Susan Newhouse and Stacey Losher

Our Just Between Friends featured franchisee this week is Stacey Losher. Stacey is one of the Event Coordinators for JBF Dallas. Stacey is a mother of 4 and works full time as a Children’s Minister.

With Social Media playing an important part in how we connect and communicate, in what way do you use Faceook, Twitter, LinkedIn to promote your business?

Facebook is probably our best form of social media; we do our best to post useful non-JBF related status updates throughout the year. Giving our FB Friends opportunities to save money with a coupon or a fun kid activity or recipe keeps them interested in us without us pushing only JBF all year long!!

How do you balance family and friends with being a successful business owner?

It’s getting easier the older my kids get! I’ve owned the sale for 8 years and the Spring 2011 sale was my first sale where all 4 of my kids were in school full time, that was awesome!!! However, I’ve done it pregnant with babies so I know it can be done! The blessings the sale have brought to my family far outweigh the struggles of balancing it all.

Where do you hold your JBF events?

Mesquite Rodeo Exhibit Hall

When did you consider yourself a success as a JBF Franchisee?

Immediately! Being a part of JBF is like a family, everyone’s success is recognized, we share in each other’s accomplishments and work through struggles together.

How did you get started with JBF?

My partner, Susan Newhouse is Shannon Wilburn’s sister in law!!

How long have you owned your franchise?

8 awesome years!

What is your favorite part of the business?

Hearing the stories of the shoppers and consignors and how much money they saved or made!!

What advice would you give someone considering a JBF Franchise?

Pray about it! It’s a commitment that will re-define who you are! I cannot imagine my life without JBF. I know my kids wouldn’t be dressed so cute!

Our Just Between Friends Franchisee of the week is Tyona Albrecht, owner of JBF, Spokane, Washington.

“My husband Matt and I have 4 kids, ages 12, 10, 4, and 2. I don’t know if there is a better job out there for me! My husband and kids are all part of this business and my 4 year old LOVES to go to ‘Mommy’s toy store.’ I joke that I am my own best customer! I LOVE shopping at JBF and look forward to it every spring and fall. I truly believe that if you love what you do it will show and success will soon follow,” says Tyona.

How did you get started with JBF?

I purchased the Spokane and North Idaho franchises in October of 2007 from a previous owner who introduced the JBF concept to our area. I had just quit running a daycare that I had for many years.  I had just had my 3rd child and wasn’t sure what God had planned for me next. I told my husband, Matt, that the franchise was for sale and he immediately said, “You should buy that. It would be perfect for you.” I had NO computer skills, but knew I loved JBF, bargain shopping and being involved with my community. Plus, I was willing to learn!

There was nothing like this in the Inland Northwest and the community immediately embraced the concept! When I purchased it, I immediately expanded the already great venue and added more racks. I let everyone know how much I loved JBF and would continue to grow. The Spokane sale grew so quickly that I decided to sell the N Idaho sale to focus my time and energy to make Spokane the biggest and best sale in the entire Northwest!

There is nothing like JBF in our area. Shoppers show up and are in awe! They have so many questions and are instantly amazed at the concept, organization and quality of JBF. JBF is such a blessing for so many people, whether it is the charity who receives the donations, consignors, shoppers, my staff and ultimately to my own family. I hear so many stories each sale about how families don’t know what they would do without JBF to help make ends meet. I am so proud and humbled for all the wonderful things JBF has done in Spokane.

With social media outlets, such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn so relevant in how we communicate, what effect do these media outlets have on your business?

Facebook has been the BEST tool to help spread the word about the sale. Our biggest advertisers are our shoppers, consignors, and volunteers who already know and love JBF so Facebook is the perfect fit. I love that I can ‘talk’ to my customers instantly, answer questions and they can see photos of the sale so they get a visual of what a sale looks like. Facebook has saved me time as well since many of the email questions I get are now answered on there for everyone to see.

JBF is a family business and we rewarded ourselves for our hard work with a trip to Disneyland!

When did you personally feel you were successful with JBF?

I knew JBF Spokane was a success a couple years ago when the sale had grown so big so fast that I had to hire 25 staff people to help run the sale. I know that without the great team that I have put together, the sale would not be what it is today. It is wonderful having the same core group of people, who love JBF as much as I do, return for each event and know exactly what to do. Lead volunteers helped with consistency and gave me the opportunity to delegate. The sale is so big now that they are my eyes and ears and let me know what can be improved and what is working great.

I make a 3 level goal for myself for sales for each event – 1-expected, 2-great, 3- out of this world . At my spring 2011 event, I reached my highest goal! I couldn’t help but cry in disbelief. I set an even higher goal for the fall 2011, now that I know I can achieve it!

Our Just Between Friends Franchisee of the week is Marcy Leffingwell. Marcy owns JBF, Springfield, Missouri. She’s been married to her best friend, Chris for 17 years and is the mom of 3 boys who keep them very busy!

With Social Media playing an important part in how we connect and communicate, in what way do you use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn to promote your business?

I enjoy Facebook because it keeps me connected with consignors and volunteers year-round. I feel involved in their day-to-day lives. I have developed close friendships through JBF and Facebook is a way we can connect when it is not sale season.

How do you balance family and friends with being a successful business owner?

I have found that it is very important to set times and time-limits for accomplishing JBF tasks. I keep my family a priority by giving myself a timeline to keep up with my business.

Where do you hold your JBF events?

JBF Springfield is held at Remington’s. It is an 18,000 square foot family-friendly event center.

When did you consider yourself a success as a JBF Franchisee?

I knew JBF Springfield was going to be a success when we outgrew our 5,000 square foot gym in 2 sales. The community loves having an opportunity to participate in JBF as shoppers, consignors and volunteers. It has become one of Springfield’s most anticipated events!

How did you get started with JBF?

My partner Stacey approached me about owning a JBF franchise. I quickly decided that was what God had planned for my life! This has been a much bigger adventure than I ever dreamed, but I love it!

How long have you owned your franchise?

We just completed our 9th sale.

What is your favorite part of the business?

I love the relationships I have developed through JBF. It is like a semi-annual reunion of JBF moms! I love being involved in a business that helps families.

How do you prepare for an event?

Every event has different decisions to make. In many ways, it gets easier. As we have grown, there have been difficult decisions to make. We start preparing about 13 weeks before the sale. We have a checklist that we slowly mark off!

What advice would you give someone considering a JBF Franchise?

The most difficult challenge is not being able to do my normal mom responsibilites during the event. I have a wonderful support system of family and friends that make this business venture possible for me. Without them, I would never be able to own a JBF franchise.