Franchise Canada Chats is back at it again with season 9 episode 8, featuring our host Renée and Waterloo’s resident Crock A Doodle franchisee, Shailen Vadera.
Shailen Vadera and Crock A Doodle’s story goes way back: her mother founded the brand in 2002, and Shailen worked part-time in various stores while attending school. At one point, she had every intention of separating herself from the business completely to focus more on her science and mathematical interests. But, after getting two degrees, she found some common ground with the franchise, realizing that combining her mathematical and scientific mind with the creative elements of Crock A Doodle molded into a perfect fit.
In 2013, Shailen got involved with the brand’s corporate side. She’s been a studio manager and a manager of operations, the latter for which she supported over 35 franchises and corporate stores in meeting their full potential.
Then, in 2018, a new kind of opportunity emerged. Crock A Doodle had long yearned for a Waterloo location, and it was time to make this dream a reality. It was during this process that Shailen was asked if she’d be interested in becoming a franchisee and owning a store of her own, and although she hadn’t thought of doing this beforehand, the prospect of this opportunity sparked something in her.
Flash-forward to today and Shailen is a successful franchisee with a Crock A Doodle unit in Waterloo, and she continues to work with the head office as director of development and franchise operations. With her own personal stake in a store, and her position in head office, Shailen exemplifies and demonstrates how an understanding franchisor/franchisee relationship can bolster a system’s success.
On this episode we’ll discuss:
- How different personalities can thrive in the franchising world
- Why finding the right brick-and-mortar location is integral to a business’ success
- Local store marketing as a key to growth
- Using loans as a path to business ownership
- And so much more!
