After 15 years helping build Busy Bee Jumpers from the ground up as chief financial officer, Gina Payzant made a bold move: She became the company’s first-ever franchise owner. For Payzant, the leap from the finance office to franchise ownership wasn’t just a career pivot, it was the natural next step in a journey she’s been passionate about since day one.
“I’ve seen its growth from the beginning stages out of a garage to where we’ve come today, which is amazing,” Payzant said. “I already believed in the model and saw the proof of concept every day. I wanted my own little piece of it.”
As CFO, Payzant had a unique perspective on what made the business profitable. “The numbers are really strong,” she said. “That was a huge deciding factor, along with the culture. It’s just a great vibe here.”
Payzant’s background in accounting and finance made the transition to franchise ownership smoother than most. She already knew the systems, the software and the legal processes. “That definitely gave me a leg up,” she said. “The new part for me has been marketing and customer outreach, but I’m learning.”
Payzant is partnering with Busy Bee CEO Sal Longo to launch and grow the business. “He knows marketing and outreach, and I know the operations and financial side,” she said. “It’s a great balance.”
As the first franchisee, Payzant is also helping shape the onboarding process for future owners. “We’re identifying the little bumps in the road,” she said. “Nothing major, but we’re working through the flow so we can streamline it all.”
Support from corporate has been strong. The team has provided hands-on training, quick responses to questions, and access to a wide range of resources. From onboarding to ongoing operations, Payzant has found the guidance she needs to feel confident in launching and managing her franchise.
“It really feels like I’m being set up to succeed,” she said. “That kind of support makes all the difference when you’re starting something new. You don’t feel like you’re out there on your own.”
In addition to handling operations, Payzant is already working on building brand awareness in her local market. “We’ve got the website up, we’re taking orders and deliveries are going out,” she said. “It’s exciting to see things move from planning to action.”
For others thinking about becoming Busy Bee franchisees, Payzant has this advice: “Be ready to hit the ground running. It takes time, energy, and focus, but it’s exciting. You have to be open-minded and ready for the long nights and weekends. But once you build it and put systems in place, it should run itself.”
Now officially open for business in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Payzant is living proof that betting on yourself and a business you believe in can pay off in more ways than one.
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/busy-bee-jumpers.
Busy Bee Jumpers
SPONSORED
After years of managing the numbers behind the scenes, Busy Bee’s CFO Gina Payzant became the brand’s first franchisee — proving her belief in the business was more than professional, it was personal.
After 15 years helping build Busy Bee Jumpers from the ground up as chief financial officer, Gina Payzant made a bold move: She became the company’s first-ever franchise owner. For Payzant, the leap from the finance office to franchise ownership wasn’t just a career pivot, it was the natural next step in a journey she’s been passionate about since day one.
“I’ve seen its growth from the beginning stages out of a garage to where we’ve come today, which is amazing,” Payzant said. “I already believed in the model and saw the proof of concept every day. I wanted my own little piece of it.”
As CFO, Payzant had a unique perspective on what made the business profitable. “The numbers are really strong,” she said. “That was a huge deciding factor, along with the culture. It’s just a great vibe here.”
Payzant’s background in accounting and finance made the transition to franchise ownership smoother than most. She already knew the systems, the software and the legal processes. “That definitely gave me a leg up,” she said. “The new part for me has been marketing and customer outreach, but I’m learning.”
Payzant is partnering with Busy Bee CEO Sal Longo to launch and grow the business. “He knows marketing and outreach, and I know the operations and financial side,” she said. “It’s a great balance.”
As the first franchisee, Payzant is also helping shape the onboarding process for future owners. “We’re identifying the little bumps in the road,” she said. “Nothing major, but we’re working through the flow so we can streamline it all.”
Support from corporate has been strong. The team has provided hands-on training, quick responses to questions, and access to a wide range of resources. From onboarding to ongoing operations, Payzant has found the guidance she needs to feel confident in launching and managing her franchise.
“It really feels like I’m being set up to succeed,” she said. “That kind of support makes all the difference when you’re starting something new. You don’t feel like you’re out there on your own.”
In addition to handling operations, Payzant is already working on building brand awareness in her local market. “We’ve got the website up, we’re taking orders and deliveries are going out,” she said. “It’s exciting to see things move from planning to action.”
For others thinking about becoming Busy Bee franchisees, Payzant has this advice: “Be ready to hit the ground running. It takes time, energy, and focus, but it’s exciting. You have to be open-minded and ready for the long nights and weekends. But once you build it and put systems in place, it should run itself.”
Now officially open for business in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Payzant is living proof that betting on yourself and a business you believe in can pay off in more ways than one.
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/busy-bee-jumpers.
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