Franchisee Profile: Rob Schlosser

Name: Rob Schlosser
Development Date: January 1, 2011
Brand: We Do Lines
Territory: Nassau/Suffolk, NY.
Phone Number: 631-445-3779
Email: robs@wedolines.com

Rob Schlosser grew up in East Islip, New York, where he became a New York City fireman for 10 years. During his time in the fire department, Rob started an asphalt maintenance business that he currently owns called All County Asphalt Maintenance. They do full service parking lot maintenance including sealcoating, crack filling, pothole repair, and snow removal.

Q: How did you learn about the brand?
A: I was working on a job for my business, and I needed a parking lot striped. After searching and searching I couldn’t find anyone reliable until I stumbled upon We Do Lines. I called We Do Lines and talked with Skip Barrett, my current business partner and Director of Franchise Development at We Do Lines. Skip convinced me to take a trip to Connecticut to learn more about the company and becoming a possible franchise owner. At the time, I wasn’t ready to take on another business by myself so I declined the offer. A month later, Skip contacted me and asked me if I wanted to go into business as partners. Skip was so passionate about the growth opportunities and successes of We Do Lines that I couldn’t decline his offer. We Do Lines is a great compliment to my current business.

Q: What was appealing to you about joining We Do Lines?
A: First and foremost, the name. It is catchy, turns heads and makes people pay attention which is important for any business. I constantly have people admiring my truck and trailer, and sometimes people take pictures. I don’t think I would have bought the franchise if it wasn’t for the name.

The other reason is that my other business was primarily working asphalt repair and resurfacing on residential properties. We Do Lines offered me the opportunity to break into the commercial asphalt industry and work on large scale projects.

Q: What makes your business different?
A: The thing that separates We Do Lines from our competitors is professionalism. Aside from We Do Lines, the industry is underdeveloped which allows us to expand into more markets. Most other people in this line of work are untrained or just trying to make a few dollars quickly. Our employees are fully trained, have clean trucks, and uniforms. The We Do Lines standard of excellence is incomparable.

Q: What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now?
A: Finding passionate and reliable employees is the biggest challenge in any industry. Our employees are fully trained in house as well as on the job. We also send our employees to school given by the leading manufacturer of the machines we use daily. Our business is around the clock so we need people who can be flexible and work efficiently. We only hire excellent workers.

Q: Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?
A: I’m an outdoorsy guy. I love boating, horseback riding, sky diving vacationing and staying in shape.

Franchisee Profile: Skip Barrett

Name: Skip Barrett
Development Date: January 1, 2011 

Brand: We Do Lines
Territory: Nassau/Suffolk, NY.
Phone Number: 516-320-4750
Email: sbarrett@wedolines.com

Skip Barrett is a Huntington, New York native with a background as a franchisor. His first company was Garage Tek, a franchise he started with a partner that focuses on garage storage systems. Skip was previously the Director of Franchise Development for We Do Lines. His belief in the company and the We Do Lines system was so strong that he evolved into a franchise owner in Long Island.

Q: How did you learn about the brand?
A: When the housing market turned down I found myself not being able to keep working for Garage Tek in the capacity that I wanted. I decided that I wanted to be a part of a company that was a necessity in these hard times rather than a luxury. I began doing research and attending forums on different franchises, and I found out about We Do Lines. I contacted Chris Couri, CEO of We Do Lines, and we began building a relationship. I felt We Do Lines was a perfect fit with my background.

Q: What was appealing to you about joining We Do Lines?
A: We Do Lines offers a service that is a necessity for other businesses. Currently the market for parking lot striping is fractured. It’s exciting to be working for a company that is quickly growing and expanding as a leader in the industry. The centerpiece of the We Do Lines success is a strong set of corporate ethics coupled with a vision of social responsibility that ensures continued growth, brand development, and loyalty.

Q: What makes your business different?
A: We Do Lines offer its clients a higher class of focused operators. Our processes are standardized, and our employees are trained professionals. Most of our competition is unskilled and unreliable private contractors looking for one time work opportunities. This allows us the opportunity to build greater relationships in the communities that we service in order to become the transcending brand within the industry.

Q: What are your business development plans?
A: As a continually growing company, our goal is to be the leading national brand for parking lot striping solutions.

Q: Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?
A: Aside from being a tri-athlete, I am currently learning to be a pilot. Flying allows for an incredible experience that focuses your senses, and lets you escape the stresses of everyday life. I primarily fly single engine planes. My son also flies, and trains me directly sometimes. It’s a great way for us to spend some unique father-son time together.

ABOUT WE DO LINES, USA Based in Ridgefield, Conn., and founded in 2008 by three friends looking to revolutionize a $1 billion segment of a $29 billion industry, We Do Lines, USA, a full-service parking lot striping franchise provides quality, professional, and reliable line striping services in a timely and cost efficient manner. Its services make parking lots everywhere safer, cleaner and more functional, while enhancing the overall aesthetics of the property. We Do Lines, USA accomplishes this mission by utilizing a combination of state-of-the-art technology and trained professionals to ensure a top-quality end result. For more information, please visit www.wedolines.com.

