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 The Connecticut Post and The News-Times

We Do Lines was recently featured in The News-Times and The Connecticut Post in articles titled “When parking lots need lines, We Do Lines delivers.” In the article, Chris Couri, co-founder and CEO of We Do Lines, explains that the idea for the parking lot striping company formed when he and business partners Dan Rella and Tom Darrow all worked as landscapers. After researching the $29 billion parking lot striping industry, they decided to open a business and two years ago began franchising. Connecticut franchisee, Bob Russo, said the business focuses on customer service, no matter how big or small the client, and that this year’s numbers are shaping up to be even better than those in 2010. Click here to view the article!

When parking lots need lines, We Do Lines delivers
By Stacy Davis

Business has been good for a local company that specializes in painting lines in parking lots.

"I think it's been really great," said Chris Couri, one of the three founders of We Do Lines at 7 Danbury Road in Ridgefield.

Couri, 35, established the company in 2008 with his two partners, Tom Darrow, 45, and Dan Rella, 55.

The three now paint lines on the pavements of businesses with parking lots. It can be any kind of property, even schools.

(Read More)

We Do Lines featured in The Hartford Business Journal

We Do Lines was recently featured in The Hartford Business Journal in an article discussing how outdoor-focused businesses beat the summer heat. For We Do Lines, this means not sending out one-man crews on summertime jobs in case of safety issues with the heat. Chris Couri, co-founder, president and chief executive of We Do Lines, stressed that the business relies heavily on safety precautions. Connecticut franchisee, Bob Russo, said his employees are required to use sunblock and avoid wearing dark colors. Click here to view the full article!

Heat challenges outdoor businesses
By Brad Kane

As the temperate days of spring quickly slide into the hot days of summer this year, businesses all over Connecticut are feeling the heat.

While offices see an increase in electricity costs from air conditioning and dress codes often ease, those companies whose primary business is outdoors face a more real threat.

Heat stroke, dehydration, sunburn and exhaustion can imperil a company’s employees and production if they have to spend extended periods outside; and Connecticut business do what they can do avoid the wrong side of the sun.

(Read More)

We Do Lines featured in Bradenton Herald

In the article, Bob Russo discusses how he got started with We Do Lines by easily transitioning from commercial construction, and how other potential business owners can do the same. Tom Darrow discusses how We Do Lines began, how they forayed into franchising, and how much they’ve grown since the company was founded. To view the article in its entirety be sure to click here.

Firm creates a niche painting parking stripes
By JENNIFER RICH

They do lines -- lots of lines.

You’ll find them in parking lots, airports and even at Miami’s Doral Golf Resort.
The company We Do Lines USA is one of the few companies nationwide that specializes in striping -- creating those white, iridescent lines to mark off parking spaces.

The Connecticut-based firm, founded in 2008, has expanded to Florida and is selling franchise territories and drumming up business.

Bob Russo, of Englewood, just started the franchise that includes Bradenton and stretches from Clearwater to Port Charlotte.

(Read More)

Franchisee Profile: Bob Russo, Tim Hastings, & Leon St. Jean - franchisees in Connecticut and Southwest Florida

Franchisees Since: March 2010
Franchise Locations: Connecticut; Southwest Florida

How Tim Bob, Tim, and Leon Got Started With We Do Lines…
Bob, Tim and Leon are all lifelong residents of Ridgefield, CT and had seen several articles in local newspapers about We Do Lines and the franchise opportunity. The three friends came together and realized they had a great opportunity in front of them with We Do Lines and began researching more in depth the business opportunity. After speaking with the We Do Lines team, Bob, Tim and Leon knew this was the business they wanted to become part of. Together they are part of a development deal and have taken over five territories, including the state of Connecticut and Southwest Florida, which includes Port Charlotte, Venice and Greater Orlando.

What Intrigued Bob, Tim and Leon about We Do Lines…
With combined experience in commercial construction, manufacturing and sales, Bob, Tim and Leon had seen the We Do Lines proposition of an untapped market hold true across the state of Connecticut, as well as through Southwest Florida. Bob, Tim and Leon saw the growth potential of We Do Lines throughout the state of Connecticut and Southwest Florida and with the support of the We Do Lines corporate team, together Bob, Tim and Leon are able to exclusively concentrate on interacting with customers and gaining new clients.

Something Interesting About Bob, Tim, and Leon’s Story…
All lifetime Connecticut residents, Bob and Tim have been friends since elementary school, and Leon was Tim’s college roommate. The three business partners have great business experience to help make their new We Do Lines business successful and profitable. Bob has extensive experience in sales and marketing within the commercial construction industry. Tim has a strong background in sales as well and is part owner of a mortgage company in Ridgefield. Leon is an experienced entrepreneur having owned his own mortgage bank in Connecticut, as well as partners in a mortgage bank throughout 18 states. Additionally, he also has experience and knowledge in computer logistics and manufacturing.

Bob is married to his wife Pamela and together they have two children, both who are very excited to be working part time for their dad throughout the summer. Leon is married with three children. His daughter is five years old and his twin boys are three years old. Tim has three children.

Where Specifically Did Bob, Tim and Leon Learn About We Do Lines?
Tim was reading the Danbury News Times article about We Do Lines and presented the idea to his friend Bob. They came together with one of Bob’s college friends, Leon, and realized they had a great opportunity to grow and expand as business owners together.

