David Saidnawey Takes Home Wild Birds Unlimited’s ‘Franchisee Honor’ Award at the Premier Birding and Backyard Nature Brand’s Enterprise Leadership Conference

The Wild Birds Unlimited Franchisee Honor Award is the highest accolade given to a franchise store owner. Recipients epitomize what the birding and nature retail brand is all about; that is, the passion for backyard bird feeding and making a difference in one’s local community.

This June, the Franchisee Honor Award was presented to Wild Birds UnlimitedfranchiseeDavid Saidnawey of Middletown, New Jersey at the brand’s Enterprise Leadership Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Saidnawey opened his store in Red Bank, New Jersey in 2003 and moved the store to Middletown, New Jersey in 2014. 

“David portrays the enterprise leader’s mindset—to serve not only themselves, but also the larger enterprise of Wild Birds Unlimited,” said Paul Pickett, Chief Development Officer of Wild Birds Unlimited. “Such leaders know that the larger enterprise of Wild Birds Unlimited serves them in ways that enable them to succeed better than if they were not part of the organization.”

Saidnawey has long been highly involved with the WBU system, consistently working to build relationships with his fellow peers as a mentor. He is a communications committee member—a role through which he has been involved in revamping the brand’s intranet and testing peer-to-peer group communication therein—as well as the leader of a certified training store. 

Saidnawey was also part of WBU’s Genesis Performance Group, WBU’s peer-to-peer mentoring network between store owners. He has also provided suggestions for enhancements to the company’s Online WBU Learning (OWL) training modules. 

Pickett isn’t the only member of Wild Birds Unlimited who felt Saidnawey was worthy of this year’s Franchisee Honor Award. Several franchisees who have worked with Saidnawey in the past have truly enjoyed those moments as well. 

“When I was first invited to join the Genesis Performance Group, I had no idea how I would fit in with these stores who had been part of the franchise for many years,” said WBU franchisee Barb Whipkey. “A few hours later, my phone rang and it was David, who I had never spoken with. He called to explain what the group was all about and it put my mind at ease. From that day on, I've had his number on speed dial and know that I can always count on him to make the day brighter."

Susan Maranhao of Sudbury, Massachusetts is one of the founding members of the Genesis Performance group. Of Saidnawey’s contribution, Maranhao said, “David was always the voice of reason for the group.”

By leading a certified training store, Saidnawey has also helped several franchisees, including Lisa Herman of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, with getting their business off the ground. (New franchisees are required to spend one week in a certified training store, working with and shadowing owners and staff members.)

"David runs the store I was trained in and he was very generous with his knowledge and continued support,” said Herman. “This generosity has continued in the years since and is evident in his role as our regional FAC representative. David is a role model for any of us who are interested in improving our businesses while also helping the franchise and fellow store owners to be successful. He gets involved, learns from each experience and shares his opinions in a balanced and constructive manner at all times." 

As Herman alluded to, Saidnawey was elected to the WBU Franchise Advisory Council (FAC) in 2016 and served as Chairperson for the 2017–2018 term.

“A critical role of the FAC Chairperson is to facilitate an agenda packed full of relevant topics; manage presenters' time; and hear attendee comments in our short two-and-half-day format,” said Pat Perkinson, Chief Operating Officer for Wild Birds Unlimited. “David was an exceptional leader in this role, as he managed to allow everyone in the room to speak their mind while respectfully and professionally keeping them on track. David made it a point to include everyone, give them a voice in the process and graciously thank them for their input.” 

Indeed, when it comes to making sure everyone has a voice and feels listened to, Saidnawey steps up.

“David’s mantra has always been, ‘Don’t forget we need to communicate,’ and he definitely has continued to do so,” said Perkinson. “David organized follow-up webinars with his region to loop them in to what was discussed at the FAC meetings. He also facilitated a Northeast Regional owners meeting that has been taken up and repeated by his peers.” 

Aside from the support he provides other franchisees, Saidnawey is a very active member in his community. 

“He knows his customers interact with him in many ways both inside and outside the store,” said Pickett. “David has written several articles for the Home and Garden edition of a local publication The Two River Times. David also partners with a local elementary teacher to educate kids on the hobby of bird watching and has helped to create a local nature habitat at the school. In fact, the class recently participated in the Project FeederWatchcontest.”

Saidnawey’s community involvement extends even further thanks to a partnership with the Monmouth County Park System whereby he helps oversee the system’s bluebird trail. He also maintains window feeders at the Middletown Public Library and provides content for adult and children's programming there.

“David is a great representation of Wild Birds Unlimited,” said Pickett. “We couldn’t be more proud of what he has accomplished thus far and can’t wait to see what the future still holds for him as a franchisee.”