ONCE UPON A CHILD: FOUNTAIN CITY, TN

Owners: Billy and Leigh Lowe, discuss their Winmark journey

How did you come to own a Winmark franchise?

We had 4 grandchildren at the time (now 5 😊) and had shopped Once Upon A Child (OUAC) in Texas, Ohio and Tennessee. We loved the store and the concept. Our oldest daughter was required to do a term paper (Accounting degree) on a franchise. She selected OUAC and the success rate of the store and the details of the operating model were very appealing to my wife and me.

What is one thing you know now that you wish you had known when you first opened your store?

More details associated with inventory management. We reached a threshold and kept going, where we should have been more selective after a point in time.

Have you implemented any new tactics to keep your staff motivated and to help with employee retention?

Food, paid time off for key holders and above, and flexibility to adapt to their scheduling requirements (including occasionally allowing mom’s to bring their kids to work). It’s taken 18 months, but we finally have a core staff we can depend on.

How has the partnership with JMM benefited your business?

Aside from the strong support from the marketing standpoint, they have been very helpful informally with coaching and guidance. My wife and I have little retail background, and JMM has been very helpful navigating us down this unfamiliar road. 😊