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Women's Edition has enriched my life in so many ways. I started working for Women's Edition as an account executive in Denver, Colorado and soon decided that I wanted to own one and build a full career. I have owned the Colorado Springs Women's Edition for three years now and love coming to work every day. Owning a small business that helps other small businesses is fulfilling. I love that the business has unlimited earning potential and I have found my market to be very profitable. I also enjoy working with the franchisor, they have been very supportive and always willing to offer their advice and expertise. Buying a Women's Edition franchise has been the best decision of my life. Michelle Davis |
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I
was first bitten by the “advertising bug” in 1983 where
I started my 100 year long advertising career. I was at a local advertising
agency where I worked hard labor on a variety of tasks. I was too green
to be making “real” money, so the hours were long, the
tasks less than glamorous and the rewards “came from within.” After
several years, I moved to another company as the Marketing Supervisor.
I loved the marketing, but hated all the politics that went with the
position. Fast forward 7 years and my position was eliminated. I decided that no matter what door opened for me, it would not have “Corporate” on the front of it. While working with a recruiting firm, I was asked to write about my “dream job”. I wanted to work for “O” magazine. I loved the publishing business, so why not dream big. Who knew, maybe she needed a Cedar Rapids office! A few weeks later I began as an Account Executive at Women’s Edition magazine. I loved everything about the magazine, especially the home office. I attended a training session in Omaha where they actually taught me how to be a good saleswoman. They have over 20 years of success and the experience to know what works and what doesn’t. What a novel concept! I learned all of my previous jobs by the religious method - “Swim or ye shall sink!” The entire staff was really nice and helpful - I thought surely that would change once the “honeymoon was over” - but two and a half years later and they are even nicer and more helpful than before. Six months after I began in sales with Women’s Edition, the owner asked me if I had any interest in purchasing the business. My husband and I had many long discussions - The positives were that the national office was very supportive, positive and fair. If I felt like I’d blown a sale, I picked up the phone and talked to Janet about what had transpired and asked for advice. Her advice is most always in the form of role playing - I’m the customer and she is me. I have recontacted the prospect and in many cases made the sale. I can call and brainstorm or bounce ideas anytime I want and as much as I need to and there is no charge for doing so. The only negative was borrowing money for operating expenses and the purchase of the business. We were at a point in our lives where we were nearly out of debt. My husband knew how happy I was with Women’s Edition and believed in me and that I could make the magazine even more successful than it was - so in August 2005 we did it. I’ve learned a lot and am still learning. The national office is as excited about my success as I am - and the best part is I’m making money and having fun! So far the second 100 years of my advertising career are going much better than the first 100 years. I still work hard, the hours are sometimes long and there are still rewards that come from within. Additionally, I have my very own cheerleaders and advisors in Omaha that I can call anytime I need to - whether it’s a question on sales - creating an ad or accounting. I have advertisers who are so excited about the response to their ads that they call me several times to tell me about it. Readers call or write to tell me how much they enjoy the magazine, and recently at a Chamber networking event, a business collegue opened her wallet to show me a positive thought of the month that she liked so much, she had clipped it out and put it in her wallet so she could read it often. If you are an entrepreneur looking for a business management/sales business, and are great at SALES, I strongly recommend taking a good hard look at Women’s Edition. It’s the best career decision I have ever made. Move over Oprah - Women’s Edition is in town and we’re kickin’ butts and takin names! Susie Makinster |
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I'm
thrilled with our magazine here in Kansas City and our business relationship
with the Van deWalle's in Omaha. This has been a wonderful
business for me and my family and I'm aspiring to own additional Women's
Edition territories in the future. As a free publication, The Women's Edition magazine is always warmly received by local business. Being in places where women "work, wait and shop" is a wonderful way for advertisers within the magazine to promote their business. Ryan Steiner Franchise owner of Johnson County Women’s Edition W.E.JCKC Publishing, Inc. |
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As
a Women’s Edition franchise owner, I can tell you that I got off
on a rather rocky start. My husband and I have owned our own business
for many years, and when we first talked to Jim and Janet Van deWalle
about becoming a Women’s Edition franchise owner, our excitement
was outstanding because we could see the great potential this magazine
had for West Denver. Our biggest pitfall was in thinking that we could
hire people to get the job done for us. We soon realized that nobody
runs your own business the way you do. Through mutual decision, my husband and I decided that if we wanted to make a success of this magazine, I was going to have to do it, and to be honest with you, I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into it. I’ve never done sales, but I’ve been involved in the process my whole life, and do have the experience of running our own business. Jim and Janet gave me the training I needed and then sent me back to Denver to embark on this new career path. Not a day went by that Janet didn’t call me to find out what objections I was facing and help me overcome them. Over and over again they talked about following their system and that the system really works. They had everything all mapped out for us in training manuals that dealt with every aspect of running a Women’s Edition franchise. The first phone call I received from one of my current advertisers about how much response they were getting made a believer out me, their system really does work! Owning a Women’s Edition magazine franchise has become one of the most fun career paths I’ve ever followed. I’ve made a difference to a lot of independent business owners that advertise with us and that tells me that I’m doing the job I set out to do. The continued support that I receive from Janet, Jim and the whole staff in Omaha has been the most valuable tool I’ve received in making this magazine successful. Watching your own business grow is a very rewarding experience, and Janet and Jim take your business growth very personal. Your success is their success, and they will do everything they can to make you realize your dream. Vicki Kahler |
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