Testimonials & Articles

Franchisees Testimonials

“ I worked for IBM Global Services for 18 years, in various positions, both technical and management. I was laid off October 31st, 2008 as part of a downsizing and found myself at a crossroads in my life. I was 51 with two sons who were 22 and 20 and on their own; did I want to look for similar work in a souring economy or to strike out on my own and do something completely different?

IBM provided career transition services as part of my severance package through Right Management Company. One of the seminars they hosted was "Is Franchising For Me?" by FranNet. I found it very compelling and quickly completed the online assessment that was provided. I was drawn to franchising over opening a business of my own due to the support, experience and proven process and formula that a franchise provides. I explored a few options, but none seemed to really be as suited to me as I'd hoped.

In early January, my FranNet advisor, Barney Greenbaum, called me with an opportunity that had just come up that he thought would fit my interests. There was an existing Foot Solutions store 10 miles from my home that was for sale. It was definitely something that appealed to me greatly, the chance to be my own boss, in a retail environment, where I would have close interaction with people who had problems that I could help to resolve, working in an allied health profession.

I investigated the franchise and was able to attend their annual owner's conference in Atlanta in January and learned so much more about Foot Solutions than I would have otherwise. Foot Solutions was the right next step for me! In completing my due diligence, I looked into various financing options and even in this period of time when it was being said banks were not lending money, I was able to secure an SBA loan so it was full-steam ahead.

This all transpired very quickly and what began with the phone call on January 9th from Barney, came to fruition as I took ownership of the store in Westerville, Ohio on Monday the 16th as the proud new owner!

I attended the Foot Solutions corporate training course for new owners, continued my studies at home, then took the certification exam in May offered by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics. I recently received my passing scores and effective July 1, will be a board certified pedortist. I have my temporary Ohio license also now so feel like I’m ready to get started with more medical marketing. My initial goal is to increase store sales over last year by 50% and become one of the top stores in the franchise within a few years, doing something that I really enjoy – a profession that helps people feel good. There is nothing more gratifying at the end of the day than to have someone really feel better walking out of my store than they did when they walked in! ”

Linda

“My background had been in retail management and I wanted to continue to build off of that experience. Foot Solutions was one of the few franchises that had a retail presence and I like the fact that it provided a niche service and product that was not widely available to the public. We opened our 1st location in June of 2005, our 2nd in February of 2006 and our 3rd location opened in February of 2007. Foot Solutions has given us the tools, product exclusivity and expertise to continue to build and grow our market share. We are proud to be a part of building the brand and helping others succeed as well.”
R. Richard, Kansas and Missouri

“When I decided to walk away from my corporate retail career, I knew I wanted to find a business model that was targeted to the vast baby boomer population and was a highly specialized, service-based concept that would not be knocked off by the big mega giants like Wal-Mart. The Foot Solutions model has been a winner for us from day one. Our clients are active 40+ adults who refuse to conceded to the effects of age and retire to the rocking chair. With our help, we are able to substantially affect their quality of life. We improve their athletic performance, reduce or eliminate their foot, knee, hip or back pain, get them back to the activities that they enjoy. With the low start up costs, the low inventory requirements and the high service standards, the model has returned outstanding results. As we work on our 5th stores, the Foot Solutions team has been there for us and has responded to our ideas and needs each and every day that we have been part of the organization.”
J. Sullivan, Virginia, D.C., Maryland

“In November of 2006 John retired from corporate America after 30+ years in various customer service-oriented jobs, including retail shoe sales. After 30+ years in corporate life, my wife and I decided to fulfill a life-long dream to own our own business. As we looked at various franchise opportunities Foot Solutions stood out as the best opportunity for us to leverage our customer service experience as well as our passion for helping people. Foot Solutions also fills a distinct niche in the health care arena that is presently under-served in our local market. Our customers continually express their gratitude for bringing this much-needed business to the area and enthusiastically recommend us to their family and friends.”
J. Garrity, Pennsylvania

“Wow...After years of foot pain I was able to achieve relief by visiting a Foot Solutions in San Jose. Intrigued by this effective solution, I pursued owning my own Foot Solutions. My journey started when I opened my first location on July 1, 2001. Since then I have opened several more Foot Solutions. I want to thank the entire team at Foot Solutions for their support and dedication to excellence.”
T. Barker, California

