Franchise Veteran Will Drive Growth for Blingle! and Heroes Lawn Care
HorsePower Brands has tapped Michael McAllister as group president to lead Blingle!, an outdoor lighting franchise, and Heroes Lawn Care. The franchising veteran has two decades of experience including franchise ownership, corporate location support and management of hundreds of franchises across North America. Franchises in HorsePower Brands’ portfolio in addition to Blingle! and Heroes Lawn Care include Mighty Dog Roofing, iFOAM, Bumble Bee Blinds, Gatsby Glass, Stand Strong Fencing and Groovy Hues.
McAllister said he looks forward to driving growth for both brands and working with passionate leaders including Blingle! Vice President and brand leader Nels Peterson. McAllister added that HorsePower Brands’ people-first culture was a major factor in his decision to take the position. “There is no that’s-not-my-job attitude. Everyone is driven to help support each brand, team and individual,” he said.
Co-founder and Chairman Josh Skolnick said he is thrilled to have McAllister in the position. “He has a proven track record of helping scale franchises that benefit both the franchisees and franchisor, and we have no doubt that he will help take Blingle! and Heroes Lawn Care to the next level,” Skolnick said.
Discovering Entrepreneurship
McAllister showed entrepreneurial drive early on, managing and operating an ice cream truck while in high school, but he said he didn’t consider owning his own business after earning a graduate degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. It wasn’t until a friend invested in a franchise and was ready to open a second location within six months that McAllister was inspired to pursue entrepreneurship as a multi-unit Fitness Together franchise owner. His professional background also includes various management positions with WellBiz Brands, HealthSource, Sanford Medical and LINE-X.
“My favorite part of franchising is that as a franchisee, I don’t have to recreate the wheel. I’m given the opportunity to take a proven blueprint and excel with it,” McAllister said.
A Seamless Transition
With firsthand knowledge of the rewards and challenges of franchise ownership, experience on the franchisor side and an understanding of what it takes to lead an organization, McAllister said he was well prepared for this role. “I’m fortunate to have owned a franchise myself because I’ve been in the franchisee’s shoes. That experience has directly influenced how I connect with our owners, how I build processes and how I build trust.”
In addition to his work in franchising, McAllister has been a host on the largest radio station in Charlotte, N.C., for almost six years.
About Blingle!
Founded in Omaha, Neb., in 2014, Blingle! specializes in providing year-round premium lighting services for homes, businesses and events. Franchise owners offer landscape, permanent, holiday, patio, event and commercial lighting services.
About Lawn Care Heroes
Established in 2015 and franchising since 2022, Lawn Care Heroes offers best-in-class lawn care services, from fertilization to irrigation, using an eco-friendly approach, top-of-the-line technology and professional crews.
