Congratulations to our 2019 Franchise Owner of the Year
Everybody dreams of being recognized for their hard work while they accomplish their goals. No matter what career you’re in!
But for an entrepreneur, it’s easy to feel like no one is watching or noticing the work you do for your own business. The beauty of a franchise like Rhea Lana’s is that you own your own business in the midst of the support of a like-minded success-driven community.
Amanda Birdsong, Rhea Lana’s 2019 Franchise Owner of the Year, has the best of both worlds in her #bossbabe entrepreneur life. She’s insightful, innovative, and downright driven to do her best for herself and her community, plus help other budding business owners along the way.
It’s easy to see what makes her great. But let’s hear it in the words of Rhea Lana Riner, who selected Amanda as owner of the year.
What are the requirements for franchisee of the year?
The primary requirement for franchisee of the year is that the owner has a successful and growing franchise. In addition to being a successful business owner with a healthy bottom line, the owner must also embody our company values and display leadership throughout our franchise network of owners.
Why did you select Amanda as franchisee of the year?
I have watched Amanda grow as a relentless business owner in our company for the past 10 years. She has shown courage and determination, no matter the challenges that have come her way. Amanda works crazy hard. And she hit big numbers with her franchise this year!
Not only does she consistently portray our company values in how she runs her business, but she also has a heart of gold. She wants nothing less than to see each of her sister franchises succeed as well.
Amanda is a marketing genius! She has pushed us corporately to keep innovating and to never be satisfied with the status quo. Even 10 years into business ownership, Amanda is still hitting big goals, setting the pace in innovation, and coming up with new ideas to continue improving our brand and serving our customers better. She is a highly respected leader in our company.
I appreciate and respect Amanda so much that I’ve finally let go of some of my marketing responsibilities as the founder. Her ideas are usually better than mine these days! So I recently promoted her to Chief Marketing Officer, which fits her perfectly.
It was truly my honor to award Amanda as our 2019 Franchisee Of The Year. She earned it!
Wow. You don’t get those accolades without a lot of heart put into your everyday work. Let’s see how Amanda pulled it off.
What do you attribute your success to?
It’s a culmination of many things! There’s no question I’m in my element as a Rhea Lana franchise owner. Which means it never feels like “work” to me because I love what I get to do!
Don’t get me wrong. It’s been hard and the road to success was far from a linear one. But the independence and flexibility that accompany entrepreneurship, the opportunity to utilize my marketing abilities and my love for serving others has always been my driving force to overcome any obstacle.
Also, it’s important to me that I’m always growing both personally and professionally. My parents led by example when it came to teaching about hard work and were highly respected in their positions. They instilled in me that I was capable of achieving anything I worked hard for.
As a self-employed, single mother I’m determined to show my daughter the same.
What would you tell a new owner?
Put your blinders on, run your own race, and don’t waste time comparing yourself to anyone else.
Plan in the off-season and execute that plan in the event season.
Set goals and deadlines for yourself and write them down!
Work on areas that need improvement immediately after the event. Finding the solutions will come much easier when the hardship is fresh.
Celebrate the wins every single event!
What are you most excited about in your business in the coming year?
Our new business model! We’re embarking on a new era for our industry and it’s proving to be a big win for participants all the way around!
I’m honored to be awarded Owner of the Year! And excited about the future of our brand.
