ONCE UPON A CHILD: BRANDON, MB
Owner, Brianne Roblin, shares a glimpse into her Winmark journey.
How did you come to own a Winmark franchise?
Roughly 3 years my husband Jason and I began researching different franchise opportunities in Canada and truly it took about 3 years to find a franchise that felt right for our family. We first developed what I considered a strong relationship with Megan Schiavone, Franchise Developer at Winmark Corporation which started in December 2019. Megan continued to work with us over the course of the next four months. In March of 2020 we went down to Minneapolis and met the team and Amanda Kukowski, Director of Operations Once Upon A Child and we knew it was a fit. Our only challenge was wrapping our heads around opening a new store during a pandemic. We knew there could be many negatives about taking this risk but the positives way outweighed the negatives and signed on the dotted line.
What is one thing you know now that you wish you had known when you first opened your store?
What an amazing question……. that I would be gaining so much more than just a business!! I am surrounded by an amazing team of other entrepreneurs who are like minded and willing to share a quick chat, email or text of support when needed. I have never felt stuck or had nowhere to turn. The franchisees and Winmark Head Office have been a tremendous support during the last year.
2020 was, without a doubt, a challenging year. What was one way you evolved your business that you will keep utilizing in 2021?
Definitely the power of our social media platforms; instagram & facebook and digital advertising!! It is without a doubt what has saved us during Manitoba's code red lockdown. We currently run two facebook LIVES each day and post 20-30 stories and posts daily. We have partnered with J Miller who has taken a huge weight off of our shoulders and have been instrumental in helping plan and adjust as the pandemic restrictions changing almost weekly. It is extremely important to choose the right Marketing firm, and without a single doubt J Miller and Terri have been behind the scenes supporting us all of the way!! We interviewed four firms before we signed on with J Miller and we are extremely happy with their professionalism and ability to adjust quickly and efficiently.
