Parent-Child Entrepreneurs Grow Family Legacies Through Fibrenew Franchise Model
Family businesses have existed for as long as there have been families. Typically, younger family members join an enterprise built and run by their forebears. But three groups of parents and their children — the Deerings (above), Lalondes and Abuaitas — are forging different paths as parent-child entrepreneurs, creating their own family businesses together through Fibrenew franchise partnerships.
These parents and their children aren’t alone in pursuing entrepreneurship together, says Jesse Johnstone, president of Fibrenew, which restores and repairs leather, plastic and vinyl. “I’m seeing a trend in young people recognizing the rewards in entrepreneurship and seeking career paths that don’t necessarily require college degrees,” he says. “I have great admiration for these families that come up with solutions through franchising — and we at Fibrenew are honored to be able to provide opportunities, training and support to help them achieve their goals.”
Research shows that almost half of parents prefer not to send their children to four-year colleges after high school, even if there are no financial or other obstacles, according to The Wall Street Journal. And more parents and their adult children see creating a multigenerational enterprise as a smart way to combine their resources and abilities, according to The New York Times. “The adult children bring hustle, and they’re comfortable with the latest technologies. Parents often offer capital and work experience,” The Times reported.
The Deerings, Lalondes and Abuaitas shared their motivations and goals as parent-child entrepreneurs in interviews with Johnstone for Fibrenew podcasts. Here are their stories.
Family Businesses — Their Way
Robyn and Luke Deering
Fibrenew Cape Coral, Fla.
Luke Deering knew he didn’t want to go to college. He was a high school junior when he finally broke the news to his mom, who had been saving for his tuition for some time. “I was a little deflated to learn his decision,” Robyn Deering recalls. “But, as a parent, you have to step back and go, ‘OK, he isn’t a mini-me.’ You just have to let everyone be their best.
“I knew that buying a franchise can cost a fraction of the price of a lot of college tuitions, and it just better suited his skill set,” says Robyn, a franchise consultant. She took Luke to trade shows and franchising conventions, and he liked the idea of franchise ownership.
Robyn didn’t want to wait until after Luke graduated from high school. “I was a corporate refugee and I was just watching my 401(k) sort of evaporate, and I’m like, ‘No, no no!’ I need to invest this money!” But she knew they needed to be prudent in evaluating franchise opportunities. As young as he was, Luke might eventually develop other career interests, Robyn says, “so I thought this better be something I enjoy doing, too.”
Fibrenew was a good choice, Luke says. “We were looking for something that would be a match for both of us. She has a graphic arts background and has worked with colors, and I like Fibrenew because it’s sort of physical, but not super intensive. We both have our strong suits, and Fibrenew has something for both of us,” he says.
A Typical Day
After dropping Luke at school, Robyn makes her rounds distributing marketing materials at medical offices, car dealerships, restaurants and marinas in their coastal Florida area, which all have needs for upholstery repair and restoration. After school, Luke joins his mom in doing assessments and actual jobs. Back at home, Luke unloads the car, and cleans and puts away the equipment while Robyn finishes quotes and paperwork, checks messages, “and then we’ve always been the family that sits down and has dinner together,” she says.
Advice for Other Family Businesses
The franchise fit has to be good for each partner, says Robyn, who saw advantages in other franchises that just didn’t have the right vibe for Luke. She also advises those considering family businesses to have written agreements. “Before we even found a franchise, we’ve had regular business meetings. We sit down, we document everything so that it’s clear, and he knows what my exit strategy is.”
Future Plans
The Deerings have plans for scaling: By year three, they will be working independently and possibly have a technician who specializes in certain types of work; by year five, they will have a couple of trucks; and by year 10, they will employ several technicians.
Luke says his friends and teachers admire him for working toward a long-term plan. “When I finish high school, I’ll already know how to do the work and I’ll just step up my responsibilities. It’s not going to be a gap time when I’m just finding myself for a year. No, I’m going to graduate and make more money.”
Lina and Dante Lalonde
Fibrenew Western Montana
Lina and Dante Lalonde with Fibrenew instructors Bruce Nurse (left) and Chad Hendry (right).
Lina Lalonde and her husband had a background as entrepreneurs before she transitioned into an accounting job. But she was bored. Her husband suggested she return to business ownership. They did some research, determined there was a need for vinyl, plastic and leather repair and restoration in Missoula, Mont., where they lived, and decided that a Fibrenew franchise was a great choice, she says.
