Calling on Past Experience to Overcome New Challenges
Retired First Sergeant Finds Success with Franchise Business Model
Franchise Owner:
Ray Wiggins
Franchise Market:
Virginia Beach
Noteworthy:
Expanding customer base through purchase of nearby territory.
Retired Army First Sergeant Ray Wiggins knew he had the managerial and people experience
to own his own business. With 23 years of military service behind him and having
managed a company of 200 soldiers, Wiggins felt well prepared for any new challenge
when he retired from the Army. "My time in the military taught me discipline in
dealing with people - you have to work together to achieve a common goal," he says.
He also knew that he didn't want a 9 to 5 job, but preferred to own a business and
be his own boss. When searching for his next career, Wiggins looked at several different
opportunities. "I investigated many different franchise opportunities but in the
end found Handyman Connection to be the most appealing," he says.
With little background in home improvement, Wiggins liked the fact that Handyman
Connection didn't require any experience in the field to own a franchise. He also
liked that Handyman Connection didn't have some of the stringent stipulations that
other franchises did, such as requiring an accounts receivable clause. Another deciding
factor was the way he was treated by the corporate offices at Handyman Connection.
In his first call to Handyman Connection he spoke directly with co-founder and CEO
Marvin Belkin. "In the hour that I was on the phone all of my questions were answered
and I received all the information I needed," he says. "I really liked the way I
was treated by the people at Handyman Connection and knew that they were a business
I could work with and prosper in," he adds.
Now a successful franchisee in Virginia Beach since 2001, Wiggins has over 20 contractors
working for him and has served over 175,000 homes. He is currently in the process
of buying a nearby territory to expand his customer base.
Wiggins credits his long military career with much of his success. "While in the
military I also gained office management experience. Having this background enables
me to work with all types of people," he says. He also credits Handyman Connection's
business model with his success and offers this advice to any potential franchise
owner. "Follow the guidelines provided by Handyman Connection. They have a well
established system that works and by following it, your business can be a success
as well."