Colleen McMillar

Smyrna

Local Government Editor at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Longtime journalist. Georgia native. New Orleanian at heart. Wannabe vagabond.

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Articles

Good Neighbor: Building businesses and serving people in need

1 month ago | franchising.com | Colleen McMillar

When Ginamarie Soto decided to open an Urban Air Adventure Park in Jackson, Mississippi, she was well aware of the issues confronting the city. Nearly a fourth of the residents live in poverty. Crime has been a persistent hot-button topic. About a third of the state’s homeless population is located in the Jackson metro area. Still, Soto was undaunted. “I put $5 million into that location,” she says.
A Modern Touch: Hiring, Training, and keeping Today's Technology-Driven Workers

Dec 21, 2024 | franchising.com | Colleen McMillar

As workplaces go, they don’t get much livelier than Altitude Trampoline Parks. From morning until early evening, employees watch as would-be daredevils ride zip lines over foam pits, zoom down slides, and propel themselves through the air to dunk basketballs. The energetic environment draws 16 to 21-year-olds looking for their first jobs. To be hired, Gen Zers need good communication skills, reliable transportation, and a willingness to be trained.
Economies of Scale: Franchisors see Common Cause with Multi-Unit Operators

Nov 17, 2024 | franchising.com | Colleen McMillar

Not too long ago, Launch Family Entertainment found itself in full-on survival mode. Covid-19 was spreading across the land, and business at its indoor recreation facilities was at a near standstill as it was throughout the entertainment and hospitality industries. In the downtime, the franchisor focused on the welfare of its staff by implementing stringent safety protocols. Brand leaders also decided to turn inward, reset, and refine the brand’s concept.
Collaboration for the Win! Working together maximizes marketing results

Oct 5, 2024 | franchising.com | Colleen McMillar

South Louisiana moves at its own rhythm with a tempo paced by seemingly never-ending revelry: Mardi Gras in late winter, crawfish boils and music festivals throughout the spring, Essence Festival in the early summer and, of course, massive tailgate parties in the fall. When the crews at Jason Dalton's five Camp Bow Wow locations in metro New Orleans and Lafayette are brainstorming social media marketing plans, they know their posts need to reflect the area's unique culture.
The X Factor: Franchisors emphasize creating personal customer journeys

Aug 4, 2024 | franchising.com | Colleen McMillar

The medical assistants who staff Any Lab Test Now’s 230 facilities throughout the country are essential to the company’s operations and success. They are the faces of the brand, and they are frontline superheroes as far as Any Lab Test Now CEO Clarissa Bradstock is concerned. The company offers consumers direct access to clinical, DNA, and toxicology lab testing.
Voices of Experience: Mentors and coaches point the way to success

Jun 15, 2024 | franchising.com | Colleen McMillar

In the mid-1980s, Shane Paul was talking to his sergeant in the Army National Guard when the senior soldier dropped this pearl of wisdom: “Only a fool learns from his own experience. The truly wise person learns from the experience of others.”It’s a timeless maxim with several variations. When a young and inexperienced Paul heard the quote for the first time, it was a lightbulb moment. The future Jack in the Box franchise operator realized that he didn’t need to figure out everything on his own.
Personalized Tech Tools: Brands infuse technology into local store marketing

May 20, 2024 | franchising.com | Colleen McMillar

As the president of Creative Colors International, Mark J. Bollman deeply understands the key role that social media plays in the success of franchises. Perhaps more importantly, he also understands his franchisees. The company specializes in the repair and restoration of vinyl, leather, fabric, and plastic seating. Its franchisees offer onsite, mobile services to mostly commercial clients.
The Selling Odyssey: How 4 operators exited their businesses

Mar 22, 2024 | franchising.com | Colleen McMillar

By every measure, Jeffrey Tews and his business partner and wife Susan Rather were successful and happy franchisees. They jumped on the BrightStar Care train soon after founder Shelly Sun decided to franchise her in-home care and medical staffing business. The couple wanted to give more back to the community after long careers in business management and health care, so they became BrightStar's fourth licensees. Their operation ultimately spread from Madison to seven other Wisconsin cities.
Ditch Your Landlord? Lease or buy, location is king

Jan 25, 2024 | franchising.com | Colleen McMillar

Not too long ago, Cyril Thomas, a restless entrepreneur with a background in healthcare and consulting, was casting about for a new challenge. He found it in the restaurant industry. In 2018, Thomas became The Toasted Yolk Cafe’s first franchisee. His Katy, Texas, restaurant had been in operation for two years when he opened a second Toasted Yolk 20 miles to the north in Cypress. A third location is currently under construction, with a fourth to follow.
Finding Franchisees: Using social media to connect with prospects

Nov 5, 2023 | franchising.com | Colleen McMillar

It rarely shows up on a list of pros and cons. Sometimes, people find it hard to acknowledge to themselves that it’s even there. But Chelsea Penzone, vice president of marketing and franchise development at Authority Brands, knows it must be taken into account when it comes to wooing new franchisees. Fear. It’s often lurking in the recesses of people’s minds as they mull whether or not to buy their first franchise. And that fear can keep people stuck.