Radio station KRLD-AM in Dallas-Fort Worth recently featured Interstate Batteries President & CEO Carlos Sepulveda in its CEO Spotlight. The segment, hosted by David Johnson, features CEO interviews from successful companies such as Southwest Airlines, Pizza Inn Holdings and MoneyGram…………read more.

Dallas Business Journal Profiles Interstate Batteries Scott Miller

If you picked up a copy of the week of February 29th’s Dallas Business Journal, you’ll see a smiling photo of one of our own. Scott Miller, senior vice president of the Interstate Batteries Independent Distributor Group, and former senior vice president of Interstate All Battery Center Franchise, is featured in a “Facetime” Q&A about his history with the company. His story of climbing the ladder is right in line with how we like to view those who take advantage of thefranchise opportunity with Interstate All Battery Center. Work hard, and success will come to you………read more.

Interstate All Battery Center Picks Quincy, Ill., Franchise as “Store of the Year”

What happens when Outrageously Dependable® service and community support come together? Why, of course, those are key elements in deciding the Interstate All Battery Center® Store of the Year. And for 2011, that award goes to franchisees Jake and Steve Leigh of Quincy, Ill. Jake and Steve transformed their store, located at 48th and Main, from a commercial-focus to a more retail-first location, significantly increasing year-over-year sales and retail sales!…………read more.

If you would like to learn more about our multi-chain franchise opportunities available give us a call at (877) 686-7688!

If you are considering starting a business, consider small business franchise opportunities as the best way to achieve success. This is not to say small business owners cannot succeed on their own, because many do, but a franchise opportunity may come up to aid you in your efforts. As a franchisee you have available to you an additional level of security—a safety net, if you will— a business owner does not have when striking out on his own. Here is how franchises deliver business success:……….read more.

The Importance of Inventory Management for Small Business

The key to running a successful business lies in the proper management of assets, and part of that is inventory control. Few things are as important to a small business as the importance of inventory management. When you take advantage of a franchise opportunity, such as with an Interstate All Battery Center, It can mean the difference between success and failure: too much is wasted money; too little can mean lost sales………read more.

Mistakes Business Opportunity Seekers Make

The idea of owning a business is appealing to many people, but often, business opportunity seekers jump in without proper preparation. Even in a franchise model, there is no guarantee of success for the small business owner. It pays to know as much as you can  before you start, so you can avoid potential pitfalls. Here are some common mistakes people make when looking for a business or franchise opportunity………….read more.

If you would like to learn more about our multi-chain franchise opportunities available give us a call at (877) 686-7688!

When planning a retail business, and especially for a franchise opportunity, you must consider many factors, on how to find a good location for a business. There’s a reason the proverbial three most important things in real estate are “location, location, location.” Finding the ideal location for a retail store can be intimidating, particularly in a slow economy. With a little common sense, you can plant your business in a location that will help it to bloom and grow into a profitable venture……….read more.

Top 5 of 10 Ways to Get Involved: The Importance of Community Involvement. No 1. Using your Head

Being a small business owner puts you face-to-face with the public each day, and their support is vital to the success of your enterprise. The more you are involved in the community, the more you will help your business grow and with the many franchise opportunities abound in the marketplace, your community is vital for your success. Here are a few intelligent ways to get involved:…………read more.

Owning a Franchise: Entrepreneurs see Great Value

If you are looking to own a franchise as an entrepreneur you are in for a great value. You already have the passion and the drive, so think about how seamless you could use your skills to run several franchises. Franchise entrepreneurs often see great returns and due to their drive, tend to see owning a franchise as little investment of time or money………read more.

Top 10 Community Involvement Ideas for Businesses: No. 2 Following Your Heart

People like to do business with companies they feel support their belief systems and work toward common goals. As a locally involved citizen, you will connect with your community in a more meaningful way. This connection creates a mutually beneficial experience, which enhances your community while helping to grow your business.  So, show it. When you get involved in your community, you create a circle of benefits: The community improves, the community feels a connection with you and your business grows. Often, as you take a franchise opportunity, you need to start thinking about your community outreach in order to make the community aware of your new franchise. Here are some community involvement ideas for businesses to connect more deeply with the people in your community:…….read more.

