1851

New <a href="https://franchise.wbu.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=wild-birds-unlimited-franchisees-host-regular-facebook-live-events-to-build-a-sense-of-community-before-opening-their-store-2714061" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Wild Birds Unlimited</a> franchisees Kindell and Josh Tolmie first invested in the nature brand in 2020 with plans to open their store in May of 2020. When COVID-19 hit in early March, however, the couple had to start thinking creatively about how they would build a following for their store. Thanks to Wild Birds Unlimited’s leadership team and some <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WBUKanata/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=wild-birds-unlimited-franchisees-host-regular-facebook-live-events-to-build-a-sense-of-community-before-opening-their-store-2714061" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">innovative social media work</a>, the Tolmies were able to launch their Ontario store successfully.Before becoming franchisees, the Tolmies were active <a href="https://api.1851franchise.com/uploads/brand_logo/8d777f385d3dfec8815d20f7496026dc529.svg?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=wild-birds-unlimited-franchisees-host-regular-facebook-live-events-to-build-a-sense-of-community-before-opening-their-store-2714061" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Wild Birds Unlimited</a> customers. So much of their personal experiences with the brand was built visiting the nearest location in-person and developing a relationship with the franchise owner. Now, in keeping with social distancing requirements, the couple looked to build their own community experience. When in-person shopping became temporarily impossible, the entrepreneurial duo took to Facebook and launched their own live webshow.“We knew the shopping experience wouldn’t be the same under COVID-19 conditions, so we started thinking creatively about how we could use Facebook and social media,” said Kindell. “We began by offering educational tools and quickly moved to having a weekly live show on our front porch. Our feed caught a following right away — every Friday we recorded something new and interesting for our audience. That's how we initially started building our customer base. The community aspect is so important.”&nbsp;Perhaps it’s not surprising that the Tolmies found their footing so quickly. Both highly motivated individuals, Josh co-owns his own talent agency called <a href="https://www.pinpoint-talent.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=wild-birds-unlimited-franchisees-host-regular-facebook-live-events-to-build-a-sense-of-community-before-opening-their-store-2714061" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">PinPoint Talent</a> and Kindell is a practiced nurse. When Kindell made the decision to move away from nursing to have a more predictable work schedule, the couple decided to open a Wild Birds Unlimited franchise.&nbsp;“It was around the time I started to think about moving to a new field that we’d put a lot of effort into our bird feeder set up at our country home,” said Kindell. “We spent a lot of time at Wild Birds Unlimited in Ottawa and started to think, ‘Hey, maybe there's a business opportunity here?’ The store is what makes the customer experience so special and we wanted to provide that kind of experience for people.”With the success of their regular Friday Facebook Live streams, the location has already taken off. Josh credits Kindell’s enthusiasm for connecting customers with educational tools and useful products to their initial success.“Kindell’s modest and won’t say it, but people are showing up because of how passionate she is,” said Josh. “We’re working to do a lot to engage with the community. Her work is a big part of that.”&nbsp;&nbsp;The power couple also credits the Wild Birds Unlimited franchise support center for their support. The brand’s <a href="https://1851franchise.com/wildbirdsunlimited/how-wild-birds-unlimited-is-supporting-franchisees-during-this-time-2712746">leadership</a> team has done all it can in these difficult times to do what they do best: connect people with nature. From business coaching to weekly video calls with their franchisees, the brand has gone above and beyond to support their owners. The leadership team has also been in <a href="https://1851franchise.com/wildbirdsunlimited/wild-birds-unlimited-continues-to-bring-people-and-nature-together-during-difficult-times-2712747">constant contact with suppliers</a> to ensure that stores can be properly stocked. As one of the first new locations to open during the pandemic, the Tolmies were thrilled with the amount of support they received.“We couldn’t be happier with the franchise support center,” said Josh. “Training was fantastic and they even worked through the weekends so that we’d meet our official store opening on July 6. We told the brand we were comfortable pushing back the date but they assured us that we were the priority.”The Tolmies were also welcomed by a community of fellow Wild Birds Unlimited franchisees. Kindell said everyone in their network has been so helpful in answering their questions and guiding them through the process: “When we joined the business, we became a part of a family We are so thankful for everyone’s help.”With the initial success of their store and Facebook Live series stream, the couple is confident and ready for whatever the future brings.“We have a plan B, C and D for whatever might happen in the future,” said Kindell. “We’ve had great mentors throughout this process. From the top to franchisee level, we really can’t say enough about the support we’ve received. We’re excited for what's to come.”The cost to open a Wild Birds Unlimited franchise ranges from $170,382 to $281,606, including the franchise fee. To learn more about franchising with Wild Birds Unlimited, please visit <a href="https://franchise.wbu.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=wild-birds-unlimited-franchisees-host-regular-facebook-live-events-to-build-a-sense-of-community-before-opening-their-store-2714061" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://franchise.wbu.com/</a>.

Wild Birds Unlimited Franchisees Host Regular Facebook Live Events to Build a Sense of Community Before Opening Their Store

1851 Franchise

One franchisee shifted business efforts to reach a whole community of nature lovers with the help of the brand’s franchise support center and social media to open an immediately successful store amid a pandemic.


wild-birds-unlimited-franchisees-host-regular-facebook-live-events-to-build-a-sense-of-community-before-opening-their-store

Lawn Doctor

Design with photo of John Perry and Lawn Doctor logo

How a 20-Year Industry Veteran Tripled His Sales With a Lawn Doctor Franchise

lawn-doctor-franchise-success-story-john-perry

Fitness Premier

The Secret to Fitness Franchise Success? It's Not Just the Workouts

fitness-premier-franchise-marketing-support

Fresh Coat

Photo of Fresh Coat vehicle with ladders on top

The Rise of Home Improvement Franchises: Why Now Is the Time to Invest

why-invest-home-improvement-franchise-fresh-coat

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Photo of HomeTeam inspector in red polo and khaki pants, walking by branded vehicle

Real Estate Today: Behind the Drywall: The Truth About Home Inspections

purpose-of-home-inspection

Dog Training Elite

Dog Training Elite Franchise - DTE - National Service Dog Month - 1851 Franchise

Celebrating Service Dogs: Why Proper Training Changes Lives — And How Dog Training Elite Is Leading the Way

dog-training-elite-national-service-dog-month

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 Development Website Builder

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

Design with American and Federal Reserve flags against light blue background

Federal Reserve Expected To Cut Rates by Quarter Point, a Move That Could Boost Franchise Growth

fed-rate-cut-boosts-franchise-growth

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

graphic image of an 1851 franchisee spotlight brayden and johnny steven of teriyaki madness

Father-and-Daughter Team Bring Teriyaki Madness to Wichita, Kansas, With Big Expansion Plans

johnny-brayden-steven-teriyaki-madness-wichita

photo-of-laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

23-Year-Old Entrepreneur Brings Soon to Be Famous Chicken™ to Southern Oregon With 3-Unit Layne’s Chicken Fingers Franchise Signing

laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

DevHub - Meet the Supplier - 1851 Franchise

DevHub: Scalable Digital Marketing for Franchises and Multi-Location Brands

devhub-meet-the-supplier

1851 Franchise Deep Dive graphic with Sparkle Squad logo

Sparkle Squad Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-sparkle-squad-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Design with school-aged child standing on pencil with text "Education Franchises" and "<$500K"

Top Education Franchises Under $500K To Explore in 2025

top-education-franchises-under-500k

Wild Birds Unlimited Franchisees Host Regular Facebook Live Events to Build a Sense of Community Before Opening Their Store

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS