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DEVICE PITSTOP: A Tech-Savvy Franchisee Dishes On Opening a Resale Franchise

In an article from Entrepreneur, Device Pitstop owner Josh Powell talks about his success at his store in Lexington, Kentucky, and gives some insight into the process. Source: entrepreneur.com Device Pitstop is a franchise built on concepts Josh Powell knows well. The franchise is a resale chain that buys, sells, trades, repairs and upgrades computers and mobile electronics – tools that Powell was well versed in due to his work producing videos for his local PBS station. For Powell, becoming a Device Pitstop franchisee meant using knowledge he already accumulated to make some money. Here’s what he has learned. Name: Josh Powell Franchise owned: Lexington, Ky. How long have you owned a franchise? Five years. Related: No Gender Bias Figured Into What These Franchisees Chose to Do Why franchising?   The initial and ongoing support is essential key to the success of the business. Most businesses last less than three years, so it is important to have a team of people who can help you take the journey during the difficult times and the times of celebration. What were you doing before you became a franchise owner? Before owning Device Pitstop, I was a director/producer at a local PBS affiliate. Why did you choose this particular franchise? I love technology and I love the concept of resale. It was easy to grasp because I was already using both concepts in my personal life. So, why not have some fun and make some money? How much would you estimate you spent before you were officially open for business? $160,000: Total $32,000 (approximately): Working capital $30,000: Fixtures $15,000: Initial advertising (TV and radio) $12,000: Signage $10,000: Franchise fee $60,000: Inventory Where did you get most of your advice/do most of your research? Most of my advice and research came from my mentor and friends who helped me open the store. They had heard of the concept before and were interested in it. Also, my knowledge of technology helped to influence my decision. Related: It All Adds Up to the Fact That This Franchisee Made the Right Choice What were the most unexpected challenges of opening your franchise?  The biggest surprise was how successful my franchise was immediately. I wanted to make sure that my processes were scalable. Managing customer growth as well as internal growth issues like personnel were certainly a challenge. What advice do you have for individuals who want to own their own franchise? Find a business model that you love, not just something that makes money. When you believe in a franchise and you love what you are doing, then the success will follow. What’s next for you and your business?  Growth. I am always looking for new avenues of revenue or new processes to streamline our current systems. This year I’ve put a lot of focus into developing our processes, and the result has been an improved bottom line.  As for the next 12 months, I am always looking for new locations.

Device Pitstop orange car painted with Device Pitstop logo and phone number and other advertising on the sides
Josh Powell/Photo Credit Josh Powell

 

Brandon Yeager

Brandon Yeager

Software Engineer

Software Engineer
Leah Weisbecker

Leah Weisbecker

Franchise Business Consultant

Franchise Business Consultant
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Michelle Vaudrin

Senior Director of Operations

Michelle Vaudrin is the Senior Director of Operations for  Children’s Orchard and Clothes Mentor. Before joining Children’s Orchard in 2016, she worked in leadership roles for Burlington, American Eagle, and Macy’s.

Michelle attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a Retail Merchandising and Business Administration degree. She brings an extensive background in training in strategies, merchandising, customer service, and multi-unit store operations to the team.

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Jenny Mann

Vice President of Operations | Executive Director of IT

Jenny Mann is the Vice President of Operations for Clothes Mentor and Children’s Orchard. In January of 2020, Jenny also took on the role of Executive Director of IT, overseeing BST, our Point of Sale system, and the e-commerce platforms for both brands. Prior to this, Jenny was the Director of Marketing for NTY Franchise Company since January 2013. Jenny started with the NTY Franchise Company in 2008 with Clothes Mentor and has held many roles, including; Store Manager, New Store Opener, and Regional Operations Manager. Before joining NTY Franchise Company, Jenny worked for Old Navy (Gap, Inc.) and Target in management roles.

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Chad Olson

Chief Operations Officer

Chad Olson has been Chief Operations Officer of NTY Franchise Company since January 2007. From May 1994 to December 2006, he held various positions for Winmark Corporation (f/k/a Grow Biz International, Inc.), including Field Operations Manager for the Once Upon a Child concept from 1999 to 2002, and Regional Operations Manager for the Plato’s Closet concept from 2002 to 2006.

Sean Marrs

Sean Marrs

IT/Tech Administrator

IT/Tech Administrator
Marissa Stacy

Marissa Stacy

Jr. Graphic Designer

Jr. Graphic Designer

Ashlyn Aarness

Ashlyn Aarness

Social Media Specialist

Social Media Specialist
Ashley Huebner

Ashley Huebner

Director of Marketing

Ashley Huebner oversees Children’s Orchard’s marketing and advertising efforts to drive sales, build brand awareness, and lead the planning on how to market the brand effectively. She leads creative initiatives by driving the brands’ vision in aesthetics, tone, and trends to elevate our brand position as a leader in the resale category.

Ashley joined the Children’s Orchard team in 2015. Ashley has 10+ years of Graphic Design experience. Ashley holds a strong background in design, user experience, and a passion for creativity. She holds a BA degree in Advertising and Art.