Is Mission Repair a franchise?

Hello everyone –

I hate to even put my business name in the same sentence with the word “Franchise”.

As the sole owner of Mission Repair, LLC I am proud to say that we are NOT a franchise of any other business, nor are any of our locations franchises.

These are two different roads, but in the same neighborhood.

For years I have been approached by many investors and “idea” men telling me that I should franchise my business. Does this mean that I think all franchises are wrong? No…I support and use franchise businesses every day as a consumer. However that’s where my support for franchises ends.

I’m going to be honest with you. I personally might be able make a lot more money if I franchised Mission Repair. Heck, let’s put one in every city across America and I’ll charge each location a startup fee and a monthly royalty. I know others in the industry that have done it, but there is something lost when doing so. I’ve seen it first hand.

The issue that I have with franchising my business is that I’d lose the personal connection. We wouldn’t have a relationship. Yup, I’m talking about you and I, because franchise owners tend to put their “spin” on “their” business…which makes each of them just a little bit different. When each of them are different, you will see different prices, different repair quality, different parts (we know because we sell parts to a franchise here in Kansas City, funny huh? We even do some of their repairs as well!) and could receive a different experience.

Who’s the Owner of a franchised business? Well if there are several, hundreds, or thousands of stores…there could potentially be thousands of owners…all competing with one another as separate businesses. It’s clear that starting up a franchise is costly and not without rules and limitations and an extensive legal contract. Additionally bad management manifests itself everywhere in a lack of common vision systems, standards, motivating, communication, measurement, accountability and enforcement; as each location is directed by an entirely different team.

Franchising offers many advantages to those desiring fast growth. But it’s not without risk and it’s certainly not easy. And to me, it could potentially affect the good will and good name of Mission Repair which I have worked so hard to maintain.

The last thing that I’d like to point out is that when you call Mission Repair and ask for a price on a repair- it’s the same for EVERYONE in the country. We don’t ask “What state are you in? I’ll look up that price”. Our website is clear, concise and gives you all of our pricing up front and it’s for everyone.

Interested in a Mission Repair franchise? Sorry, we’re not offering them. Interested in a career at Mission Repair? Email us: jobs@missionrepair.com

Take care, Ryan

Mission Repair has been awarded the 2013 Best of Business Award for Olathe in the Small Business Category!

Hello friends-

Without working any harder than we already do, Mission Repair has been awarded the 2013 Best of Business Award for Olathe, Kansas in the Small Business Category!

The Small Business Community Association is dedicated to empowering and recognizing small business owners who make a difference in their respective communities.

While we think there are some fantastic businesses in Olathe, we are proud and honored to receive this award. It definitely makes me proud to be recognized by a third party like this – it’s one of the reason that I’m in business for myself. Well, that and so I don’t ever have to listen to another jerk boss again. I try my hardest to be civil and “non-jerk-like” to my employees!

Thanks for listening, now tell me to get back to work! I heard ya 😉

Take care, Ryan

Sorry it’s been so long, I promise I have a good excuse!

Hello all, it’s been a few days since my last blog, and I just got an email from a customer asking “where have you been?” I know I’m letting you down, but allow me to explain:

Let me start with a personal note – we got a new puppy. Not just any puppy though, this little girl was dumped by her owner, then caught in a trap for 3 days, all the while other dogs nipping and biting at her. We found her at a shelter, MOGS and this was something that I just had to do. She needed a good home and I’m not new to dogs, but I am new to German Shepherds. Additionally she’s a puppy at only about 12 weeks, so I’m a little sleepy from the late night dog walks and bathroom training. So firstly I’m a little tired and excited and happy about this new family member all at the same time!

Next, we’re opening up a new retail store here in Kansas City, Missouri. That’s right, our very first “real” retail store will be unveiled next week. We are just waiting for our signage to be installed and it’s going to look something like this mockup:

This has really been a time consumer to be honest. We’ve moved our entire computer division over to the new location (not to worry, we can still take laptop and computer repairs at our main, Olathe Repair Center) and things are starting to get into order.

We’re doing our best to keep the “move” seamless with our operations and it’s been a challenge. Nevertheless I’ve been through worse – many warehouse resets – many new division offerings – and many new endeavors that I wasn’t nearly as confident – and came through with ease.

So a little more work and a few more days and we’ll open the flood gates over at our 133rd and State Line location in Kansas City, Missouri. We’ve got 4 new employees staffed along with transplants from our Olathe location and we’re excited to bring the service you love to a location nearer to you.

What happens after this? Once we establish this location we’ve got the cogs spinning to open in other major metropolitan areas. Is Mission Repair coming to your city next? Just hang tight and see!

I’ll be back soon, Ryan