How to be an Epic Boss: Dina Dwyer-Owens OffersTips for Being an Epic Boss
Dina Dwyer-Owens to appear in season finale of Undercover Boss on Friday, May 17th 8/7c
In 2012, Dina Dwyer-Owens, Chairwoman and CEO of the Dwyer Group®, donned a cap, a wig, and a set of pearls to go undercover in her very own company. Faith Brown, Dina’s undercover alias, was an ordinary office assistant who was ready to trade-in her desk for a drill to get hands-on experience as a technician. As Dina received hands-on training in four different branches of her franchise, she not only received valuable insight into the front-line operations of her company, but also met some of the extraordinary people who make The Dwyer Group a leader in the service industry.
Deeply dedicated to her employees, her father’s vision, and a strong advocate for the company’s Code of Values®, Dina continuously demonstrates the qualities of an “epic boss” even after her experiences on the original episode. As such, Dina is scheduled to appear on a special episode of “Undercover Boss: Epic Bosses” airing nationally at 8 p.m. EST, Friday, May 17 on CBS.
Be sure to tune in with Dina as she reflects on the impact of her experiences as Faith Brown, and how The Dwyer Group has grown since last year. In the meantime, Dina shares her wisdom and experience for being an epic boss.
“The best tips I have for being a great boss is to focus on the 3 things that help a boss be great,” says Dina.
- Be your Best Authentic Self- in my case it’s living my faith and leading the company by living R.I.C.H.:
- Respect
- Integrity
- Customer focus
- Having fun in the process
- Surround yourself with a great team, both professionally and personally.
- Have clear systems for success and train to those systems.
To learn how to apply systems for success, recruit a strong team, and implement the Code of Values® into your current business visit www.leadingtheserviceindustry.com or call 1 (866) 656-1504 for more information.
Auto Glass Industry Expected to Grow, with Franchises Leading the Way
Glass Doctor is leading the service industry.
Despite an economic downturn over the past four years and a mild 2011-2012 winter, the auto glass repair and replacement industry is expected to grow in the coming years. IBISWorld Market Research projects that auto glass industry revenue will grow at an annual rate of 1.5% over five years to $998.8 million.
Two major factors determining the success of the auto glass industry: the total number of cars on the road, and disposable income. A NSG Corporation report shows that despite automotive build falling to 2003 rates in 2008-2009, the auto industry is recovering and is currently expected to restore long term average annual industry growth by 3% in 2015, boosting automotive glazing. Per capita disposable income is expected to grow 1.74% in 2013, with a compound growth of 2% by 2017. Read more
Glass Doctor® Celebrates Fifty Years in Business
Established in 1962 with one shop in Seattle, Wash., after 50 years Glass Doctor has grown to the largest flat- and auto-glass company in North America and one of the best franchise opportunities in the glass industry. With more than 275 glass shop locations operated by more than 185 franchise owners throughout the United States and Canada, Glass Doctor delivers both customers and franchise owners the brand recognition of a nationally known and established franchise combined with the benefit of being locally owned and operated.
Glass Doctor began franchising in 1977 and in 1998 joined The Dwyer Group, Inc., an international franchisor of service industry companies, at which time the company’s corporate headquarters relocated to Waco, Texas.
But Glass Doctor hasn’t forgotten how its company started, and certainly remembers the people who made it possible; outstanding men and women like Larry Calhoun, “The Heartbeat of Seattle.” Read more
Meet Larry Patterson, Glass Doctor Franchisee of the Year
Larry Patterson of Glass Doctor® of North Texas was honored as the 2011 Glass Doctor Franchisee of the Year during The Dwyer Group® 2012 Reunion, held Sept. 23 to 26 at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas.
“Larry epitomizes the word ‘leader,’” President of Glass Doctor Mark Liston said. “This is the highest honor given to a Glass Doctor franchisee, and he has earned it.” Read more
Celebrating Thank a Public Protector Week
Every career has risks, but physical harm is not usually one of them. Firefighters and law enforcement officers face this danger every day. According to Officer Down Memorial Page, 81 police officers have died this year alone in the line of duty. Many more put aside the uniform due to injury or retire early to spend more time with their families, but aren’t properly thanked for their service.
This week, The Dwyer Group® kicked off Thank a Public Protector Week to thank firefighters and law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices, particularly the 343 first responders who died in the September 11 attacks eleven years ago. Read more
The Dwyer Group Brands Named Hot Franchise Picks
Glass Doctor®, Mr. Rooter®, and Mr. Appliance® were named on Opportunity World Magazine’s “Top Franchise Picks” list in its July/August issue, along with parent company The Dwyer Group.
