Welcome New Franchisees!

Our system is growing by leaps and bounds!  At our most recent November 2009 training in Scottsdale, Arizona, we were able to meet and train new franchisees (and enjoy lunch at True Foods at the Biltmore Fashion Mall)!

Please help us welcome our new franchisees.

L to R.  Jennifer Hundley (North Bay, CA), Shannon Wilburn (JBF President and Co-Founder), Janis Jeffus and Patti Maibauer (Coral Springs/Boca Raton, FL), Michelle Wiginton (Franchise Development Coordinator), Susan Moore (Couer d'Alene, Idaho), Daven Tackett (JBF Vice President and Co-Founder), Michelle Hall (North Pittsburgh, PA) and Brenda Sanchez (Broomfield, CO).

Christmas Already?

For those of you who don't already know this....our Christmas break is only TWO MONTHS away.  I was reminded of this just last night at our mid-week church service.  One of the boys in the youth group ran up to me and said....Miss Shannon....I need $15!

I knew exactly where he was going.  The fall fundraiser items are finally in.  Yes, I ordered Christmas paper in August.  As I handed over the cash, I received two large rolls of Christmas paper.  Now, don't get me wrong, I love Christmas, not so much the shopping part of Christmas but more the atmosphere that comes with the season; the smells, the crispness in the air, the Christmas tunes on the radio.  However, receiving Christmas paper before Halloween already has me stressed about everything that comes with the Christmas season. Not the least of which is the gift giving.

Now, my business partner, Daven, has the gift (no pun intended) of gift giving.  It definitely is her love language.  She can quickly look at someone and know exactly what type of gift to get them and can usually find an affordable way to do it.  The gifts that she gives are usually unique in nature as she puts a lot of thought into the choice. 

As a dog owner, a chocolate Lab and previously, a Great Dane, Daven once purchased our family the service of a pooper scooper for a month.  Someone actually came to our house to clean up after our pets! What a dream...one that I never would have thought of.  My idea of a great gift is one that requires no thought on my part, the practical gift card. 

With all of that being said AND knowing that the stresses of Christmas season will soon be upon us, I thought that I would share an article that I read about choosing and giving safe toys.

1. Know what toys to avoid.
2. Buy according to the child's age.
3. Check for recalls.
4. Watch where you shop.

Click here to read the full article to find out strategies on giving safe toys.

 Hopefully it will help you as you prepare for upcoming holidays. 

Hugs, Shannon

Okay, first things first.  I love my son!  I love him for many reasons....one of which is the humor that he provides our family. Most of the time, the humor that he provides is unintentional on his part, which makes it even funnier to me.  Keep in mind, as you read this, that he is an A/B student, is involved in Youth Group, Drug Free Youth and holds a job.

I have several stories to tell, but will just grace you with one today.

Recently, we hired a housecleaner.  She comes twice a month and helps keep our house in order. The day after her third visit to help keep us out of chaos, my son comes down to my bathroom while I am getting ready for the day.

His first comment is, "Mom, I need my inhaler."  I respond, "I saw it on your bedside table yesterday."  He, becoming more agitated, states, "Well, it's not there now!"

Still standing in the bathroom, I hand him a new inhaler and tell him to look under his bed for the old one as he has a tendency to lose things and then find them later...and, in the process, blame someone else for losing them.

Our conversation continued.  "Mom, you need to fire our housecleaner!"  When I asked why he told me that not only was his inhaler missing, but his Axe body spray and deodorant were missing too.  When I suggested that it was probably lost...he told me, "Fine, keep her...but she will do it again!" 

I quickly went up to his bathroom, pulled out the second drawer and spotted all of his personal products that had been placed neatly in the drawer instead of on the counter top.  I showed it to him and he apologized. 

Later that morning, I took my daugther (13) to school and we were laughing that he thought that our housecleaner would want his half-used deodorant....Her logical comment was..."Yea...she skipped over the PSP and the ipod and went for the deodorant!". 

I couldn't stop laughing. 

That evening at dinner, we were laughing again about the thought that our housecleaner would steal someone's deodarant. My son, in the straightest face ever, said.."Mom, they start off small!". 

Thank the Lord that he adds to our joy everyday.  :)

Well, I'm told that this is a stage!  Since I know that most of our readers have smaller children...I am hoping that you can corroborate that kids go through stages and share some of your own funny stories here.  Leave a comment so we can all share the moment.

