kennedy Thompson, president of Mr. Rooter Corporation. “While we want to give them something sustainable, we also want to make sure they have clean water to drink now.”

Thompson says Mr. Rooter Plumbing could not do this without 3M Clean Water Solutions and its engineer Satish Chamyvelumani, who is also on the trip. He brought bags and test kits his company is donating to make this venture possible.

“We are excited to send a 3M Purification Inc. engineer Satish Chamyvelumani, who is part of a 3M technical team that is committed to developing and providing sustainable, affordable solutions to address water quality for regions like Haiti,” said Veena Lakkundi, business leader at 3M Clean Water Solutions.

Once they complete this project, Thompson and Derek Moreland, co-owner of the Mr. Rooter franchise in Toronto, will head to a town north of Port-au-Prince. They will scope out the town’s plumbing challenges.

This “fact finding mission” – as Moreland calls it – is important. On a future trip, a group of Mr. Rooter Plumbing franchisees from across Canada and the United States will lay pipe for the town.

Moreland made the pledge to help Haitians during a leadership meeting in January, as he talked with fellow Mr. Rooter franchisees. He had just heard that some Haitian kids were walking six kilometers for water, and they carried it back in old paint cans.

“We are so lucky to have clean, fresh water – both hot and cold – at our fingertips,” Moreland said. “We really do take it for granted, and we have an opportunity to help people who are really in need.”

Mr. Rooter President, Mary Thompson, was one of only two companies in the top 50 to actually be a veteran herself.  Thompson credits her success to the experience she gained serving as a Marine Corps officer.

There are many reasons veterans are a natural fit into franchising.  They have a fierce work ethic, and will keep going even when the going gets tough.  They are known for being self-disciplined, possess the ability to focus and block out distractions.  Lastly, they have been conditioned to follow directions and adhere to systems.

This combination allows them to overcome the difficult times the franchise goes through, remain focused and dedicated to running a successful business, and they are able to follow the franchises’ time-proven system without costly deviations which is pivotal to their success.

Another reason the Dwyer Group’s franchises were appealing to veterans is the Vetfran program.  The Vetfran program offers veterans a 25% discount on initial territory purchases and other vendor incentives for those who qualify.  The program was established by The Dwyer Group’s founder Don Dwyer to benefit honorably discharged vets after the gulf war.  Since then 360 and veterans are involved in the program and over 1,200 veterans have acquired their own franchise.  It is The Dwyer Group’s way of giving back and thanking veterans for their service and sacrifices.

Owning your own home service business can be unpredictable, too.  At times, there’s too many calls coming in, and there’s no way you can get everything done. Other times, you’re begging for the phone to ring just once. How do you find a balance?

Systems. Plain and simple.

If your business is running on solid systems, like the franchises at Leading the Service Industry, you’ll be better suited to handle variables in the marketplace. Marketing, planning, training and support are just a phone call away.

Keep your customers happy. Keep your staff happy. Find balance with systems.

We have systems in place that easily help you prepare for the unexpected.  We can assist you with new technologies, cross marketing, national advertising, an established brand and networking that can help you avoid the dry spells by constantly increasing your customer base.

When times are busy, our customer delivery system, pricing system, and technologies will help ensure that you have the most efficient route, quick and easy pricing and estimates, and technology that will help you and your crew get the job done faster.

Get prepared for whatever storm may come your way.

When you join our team we can help you clean up and organize your business so it runs more easily, efficiently and effectively.  We have tried and true methods that can help you “clean up” a number of different aspects of your business, including:

• Adding technologies that will improve your customer delivery system, saving you time and money.
• New strategies for recruiting, compensation and retention that can help improve your employee turnover rates, increase your profit margins and help you build a base of loyal customers.
• Assistance with financial management and “keeping up” the books.
• Statistical tracking, research and development to help you better focus your business efforts and marketing campaigns on the groups that will be most profitable.
• Providing you with an already established brand name and reputation as well as free national marketing and a huge network of other franchisees you can cross market with.

Who says spring cleaning can’t be fun?  Clean out your business life and start fresh this year. Get the systems. Get the support. Get in gear – your solution is just a click away.

Is your business prepared for the unexpected? What if you’re sick for an extended period of time? One of your service trucks goes down. Do you have the systems and support in place to push on in the face of the unexpected?

Don’t let life’s unexpected problems cause big trouble for your business. Get the systems. Get a plan together. Prepare for the sunny days and the snowy days. It will bring you peace of mind and a more successful future.

