Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning® is a rapidly growing carpet cleaning company that offers a low-overhead, home-based franchise opportunity to qualified individuals.  Oxi Fresh’s unique franchise program includes use of a green cleaning method,  innovative marketing, and a nationwide call center that schedules all the sales appointments for its franchisees.

[Pictured, left, Jonathan Barnett, MBA]

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FranchisePick.com:  So, Jonathan, how is Oxi Fresh® faring in this tough economy?

We’re doing very well, and growing steadily.  We first franchised Oxi Fresh in 2006. We started out with one location in Denver and, by the end of 2008, had a total of 87 locations. As of June, 2009 we had 108. We are growing very fast and expect that our numbers will have grown exponentially by the end of 2009.

We are targeting to grow at around 50 new franchisees a year. We do not want to grow more than 60 or less than 40.

FranchisePick.com: That’s impressive growth in a recession.  What are the factors contributing to your success?  What need are you filling?

Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning® operates as part of the service industry that’s always in demand. Customers want a cleaning method that is safe, effective, and affordable, which is exactly what Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning® provides. Our all natural, biodegradable products are safe for children and pets, yet tough on stains. Being the “stain removal experts,” we’re confident that if we can’t get a stain out, no one can.

Also, we don’t have hidden fees like many other companies which is something our customers love and appreciate. They can rest assured knowing that they are getting the best service at the best price.

FranchisePick.com: What is the appeal of the Oxi Fresh franchise opportunity?

Several things come to mind:  Our turnkey business model.  Our tested and proven marketing strategies.  Support from our dedicated call center.  Great repeat and referral business.   And the fact that it’s a low overhead and easy-to-operate business.

FranchisePick.com:  What have you done to keep the initial franchise investment and ongoing expenses low?

First, Oxi Fresh was designed to operate as a home-based business. Our services and business model eliminate the need for a store front, making it much more affordable for franchisees.

We are able to keep the initial cost of investment low by offering franchisees a home based system and not requiring the purchase of company vehicles. Our royalty structure allows us to charge our franchisees a flat low monthly fee, rather than a percentage of sales like other franchising systems.

FranchisePick.com: Where are you looking to expand? What types of markets and demographics work best?

We are looking to expand anywhere in the U.S. where a protected territory is not already sold. Rural and urban areas both work well, but we will make specific suggestions depending on what that particular franchisee is looking to get out of their business.

FranchisePick.com: Tell us a little bit about the kind of person who would make a good Oxi Fresh franchise owner?

A good franchisee is someone with superior ethics that understands the importance of delivering unmatched customer service and end results. Our owners are not interested in gaining a one-time customer but retaining a lifetime customer.

FranchisePick.com: What are the backgrounds of some of your franchise owners?

Our franchisees all have very different backgrounds, ages and education. Some started fresh out of college, while others left traditional business careers in search of an opportunity that would be both financially and personally rewarding.

FranchisePick.com: What qualities are important to you in selecting new franchisees for your system? What makes a good franchisee?

Our franchisees need to service minded and be dedicated to upholding the integrity of Oxi Fresh. This means providing the absolute best customer service and following the Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning® business model.

FranchisePick.com: What do you see as being the greatest non-financial rewards of being part of the Oxi Fresh franchise family?

Our nationwide call center takes all of their calls and schedules all of their appointments freeing up time and money the franchisee would have to invest otherwise. Our turn key business model allows franchisees to own a business rather than work an exhausting job. Combined, these benefits give franchisees more free time to do as they wish and in turn provide a greater quality of life.

OXI FRESH FANWALL:  Are you a fan of Oxi Fresh Carpet cleaning?  Share a comment below!

Contour Creations Inc. (ContourCreationsInc.com) is a family owned and operated business that manufactures hand-crafted upholstered vinyl fitness pads and rollers for Curves For Women fitness clubs. They offer our pads in black as well as 9 different colors. Their priority is to cater to the needs of Curves franchise owners and their clubs.

The two main players in this operation are Jen and Karl. With past careers of accounting and teaching, Jen is ideal for the job of office manager, doing the accounting, marketing and being the all round trouble shooter. Karl has ten years experience in upholstery, including expertise in a range of things from boat seats, to antique furniture, to Curves pads. Karl oversees the production of the pads and is the shipping and quality control department.

FranBest interviewed Contour Creations Inc. co-founder Jennifer to learn more.

FranBest: How and when did you first come up with the idea for the Contour Creations Inc product line? What was the initial reaction?

