DIGITAL

skills that any great entrepreneur should embody.
For this reason, Budget Blinds also ensures that
all veterans joining through the Troops in Transition
program are thoughtfully matched with a mentor.
These mentors are carefully selected from our
existing franchisee network and are those who have
demonstrated the tenacity and skills that it takes
to achieve success in the world of independent
franchise business ownership.
Nearly a year since beginning the program, our
new veteran-franchisees are thriving. Their success
is best told through their stories.
WALT AND MELISSA BYARS
Walt Byars was the first veteran who signed on
with Budget Blinds through our Troops in Transition
program. Byars served in the U.S. Navy for more
than 22 years, and after a successful career of
service, he was ready for change. He and his wife,
Melissa, began looking at franchising opportunities
and considering their options for independent
business ownership. After inquiring about Budget
Blinds and learning about the support systems we
have available, the two decided to become business
owners and opened Budget Blinds serving Zachary,
La. in May.
While preparing to begin work in their territory,
Walt and Melissa were introduced to Brian Gargan,
owner of Budget Blinds serving San Angelo, Texas,
as a mentor. Working closely with Brian, the Byars
executed a successful introduction to the market
and have been going strong ever since. Gargan has
been there to challenge them on creative solutions,
assist when issues arose, as well as to help keep them
motivated during slow sales periods. Together, the
Byars and Gargan are strengthening their territory
and we look forward to checking in with them during
our annual convention in January.
REYNALDO (REY) PINLAC
Reynaldo (Rey) Pinlac served in the U.S. Navy for
14 years, and was introduced to Budget Blinds by
taking a job as an installer for an existing franchise
owner in Washington state. After learning more
about the incentives that our system offers veterans,
he decided to follow his entrepreneurial spirit and
open his own franchise. In June, he opened Budget
Blinds serving Olympia.
Since opening for business, Pinlac has been
mentored by his former employer, Amber
Koebberling, whom he worked for as installer. With
a strong track record of success, Koebberling provided
insight on the ownership side of the business and
successfully helped transition Pinlac from installer to
independent franchise business owner.
When Pinlac’s child was born, he and Koebberling
worked together by sharing employees to ensure that
their customers were taken care of at all times. These
two truly showcase what a great mentor/mentee
relationship our franchisees provide for one another
even in a “non-official” capacity.
THARON AND LEAR COOK
Tharon and Lear Cook met while both were serving
in the U.S. Army in Germany, and they married in 1995.
Tharon served for 21 years before retiring in 2015,
and shortly thereafter he and Lear began looking for
their next adventure. After speaking with his brother,
Cedric, Lear learned about the program that Cedric
was helping the HFC and Budget Blinds corporate
teams develop for recently-retired veterans.
Cedric, a retired U.S. Marine, owns his own Budget
Blinds franchise with his wife, Clarita. With the support
of their family, Tharon and Lear made the decision
to join the company and opened their franchise in
Newport News, Va. in July.
Although his brother is based in Texas, Tharon still
speaks with him on a regular basis and is able to tap
into Cedric’s expertise in successful business practices
and teamwork. Richard Grice of Suffolk, Va. has also
mentored the Cooks, giving invaluable insight on
building a strong business foundation that will support
their long-term goals. With an outpouring of mentoring
support, the Cooks have started strong and show no
signs of slowing down.
These veterans, along with a number of others
that make up 10 percent of our franchise system,
demonstrate an outstanding ability to work successfully
as a team and that is what our mentorship program will
continue to cultivate. It is our goal to provide all of our
franchisees with an unwavering support system. The
true backbone of our company is the spirit of family,
and we look forward to strengthening this family in the
years to come.
Todd Jackson is one of the five founders
and COO of Budget Blinds. Find him at
fransocial.franchise.org.
FRANCHISING WORLD NOVEMBER 2015 69