In June 2012, Glass Doctor was also named in the “Top 75 Hottest Franchises to Start Now” list by Small Business Opportunities magazine. Read more
Learn About Franchise Opportunities Through a Trade Show
In today’s age of mobile phones, email, and texting, there’s still nothing better than a face-to-face conversation, especially when it could change your life and your business in a huge way. One great way that you can find out more about our concepts is by meeting up with our team at an industry trade show. Most trade shows that we attend will have not only a corporate representative available to talk to you, but current franchise owners much like you who have recently gone through the process of opening one of our franchises. You can arrange a meeting ahead of time by contacting our franchise development team before an event. Here are some upcoming trade shows and special events that you can meet us at. We hope to see you there!
Keeping It in the Family: Father-and-Son Franchises
In a recent survey of The Dwyer Group’s franchise owners, 28% reported that multiple generations of their family worked in the business. The Dwyer Group® has a host of family-owned franchises—not only father-and-son duos, but father-and-daughter duos as well. In fact, having a business to pass along to their children is one of the top reasons new owners cite for wanting to open a franchise.
As you celebrate Father’s Day this Sunday, consider going into business with your dad or your son or daughter. What better way to ensure the success of future generations like having an asset to hand off? The opportunity is always there to pass on the legacy to the people you trust most—your family members. Read more
Meet Public Protector and Glass Doctor® Franchise Owner, Scott Molden
In March 2012, The Dwyer Group® launched Public Protectors Franchise Advantage, a new program for former law enforcement officers and firefighters. One of the reasons for introducing this program is because of the success of franchise owners already in our system who came out of a law enforcement or firefighting background. Scott Molden, co-owner of Glass Doctor of Evansville, Indiana, is one of these.
Molden was a Sheriff’s Deputy for 20 years to the day Read more
Taking the Leap Into Franchising
by Robert Tunmire, Executive Vice President at The Dwyer Group, originally published in Opportunity World magazine
So, you’ve done your due diligence. You’ve decided to open a franchise and have settled on an industry and a franchisor. You’ve gone through a qualification process, read lengthy legal documents, met with company representatives, and have learned as much as possible about the brand you will represent.
Now, you’re standing on the edge of a cliff, placing your personal savings and reputation on the line. Do you take the leap?
At some point, every individual reaches a point of introspection in his or her career, whether working for a corporation, as a contractor, or as a business owner. They ask, Is this taking me where I want to go? For those who can only answer with a resounding No, the logical next step is often, I must do something different. For many, the solution is franchise ownership.
However, not all of those who start down that road reach their Grand Opening. Some will justify that they are content enough with their current career, and they step back from the precipice. They normalize their current situation and stay in their comfort zone. If you find yourself wavering at the edge, consider this counsel as you make your decision.
Invest in yourself
There’s a saying that if you’re not willing to risk what you’ve got, then you might as well keep it, because it’s all you’ll ever have. For Cary Hooper, owner of Glass Doctor® of Southwest Idaho, working for 17 years repairing auto glass chips wasn’t enough. “I had created a great job,” he said. “I employed one other person, and as long as I showed up, it was a good job. However, what I didn’t have was a business to sell after investing 17 years of my life. Something had to change—I didn’t want another 17 years to pass by without having something to show.” Hooper’s leap of faith paid off— his business continues to grow after 12 years.
Conquer fear, or it will conquer you
In life, fear can keep you from many things, but it can also be a great motivator. In 1975, at the age of 17, I quit high school and drove up to Lubbock, Texas with only my van, tools, and $500 to open a Rainbow International® Carpet Dyeing & Cleaning franchise. As a young franchisee I followed the franchise system to the letter because I was terrified of failure. It served me well, and I eventually owned four franchises.
Be Patient
The pain of change is never overcome until the benefits are realized later down the road. When Hooper opened his Glass Doctor franchise in November 1999, the transition was far from simple. “There were some days where I would call my franchise consultant, asking ‘Please remind me why I’m here,’” said Hooper. “However, the franchise system support is very, very good. If I hit bottom all by myself, who would help me?”
Know why you’re doing it
In my 36 years in franchising, the most successful franchise owners that I’ve seen all share one characteristic: they have very clearly defined personal goals. Business ownership is not for everyone and not for the faint of heart. If you’re not confident in who you are and what your goals are, it will be difficult to stay focused when obstacles arise in business.
Work on your business, not in it
“When I agreed to open my franchise, I was worried because my background was in auto chips, but I didn’t know how to install windshields or mirrors,” explained Hooper. I tell franchisees who have similar fears that I would rather them not know how to do those things, so that they can learn the business management side properly.
One reason that business owners falter is that they don’t jump in with both feet. Don’t be fooled into thinking that the franchise will automatically take off once the sign goes up. If you’re not willing to be a true owner-operator, then your business won’t succeed. With the support of a network of fellow franchisees and mentors to train you, you won’t be alone when you leap.
Robert Tunmire began his career in franchising at age 17 and has over 36 years of experience training and mentoring new franchisees for The Dwyer Group, a holding company of seven franchise businesses, each selling and supporting a different franchise under the following service marks: Aire Serv®, Glass Doctor®, The Grounds Guys®, Mr. Appliance®, Mr. Electric®, Mr. Rooter® (Drain Doctor in the UK and Portugal), and Rainbow International®