Jennifer: Karl gets credit for the initial idea. He had taken a contract with a Curves club in BC six years ago to reupholster their entire club. In the process of remaking the pads, he thought how boring it must be for all the owners and members to only have the color black available to them. He saw how colorful the rest of the club was, and then he looked at the pads and felt they didn’t fit. Speaking with the owners in his area, he found his idea for colored pads was a hit. He received immediate interest and got to work on reupholstering with color.

FranBest: Over the past 6 years, how has the Contour Creations Inc. product line grown and evolved?

Jennifer: Initially we didn’t even make fitness pads; rather our service was to reupholster the old pads in black and color. However, owners kept enquiring if we sold new pads as well, which got Karl to thinking. It didn’t take long for him to have a full line of all the pads available. For the first few years all the boards and foam were cut by hand, which worked, but costs and time were high, and keeping consistency was difficult. Over the past six years we have done a lot of R & D, and have refined the process. Now all of our materials are precision cut, and we have trained upholsterers working hard to keep up with orders. We are continuously working to improve and expand our product line and services, and are always happy to receive feedback from managers and owners.

FranBest: Today, what Contour Creations Inc products are available for Curves owners?

Jennifer: All the fitness pads and rollers for the Curves machines are available through Contour Creations Inc. As well we have sheath covers to protect back pads, and wedge cushions and seat cushions. We have a few new products in the works, but don’t want to blow our cover until they’re ready for launch.

FranBest: What are the color choices?

Jennifer: Black, Deep Violet, Forest Green, Grotto Green, Royal Blue, Oak, Cinnamon, Grey Stone, Burgundy and Claret

FranBest: How else do your pads differ from the standard-issue pads?

Jennifer: We have designed a new kind of roller pad that is completely upholstered in vinyl. This means that no foam is exposed resulting in greater durability, as no chunks get ripped off during use. The upholstered vinyl also slows down the process of the foam breaking down, as well as makes it easy to keep the pads clean and sanitized.

Another product we’ve come up with is a 2” hybrid-foam squat pad. The two differing densities of foam allow for comfort as well as proper resistance thus stopping members from “cheating” when using the squat machine. We also offer the old style 4” upholstered squat pads that have been discontinued by the leading supplier of Curves pads. In the past month we have also added the option of a more slippery vinyl on seat pads, making sliding on and off the machines easier for members.

FranBest: How many Curves owners are using or have used Contour Creations Inc. products in their clubs? What do they value most about your products?

Jennifer: Currently we have over 150 clubs using our products. Features of our products and service that seem to be most popular are:

• Color options
• Competitively priced
• Upholstered vinyl pads, which have greater durability and a longer life than the pads sold by the leading Curves pad supplier.
• The vinyl is easy to keep clean and sanitized, unlike rubber molded pads.
• Our unique rollers and squat pads.
• Go green program that lets owners recycle old pads and shipping materials, while receiving a discount on future orders
• Shipping rates that are the actual cost of shipping
• Out attention to detail, prompt customer service, and quick shipment of orders.

FranBest: What do Curves owners say are the greatest benefits of using Contour Creations Inc. pads?

• They are more affordable
• They last up to 3 times longer than the leading brand
• They are easy to keep clean and sanitized
• Being hand crafted by professional upholsterers, they have a noticeably higher-end look and feel to them
• Our Go Green program for recycling old pads and shipping materials
• That the foam densities have been specially tailored in each pad to give optimum resistance during use.

FranBest: Do Curves owners usually replace a piece at a time, or do they replace all their pads at the same time? Are there advantages to refitting an entire club?

Jennifer: During the current economic situation most owners are only ordering replacement pads for pads that need to be retired. However as owners hold off on replacing pads, their clubs get into disrepair, which then in turn is noted by members, and memberships can lag. Ask any woman whether she’d like to work-out in a bright colorful club in good repair, vs. a club that has obviously seen better days…well the answer is obvious.

For owners that want to spice up their club with some color, without the big price tag, we have a promotion that gives 8 seat pads and 8 sheath covers in any color or combination of colors for only $425. As well, there are discounts of 10% for orders over $200, and 20% off orders over $500.

FranBest: I understand that Contour Creations Inc. is an eco-friendly company. Explain your “Go Green” program and what you do to minimize our ecological footprint.

Jennifer: At Contour Creations Inc., we are very conscious of our ecological footprint, and we make every effort to minimize it. We would like to put out a challenge to all eco-friendly Curves owners and managers out there, and in the process reward those who participate.

When a shipment of Contour Creation Inc.’s replacement pads is received, there will be a “Go Green” form in with the order. Here’s what to do:

- Enter your name, address, and email on the form.

