Q1 | 2020

MEGA 99 At just 32, Kyle Welch is Cold Stone Creamery's largest franchisee

MEGA 99 LIST LEASE NEGOTIATION CAPITAL WON Top U.S. franchisees by Tips on landing the deal you How to find the money you total number of units pg. 44 want pg. 52 need pg. 58 MR. BIG SHOT

Written By KERRY PIPES Athlete Profile - Chauncey Billups

etired star Chauncey Billups has never shied away from a challenge. That’s not surprising when you con- Chauncey Billups, 43 sider the five-time NBA All-Star and three-time All-NBA R Multi-brand franchisee player was nicknamed “Mr. Big Shot” for making crucial late-game shots when he was a guard with the Detroit Pistons (think 2004 No. of units: 40-plus Salon Plaza, Wendy’s, and Rise Nation NBA Finals where the Pistons defeated the ). Family: Wife Piper, 3 daughters, Cydney, Ciara, and Cenaiya After 17 seasons in the NBA playing in cities including Boston, Years in franchising: 7 Toronto, , and Orlando, Billups was savvy enough to think Years in current position: 7 about his future and plan a career off the court. Today, along with a role as an NBA analyst with ESPN, Billups has been putting his entrepreneurial skills to work building his own post- business portfolio. In 2013, he teamed up with into investing in a business, I am patient. I go through a thorough former NBA player Junior Bridgeman to purchase 30 Wendy’s in the due diligence process and turn over every stone. St. Louis market. Last summer he added a new brand, Salon Plaza, Exercise/workout: Check out the Rise Nation classes. It is a a franchise that allows independent stylists and cosmetologists to fantastic workout. rent a fully equipped private studio and run their own business in Best advice you ever got: During an off-season I attended a an upscale environment. He opened his first location in Southfield, seminar geared toward NBA players considering entrepreneurial Michigan, in August and says there will be more to come, in places endeavors as the next phase of their career. Junior Bridgeman pre- ranging from Washington, D.C., to Baltimore and Atlanta. sented. I was drawn to him because of his approach with people and Billups says Salon Plaza was a clear choice as he looked to break how he inspires others through the businesses he owns. I followed into the fast-growing salon sector. The brand’s philosophy is up on that presentation with Junior multiple times and stayed per- similar to his own of making a difference with community-driven sistent, trying to get more time with him so I could learn from him. personal and professional values. “I remember my aunties, cous- As a result of my persistence, I established trust and he invited me ins, and others close to me who had their own businesses, but to spend time with him in Louisville for three straight summers. I they were doing it out of their basements,” he says. “Now, we’re am sure a lot of guys have reached out to him, but didn’t have the making it possible for people to get into a business of their own intensity or willingness to put the time and effort into being great— in a one-of-a-kind environment with fantastic amenities and they just wanted to be great. We spent a lot of time at his stores. It top-notch design.” was during this time that I realized thanks to Junior that we are not If he weren’t already busy enough, Billups is also testing the in the business of selling food, salon suites, or workouts… we’re in waters with Rise Nation, a fitness club that offers cardio climbing the people business. Junior made it clear that if you provide solid equipment and workouts that Billups uses himself. “Our Rise opportunities for others to make a living and advance their lives, Nation locations are in Denver. It’s an active community and our along with inspiration, motivation, and mentorship, they’ll remain business is doing well there,” he says. loyal and become the team members you want to surround yourself with every day. I cherish what I have learned from Junior. We are Though Billups admits “running a business is far more chal- still very closely connected, and we’re partners in our Wendy’s lenging than basketball,” he sees the similarities—and value—in investment in the St. Louis market. doing both right. “Team, processes, and systems are critical,” he says. Because of that, he says, he’s in a position to win with all of What’s your passion in business? Because of our “people busi- his business ventures. ness” approach, we have several team members who have reached higher levels in the company than they ever thought. Their fam- PERSONAL ilies, friends, and colleagues are proud of them. It’s what makes Formative influences/events: 2004 NBA Championship with business worth every minute. With Salon Plaza, what I love about the Detroit Pistons beating the Los Angeles Lakers and named our opportunity is the impact we can have on the individuals who Finals MVP. Earned nickname “Mr. Big Shot” following the series. rent suites with us. I’ve discussed with them that their success Key accomplishments: Played 17 seasons in the NBA. Star at comes down to how they treat their clientele. It’s all about the the University of , and selected third overall in the 1997 relationship, and that relationship is why their customers will NBA draft by the ; five-time NBA All-Star and continue coming back. I think about why I still go to the barber three-time All-NBA selection. that I’ve gone to forever—it’s the relationship. I don’t even have hair, but I still go… now for my beard. My wife Piper says the same Biggest current challenge: Given my competitive spirit and the thing. She goes to her salon because of the bond she shares. We’re edge I like to have in everything I do, I want to have my whole coaching the individuals who rent suites with us to establish those self involved. However, I balance a lot and I am able to do it well types of relationships and giving them a platform to do it. thanks to the team I work with. With all of that said, no matter what you get into, it’s always a risk, and at the end of the day, How do you balance life and work? Family is most import- for me, you have to be willing to lose. But I now have a team, ant, that’s rule number one. So for me, I have to set boundaries processes, and systems that mitigate threats to our businesses when it is time for family because between business and my NBA and we’re in a position to win with all of our business endeavors. broadcasting, I can be pulled in a lot of directions. You just need to set clear lines. Hardest lesson learned: When I first began to invest, I was attracted to businesses and opportunities that I jumped at way What do most people not know about you? Life comes full too quickly. I thought these opportunities were one thing and circle. Now, a lot of players come up to me and ask about what it they turned out to be another. I have bumped my head a few takes to make it in business. They hear my story and they reach times—I didn’t know my partners well enough. Now when I look out to me and ask advice. What I say to them is, “It’s on you.”