2. Brand recognition.  Your company has a recognizable and respected brand. Years of marketing, national exposure and a history of quality instantly make your business the most trusted service brand in town.

3. Help with Business Functions.  Do you know your numbers? Do you know exactly how efficient (or inefficient) your business is operating? Your franchise coach and a team of small business experts are only a phone call or e-mail away. And they’re working every day of the year to research the industry to keep all of our franchise owners on the cutting edge of home service.

4. Training. The cornerstone of a solid business starts with the right training. After becoming a franchisee, you will be part of a world-class initial training course. And throughout the year, there are ongoing training meetings that are regional, online or on-site at your location. We can help you stay ahead of the changing marketplace.

5. High Success Rate.  We succeed when you succeed. Year after year, studies and surveys prove franchise businesses have a much higher success rate than independent businesses. That’s because with a franchise, you have a full support team, advice from other franchise owners and much more purchasing power (more on that later).

6. Cross Marketing.  You’re not alone in your local market. Because of the different concepts in our franchise network, your customers now have a hometown service team. You can partner with other franchise owners in your market to create a home service powerhouse.

7. Purchasing Power. Buy more. Pay less. It’s simple. Leading the Service Industry partners you with other franchise owners to deliver the best materials for the lowest prices. With so many franchisees, we have negotiated great rates on everything you need to run your business. Discounts and rebates on your favorites – vehicles, insurance, tools, parts, supplies, marketing materials and more. We want to make sure you don’t waste a penny.

8. Improve Your System.  Time is money. And fuel is money. Don’t waste anything. Our systems and use of technology can help your company run more efficiently so your technicians aren’t wasting valuable time on service calls. We can help you find the best customers, deliver fast, quality service and be on the cutting edge.

9. Networking.  Leading the Service Industry is made up of more than 1,500 franchise owners – their expertise and experience are at your service. Regional meetings and our annual Reunion (in June in San Antonio this year) are a great place to exchange ideas and improve your operations.

10. Prepare for Future Competition.  With a stronger, more solid foundation, your company will be well represented in your local market. We’re working every day to help you succeed.

The Dwyer Group has announced a business agreement with Canadian-based Sunshine Grounds Care and will market franchises in the United States under the brand of The Grounds Guys, effective immediately.  Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The deal introduces the first grounds care franchise to The Dwyer Group’s trades service brands, which include: Aire Serv, Glass Doctor, Mr. Appliance, Mr. Electric, Mr. Rooter and Rainbow International.

The Grounds Guys franchise opportunity will offer lawn care, landscaping and maintenance services — a complementary line of business to the residential and commercial target customers that The Dwyer Group’s existing concepts already serve.

“The grass is now greener at The Dwyer Group,” said Dina Dwyer-Owens, CEO and Chairwoman of The Dwyer Group.  “We knew that landscape maintenance was a natural extension of our family of franchise brands, but it was the expertise of Sunshine Grounds Care in Canada that helped us deliver a business model with a proven track record.”

Based in Orangeville, Ontario, Sunshine was established in 1987 by Tim van Stralen and quickly grew to include his nine brothers. By 2004, the grounds care division of Sunshine, began franchising and today counts 25 franchisees in its network.

Then in 2009, the van Stralen family met The Dwyer Group, and conversations began on how they could collaborate to benefit both companies.

“The Dwyer Group brings extensive franchising experience and Sunshine Grounds Care brings the grounds care expertise,” said Peter van Stralen, President and CEO of The Grounds Guys Canada.  “It was clear that we each had good things to offer one another.”

“Having grown up in a family business, we saw a lot of ourselves in the van Stralens and what they were doing in Canada,” said Dwyer-Owens.

Peter van Stralen added that his company was attracted to The Dwyer Group’s Code of Values as a foundation that has helped grow and sustain a large franchise network.  “The corporate culture they have created and the values they promote made this a relationship we could all feel good about,” he said.

The result is a one-of-a-kind agreement for The Dwyer Group to sell franchises in the United States with added business training to be provided by Sunshine Grounds Care.

More information about The Grounds Guys and Sunshine Grounds Care -

Sunshine Grounds Care was founded by Tim van Stralen, the oldest of ten brothers, in the town of Caledon in 1987.  Since then, Sunshine Grounds Care has expanded rapidly across Ontario and even to other parts of North America.  As the company has grown, so have the other nine van Stralen brothers, who today all play a part in making Sunshine a business that operates on family values of respect, effort and a mutual interest in the well being of the group. For more information about Sunshine Grounds Care, visit www.sunshinelandscape.com.