Area war veterans take advantage of franchise incentive program
Posted on Tuesday, July 4, 2006
The orderly nature of the military leaves little room for individuality, but a franchising program is helping veterans create their own identity after completing their service.
The Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative, known as VetFran, offers discounts and incentives to veterans choosing to open franchises.
For Andy Anderson, it program has opened the path to a longtime goal.
“ I spent a lot of years in the military, and I felt that when my call in the military was up that I would move on and do something for myself, ” Anderson said. “ A paycheck is one thing, but I would rather have something in which I can control my own destiny. ”
Anderson now owns and operates the Springdale location of PostNet, which supports business- es through packaging, wrapping, printing, shipping and other services.
Anderson and longtime friend Steve Nowlin both acquired PostNet franchises in December 2003. They moved to Arkansas from Ozark, Ala., in a group of nine families to help a pastor build a ministerial alliance with about 30 churches. The pastor was operating a Post-Net location in Mountain Home to help support the ministry but died in spring 2004.
Nowlin chose Springdale for his franchise; Nowlin relocated to Siloam Springs to open his.
“ The location was excellent because it’s on the Wal-Mart Supercenter front pad, ” Nowlin said. “ At the time there really wasn’t much here, a printing shop and a copy graphics store, and that was it. ”
PostNet is one of more than 200 companies participating in VetFran. The International Franchise Association launched the program in the 1990 s, an inspiration of the late Don Dwyer, founder of The Dwyer Group. Its creation came when more than 100 association members pledged their participation after the Gulf War began by offering financial incentives to aid veterans in acquiring franchises.
About 500 veterans in 45 states have purchased franchises through VetFran, with another 120 in various stages of negotiations.
Some of the reasons Vet-Fran franchises are attractive to veterans are the attachment to a brand name, along with the available business model and training and support. Of course, another primary reason could be the various discounts offered by the participating companies.
“ It was a very good opportunity and saved us a lot of money to get into the business, ” Anderson said. “ If it hadn’t been for the veterans program they have, I may not have gotten into it. It saved me thousands of dollars. ”
Anderson served in the U. S. Army from 1973 to 1995, becoming a CW 4 until military reductions forced his retirement. The abruptness of the situation didn’t allow much time for future planning, but he landed a flight instructor position with the U. S. Civil Service until relocating to Arkansas and seeking a business opportunity through VetFran.
Opening a PostNet was simply a change of pace for Nowlin. After retiring from the army as an E 7, he went into business with a fellow church member in Ozark, Ala., and then operated his own lawn service before moving to Arkansas.
“ I like the idea of working for myself rather than other people, but then it’s also scary, ” he said. “ If you don’t have the money to pay the bills, they don’t come looking for the boss. They come looking for you. ”
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