1851

<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleduncanwilson/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-great-franchisee-michelle-duncan-wilson-biggby-coffee-clermont-county-oh-2715291" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Michelle Duncan-Wilson</u></a> is no stranger to the coffee industry. The former barista and coffee shop manager built a career out of her love for java. Now, she’s leveraging her passion for coffee to open her own coffee shop with <a href="https://www.biggbyfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-great-franchisee-michelle-duncan-wilson-biggby-coffee-clermont-county-oh-2715291" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>BIGGBY® COFFEE</u></a>, the 10-plus-unit coffee franchise out of Cincinnati.&nbsp;</p><p>Duncan-Wilson was introduced to the fast-growing coffee franchise by a friend, a <a href="https://1851franchise.com/biggbycoffee"><u>BIGGBY®</u></a> owner who opened her second location just before the pandemic arrived last year. Duncan-Wilson was impressed with her friend’s success throughout 2020 and she says she saw in BIGGBY® a franchisor that cares about its franchisees and provides a wealth of support and resources when times get tough. So, she decided to become a franchisee herself.</p><h4>1851 Franchise: Tell us your story – what did you do before franchising?</h4><p>Michelle Duncan-Wilson: I was in the coffee industry for 10 years. I started as a barista at 16; it was one of my first jobs. I eventually managed several different coffee shops in the area before BIGGBY<i>® </i>COFFEE came to town. I stopped working 12 years ago when I started growing my family. Now that my kids are a bit older, I decided to start looking at different careers and investment opportunities. I was familiar with BIGGBY<i>® </i>COFFEE and decided to meet up with the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area representative, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanna-novosel-8279216a/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-great-franchisee-michelle-duncan-wilson-biggby-coffee-clermont-county-oh-2715291" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Shanna Novosel</u></a>. She had a really great experience with the brand, and it further solidified my decision.</p><h4>1851: How did you initially find out about franchising and what was your perception of franchising before becoming a franchise owner?</h4><p>Duncan-Wilson: The coffee company I worked with before did not follow a franchise model. I was very comfortable with the corporate model and skeptical about the franchise model. I had my own preconceived notions of what a franchise would be like for customers and owners, but I didn’t know much about it. I think so many different franchisors run their companies in different ways. I’ve been very impressed with BIGGBY<i>® </i>COFFEE and how they support their franchisees.</p><h4>1851: How did you decide you wanted to be a franchisee?</h4><p>Duncan-Wilson: A friend of mine opened a BIGGBY<i>® </i>COFFEE in the area eight years ago, and she told me about her experience. I knew how much work it takes to open a coffee shop and that it is a big investment. That same friend opened her second location, and I just watched as her stores grew. I was impressed by the positive experience she had. After watching how her businesses did through lockdown while many businesses were suffering, I realized that this could be a viable option for me, too.</p><h4>1851: How did you perform your research?</h4><p>Duncan-Wilson: I didn’t look into any other franchise brands. I really wasn’t ever interested in opening a franchise. It was only after seeing my friend’s positive experience that made me want to do it. As for researching BIGGBY<i>® </i>COFFEE, I did a lot of online research to get a sense of the brand’s history. Throughout my research, I was really impressed with the company’s values and principles. I spoke with a few other franchise owners briefly, and I could tell that BIGGBY<i>® </i>COFFEE really supports their franchisees and cares about its people.&nbsp;</p><h4>1851: Why did you pick BIGGBY® COFFEE<i>?</i> What excited you most about the potential?</h4><p>Duncan-Wilson: I felt confident in choosing BIGGBY<i>® </i>COFFEE after watching my friend’s success and doing my own research to get a sense of the brand. Everything about BIGGBY<i>® </i>COFFEE resonated with me. I’m most excited to start working with people again and start building relationships with customers, baristas and employees. I truly love connecting with people over coffee, and I’m thrilled that I get to provide that service.</p><h4>1851: What advice would you have for others looking at buying a franchise?</h4><p>Duncan-Wilson: Be sure that you are both mentally and financially prepared. There will be surprises along the way, but if you expect them, they won’t be so intimidating.&nbsp;</p><h4>1851: What do you do in your personal time?</h4><p>Duncan-Wilson: I love playing classical guitar, and I’m an avid Spanish learner.&nbsp;</p><h4>&nbsp;</h4><h4>About BIGGBY® COFFEE</h4><p>BIGGBY® COFFEE, based in East Lansing, Mich., was started with a single store on March 15, 1995. One year later, and on the cusp of opening a second location, Bob Fish and Michael McFall, on a handshake and $4,000, decided to franchise the concept. BIGGBY® COFFEE’s cultural values of Make Friends, Have Fun, B Yourself and Share Great Coffee help coffee-lovers and the coffee-curious alike benefit from a less pretentious and fun approach to the standard gourmet cafe paradigm. Besides connoisseur-worthy drinks with names like Teddy Bear® and Caramel Marvel®, BIGGBY® baristas provide a unique experience focused on brightening their customers’ day and supporting them in building a life they love. The “Big ‘B’” on the orange background caught on, and today BIGGBY® COFFEE has more than 240 cafes across many states including Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Florida. In 2018, BIGGBY® launched an Area Representative Program and currently has 8 Area Representatives in 6 states.</p>

