Winmark Corporation franchisees are unique from any other franchising brand. While each of our franchisees has their own story of what brought them to our family, what almost all of them have in common is that they first started with Winmark as a customer at one of our five different brands, including Plato’s Closet, Music Go Round, Once Upon a Child, Style Encore and Play It Again Sports. In fact, 97 percent of our franchisees got their start with Winmark in this way, and many were inspired to open their store because of an experience with a different location.
This unique story is told through a new ebook, which is available online now. This book tells the story of four different franchisees who all began their experience with Winmark as a customer at one of our franchise locations, and were then inspired to start a franchise of their own.
Read the ebook for yourself by clicking here!
Chantelle Harder
Chantelle Harder owns both Plato’s Closet and Once Upon a Child in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She got her start in business running an online pharmacy with her husband. When her kids were born, she discovered Once Upon a Child while visiting the United States. After falling in love with the concept, she opened Once Upon a Child in July of 2011. Three years later, she opened Plato’s Closet on the other side of the city, and together with a business partner owns two more Plato’s Closet locations in Calgary.
Jennifer Springman
Jennifer Springman owns Once Upon a Child in Waco, Texas. She initially helped her family with their retail business while she was in high school, but later went on to become a teacher and worked in childcare centers for seven years. Her first experience with Once Upon a Child came from her twin sister, Janelle Brooks, who owns both Once Upon a Child and Plato’s Closet franchises. Despite the fact that she lived roughly four hours away from her sister’s store, Jennifer was a loyal customer and loved how the store offered such a wide range of clothing for her rapidly-growing girls. With help and guidance from her sister, she opened her store in the Waco area.
Amanda Overmyer
Amanda Overmyer is the proud owner of Once Upon a Child, Plato’s Closet and Style Encore in Findlay, Ohio. These were not her first franchises — she previously owned a local pizza franchise. However, after a suboptimal experience from her previous franchisor, she opted to make the change and get out of the restaurant industry. While shopping at Once Upon a Child for her young children, she noticed a brochure about owning a franchise, and says it “seemed like a no-brainer.” Her experience with Plato’s Closet and Style Encore also encouraged her to invest in those businesses as well.
Minda & Chelle Williams
Minda & Chelle Williams own Style Encore in D’Iberville, Mississippi. When Chelle was on vacation, she first discovered Style Encore thanks to her love of shopping, fashion and bargains. When she returned from her vacation, she found that there was no location near her, so she instead decided to bring Style Encore to her community. Together with her mom, Minda, Chelle opened her store in 2017.
Take the Next Step
If you’re interested in owning a franchise of your own with any of our five well-known brands, contact Winmark Corporation by calling (866) 595-0053 today!
