If you are an United States veteran who is looking for a new career, Jack Child would like to hear from you. Child, owner of Yellow Dawg Striping, and his associates are donating a free Yellow Dawg franchise to an unemployed vet who is looking for an opportunity to start their own business. The facebook promotion will run through the end of May, and information can be found on Facebook at Yellow Dawg Striping.
Child, a veteran of both the Army and the Air Force, became concerned when he learned that unemployment among veterans is higher than the national average. “I was trying to find a way to draw attention to their unemployment rate, and we realized we can put people back to work by helping them establish their own business. Yellow Dawg would be a nice fit. It’s the easiest business to start because of the low overhead, and it has a simple business model.”
Applicants should be honorably discharged Iraq or Afghanistan veterans who are willing to work hard and learn a new skill. Prior business experience is not mandatory, but professionalism and enthusiasm are a must. “We are looking for who we can help the most and in turn have it work for them,” says Childs. Applicants should live in an area with market potential, although Child’s points out, “There is no dominant national brand,” for pavement striping, so any vet willing to work hard will have a good potential for success. Applicants should post a 250-word text, video or photo on the Facebook fan page, explaining why they want to become a small business owner. Each contestant is encouraged to share his or her video with friends and family to obtain as many ‘Like’ votes by May 20, 2011, Armed Forces Day. The top 10 videos with the most ‘Like’ votes will be reviewed and considered by a panel of seven judges, and the winner will be announced on Memorial Day, May 30, 2011.
In addition to waiving the $7,500 franchise fee, YELLOW DAWG STRIPING will provide a customized enclosed equipment trailer worth $5,500, hands-on training, business support systems and miscellaneous tools and uniforms. Several select vendors have also donated to the giveaway. GRACO has donated a LineLazer IV 3900, state-of-the-art line striping machine worth $8,640. The Sherwin-Williams Company has donated premium traffic paint valued at $2,100. Dan Zurcher, a pavement marking industry expert and author, has provided a stencil starter kit valued at $1,500. And, Cygnus Business Media is granting two exposition packages to the 2012 National Pavement Expo in Memphis, Tennessee, worth $1,250. The total retail value of the giveaway exceeds $28,000 in value.
“Our vendors have been highly supportive of our franchise giveaway campaign and we couldn’t thank them more for their kind contributions,” added Child. “Without them, we wouldn’t be able to give away the YELLOW DAWG STRIPING franchise opportunity.”