Franchise Update Magazine Issue IV, 2016 | Page 16

ANATOMY OF A BRAND BY JONATHAN BARNETT CLEANING UP FOR 10 YEARS Oxi Fresh grows up and gives back I never want to stand still. I always want to be working on something and find ways to improve it, expand upon it, and to be innovative. Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning has been my focus since I founded it in 2006. I started my company because I knew carpet cleaning had a low barrier to entry, is excellent for creating repeat business, offers a service in high demand, and has the potential to net millions of dollars. Today, a decade after launching my dream, I still lead the brand as its CEO, directing its growth and pushing the boundaries of an old-school industry with new-school thinking. It certainly keeps me busy, which is what I love. How did I get here? The story of my company really starts with my family. My mother, Natalie, always pushed me to work hard, to never give up, and to never take the easy path. Combine that with the inspiration of my grandfather, an entrepreneur and inventor, and I began my college career at Oral Roberts University in 1999 knowing that business was going to be my forte. For a lot of students, studying for a BS in business administration would be enough to keep them busy. Not me. In 2000, using money I inherited from my grandfather, I opened my own summer business, Johnny B’s Fireworks. Every summer, I expanded to new locations and then sold the business when I graduated. These stands helped me pay my way through school. The stands were a great introduction to the business world, but they weren’t enough to occupy my time. You see, I loved basketball, and so I joined the Oral Roberts D1 team. I even served as the team chaplain for two years. My experience with the team and my faith led me to create Crossover International in 2001, a nonprofit basketball outreach that used the sport as a platform to make a positive impact on youth. With all that, I still graduated from Oral Roberts a full year early. Like I said, I like to stay busy. However, I wanted more than just three years of business education, so I decided that graduate school was the right path for me. In 2003, I began courses at Colorado Christian University (CCU), at the same time moving Crossover International’s headquarters to Denver and working to launch their first international tour, which went to France, Germany, and the Czech Republic. In early 2005, I also purchased a professional basketball franchise in the International Basketball League, naming it the Colorado Crossover. Owning the team for two seasons increased my interest in franchising, so when I graduated from CCU in mid-2005, I kept my eyes open for franchise opportunities. A breath of fresh air There was a gap in the carpet cleaning industry, an opportunity for a business willing to give customers something different. People wanted cleanings that were convenient, and they had grown tired of lo ng dry times and harsh chemicals. Working with a team of experts, we de- Jonathan Barnett 14 Franchiseupdate ISS U E IV, 2 0 1 6 fu4_lead_anatomy(14-15).indd 14 11/8/16 2:04 PM