How female franchisees are making a mark in their communities
By Gina Makkar
Franchising is always changing and women are at the forefront, bringing a fresh perspective to leadership and a connection to their communities. Franchising has become a place where women can thrive, innovate, and make an impact. Check out three enterprising franchisees that are redefining what it means to empower women and transform the face of business ownership.
Fibrenew
Heidi George’s journey into franchising began with a strategic goal: find a recession-proof business. “With Fibrenew, having that recession-proof industry that covers multiple industries within their market, you can really go after whatever you want,” she says.
After moving from northern Alberta to Ontario in 2023, Heidi faced a career pivot when the bank she was managing closed. She worked with a franchise consultant and narrowed franchise options down to three. “They were all pretty similar, in the service industry, mobile, blue-collar, recession-proof. [Those were] our key metrics.”
The onboarding and training process was seamless. “On-site training is in Calgary, and Fibrenew is Canadian, and we loved that.” She adds that the two-week training is integral in getting started with Fibrenew. “The procedures really need to be practiced, and the hands-on learning was essential in getting started.”
Though she’s only five months into her franchise journey, Heidi is already envisioning growth. She handles the technical repair work herself, drawing on her entrepreneurial spirit and hands-on mindset. “There’s no shortage to this business, and I really haven’t scratched the surface,” she says.
Many clients are choosing to preserve their much-loved pieces by repairing upholstered items rather than replacing them, which makes Fibrenew’s services particularly valuable. With a “repair, don’t replace” approach, Fibrenew restores items to like-new condition, saving customers money and reducing waste.
Looking ahead, Heidi aims to scale her territory, adding technicians and expanding operations. Her advice to prospective franchisees? “Definitely have a network outside to support you and give you advice and share the struggles of business ownership.”
Heidi also reflects on the role of women in franchising, particularly in traditionally male-dominated sectors. “As women, we definitely want to get that warm feeling from an environment that supports us,” she says. While diversity wasn’t her initial driver, she notes the importance of a female support network. Fibrenew recognizes this need and runs a female-only monthly networking event for franchisees, giving women a dedicated space to connect, share experiences, and support one another.
“I would suggest always having a network of women business owners to bounce ideas off and get advice from. I think if you are going into something that is male dominated, having like-minded individuals to support you is important, and you definitely do need some of that female presence that supports you in a way that they understand.”
Minuteman Press
A seasoned business owner, Oksana Jacobs had managed a successful business in Ukraine. With limited knowledge of the business landscape when she moved to Canada, she turned to franchising for the guidance and support it offered. “They provide direction and advice, and it fits with my goals,” she says.
Oksana launched her first Minuteman Press franchise two years ago, with plans to expand in the future. She credits much of her early success to the support provided by the franchisor. “I have good relations with the head office representatives. It’s always nice to have contact with them. They’re there for anything I need.”
Running a franchise comes with its challenges, particularly staffing, but Oksana has found that her prior experience combined with the franchisor’s support provides a strong foundation for success. “The main challenge is hiring. I’m feeling this challenge because as I grow, I will need more people.” The regional support and hands-on help with hiring and training have been invaluable.
Several years in, Oksana is confident she made the right choice in franchising with the signage, printing, and design brand Minuteman Press. “It’s growing. I wouldn’t consider anything else, even right now at the two-year point. After speaking to other business owners, I was sure that I did the right thing and I wouldn’t change anything.”
Looking back, Oksana wishes she had focused more on marketing from the start. “Everyone needs to think about marketing before they start any kind of franchise. If I had started with a higher profile for marketing and invested more money into campaigns, I would have grown faster.” She also advises new franchisees to secure plenty of working capital. “It’s easier to improve your services or add services if you have more working capital in the beginning. It safeguards you, and you can do more. It really helps at the start.”
She also advises that women in franchising make the most of networking and that female-focused events offer a unique kind of support. “Women try to support each other, and it’s a little different from regular networking events, because females will feel the struggle of each other and will say, ‘I will help you.’ It will help you to grow.”
MOLLY MAID
Kendall Karoglan was 25 years old when she purchased her first MOLLY MAID franchise in North Bay, Ontario. A recent nursing graduate, she began to ponder her future after watching peers experience burnout in the healthcare field. With her father’s encouragement, she began to explore franchising. Six years later, he remains a steadfast supporter. “Ironically enough, I just convinced him to buy another location,” she laughs.
Kendall credits much of her success to the support built into the MOLLY MAID system. “Anytime there’s an issue, or I have ideas to bounce around, there’s always someone there. They have a lot of initiatives to help you grow,” she says. “I’ve also made friends with other franchise partners who might be going through the same struggles.” That support includes a dedicated franchise coach. “You have someone by your side, celebrating milestones with you, encouraging you to reach a new level.”
Though North Bay has a small population of 50,000, Kendall has surpassed her annual sales growth goal of $100,000 in revenue over the previous year, four years in a row. “That’s something I’m definitely proud of,” she says.
For Kendall, mindset and leadership are at the heart of being a successful franchisee. “You need to be positive,” she says. “Even though you might be having a rough day, you need to focus on the positives and what’s going to come out of it.” She adds that in franchising, success isn’t a solo effort. “You wouldn’t be able to grow without people behind you. It’s not one person running a franchise.”
Working in a female-centred industry, gender wasn’t something Kendall initially gave much thought to, but as she ventures into the community, she recognizes that there aren’t many female franchise partners. With her dad joining the ranks, she notes that there’s value in gaining different perspectives.
She cautions franchisees against starting with unrealistic expectations, noting that success doesn’t come easily just because it’s a franchise. She’s also a vocal advocate for the reality franchisees face. “Just because we’re a franchise doesn’t mean we don’t face the same financial burdens or hiccups as any small business,” she says.
For Kendall, franchising offers the best of both worlds: the freedom to be a business owner and show up authentically in her community, paired with support systems that make long-term growth possible. “I can be on my own and still have those supports to help me succeed. If I didn’t have that support, I don’t think I’d be where I am today.”