- Put the new pads onto your machines, and rather than throw out the old pads, put them in the box, along with the Go Green Form, and ship it back to us. (We don’t accept rubber pads as they are not currently recyclable. Only ship back UPHOLSTERED VINYL PADS).

- Upon receipt of your old upholstered vinyl pads, we will email you a coupon code that will give you 15% off of your next order.

FranBest: What happens to the old pads and shipping materials?

Jennifer: The Apple-wood back board and attached hardware are reused.  The foam is recycled.  The box you sent everything back in, is recycled or reused if possible. The vinyl is not currently recyclable, but we send out a request to anyone for suggestions on how to keep it out of the landfills.

FranBest: Do club owners gain marketing advantages by giving their clubs a fresh look with Contour Creations Inc. pads? How do they help attract new members? Retain current members?

Jennifer: Allow me to answer this one with a storyabout one of our customers.  An owner in BC was telling me about her membership numbers going down, and members coming in less often. I suggested she try our “Splash of Color” promotion to freshen the place up. Three months later I phoned her back to see if the colored pads had worked and her happy response was that the members had been coming in more frequently. She told me they said it was a nicer environment to work-out in and that it made it more appealing to come in. She then went on to say that as the members began to come in more often, they started bringing friends in with them, who then in turn bought their own memberships.

FranBest: Are Contour Creations Inc. pads much more expensive than the standard pads?

Jennifer: No, in fact our pads are more affordable than the standard pads. We understand the pinch everyone is experiencing in these economic times, and have responded with lowered prices, promotions, and a shipping chart that charges the actual cost of shipping.

FranBest: What is this month’s promotion?

Buy four rollers and only pay for three. Look for the coupon code on our website.

FranBest: Tell me about the service philosophy of Contour Creations Inc.. What kind of service and support do you provide? Do you guarantee your products?

Jennifer: Our entire business is geared around catering to the needs of Curves owners. We are always available to answer questions, assist with orders, and solve problems should they arise. As we are always on the lookout to improve our products and services, any input from owners is greatly appreciated, and is often rewarded with a discount on the next order. Some things we have added to our service that has come about through requests of owners include; our Go-Green Program, our at-cost shipping rates, the color option Deep Violet, our new 2” hybrid-foam squat pads, and our fully upholstered rollers. We also have a few things in the works that will be launching shortly. We stand by our products and warranty against all manufacturing defects from 90 days of purchase.

FranBest: In the past 6 years, what sort of relationships have you forged with Curves owners? What are some of the frustrations they face? What have you done to try to help them overcome some of those frustrations?

Jennifer: In the past six years we’ll forged some lasting relationships and even friendships with the owners we work with. We empathize on the highs and lows that one experiences as a business owner, and the frustration that comes with a lack in support from higher up. Curves owners form a bond with their members. We form a bond with our owners.

Some of the challenges that frustrate Curves owners with regards to fitness pads include:

• a new inflated price list for rubber molded pads
• unreasonable shipping rates
• rubber molded pads that tear easily and can’t be kept clean
• excessively long shipping times
• old pads ending up in the landfills
• hard uncomfortable squat pads
• foam rollers that tear and can’t be cleaned

Each and every frustration mentioned above has been addressed and a solution implemented by Contour Creations Inc. If owners have a problem that we can solve, we make it a priority to solve it.

FranBest: How can Curves owners see and purchase Contour Creations Inc. products?

Jennifer: Come visit our website at www.contourcreationsinc.com. Our website has numerous pictures of our pads in different clubs as well as on-line ordering.

FranBest: What’s the next step for a Curves owner who is considering Contour Creations Inc. pads, but not sure.

Jennifer: First, come check out the website. (www.contourcreationsinc.com). We have all sorts of information and pictures on there to see. If an owner is thinking about adding color, but wants to make sure our colors are compatible with their club’s colors, we have color swatches with actual pieces of vinyl. Just send us an email request and we’ll mail it out to you along with a brochure. If an owner has questions or concerns they can always contact me by phone or email. Word of mouth is always good too. Put out a request for feedback on the Curves Owners Yahoo site, and find out firsthand what other owners think of our products. You won’t be disappointed.

FranBest:  Thanks, Jennifer

Jennifer: Thank you.

Contact Contour Creations Inc.:

Contour Creations Inc.
PO Box 90026
2002 Luxstone Blvd.
Airdrie, AB
T4B 0A2
By phone: (403) 614-6469 (between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. MTN)
By email: contourcreations@gmail.com

Website: ContourCreationsInc.com

“Molly Maid, our leading home-services brand, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. You won’t find many franchise concepts with that longevity and stability. And you won’t find another franchise system with an executive business model built on an 8-5p.m., Monday-Friday workweek, where repeat customers generate recurring income and afford you the ability to project revenues six months out. The news is you’re managing a scalable business with the resources and support you need to succeed, and the freedom to enjoy a lifestyle few others experience. Own a business; energize your life. Tweet me for more information about our Molly Maid franchise opportunity.”