Off to start the day with a full can of Axe body spray, some deaodarant and an inhaler, all in the correct place and easily found!

Shannon


 

All About Me!

Hi, I’m Shannon!

I wanted to start off my first ever blog by saying that I am nervous and excited at the same time.  I have known that this day was coming and have been anticipating it for months now. I have dreamed about writing blogs and have thought about what kinds of things I could share, what would be appropriate, interesting, encouraging and funny.  However, now that the day is here where I actually get to share...I have to say that I am a bit nervous.  It's kind of like introducing yourself to someone you like and you want them to like you back..you want to be accepted and popular and loved. 

I've heard that there are many bloggers out there and it is kind of it's own community.   Well...I am hoping that, if you are reading this now, that you will visit my blog often and read my thoughts, most embarrassing moments (I have lots) and get to know me as I get to know you.  I really encourage you to leave comments so that you can become my "online friends"!

A Litte More About Me!

I have a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education, but am not currently a teacher!  I am now a business owner and LOVE what I get to do every day (well, almost every day).  :)  I am 39 years old currently and have two children.  My son is 14 years old and a freshman and my daughter is 13 and in the 8th grade.

In the past, I’ve worked as a 5th grade teacher at a public elementary school in Tulsa, Oklahoma (only for a year and a half...but have some great friends from those teaching days) been a stay-at-home mom, sold print advertising for a local Christian magazine, and had an in-home day care (not my best year)!  Oh, I have also been a youth minister's wife and am currently a preachers wife and although those are not paid positions..I would consider them work too! ,

These days, you will find me doing anything and everything it takes to run my business, Just Between Friends. I am a bit of a control freak, so I usually have my hands in too many projects that may or may not be mine to control.  

I have a business partner, Daven Tackett, and, together we own two businesses.  Just Between Friends of Tulsa, a twice yearly children's and maternity consignment sales event in Tulsa, OK AND, Just Between Friends Franchise System, the corporate entity that sells the above mentioned franchises.  jbfsale.com

We started the Tulsa business in 1997 when my kiddos were 1 and 2.  It was pure necessity as we were definitely on a budget and I wanted to shop in my friends closets! We had 17 consignors at our first event in 1997 and it happened in my 400 square foot living room.  A man tried to buy the couch! 

We run the Tulsa event twice a year and it is definitely a bear of a project.  Imagine, now, 58,000 square feet of children's and maternity items, 1400 participating families, 10,000 shoppers in 7 days.  Whew...I am tired just writing about it.

In 2003, the Tulsa business was seeing continued success and others were asking how to start a business like it in their communities.  That is when the JBF Franchise System was born.  This is the short version..I am sure that I will tell the long one at some other time, just not now. We franchised Just Between Friends (after reading Franchising for Dummies) and sold our first franchise in January 2004.  Currently we have 95 franchises in 20 states.  These women (and men) who run their own JBF are awesome people.  Seriously...it is like having a huge family.  We support one another in daily life as well as in our business lives.  

Daven and I run the JBF Franchise system full time (along with 4 staff members and a wonderful Executive Team) and you will find us way too busy just about every day.  Okay...there are slow seasons....and I do look forward to them and try to take a vacation then. (Can't wait until November 15th)  Maybe I will write about that too...

My Favorite Things!

When I am not working....I like long walks on the beach, visiting tropical locations (okay..this sounds like a personal ad) eating and exercising (those have to go together...I only exercise because I like to eat!) spending time with friends, spending time with and worshipping the Lord and I reap huge rewards as a mom of two awesome teenagers and am a wife of a wondeful, amazing, fabulous...did I say wonderful, godly husband of 19 years.  (I have to write this because I am sure that I will be writing about him in blogs to come....just adding to the love bank here).

I am always amazed that I get to live in this wonderful world with my wonderful family and my fun job...I am so blessed! 
I am looking forward to getting to know you and telling your more about me....can't wait!

Hugs, Shannon
 

Just Between Friends is growing like never before and we are thrilled to celebrate with our new franchises in:

Kirkwood/Arnold, Missouri

Northern Palm Beach, Florida

West Chester/Media, Pennsylvania

San Antonio-North, Texas

Western Main Line, Pennsylvania