Sport Clips Executive Appreciates Power of Franchising

Franchising wasn’t really on Dave Wells’ radar growing up.

Wells graduated from the University of California at San Diego with a bachelor’s degree in 2001 and found himself job searching smack dab in the middle of one of the toughest job markets the country has seen.

“I found the industry by accident after struggling for months to find the perfect career opportunity, when I accepted a position in the Mail Boxes Etc. mailroom for $9.00 an hour,” said Wells. “But I stayed in the industry on purpose.”

Wells ended up sticking with the company, which would later become The UPS Store, holding various franchise development roles over a 10-year period and ultimately was part of the development team that managed the tremendous surge of interest immediately following the rebranding and the subsequent growth that occurred. “I was in a position that gave me the opportunity to learn how rapid growth affects an organization and how to avoid pitfalls in the process,” he said.

Earning his MBA in business management from the Florida Institute of Technology in 2011, Wells began to think about what would be next as he was ready for new a concept and a new challenge. Shortly after completing his degree, Wells was recruited by a former colleague who had transitioned to Sport Clips and was hired as the Director of Franchise Administration in 2012.

Recently promoted to Director of Franchising, Wells has a positive outlook on life, his career and his vision for the Sport Clips brand:

1851: You found franchising by accident, but then decided it was the industry for you, why?

DW: As I worked my way up and began to immerse myself in franchising, I learned to appreciate the relationships, both internal and external, that drive the industry. I love the community that is franchising. At annual events you see the same people year after year, they might have a different logo on their shirt, but the people and the relationships that drive the business are what keep me interested.

1851: Why are you passionate about the Sport Clips brand?

DW: When I was introduced to Sport Clips, I saw a strong brand with clear vision on the brink of something big. They were just about to hit 900 stores and I knew that it would be an exciting place to be as they pushed past 1,000 and toward 2,000. As far as passion, the business model is very strong and that makes you feel good about what you are doing. Our Team Leaders (franchisees) are successful and that leads to a lot of harmony in our network. Our Team Leaders work cooperatively with our Support Team staff and that collaboration is a big reason you see Sport Clips pushing the store sales growth we have. Our stores have averaged 8.5% annual sales growth over the last five years! That kind of performance tends to make people happy!

1851: What personal experiences have you taken lessons from that you now find yourself applying to your work?

DW: Outside of work, most of my time is invested in my family. I’ve got three young children, boys ages 9 and 8 and a 3-year-old girl. The challenges associated with raising kids are surprisingly similar to those of managing people. Each one is different, has different motivations, different talents and different expectations. Understanding what drives them, what they need from me, knowing when to challenge them and when to lend a hand, etc. All of those things apply equally in my role as a father as they do in my role as a business leader.

1851: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your current role and how have you overcome them?

DW: In any organization that is growing at the pace that Sport Clips is, you will find some challenges. Gordon Logan has done a great job of steering the organization and avoiding many of the pitfalls smaller franchisors tend to stumble into by projecting a strong vision and maintaining high standards. Still, as we continue to grow, we find some of our systems and processes are lagging behind and are no longer sufficient to meet the demands of the business. Thankfully, Pete Lindsey (VP of Franchising) and I work well together and tend to be system and process focused. We’ve been able to focus on areas that needed shoring up and, working with our strong executive team, make the adjustments necessary to keep the administrative side of the business ahead of the curve.

1851: What do you enjoy most about your work?

DW: I enjoy the opportunity to help others. Both franchisee candidates who are looking to fulfil lifelong dreams and those who report up through me. Nothing is more exciting than helping someone achieve something that improves their quality of life. Watching a new franchisee open their first store or watching a subordinate associate learn and develop new skill sets that ultimately earn them new opportunities are some of the most rewarding things I find in my position.

1851: What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?

DW: That I am a really good cook! On the weekends I love putting together an elaborate meal and feeding friends and neighbors. My mom is a great Cajun cook from Southern Louisiana and gave me a good head start in the kitchen. I love experimenting with cuisines from all over the world, but a good Cajun inspired meal or Central Texas inspired slow smoked BBQ are among my favorites.

While that fateful $9.00 an hour mailroom position was a harsh slap of reality at the time for new college graduate, Wells says it was a transformative experience that ultimately set him on the path leading him to where he is today. Proud of where he’s come, but eager for what’s yet to come, Wells is prepared to work hard to do his part in continuing to move the Sport Clips brand in a positive direction.