IFA Franchise Congress Members Strengthen SBA, Lawmaker Ties

Franchising World July Edition

By: Meredith Nethercutt

The International Franchise Association launched its expanded Credit Access Campaign to spur job creation and strengthened its ties with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) during several programs. IFA participated in SBA’s National Small Business Week this past May to highlight its expanded Credit Access Campaign. A sponsor of the week’s events, IFA has been linked throughout the year with SBA’s “Jobs Act” small-business nationwide tour:

http://www.sba.gov/jobsact

tour . IFA’s Franchise Congress key contact advocacy group has been instrumental in building relationships with the SBA; Franchise Congress member Amy Nichols, CEO of Dogtopia of North Bethesda, Md., attended the Small Business Week event.

IFA’s Credit Access Campaign sets out to unleash much-needed credit flow from lenders to create more than 333,000 new franchise industry jobs and 41,000 new franchise business establishments in 2011. IFA leaders will be speaking at franchise and lendingrelated events throughout the country on the advantages of franchise lending, and to better educate and develop stronger relationships between franchisors, franchisees and lenders. For a full list of events, visit the IFA Credit Access Portal at

www.franchise.org

.

IFA/Franchise Congress Members Shine at SBA Atlanta and Seattle Roundtables
The recent SBA Jobs Tour Roundtable in Seattle, Wash., that was conducted May 9, was attended by Franchise Congress members Phyllis Pieri, CFE, franchise coach of YourFranchiseCoach, Issaquah, Wash.; and Jerrod Sessler, CFE, CEO of HomeTask, Inc., Burien, Wash., as well as Barbara Carper-Ness, president of Profit Soup, Tukwila, Wash. They had great success in broaching the subject of bank lending to franchises, as well as strengthening entrepreneurship in small markets.

On March 30, IFA Franchise Congress advocate Dave McDougall of Atlanta-based FranIntel participated in the SBA Startup America: Reducing Barriers Roundtable in Atlanta. McDougall’s attendance and views from the franchisee lending perspective were highlighted in a subsequent article by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The SBA roundtables are excellent opportunities to communicate directly with members of the Obama administration about IFA’s “Solutions for the Economy,” which lays out exactly what needs to be done to get business growing again, including initiatives that increase small-business access to credit, eliminate tax uncertainties, reduce the cost of health insurance and support veterans and minorities as small franchise business owners. A special thanks to the continued involvement of IFA’s Franchise Congress at these key regional events. For more information and further details about SBA Jobs Tour visits, visit

http://www.sba.gov/jobsacttour

or contact IFA Director of Advocacy Meredith Nethercutt at

mnethercutt@franchise.org

IFA’s Franchise Congress Active with Lawmakers Over Spring Recess
During the Spring Congressional Recess in April, Franchise Congress members were busy inviting members of Congress to visit their franchise businesses. IFA has an elite advocacy program called the Franchise Congress, which hosts active and educated franchise members to create and build relationships with their members of Congress, as well as serve as key contacts on target franchise issues.

In Florida’s 10th District, Our Town America owner Michael Plummer Jr. hosted Rep. Bill Young’s (R-Fla.-10) Legislative Director Brad Stine. With the congressman recovering from recent surgery, Plummer used this recess opportunity to build a productive relationship with Rep. Young’s key staff.

After a facility tour and explanation of how Our Town operates within the community, key franchise issues such as access to capital and health care reform were discussed.
In Colorado’s 5th District, Two Men And A Truck owner Eric St. Pierre hosted Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.-5) to his Colorado Springs franchise. With health care reform changes on the horizon, this was an opportune time to discuss employer concerns one-onone with the congressman. A special thanks to both Franchise Congress members for their productive and effective efforts over the Spring Recess.

For more information on hosting a congressional site visit, contact IFA Director of Advocacy Meredith Nethercutt at

mnethercutt@franchise.org

.