Franchisee Profile: Tim Janasek

Name: Tim Janasek
Development Date: Spring, 2010
Territory: Cleveland (Cuyahoga County), OH
Phone Number: 440-829-0224
Email: tjanasek@wedolines.com

Tim Janasek is from the Cleveland, Ohio area. He is a graduate of Wittenberg University and has a business background of over 25 years in sales and marketing management. We Do Lines of Cleveland, Ohio is family owned and operated. 
 
How did you learn about the brand? 
A family member who lives in Ridgefield, Connecticut, where We Do Lines is based, read some of the local press for We Do Lines and told me about them. We were immediately intrigued by the concept and I began doing market research regarding the viability of the business model within the Northeast Ohio area. We   decided that a We Do Lines franchise would be a perfect fit for developing a new brand and business within the pavement marking industry.                                                                         
                                                                                                    

What was appealing to you about joining We Do Lines? 
The We Do Lines franchise has provided us with the opportunity to own, manage and operate a family business. We couldn’t be happier with the national branding and support system that We Do Lines offers. Their intranet management system really streamlines the administrative tasks associated with running a small business allowing us to focus on sales, marketing, networking, building and maintaining client relationships and of course spraying paint on the ground.

What makes your business different? 
Professionalism, dependability and customer service are what separates, We Do Lines from our competitors. We Do Lines is not a “weekend warrior” striping company. Our project range has included private jet centers, churches, school districts, manufacturing facilities, office buildings, parking garages and retail plazas. We also have the support and power of a national brand behind us that allows for increased market exposure and continued growth.

What are your business development plans? 
Currently, our focus is on pavement markings and line striping projects that require either re-striping, striping over sealcoating or new layouts. However, the ability to provide additional services within the pavement marking and maintenance category is a growth opportunity. We will continue to develop business relationships with respected and quality focused Seal Coaters, Paving and Construction Companies in the Northeast Ohio area.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions? 
I enjoy playing golf whenever I get the chance. However, growing and expanding the business is my passion at the moment.

ABOUT WE DO LINES, USA 
Based in Ridgefield, Conn., and founded in 2008 by three friends looking to revolutionize a $1 billion segment of a $29 billion industry, We Do Lines, USA, a full-service parking lot striping franchise provides quality, professional, and reliable line striping services in a timely and cost efficient manner. Its services make parking lots everywhere safer, cleaner and more functional, while enhancing the overall aesthetics of the property. We Do Lines, USA accomplishes this mission by utilizing a combination of state-of-the-art technology and trained professionals to ensure a top-quality end result. For more information, please visit 

www.wedolines.com.

We Do Lines in Parking today

We Do Lines was recently featured in Parking Today in an article titled, “A Franchise – He Does Lines.” The article features WDL franchisee Tom Cox and discusses Cox’s professional background, how he learned about the industry and why he chose this type of business. Cox also discusses the ease of expansion opportunity with We Do Lines , and how he plans to grow the business in Arizona. Click here to view the entire article.

A Franchise - He Does Lines

By John Van Horn

Tom Cox spent 26 years in the hospitality industry. Retirement bored him. Now what? Painting lines on parking lots? Really!

Parking Today caught up with the Arizonan at a franchisor company meeting in Minnesota at which he and other “We Do Lines” parking lot striping franchisees were receiving in-depth training on equipment and service.

“I researched the company and liked the service standards, the code of ethics and the customer focus,” Cox said. “That was important to me in my last career, and I know it’s important to my customers.

“The franchise model was right on, providing proper uniforms, equipment, training, logos. We are all part of a team.

“Mine is a small company now,” he said of We Do Lines of Arizona, “but I’m able to come in from a different industry and use my experience to grow and make a profit. Like any company, branding is important, plus we have a synergy you don’t see if you start from scratch.”

(Read More)

Franchisee Profile: Bob Russo

Name: Bob Russo

Territories: State of CT, South West FL (Port Charlotte to Sarasota), Greater Orlando Area

Phone Number: 860-227-2934

Email: rrusso@wedolines.com

Where are you from?

I am originally from Ridgefield, Connecticut which is the same place where We Do Lines corporate headquarters is located.

What is your background?

Before franchising with We Do Lines, I worked in the construction equipment industry. I was the sales and marketing manager and part owner of the company. We conducted business in seven states and had five offices between Connecticut and Virginia.

How did you learn about the brand?

An old school friend of mine introduced me to the business through an article in the newspaper. He happened to be friends with one of the founding members of the company and we decided to call to learn more about the opportunity. Due to my construction background, I immediately thought We Do Lines would be a valuable career move for me and offered me the chance to open my own business.

What was appealing to you about joining a franchise system?

Owning a We Do Lines franchise is great because of the support systems put in place. The ability to network and leverage other franchises makes it easy for me to successfully pursue national and large footprint accounts. Through creating solid business relationships, I can gain access to other clients throughout my territories. These business relationships are vital to connecting the dots in our territories and growth targets.

What makes your business different?