“After 15 years of success working in sales and business development for various fortune 500’s, I began to weigh what I thought was a very comfortable salary against the cost of constant travel and time away from my family. I was climbing the corporate ladder and making fantastic money, but what was the cost of missing dinner every night? I decided to take serious inventory of my goals in life. Foot Solutions is a health and wellness oriented business in a marketplace that was completely wide open. The hours seemed fantastic for retail and it satisfied our desire to be involved in helping people live healthier lives. More importantly, I immediately recognized the income potential for a comparatively reasonable investment. After a good deal of due diligence and talking with current franchisees, we both decided we had finally found a way out of the corporate world. More importantly, I am now home for dinner every night.”
J. Cain, Illinois

“ I hope this can be forwarded to the correct store as I am unable to find a direct contact email address for your store in Plymouth, England and I would like to pass on my highest compliments to the manager of the store. I have been in the store several times have and have always been a little wary due to the prices. Each time I have been in I have been told about the store and the staff are friendly and welcoming.

I have a very disabled mother and decided to take her into the store to see if your organisation would be able to help, I must admit I was very skeptical but thought I would give your store a chance. My mother is in her late 80s, has MS among other problems and is wheel chair bound. I have been treated in the past in 99% of shops appalling and my mother even worse. Most places treat her as is she is invisible, senile and direct all questions to me just ignoring her.

However when I went into the store and spoke to Caroline, one of your sales persons, she was a very friendly and approachable young lady. She gave my mother her full attention. She explained what the store was about, however my mother already had supports in her shoes so did not need the full service that you offer. Carline explained that the shoes you sell can accommodate supports dependant on the support and receded to find out what we required. She directed all her questions to my mother, she asked what she would like in a shoe, colours, what shoes did she like, what colour was her ward broad so she could find something for to wear that she would like and be practical for her even if Velcro or laces where more suitable for my mother even thought the answer was obvious she asked and gave my mother the opportunity to say what she wanted and why.

I must say I was very impressed and taken back by her total attention on my mother. It was such a refreshing change, the young lady listened to my mother and gave her advice on the shoes she wanted and very polity pointed out why some of the shoes my mother wanted wouldn’t be suitable. She did this in such a nice and gentle way that my mother never realised she was being subtlety and with great care was being directed away from unsuitable shoes to ones that where practical for her situation. The young lady then went and found several pairs for my mother again making sure she liked them and empathising the benefits of the shoes over the style. I cannot say how impressed I was. Most sales people would just sell as much as they can and not care for the practically of the person buying as long as there where sales in the till. Caroline was wonderful. My mother picked several shoes. At this point my brother came into the store to collect us for lunch. As Caroline went to check whether there was anything else my mother would like so she would have a wide choice, my mother was singing the stores and Caroline’s praises to him. Both my brother and I have not know my mother have such a positive experience in a shop in a long time and it made the world of difference to not only her but to the whole family. We bought my mother 2 pairs of shoes and WILL be back for more. I will be back for my foot assessment with Caroline as soon as I can book one after Christmas, as will my brother and my family. Any business that has staff that give such service will do extremely well. I am recommending your store to all my friends and anyone who tells me they are having problems with their feet. I have always believed in praise where praise is due and I cannot prise Caroline enough for, her empathy, her knowledge and the care she took with my mother. A very impressed and now loyal customer.”
Mrs. Jane Woodhall

Article Links:

• Foot Solutions Estero in the News Times
• Franchise Times: The Next Top 100
• Footwear Insight: The Category That Is Rocking the Footwear Business
• NSRA: Foot Solutions: Doing Good Comes Back to You
• Entrepreneur: If the Shoe Fits…
• Footwear Plus Magazine: Taking Care of Business
• Cobb Chamber of Commerce/AJC 2008 Small Business of the Year
• Opportunity World: Foot Solutions Taking Better Steps Toward Success
• Owner Benita Nordenstrom on Local News
• Foot Solutions featured on NBC 6 in Miami
• Foot Solutions Gets Involved in the Presidential Challenge
• Wellness Industry Is Looking Strong For a Leg Up, Get Certified in A Specific Area
• The New Wellness Revolution
• The Wellness Industry
• Physical Culture | Gear Test, Walking Shoes - The New York Times
• Examiner.com | Foot Solutions In-Store Experience
• Franchise Update: FPR First-Timer
• Shoe Retailing Today: NSRA Conference co-chair Ray Margiano, CEO of Foot Solutions, introduced speakers and moderated sessions.
• The Franchise Handbook: Opportunity Comes Knocking
• Vetrepreneur Honors Ray Margiano as 2010 Vetrepreneur of the Year