Their son, Dante, had a job at a restaurant during the summer between 11th and 12th grade. When his parents asked if he wanted to work with them, he jumped at the chance, marking the start of their journey as parent-child entrepreneurs.
Training at Fibrenew’s headquarters in Calgary, Alberta, reinforced the Lalondes’ decision, especially for Dante. “Some of the concepts were kind of hard to grasp, but I just applied what the trainers taught me to do, and it was like my hands just did the repair themselves,” he says. “What I like is that I’m able to do things at my own pace. I’m able to make it as perfect as I can, and it’s just very rewarding.”
As it turned out, Dante’s pace was very fast, says Lina, adding that he typically finished each lesson before others in the training class. “I was very, very proud. When we were in class, I looked at him and I was just trying to embrace the moment and capture the memory because we are creating a bond with Fibrenew. My son and I are starting a family business that is going to be very good for us.”
A Typical Day
From day one, the Lalondes received calls for Fibrenew services from furniture repair businesses, recreational vehicle dealerships and others. Even while driving her car wrapped with Fibrenew branding, Lina has been stopped by people including a man who needed his leather jacket repaired, another who asked about his damaged car seat, and someone else who asked if they worked on boats. “That car turns more heads than a supermodel,” she says.
While the volume of work has felt overwhelming at times, Lina says she’s confident that Fibrenew has her back, providing any support she and Dante need.
Meanwhile, Dante and Lina work to their strengths. “He’s my color guy and applies the top coat, and I make the repairs, and he’s been training me in areas where he’s stronger,” she says.
Advice for Other Family Businesses
“You don’t want to force this on your kids. Just invite them,” Lina says. “That’s what we did. We invited him, and he was excited to come on board, and who knows if he’s going to continue with our family business or if he’s going to find his own path. But working together now is really precious. It is a really good opportunity to experience with your own child.”
Tony and Marsail Abuaita
Fibrenew Irving, Texas
Tony Abuaita had worked in his family’s convenience store after they immigrated to the U.S. in the 1990s. He was managing his own convenience store while still in high school and ultimately had two Dairy Queen franchise locations. He now owns a travel agency. He supported daughter Marsail’s dreams of becoming a theater set painter, but, as an entrepreneur, Tony was always thinking about other business opportunities.
“I have friends who are franchisees with Fibrenew,” he says, “and when they were sharing with me the concept and what they do on a daily basis and how they’re able to kind of make their own schedules, the light bulb kind of flickered for me and I thought this is something that I would like to do. But I can’t do it. Let me see if Marsail can do it.”
Marsail is a fine arts major at Texas State University, a few hours south of their home in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With her keen eye for color, Marsail seemed suited for Fibrenew work, but she wasn’t that interested initially. “It was my dad’s hope for me. I was completely OK with it, but it didn’t seem like a bigger priority than getting the degree that I’ve been working on for so long,” she says.
“It wasn’t until I went on my first ride-along to watch a Fibrenew technician work on an older Porsche that I was like, ‘This is so cool!’ And when the man came out and saw that his Porsche had been restored — it was just a little burn mark in the seat — the look on that man’s face was the same look that I see in an audience after I’m done putting on a show!” she says. “It wasn’t rocket science, but it is important work. It’s about the impact that you’re having on the community.”
Tony and Marsail soon embraced their new path as parent-child entrepreneurs, blending his decades of business ownership with her artistic vision to launch a family business together through Fibrenew.
Future Plans
Marsail is taking a full courseload in her final semester before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. She still hopes to do some painting once the Fibrenew business takes off and she’s able to employ technicians. Her younger sister, who is just entering college, will be her first recruit, she says.
“For the next couple of months, I’m going to put my education first so I can finish strong, but come January, I’m taking DFW by storm, for sure!”
Tony, his daughter’s financial backer, will help with operations while providing business mentorship for Marsail. They have a plan for repayment. “I’m not taking any of this for granted,” she says. “Not only the money, but the trust he’s invested in me, as well. That’s huge.”
Advice for Other Family Businesses
Franchise ownership “didn’t seem real” before attending training, Marsail says. “And now, I’m so happy about it. I think that if you can justify doing it, you should. I would do it over and over again!”
Tony says he taught his kids that they have the power to do whatever they want in life, “but as a parent, you want to help. I’ve always believed in that saying: If someone is hungry, don’t give them the fish. Teach them how to fish,” he says, turning to Marsail. “OK, now you’re officially a fisherman.”
“Call me a fisherman!” she says.
For more information about franchise opportunities, visit the Fibrenew website.