I feel that my background of twenty years in the construction industry has helped us to get off to the fast growth start we have experienced. As with my former company, customer service and professionalism are paramount to the We Do Lines philosophy. We have introduced our services from a contracting perspective. Some examples are: We are extremely safety conscious. All personnel are OSHA 10 certified. We are always looking for more efficient ways to do our jobs. We use the best and most updated equipment and products.

To us, customer satisfaction is the number one key to success.

What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now?

Many of our projects are done at night and on weekends so we don’t interfere with our clients operations. These projects need to be completed on schedule because we are often working on multiple projects and can’t afford return trips. Training personnel on how to use the equipment safely and is also very important. In addition, we make our people very aware that we work in areas that are not always well lit, have moving vehicles and sometimes people traffic.

What are your expansion or development plans?

Currently we are looking to complement our current business model with more expansive services such as interior warehouse and industrial striping and marking. Eventually, we hope to work more directly with contractors and construction companies on new parking lot projects.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

I enjoy the outdoors. I played sports my entire life, but my current passion is scuba diving. I’ve traveled to many unique locations including the Cayman Islands, Cozumel, and Belize. One of my favorite and most memorable dives was a drift dive in Cozumel, where we were able to explore a large coral reef. I traveled down almost 80 feet without even noticing, and just let the current take me away. When you are diving, you are exploring a completely different world. There’s no feeling quite like going down 60 feet in clear blue water, and being able to experience something most people only dream about. It’s humbling.

ABOUT WE DO LINES, USA

Based in Ridgefield, Conn., and founded in 2008 by three friends looking to revolutionize a $1 billion segment of a $29 billion industry, We Do Lines, USA , a full-service parking lot striping franchise provides quality, professional, and reliable line striping services in a timely and cost efficient manner. Its services make parking lots everywhere safer, cleaner and more functional, while enhancing the overall aesthetics of the property. We Do Lines, USA accomplishes this mission by utilizing a combination of state-of-the-art technology and trained professionals to ensure a top-quality end result. For more information, please visit www.wedolines.com.

We Do Lines featured in Phoenix Business Journal

We Do Lines was recently featured in Phoenix Business Journal in an article titled, "Close-Up: Entrepreneurs meet online, earn their stripes together." The article discusses the new Arizona We Do Lines location and focuses on We Do Lines franchisee Tom Cox’s professional background,and how he learned about this industry and why he chose this type of business. Click here to view the entire article.

Close-Up: Entrepreneurs meet online, earn their stripes together
By: Mary Shinn

Two unlikely business partners — a former hotel industry professional and a commercial subcontractor — have found a niche for themselves painting stripes in parking lots.

After 26 years in the hotel industry, Tom Cox retired in Aspen, Colo., and was looking to go into business for himself. In January 2011, he read about We Do Lines USA Inc., a national parking lot striping company, in Entrepreneur magazine. He was intrigued.

(Read More)

Franchisee Profile: Tyler Vickery of Nashville, TN

Name: Tyler Vickery

Opening Date: Nov. 1

Location: Nashville, TN

Q: What was your career before franchising?

A: I was in sales position with a local healthcare company in Nashville.  As a young entrepreneur, I have always wanted to be in business for myself. 

Q: How did you learn about the brand?

A:  After seeing a striping company in Nashville performing work at the mixed-use facility I was working for, my interest piqued.  The business seemed unnoticed, yet I knew it had to be a large industry.  I did some research and confirmed my suspicion that the industry was big and unnoticed and eventually ran across the We Do Lines’ franchise model.

Q: Why did you decide to open your own business?

A: Through my research, I found the parking lot line striping industry to be quite large.  The interesting component I found was the fact that there are no real industry leaders, as most people in the business do it on the side.  For example, seal coaters may stripe lots as a complement to their business only because it’s required to complete their job. 

Q: When choosing the franchise, what were the criteria you used to make your decision?

A:  I used several criteria when making my decision.  I examined the feasibility of the model and whether or not the added brand exposure was worth paying royalties.  I evaluated the model as a whole.  I also liked the fact that the franchise was relatively new.  I felt that would give me some flexibility to establish best practices for my company as well as giving me the opportunity to grow and expand further once the Nashville brand is established. 

Q: What makes your business different?

A:  There is a need and demand for parking lot striping services, but there is no professional organization servicing the need in Nashville.  Most of the work done on parking lots is done at night and you only can hope that they show up as planned.  We will be changing that completely.  We’ll focus on customer service and on professionalism, and will look to become the go-to professionals for parking lot striping in Nashville. 

Q: How does your business connect with the community?

A:  It will be important for us to become involved in our industry and connect with other organizations that service the industry.  In addition, we’ll support the communities we service by becoming members in the various chambers and civic organizations. 

ABOUT WE DO LINES

Based in Ridgefield, Conn., and founded in 2008 by three friends looking to revolutionize a $1 billion segment of a $29 billion industry, We Do Lines, USA, is a full-service parking lot striping franchise providing quality, professional, and reliable line striping services in a timely and cost efficient manner. Its services make parking lots everywhere safer, cleaner and more functional, while enhancing the overall aesthetics of the property. We Do Lines, USA accomplishes this mission by utilizing a combination of state-of-the-art technology and trained professionals to ensure a top-quality end result.