The Great Franchisee: Michelle Duncan-Wilson, BIGGBY® COFFEE, Clermont County, OH

1851 Franchise

After seeing how the coffee franchise supported her friend, a BIGGBY® franchisee, throughout the pandemic, the former coffee shop manager decided to open up her own business with the fast-growing brand.

the-great-franchisee-michelle-duncan-wilson-biggby-coffee-clermont-county-oh

Seniors Helping Seniors®

Photo of two people, with white hair, sitting on couch, smiling at each other

Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Care Services Expands in Manassas and Fredericksburg, Virginia

seniors-helping-seniors-in-home-care-services-expands-in-manassas-and-fredericksburg-virginia

BooXkeeping

Tech-Driven Bookkeeping: How BooXkeeping Franchisees Are Embracing the Future

tech-driven-bookkeeping-how-booxkeeping-franchisees-are-embracing-the-future

Fitness Premier

Fitness Premier's State-of-the-Art Facilities and Multi-Discipline Approach Fuels Franchise Owner Success

fitness-premiers-state-of-the-art-facilities-and-multi-discipline-approach-fuels-franchise-owner-success

Melting Pot

Melting Pot 50th anniversary photo, featuring three people enjoying celebratory drinks and fondue

Melting Pot Celebrates 50 Years of Fondue Magic With a Year of Special Menus, New Offerings and Unforgettable Moments

melting-pot-50th-anniversary-fondue-celebration

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

Kathy Turner: The Filta Franchisee Keeping LA's Kitchens Cooking (and Green)

kathy-turner-the-filta-franchisee-keeping-las-kitchens-cooking-and-green

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs To Retire in 2026 After 36 Years With the Company

yum-brands-ceo-david-gibbs-to-retire-in-2026-after-36-years-with-the-company

Hooters Bankruptcy - Chapter 11 - April 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Files for Bankruptcy, Sells Restaurants to Franchisee Group

hooters-bankruptcy-chapter-11-april-2025

Fly Dance Fitness Expands With First Franchise Location in Georgia

fly-dance-fitness-franchise-expansion

&pizza - Fast-Casual Pizza Chain Begins Franchising - 1851 Franchise

&pizza Embraces Franchising To Fuel Bold New Growth Strategy

andpizza-franchising-ceo-mike-burns

CFOs See Recession as Likely in ’25; Why Now Is the Time To Water the Franchise Buyer Seeds

cfos-see-recession-as-likely-in-25-why-now-is-the-time-to-water-the-franchise-buyer-seeds

Florida Franchisee Reflects on Success and Growth with Sylvan Learning

florida-franchisee-reflects-on-success-and-growth-with-sylvan-learning

Military Veteran and Craft Beer Enthusiast to Bring Voodoo Brewing Co. to Toledo, Ohio

military-veteran-and-craft-beer-enthusiast-to-bring-voodoo-brewing-co-to-toledo-ohio

Franchisee spotlight featuring Ian and Dick Rydholm with gradient blue background and Sylvan logo

Ian and Dick Rydholm Celebrate 30 Years of Transforming Lives Through Sylvan Learning in El Paso, Texas

ian-and-dick-rydholm-celebrate-30-years-of-transforming-lives-through-sylvan

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

The Great Franchisee: Michelle Duncan-Wilson, BIGGBY® COFFEE, Clermont County, OH

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS