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Taking flight: John Grassia (left) and David Smith of Express Oil Change |
When Eastern airlines went bankrupt in the early 1990s, John Grassia
and David Smith lost their jobs. The two pilots began flying for other
carriers, dreaming of the day they could retire and ease out of the
cockpit and into their La-Z-Boys. But over the following two decades,
they watched as the airline industry struggled and their hopes for a
decent pension evaporated.
That's when the two friends, who last flew for JetBlue, decided to
buy an Express Oil Change franchise outside Orlando, Fla., to supplement
their incomes. "This isn't just an airline problem; it cuts across the
spectrum," Grassia says. "Because the economy hasn't recovered, many
pensions have been severely cut back. Even with Social Security, you
can't live on that. So you have to find something extra or never stop
working. What Dave and I did was buy a franchise."
The flyboys, who opened their location in May, love the
challenge so far. And the best part? The franchise still gives them time
to fly. Both work as instructor pilots: Grassia at Airbus; Smith at
Boeing. We caught up with the duo between takeoffs to ask a few
questions.
Why choose an oil-change franchise?
Smith: There are several reasons we were attracted to
Express Oil. The industry is changing. People are keeping their cars
longer than 10 years, but dealerships are closing left and right.
Thirteen years ago there were 160 service bays per car in the U.S. That
has diminished. Three years ago it was up to 270 cars per service bay.
So there's less and less availability for quick oil changes. And Express
Oil is a very high-tech operation. Being from the airline industry, we
have an affinity for tech.
How do you get along with your franchisor?
Grassia: Some companies sell you a franchise and then say, "Hope you make it." Express Oil wants you to be successful and is there through the whole process of construction and getting your store started. They are right there day to day, with an unbelievable amount of support. Their computer system lets you monitor the store from minute to minute, and if they see you slipping in an area, they'll step in and help you correct the problems. That's what impressed me. Plus, they're an honest company and want a long-term customer base.
Grassia: Some companies sell you a franchise and then say, "Hope you make it." Express Oil wants you to be successful and is there through the whole process of construction and getting your store started. They are right there day to day, with an unbelievable amount of support. Their computer system lets you monitor the store from minute to minute, and if they see you slipping in an area, they'll step in and help you correct the problems. That's what impressed me. Plus, they're an honest company and want a long-term customer base.
How is running a franchise like flying an airliner?
Smith: In the airline industry, we made our living teaching Standard Operating Procedures, or SOPs. One thing that impressed us about Express Oil was its rigid SOPs. It's a proven method of performance and reduces errors and mistakes.
Smith: In the airline industry, we made our living teaching Standard Operating Procedures, or SOPs. One thing that impressed us about Express Oil was its rigid SOPs. It's a proven method of performance and reduces errors and mistakes.
Grassia: When we interview employees, we're looking
for someone who can follow the SOPs to the letter. The selection process
is critical in getting the right person in there to do that job. We
don't want someone who goes through all that training and, when they're
cut loose, does everything their own way.
What's the biggest difference between flying and franchising?
Grassia: We've always been employees, and now we're
employers. It's an interesting challenge to deal with the ups and downs
of employees and with customers. Our employees are not just
order-takers. They are efficient and look professional, speak
professionally and get a lot of satisfaction from serving customers
well. We get e-mails all the time complimenting certain employees, and
this gives them a lot of self-esteem.
Smith: There's a real satisfaction in knowing we are
helping to support our employees' families and that we're helping a
person be able to raise his children.
Do you think you'll ever stop flying?
Smith: To be honest, I don't think I'll ever retire from the airline business. I have enough flexibility being a part-timer and having our Express Oil that I can take time off if I want. If we could build a second or third store, that would be even better. Flying is in my blood.
Do you think you'll ever stop flying?
Smith: To be honest, I don't think I'll ever retire from the airline business. I have enough flexibility being a part-timer and having our Express Oil that I can take time off if I want. If we could build a second or third store, that would be even better. Flying is in my blood.
Grassia: I'm that way, too. I'll always be involved
with flying, even if I go part time. I started as an Air Force pilot.
It's in my blood, and I can't live without it.
Original source: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/225028
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