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“As an entrepreneur, what more could you ask for than to own your own business in a thriving industry? What about the ability to help your community, local businesses, and job seekers, too? If that’s what you’re looking for, then Express may be the perfect fit for you.

As a leading provider in the staffing industry, Express offers powerful national branding and recognition. Express also offers multiple profit centers, unique territories, Monday-Friday business hours, and something more.

Want to know what really sets Express apart? Our franchisees can’t stop talking about what it really boils down to. Our company is founded and focused on one life-changing, important mission: to help people succeed. ”

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“We’re just a group of hard-working, fun loving yogurt groupies out to change the world. Our mission is three-fold: 1) love the body we live in 2) the people we live with and 3) the earth we live on.

Spoon Me Loves Your Body
Spoon Me yogurt is fat free, has less than 83 calories per serving, and contains no table sugar or artificial sweeteners, colors, or flavoring. It is Nat•u•ral and quite tasty. No matter the reason, we think people will leave Spoon Me happy. And with all those live active cultures, people are bound to leave with an extra bounce in their step.

Spoon Me is NOW franchising!

Spoon Me Loves the Environment
To be completely eco-friendly in every aspect of life is difficult and we don’t claim to be. But we sure can try! Once people are done eating the yogurt, they can move on to the spoon (it’s made of corn starch). Even our cups, straws, napkins, and garbage bags are 100% biodegradable in as little as 90 days.

Spoon Me Loves the Community
It’s hard to change the world if you can’t even help out your own community. That’s why we’re always looking for cool ways to pitch in around our own hood. People can help us spread the love by dropping a few coins in our “Keep the Change Charity,” or, if they are looking for a more hands on approach, they can check out our community board for other volunteer activities.”

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“Mold and microbial infestations in homes, offices, hospitals, nursing homes, fire stations and any building you can imagine has become recognized as a majore health hazard. Global Prevention Services has a proprietary process far superior to conventional remediation. Hundreds of tons of waste headed to land fills already saved. This is the franchise of the future. Large exclusive area franchises, top quality franchisor management, combined with an environmentally friendly system.”

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“Extreme Pizza is the leading purveyor of innovative pizzas, monster subs and salads. The company’s philosophy “Extreme. Not mainstream.” shines through every aspect of its business from its signature pizzas like the Adrenaline Rush and Everest, to the extreme sports-themed paraphernalia that adorn every store. Customers can push the limits of extremely delicious eating, while still keeping both feet on the ground. Extreme Pizza is expanding rapidly both nationally and internationally. If you are an entrepenuer looking to get behind a one-of-a-kind concept and truly delicious product, now is the time to join the Extreme Team!”

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“Dying to break out of the corporate mold? Craving creativity, but hesitant to throw structure completely out the window? Wish you could own a business that is fun, rewarding, and – dare to dream – a proven success? whippersnappers studio™ is a one-of-a-kind franchise where you can build big business while doing what you love. It’s not often that you find a creative business opportunity coupled with a successful, proven system – throw in a fun environment and a high quality product and, well, that’s the stuff dreams are made of. And, that is exactly what you’ll find in a whippersnappers™ franchise.”

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“The Snip-its Franchise: a Cut Above the Rest.

Turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality with Snip-its. Snip-its is the fastest-growing chain of children’s hair salons in the country, and we are currently expanding throughout the US as part of an aggressive growth strategy. We are looking for savvy entrepreneurs who want to work hard, have fun, and take advantage of this great opportunity.

Now is a great time to become a Snip-its franchisee. Thanks to our passionate franchisees, our strong brand affinity, and our outstanding support systems, Snip-its is the market leader in the children’s sector of the hair care industry, and we have big plans for the future.”

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“High school math teacher Toru Kumon developed the Kumon method of learning over 50 years ago in Japan, when his son was struggling with second-grade arithmetic. Realizing that a strong foundation in the basics addition, subtraction, multiplication and division was essential for higher-level math, he created a series of math worksheets for his son to work on after school. With daily practice, Kumon’s son gradually expanded his mastery of mathematical skills and by sixth grade was able to solve differential equations and integral calculus problems.

Today, at locations throughout North America, Kumon franchisees apply this method of daily practice and self-paced advancement to children’s math and reading skills.”

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