Former Musical Instrument Parts Manufacturing and Distribution Leader Paves the Way for New Lifestyle With Patrice & Associates Franchise

After nearly 15 years leading supply chain functions for a business that manufactures and distributes parts for musical instruments, Sarah Johns was struck by the challenges she faced as she tried to support her young children through COVID-related learning disruptions. Having considered entrepreneurship in the past, this was a prime time for her to weigh her options and consider something new.

Johns began to explore opportunities in the franchise space, and when she learned of Patrice & Associates, the recruiting franchise, she was interested in the idea of connecting job seekers with employers.

Now, as she serves the Arizona cities of Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa, Johns is both proud of her professional work and fulfilled by the flexible lifestyle that allows her to spend more time with her kids.

Johns took the time to chat with 1851 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what she had to say:

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

Johns: I initially got a degree in political science thinking I would teach high school government, but I ended up continuing to work for the company I worked for in college before getting connected to the political landscape in Arizona. I worked for a member of Congress and a U.S. Senator for four years which was a very impactful time of my life. 

I was later offered a position with a national campaign, but I didn’t think that lifestyle — lots of travel and late nights — was for me. I’m a bit more of a homebody. So I chose to pivot again, and I joined a company in the music industry. The company did manufacturing, retail and wholesale distribution of parts for music equipment, and I managed their inventory.

When the pandemic hit, working in a vice president role there became increasingly difficult as I tried to help my young kids manage school from home. My husband and I had discussed business ownership before, so we decided to explore franchising and connected with a broker.

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?

Johns: Years prior, we had considered launching our own product in the child safety space, but we quickly realized how risky that can be. We opted to begin exploring franchises because we had the general understanding that the model would provide us support and guidance, and there were multiple investment levels available.

People should know about the range of brands available and the different requirements each one has. Some franchises require you to have a brick-and-mortar space and hire people, and others can be done from a home office with a team of one. If you search, you can probably find one that works for you.

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

Johns: When I learned of Patrice & Associates, I was instantly intrigued by the idea of helping people find jobs. We work for our clients, not the candidates, but at the end of the day, we’re helping both. There are people trying to find jobs and people trying to fill positions, and we can help change people’s lives by facilitating those matches.

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

Johns: This has allowed me to have significant flexibility. I work part-time now, and I spend a lot of time caring for and supporting my children. I am solo right now in my business, but I would love to grow to have a few working recruiters so I can manage the team rather than doing the recruiting myself. Once I’m able to establish a team of two or three people, I can focus more on client and recruiter management.

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

Johns: I work part time. I’m a mom, and I do prioritize my family and things like volunteering at my kids’ school. That’s a luxury for me, and I also understand that it’s not what a lot of people go into business for. My goal isn’t to build the biggest, busiest business. My goal is to work hard, manage my workflow and find a work-life balance that is beneficial to both myself and my family.

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

Johns: When you want to start your own business, franchising is an easy way to do it with an established brand. Research the brands thoroughly and ensure the investment is at a level you’re comfortable with to find the right fit for you. It’s hard to know if you’re comfortable with the day-to-day work of the business until you’re in it, so you need to make sure you’re comfortable with what you can control before making the investment.

ABOUT PATRICE & ASSOCIATES

Patrice & Associates is a recruiting franchise that helps thousands of managerial and executive level candidates every year find rewarding jobs in the hospitality industry and beyond. With strong brand recognition, a flexible business model and a growing footprint, Patrice & Associates has established itself as a leading franchise opportunity in the staffing industry.

Today, with over 175 units in the U.S. and Canada, Patrice & Associates is the largest hospitality executive search firm in the country.