John Kohler’s day starts earlier than most; the Sport Clips* area developer for Illinois, Michigan, and Eastern Missouri is up at 4:30 a.m. and in his office by 6:30 a.m. every morning. But before you go feeling bad for Kohler’s early start, know that no one is forcing the President of Kohler and Associates LLC to obey his alarm clock.

“I can set my own schedule and manage my own time,” said Kohler. “It isn’t 9 to 5, thankfully.”

That flexibility and chance to be his own boss is just one of the reasons Kohler decided to join the Sport Clips brand back in 2004, following an early retirement from corporate America at the age of 52.

“After a few months of retirement a close friend of mine invited me to a franchising seminar, and I was initially reluctant to go,” said Kohler. “After being a corporate executive, I did not want to make Subway sandwiches.”

Luckily, Kohler was a good friend and went along anyway. But what he quickly found was that franchising was exactly what he was looking for.

“I found that franchisors were seeking people to partner in their business ventures who understood income statements and balance sheets,” said Kohler. “It’s about leadership and people.”

Back then, in 2004, there were only 143 Sport Clips locations nationwide and only two in the Chicago area. But Kohler saw an incredible opportunity in Sport Clips’ proven simplicity and franchise support.

Kohler’s team in Illinois, Michigan, and Eastern Missouri have now opened 152 locations, two of which he owns and operates himself in Illinois, so it is no surprise why he chooses to get an early start on his day.

“I typically start my day as the chief financial officer, cutting checks for suppliers and staff,” said Kohler. “But the rest of the day depends entirely on the demand at that time--variety is the spice of life!”

Though initially a reluctant entrant into the world of franchising, Kohler now sees the industry as the perfect path for a “fledgling entrepreneur,” as he puts it. But whatever franchise concept one chooses, Kohler says it is essential that the franchisee have passion for the concept and the industry.

It is that same passion for Sport Clips and his growing Midwest team that makes Kohler more than comfortable with a day that starts well before the sun comes up, and, which aside from a weekly meeting on Wednesday, is different almost every day.

 “My biggest achievement is the development of some incredible teams and team members, we would not be successful without all of their contributions. It’s all about people,” Kohler said.

With such a commitment to his team members, it is clear that he has no qualms about working a long and shifting schedule.

“Here is the plain truth: I work long hours and I love it,” said Kohler. “I get a direct benefit and return on the investment in time because it is my business.”