People Business: The Importance of Relationships

Our greatest successes and our deepest joys are all found in our relationships. This reality is true at home and it is certainly true in business. At the prompting of a request for “stories” from the latest IFA convention, Jerrod Sessler paints a picture of his journey within his “FranFamily.”

By Jerrod Sessler, CFE

My story began many years ago in my late twenties, leaping out of a corporate engineering career to pursue bigger dreams. I loved my work but wanted more — an adventure into the world of business.

Upon leaving corporate America, I started a construction company, which gave me the benefit of immense flexibility, which has been one of my most valued benefits through the years. I was able to raise a family and engage in community both at home and globally.

Not too many years into entrepreneurship, 9/11 happened and the construction industry suffered brutal losses as it screeched to a halt. In that era, an idea flickered to life. The idea? Building a professional handyman service as a franchise business. Yellow Van Handyman was the result of that idea.

In 2004, I was sifting through a magazine and read about Jim Amos, his faith, and his rise in life and business. I made a call and surprisingly his assistant handed over Jim’s cell phone number. He answered. We talked. Among Jim’s few but thoughtful words was this instruction: “If you want to do anything in franchising, be in Hollywood, Florida at the IFA convention in February.”

As a super small business owner, I was surprised at the cost of membership and the dreamy hotel, but this was the adventure I was made for. IFA and especially the people at the convention proved to be all that was needed and more than I ever anticipated. Amos was leading a session so I thought it was a natural place to start. He was mobbed by people after his session, so I resorted to find him later. Another man caught my eye. He was also getting a lot of attention but he was sitting off in a corner of the room. As the crowd thinned, I introduced myself. Turns out, this was another Jim… Jim Squire. I explained that I currently had only four locations in what would eventually be the first of multiple brands, and that I really wanted to grow the business.

Squire listened intently and then did something that surprised and soothed me. He grabbed my hand and said, “Let’s pray.” I knew immediately that this was something special.

Squire suggested I meet some people over the following couple of days. He knew these people would be instrumental in helping guide and encourage me. With some thought, Jim offered the following names: Dina Dwyer-Owens, Mike Isakson and Jerry Crawford. Dwyer-Owens runs a large, family founded, service business with multiple brands. Isakson was running another very large group of service franchise brands. Crawford runs a large service franchise business, but I was not able to meet him for several years. When I finally did meet him Crawford enjoyed the story and took the time to talk and get to know me.

Dwyer-Owens and Isakson were both leading roundtables during the convention, so I made a point to get to their tables and begin the education process. I visited Mike’s roundtable first and it was an interesting discussion about the culture of the home office. I shared a method of recognition that my small staff was using to encourage each other, adapted from something I used at home with my kids. Isakson liked the idea and it sparked additional discussion.

Next, I was off quickly to find Dina’s table. She was gracious, knowledgeable, spunky, caring, encouraging and supportive. Dwyer-Owens heard and understood where I was in business and in life immediately. She personally introduced me to her brother, Doug Dwyer, CEO of another service franchise brand. Doug has become a great friend, a trusted confidant and a mentor. Doug’s example and leadership has helped shape my perspective for business, family and faith.

As I walked around the convention hall the next day, I realized one of the great values of the gathering — I was in a room filled with people who knew more about what I needed for my business than I did. I was quickly starting to see the value in making the trip and becoming part of this amazing FranFamily.

I will forever be indebted to Jim Amos for taking that first call and boldly telling me what the next steps must be. Jim Squire continues to connect with me at IFA events, and his mentorship and loving care will continue to affect me for the rest of my life. Doug Dwyer has challenged me and has helped to instill a sense of responsibility to excellence. Not perfection but excellence. I learned from Doug that excellence is an attitude more than it is a result. Isakson remains a dear friend and invited me to be a part of the annual prayer breakfast. Many other people in the franchise community are dear to me.

Now over 10 years after starting with a dream, my business runs over 140 locations among three service brands and is also now building a fitness concept that will also be franchised. None of this could have been possible without my involvement in the IFA. It would have been so much more difficult without these and other amazing people, each who have deeply impacted and encouraged me through the years. 

Jerrod Sessler, CFE, is the CEO of HomeTask, a multi-brand franchisor located in Seattle, Wash. Find him at fransocial.franchise.org.