38 Multi-Unit Franchisee ISSUE 1, 2020 Athlete Profile - Chauncey Billups

One thing you can’t do is count on something just falling into your lap. Far too many people exiting professional sports lose a lot of money by not doing their due diligence. You have to be very patient; nothing happens overnight. When you play, you are so used to those checks being so big—you are making a million dollars a month. There is no business out there where you are going to get that kind of money. It’s a slow boogie. What did you want to be when you grew up? Playing the high- est level in basketball was always my focus. And when it came time to think about my post-playing days, I honestly didn’t know what I wanted to do. Midway through my career, I knew that I wanted to stay in basketball. But I also grew a desire, an entre- preneurial desire. It came out of my goal to help others. Helping others also goes beyond business for me. I started and have grown what has become a successful leadership academy that helps kids who need more direction in getting life figured out. My parents and grandparents were always there for me. They made the sac- rifices needed to support my goals. Without their help, there was no way I would have made it. I want to pay it forward, and I do that through business and in other meaningful ways. We have an ambitious franchisee group and we’re aiming to MANAGEMENT open more than 100 locations as franchisees. Our first is in Business philosophy: I am especially drawn to our franchise the Detroit market, and it is going so well. We opened this past investment with Salon Plaza because of our ability to foster busi- summer. As franchisees with Salon Plaza, we’re focused on ness ownership through salon suite rentals. We’re able to guide bringing the concept to urban environments where we know and mentor small-business owners in the salon industry through that hair, skin, and beauty are prioritized. Ironically, those support programs that offer pathways to success. We support destinations are in many of the NBA cities I am familiar with, their flight in life by giving them the right platform to achieve having played in them for 15-plus years. Salon Plaza appealed prosperity. Help others reach their goals and they’ll help you get to me because we could affect lives so well. I remember my to yours. aunties, cousins, and others close to me who had their own How do others describe you? I bring a strong work ethic to businesses, but they were doing it out of their basements. Now everything I do. I am driven and competitive, but really enjoy we’re making it possible for them to get into a business of their working with others. I thrive in leadership opportunities and own in a one-of-a-kind environment with fantastic amenities have an ability to guide a team through selflessness, cooperation, and top-notch design. and inspiring motivation. Growth meter: How do you measure your growth? Growth can SPORTS & BUSINESS be measured in countless ways. For me, I look at the impact had What do find more challenging, sports or business? The on people pursuing their dreams. For instance, with Salon Plaza, day-to-day of running a business is far more challenging than we have put dozens of people into business ownership in a really basketball. I played basketball starting at age 10. I’m still rel- inspiring environment. Likewise, as mentioned, I am thoughtful atively young in business, and I know I have so much to learn. about the investments I make and need to spend a lot of time getting to know the parties involved. Each year I look at oppor- What skills/experience from sports have carried over to tunities and make calculated moves. Being strategic is key, and I operating a business? Leadership on the floor translates well look back over each year and ensure that I am sticking to my plan into business. I was a leader for all the teams I played on and I as I grow with new concepts. know how to take accountability. I also learned through sports how to treat people. Also, you have to have good mentors to How is the economy in your regions affecting you, your teach you what you don’t know. Plus my work ethic carried over. employees, your customers? We are in fantastic segments. I was always very detailed, having a clear understanding of the The quick-serve category with Wendy’s is outstanding. We are game plan, the competition, and the strategy to win. Today I a top choice in the communities we serve in St. Louis, so there talk business with a lot of my former teammates. Many of them are no issues at all there. If anything, the strong economy and are successful in other industries. We talk about their successes employment are helping business. Denver is a really fit area and challenges and I share the same. We learn from each other. serving an extremely active audience. That is where we have our Rise Nation locations, so those do very well also. And How did you transition from sports to franchising? When I our Salon Plaza open in Southfield, Michigan, just outside first retired I went to work for ESPN right away, so I still haven’t Detroit, has fantastic demand. Stylists love having affordable completely removed myself from sports. But when my playing space to rent in an environment that breeds confidence and days ended, I was ready for the next phase in life. I had a blessed appeals to consumers. run, and I am truly enjoying where I am today. What are you doing to take care of your employees? As a BOTTOM LINE management team we know how to empower others to take own- Annual revenue: N/A. ership of their work. It comes down to outstanding leadership 2020 goals: I want to continue to grow. The Salon Plaza invest- and training. So providing opportunities for growth through ment is done with a team we refer to as the “Dream Team.” new responsibilities and promotion has become very common. "

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