Franchising is like bowling with bumper guards

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Meet CJ Welch, WOW 1 DAY PAINTING's Franchise Partner in Nashville, Tennessee. An entrepreneur from a young age, CJ talks why now was the right time for him to build something for himself, what he sees as the major benefits of franchising, and what he's most looking forward to as a new business owner. 

Hi CJ, and welcome to the WOW 1 DAY PAINTING family! What made you want to own a business? 

Deep down, I think I always knew that I would eventually own my own business. I remember making business cards and handing them out to neighbors in elementary school for "CJ's Odd Jobs", so that I could save money to go to summer camp. In high school I sold candy and gum out of my backpack as a way to make extra money. Professionally, I've been involved with several medical device startups, and loved the entrepreneurial spirit that came with that environment. There's an adrenaline rush when you build something where nothing existed before, and when you chase that next big win. And as much as I enjoyed those various opportunities, I wanted to take a chance on myself and let the sky be the limit. 

Why now? What made this the right time for you to take the leap?

I was looking for my next career move, and another job just didn't seem like the right solution. I wanted to start my own business from scratch, but that seemed a little daunting, so I started researching franchising as an option. When I came across WOW 1 DAY PAINTING, I saw it as a masters degree in business ownership. I learn best by doing, so I can't think of a better way to develop and refine my skill set. 

Ultimately, the statistics don't favor those that start from scratch and franchising offers a proven formula that gives you a clear path for success. I refer to franchising as 'bowling with bumper guards' - and franchising with WOW 1 DAY PAINTING is giving me that hands on education, with proven methods to operate and scale my business.

What was it about WOW 1 DAY PAINTING that appealed to you in particular? 

I worked with a franchise broker, who told me about WOW 1 DAY PAINTING. I was a little hesitant at first, but when I learned that they were part of O2E Brands, the company that created 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, I decided to find out more - and I never looked back. I was blown away by the culture, and ultimately was the deciding factor. I kept calling their existing Franchise Partners looking for a reason to say no, but never found one. The attitude of the organization is one that wants to see you succeed. How could I say no to that?

How has the virtual aspect of the process been, due to COVID-19 meaning new Franchise Partners can't visit our Junktion HQ in Vancouver, Canada? 

I don't have anything else to compare it to, but with technology like Zoom I feel like I haven't missed a beat. The group I'm training with will always be the "guys that opened their businesses in a global pandemic". I'm excited to eventually visit the Junktion, but the current process has also afforded me some unique opportunities - such as working with multiple successful Franchise Partners to see their operation first hand, rather than just training in Vancouver. I know this process must be challenging for the corporate team, but they're making it look easy. 

What are you looking forward to most as a WOW 1 DAY PAINTING owner?

There's a certain sense of pride in business ownership, but it also comes with an immense amount of responsibility. I'm excited to meet the people that I will eventually hire, and see how much they can grow and write their own success stories. 

What motivates you - where do you want to take this business?

I'm motivated by my desire to constantly improve and grow. My vision is to be the painting company everyone wants to hire, and the one that every painter wants to work at in Nashville. As we deliver those things, I also want to work with nonprofits in our community, and find ways to give back and lift others up. If we focus on delivering the 'WOW' part of our name to everyone we encounter, I know we will be successful. 

What are your interests and hobbies outside of work? 

I have a wonderful loving family that consists of my wife of almost 9 years, Sarah, my 4-year-old son Aiden, and my 1 year old baby girl, Ruby. My son Aiden and I enjoy golfing, and I especially enjoy my second "job" as his U4 soccer coach... which is essentially the same as herding cats! As a family, we enjoy being involved in our church, board games, camping, spending time with friends and family, and traveling to new and old places.

Finally, tell us about your territory - what makes it unique? 

Nashville is a vibrant, diverse city that has seen significant growth in the past 10 years. Our skyline is lined with cranes as we continue to grow, but it hasn't been without adversity. Nashville has been hit by multiple natural disasters, such as a major flood a few years back, and several tornadoes right before COVID-19 struck. It never ceases to amaze me when I see our community come together to overcome any obstacle and emerge stronger on the other side. Our story of strength is built on a foundation of helping others without hesitation, and having a good time along the way.

Interested in business ownership with WOW 1 DAY PAINTING or one of our other brands? Learn more about our available franchise opportunities today. 

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