Coca-Cola Scientist Finds Path to Autonomy with Big Frog Franchise in Fayetteville, Georgia

Domonique Downing’s journey from being a scientist at Coca-Cola to becoming a franchisee with Big Frog, the burgeoning t-shirt and garment printing shop, is a story of seeking autonomy and fulfillment beyond the corporate world. 

With a PhD in chemistry, Downing has been deeply involved in designing sustainable packaging at Coca-Cola, focusing on incorporating more recycled content and finding environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional plastic. “It’s been a fun and rewarding career,” said Downing, “but like many people in corporate America, I began to wonder what else I could do that might be more beneficial to myself, more fun and allow me to have more control over my career.”

This curiosity led her to explore entrepreneurship and, after discussions with a friend and recruiter in the franchising space, Downing discovered the appealing blend of independence and guidance that franchising offers. “I realized that franchising could allow me to be a business owner while still following a proven blueprint,” she said. “The idea of having the support of a franchise while maintaining a degree of autonomy really appealed to me.”

This realization, coupled with the connection she felt with the people at Big Frog, ultimately led her to sign on with the brand. What excites her most about Big Frog is the human aspect of the business. “I love that the business centers around customer satisfaction because it’s so customized,” Downing said. “As long as you do what the customer asks and give them good support, it should be a positive experience.”

1851 Franchise spoke with Downing to discuss her journey into franchising with Big Frog and her plans for the future.

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Domonique Downing: Yes, so I’m a chemist by training. I have a PhD in chemistry. I currently still work as a scientist at Coca-Cola where I’m designing sustainable packaging. This involves trying to incorporate more recycled content and exploring alternative ways of making plastic for our bottles that are more environmentally friendly compared to using petroleum- or oil-based materials. It’s been a fun and rewarding career, but like many people in corporate America, I began to wonder what else I could do that might be more beneficial to myself, more fun and allow me to have more control over my career.

I’ve always been open to starting my own business. I’ve even started smaller ventures — like selling hair products — but nothing that could completely replace my income. A friend and I were discussing the possibility of franchising, and after speaking to a recruiter in the franchising space, I realized that franchising could allow me to be a business owner while still following a proven blueprint. The idea of having the support of a franchise while maintaining a degree of autonomy really appealed to me. That’s how I got into franchising and eventually met the people at Big Frog, whose support and business model convinced me it was a good opportunity for me.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Downing: I always had a somewhat positive view of franchising, but I was a bit ignorant about it. Like many people, I thought franchising was limited to owning restaurants — like McDonald’s or Burger King. When I first started looking into franchising, I was surprised to find out that there were many options outside of the restaurant industry, like a t-shirt shop or a dog grooming business. My initial perception was positive but limited.

Now that I’ve educated myself more and have become part of a franchise, my view is even more positive. I understand what it means to be part of a franchise, the support you receive, the obligations you have and the broad range of business opportunities available within a franchise system.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Downing: What excites me most about Big Frog is that the business should, in theory, be fun. People usually come to you for a good reason, even in cases where the situation might seem negative, like making shirts in memory of someone. You’re still there to help them and uplift them. I love that the business centers around customer satisfaction because it’s so customized. As long as you do what the customer asks and give them good support, it should be a positive experience. Of course, there will be some hiccups and learning along the way, but I really appreciate the human aspect of the business.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?

Downing: My initial plan is to get a couple of employees, start making shirts and build a strong customer base. I hope to see the store grow so that it can be self-sustaining. There’s a lot of stability in my current role, so I want to make sure both the company and I can be stable in this new venture.

Ideally, I would like to grow the business and perhaps open another store down the line. Maybe I could hire a manager to run the first store while I focus on opening another one or pursue other types of businesses. But for now, the goal is to gain stability and then grow to broaden my horizons even more.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Downing: I’m a scientist with an analytical mind, and I like stability. But I would say that this decision to franchise has been a very brave one for me. It’s been fun, but also difficult. I would recommend to anyone that it’s okay to be scared, but it’s also okay to be brave. At the very least, gather the information you need to make a well-informed decision. This process has been challenging, but I’m really happy with how it’s going so far, and I’m proud of myself for making the leap.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Downing: I would recommend finding a really good recruiter or expert in the franchising field. They can recommend franchise businesses you might never have considered, like I mentioned earlier, where I thought franchising was only about restaurants. A good recruiter can also provide support by keeping you accountable, recommending funding sources and helping you make key decisions on the front end before you join. Especially if you’ve never done this before, it’s crucial to have someone who can guide you through the process and make sure you’re aware of what’s next.

ABOUT BIG FROG CUSTOM T-SHIRTS & MORE:

Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Dunedin, Florida, Big Frog Custom T-Shirts and More, Inc. is an international franchise system with over 75 independently owned and operated stores serving consumers and businesses across the U.S. and Canada. Big Frog specializes in direct to garment printing (DTG) and is a one-stop shop for all custom apparel decorating techniques, as well as branded promotional products. Big Frog offers free design help, no minimums, no art/setup fees, and fast turnaround. Find a store at BIGFROG.COM, U.S. franchise opportunities at BIGFROGFRANCHISE.COM, Canadian franchise opportunities at BIGFROG.CA, and Big Frog on YouTube.