Franchisees Buy Entire State of Connecticut; Turning We Do Lines into the First National Parking Lot Line Striping Franchise

After Successfully Proving its Methodology with Service from Maine to Florida, Connecticut-based Company Expands Statewide

RIDGEFIELD, CT – (April 22, 2010) – With over 500 million parking spaces across America, it makes one wonder who is responsible for painting all of the lines. The men behind the mask for the State of Connecticut are Bob Russo, Tim Hastings and Leon St. Jean. For the first time, Connecticut businesses will have a go-to for all of their parking striping needs, as local entrepreneurs Russo, Hastings, and St. Jean have launched We Do Lines, the first national parking lot line striping franchise, across the state of Connecticut, turning We Do Lines LLC into a viable franchise.

With over 75-years of combined business and entrepreneurial experience in commercial construction, manufacturing and sales, Russo, Hastings and St. Jean have seen the We Do Lines proposition of an untapped market hold true across the state of Connecticut, as well as through Southwest Florida. Lifelong Connecticut residents, Russo, Hastings and St. Jean have taken over five territories, including the State of Connecticut and Southwest Florida, which includes Port Charlotte, Venice and Greater Orlando.

“There are hundreds of thousands of parking lots that need to be striped. Having your businesses parking lots properly and regularly striped gives customers the best first impression. The end result for a business striping its parking lots on an annual basis reduces its liability risk,” says Russo.

We Do Lines is known for their personalized expert service, and this new expansion is no exception. Russo said that the comprehensive training and support the franchise provides has fully prepared his team for a successful launch.

Parking lot striping is one of a business’s top priorities as many establishments are required by contract and/or lease to re-stripe their parking lots every year. For the first time, Connecticut businesses from Hartford to New Haven to Fairfield can properly lay down a corporate welcome mat, clean and striped to code, which will have a multitude of advantages aside from carrying a high return on investment.

“Bob, Tim and Leon exemplify all of these characteristics,” said Chris Couri, co-founder of We Do Lines. “This team is a perfect fit for We Do Lines and we are confident that they will prove to be an asset to We Do Lines. Together they will become completely ingrained in the community, while playing a significant role in the continuous development and growth of the We Do Lines brand.”

We Do Lines was recently featured in The News-Times!

The News-Times Business Briefs: We Do Lines gets first franchisees

We Do Lines, a Ridgefield-based line-painting franchise founded in 2008, recently opened its first franchise location under the ownership of Bob Russo and Tim Hastings of Ridgefield and Leon St. Jean of Newtown. With more than 75 years of combined business and entrepreneurial experience in commercial construction, manufacturing and sales, Russo, Hastings and St. Jean will perform work in five territories in Connecticut and southwest Florida. We Do Lines recently started a second location in the Cleveland area. (Read More)

Franchisee Spotlight: Bob Russo, Tim Hastings, Leon St. Jean

Each week we like to highlight our new franchisees to show how vast the We Do Lines team is! This week, Bob Russo, Tim Hastings and Leon St. Jean are our spotlight franchisees.

Franchisee Since: March 2010
Franchisee Territory: State of Connecticut; Southwest Florida

How Bob, Tim, and Leon Got Started With We Do Lines…
Bob, Tim and Leon are all lifelong residents of Connecticut and had seen several articles in local newspapers about We Do Lines and the franchise opportunity which piqued their curiosity. In turn, the three began researching more in depth the business opportunity We Do Lines had to offer. After speaking with the We Do Lines team, Bob, Tim and Leon knew this was the business they wanted to become a part. From their research, they found that the parking lot line striping industry was fragmented and could benefit from a business that solely focused on line striping. Together, they have taken on the task of developing five territories, which include the state of Connecticut and Southwest Florida, from Port Charlotte to Venice and Greater Orlando.

What Intrigued Bob, Tim and Leon about We Do Lines…
With over 75 years of combined experience in commercial construction, manufacturing and sales, Bob, Tim and Leon had seen the We Do Lines proposition of an untapped market and the growth potential hold true across the state of Connecticut and throughout Southwest Florida. With the full support of the We Do Lines corporate team, including training, marketing, billing and a customer call center, together Bob, Tim and Leon are able to exclusively concentrate on interacting with customers and gaining new clients.

Something Interesting About Bob, Tim, and Leon’s Story…
All lifetime Connecticut residents, Bob and Tim have been friends since elementary school, and Leon was Bob’s college roommate. Together the three entrepreneurs have an extensive background and experience in business, which is helping to provide insight towards their new We Do Lines business. Bob is a veteran of the commercial construction industry in sales and marketing, which is proving to be beneficial, especially when it comes to gaining new clients. Tim is part owner of a mortgage company in Ridgefield and with his experience in business ownership, he is able to structure We Do Lines in the best way possible. Leon is an experienced entrepreneur having owned his own mortgage bank in Connecticut, as well as partners in a mortgage bank throughout 18 states. Additionally, he also has experience and knowledge in computer logistics and manufacturing.

Bob is married to his wife Pamela and they have two children, both who are very excited to be working part time for their dad throughout the summer. Leon is married with three children. His daughter is five years old and his twin boys are three years old. Tim has three children.

Bob, Tim and Leon are all very active within their communities, participating in local events and fundraisers. They have also served on various town and charitable boards.

For more information on Bob Russo, Tim Hastings and Leon St. Jean, We Do Lines or the We Do Lines franchise opportunity please visit http://www.wedolines.com/.