PLATO'S CLOSET: CORPUS CHRISTI, KILLEEN, & MESQUITE, TX

Owner: Alicia Warnock, discusses her Winmark journey

How did you come to own a Winmark franchise?

In 2008 we moved from Utah to Texas to start an Allstate Agency but that only lasted a short 2 years as we realized we are not the “sit behind the desk” type of people. In 2011 we sold our book of business and purchased our first Plato’s Closet in Mesquite, TX. Soon after we purchased 3 more locations.

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

I could have stepped away a bit sooner and saved my life from many long nights away from my children and tears had I just trusted in my employees to do what they do best! Although, I see what that time, effort, and presence has earned me. An 11yr store manager, a 6 & 7yr store manager who love what they do!

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

Employees will always come and go, we do all the “tactics” to keep staff feeling appreciated and motivated but what I do believe is cultivating a strong relationship with your management team. If you take the time to grow that relationship/friendship, they will recognize it’s more than just a job they have. I have the BEST relationship with them, we talk daily about work and nonwork related things, we make it fun. Download Marco Polo and enjoy the fun side of your managers, they love that!

How has the partnership with JMM benefited your business?

I couldn’t do it without them. I don’t have time to babysit one more thing or person. They are professional, on top of things, make time for me, always come with suggestions & ideas, and they listen to what I need. It’s a 2way relationship though, I make the time to meet with my account manager every single month to discuss the following months plans for the stores. I’m not a fly by the seat of my pants type person so it takes both sides of the working relationship to work! I love JMM!