Allyson Piccolomini does not mind being the youngest franchisee with Showhomes. In fact, she embraces it.
Piccolomini graduated from High Point University in 2011 with a degree in interior design. After working for a couple years at a furniture manufacturer in customer service, marketing and e-commerce, Piccolomini had the chance to let her love of interior design take her back to Philadelphia to pursue an opportunity with Showhomes in 2013 with her aunt, Monica Estes.
“I’ve always had a passion for interior design,” said Piccolomini. “We thought it would be great to have Monica’s background in real estate and finance to help get the business started.”
According to Entrepreneur, women are becoming franchisees at a record number, and the International Franchise Association found that 30% of franchise business owners are women, which increased by 50% in the past five years.
Monica and Allyson started with Showhomes right when the brand was looking to take its business to the next level. Showhomes added two additional services, the home update and home makeover, to its existing offerings of home managing and home staging. This moment in time attracted the two to the brand’s uprising.
“We bought into the business model rather than trying to invent the wheel,” said Estes. “Showhomes is very family oriented, responsive and welcoming. It makes us proud to be principals.”
Since being a principal of the brand, Allyson has seen consistent success resulting from her hard work ethic and eye for compelling design in a rather challenging Philadelphia market.
“It is a very sophisticated and established market,” said Piccolomini. “It can be a difficult environment to establish connections and build a network into because of longstanding tradition and relationships. Monica and I both understand that real estate is a relationship driven businesses and we have done a great job of maintaining the relationships we create.”
Allyson and Monica have been recognized in the HOUZZ.com community for best design in 2018 and for best in customer service in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
“Allyson’s talent in design has brought us so much repeat business and her designs get results,” said Estes. “Not only is she the youngest franchisee, she has also won the fastest sell time the past three years.”
Currently serving prominent communities in 21 states, the Showhomes system is a rapidly expanding franchise with 67 locations nationwide.