Together, Kristi and Glenn Paul have built two successful businesses and were even honored for their Style Encore® location being a million-dollar store last year. They took the leap to become their own bosses 10 years ago. Since opening their first women’s retail franchise, the husband-and-wife team left corporate America, built a future for their family and achieved personal and professional fulfillment.
The pair owns one of the first Style Encore locations as well as a Plato’s Closet® store in Austin, Texas. Kristi and Glenn work together to manage their businesses, with Glenn primarily serving as the main operator at Plato’s Closet and Kristi operating Style Encore.
Learn more about all of the ways Kristi and Glenn’s lives have changed since starting their resale franchise business 10 years ago.
1. Kristi and Glenn Achieved Their Goal of Owning a Business
“We had always thought about owning our own businesses and wanting to be entrepreneurial, but there was safety in corporate America,” Kristi said.
As a mother of three, Kristi fell in love with Plato’s Closet after her sister-in-law introduced her to the store for the first time. At that point, she and Glenn hadn’t even begun thinking about owning a franchise. A year and a half later, when the company Glenn worked for was downsizing, they got serious about franchising and attended a Plato’s Closet Discovery Day after researching several different opportunities.
From there, they were sold. They opened their Plato’s Closet in 2009, and have been building their business ever since.
2. Being a Style Encore Trailblazer Allowed Kristi to Leave Corporate America
Five years after opening their Plato’s Closet, Kristi and Glenn had the opportunity to be one of the first Style Encore franchisees. They were one of six franchisees who were asked to be trailblazers for the new brand Winmark Corporation created in 2013.
Kristi jumped at the opportunity. Even while Kristi and Glenn owned their Plato’s Closet, Kristi still worked a corporate job as Glenn managed the majority of the business operations. By going full speed ahead with Style Encore, Kristi was able to leave her job in corporate America and be a full-time owner-operator.
3. Their Retail Franchises Provided Financial Support for their Family
Kristi and Glenn’s Plato’s Closet and Style Encore stores have given them financial security and the ability to support their family and plan for the future. They have been able to make a successful living and put their children through college.
“I feel like I’m shopping every day. I’m a buyer, I’m out there on the floor building relationships by talking to people, about shopping, fashion and sales,” Kristi said. “But it’s also more than that. The stores are also something that we have built equity in. They are going to be part of our retirement and have helped us live a certain lifestyle.”
4. Kristi has Found Professional Fulfillment
Ultimately, Kristi has built a business that she loves and feels fulfilled by every day.
“I’ve never rolled over in the morning and thought, ‘I don’t want to go to work today,’” she said. “For me, it’s not just that I’m the owner and it’s an investment. I thoroughly enjoy what I do every day.”
Are you interested in owning a business that allows you to do what you love every day while fostering personal and professional development?
Contact us today to learn more about franchise opportunities with Winmark brands like Plato’s Closet and Style Encore.