The Importance of Creating a Multiple Stream of Income

The Importance of Creating a Multiple Stream of Income is that it frees you up from having to worry about your financial security. Owning an Interstate All Battery Center Franchise is perfect franchise opportunity for you as an added stream of income……..read more.

Best Business Blogs for Small Business

One of the most important things a small business owner can do is stay abreast of trends and information.  Fortunately, in today’s high-tech world, keeping up is easier than ever, with the Internet providing access to plenty of information at your fingertips. The Internet contains such a large and varied assortment of blogs that it can be hard to navigate. Here are a few great marketing, business, and industry trends best business blogs we recommend you read, especially if you are looking for a franchise opportunity or small business opportunity:…….read more.

The Effectiveness of Employee Training

It is vital for a small business to measure the effectiveness of employee training in order to successfully scale and operate their business. Without proper training, and empowering your people to do each of their jobs with the utmost confidence, you will forever spin your wheels and not reach the goals you have set out for your business………read more.

Good Business Books to Read for Small Business

As with any worthwhile endeavor, operating a small business requires a great deal of preparation. Small business owners should do their homework before they open, and continue learning from the experts to successfully navigate the terrain of company ownership. Fortunately, there is a wealth of information from which to choose.  Every year, many small business owners and entrepreneurs read books regarding business management and entrepreneurism, but some continually pop up on must-read lists.  Here are our top books, we suggest you read, especially if you are looking for a franchise opportunity:……….read more.

If you would like to learn more about our multi-chain franchise opportunities available give us a call at (877) 686-7688!

Community Support

Jake and Steve said they believe they won the award because of the support they receive from the community.

“Every customer who comes through our doors is treated with courtesy and respect. I preach this to all employees because I want customers to have a good experience so they come back and tell others to stop in,” Jake said. The increase in sales numbers indicates that Jake and Steve consistently achieve the community support they work so hard to obtain.

Award Criteria

Each year, Interstate Batteries gathers a committee of directors from across the United States to choose the Interstate All Battery Center Store of the Year. The directors base their decision on a variety of criteria, including sales and customer satisfaction. The Quincy, Ill., location was awarded this honor based on several factors that fit these criteria. Jake and Steve have installed a Watchfire Sign with animations and a video sign, which Jake’s wife, Katie, manages and edits. She has designed over 200 slides and videos, using battery facts, slogans, and more.

“Katie creates specific slides to use with the changing seasons or holidays. Examples are hunting slides in the fall, alkaline slides around Christmas, and power outage bundles in the spring, booster packs in January, etc. The sign is very effective. Customers always comment when they walk through the door that they saw our sign for something specific they needed and they were not sure where to find that battery,” Jake said. Examples he offered were coon light or dog collar batteries.

Jake and Steve have also added another unique advertising method to the Quincy Interstate All Battery Center location.

“We thought it was a great idea to let customers try the flashlights they were considering purchasing. We have a black, narrow wooden table with numerous flashlights on display. We created a framed sign that says, ‘Put our flashlights to the test,” with arrows pointing down toward the table. Customers can also check them out if they are waiting for a battery install; it is amusing watching their kids check out the variety of flashlights,” said Jake, who considers this another unique way to effectively advertise in-store products.

More Customer Service

Customers often comment on the appearance of the Quincy Interstate All Battery Center, a testament to Jake and Steve’s ongoing commitment to provide a clean, inviting place to shop. Professionally cleaned carpets and buffed wooden floors make a positive difference. As does the fact that the owners keep a wide variety of batteries on hand and neatly displayed, and the staff is fully trained to handle any customer request.

“We make sure that they know all of the popular sizes and we have them ready to go. We clean up old cases to make them look nice for the customers,” Jake said.

About Interstate

Interstate Batteries delivers Outrageously Dependable® portable power solutions. The Dallas-based company distributes automotive, commercial and specialty batteries to its franchises and retail battery stores, recycles batteries, and provides automotive and critical power products. Interstate sells products throughout North America, Australia, the Caribbean and Latin America. Interstate employs more than 1,600 team members throughout North America.

Scott Miller, Senior Vice President, Independent Distributor Group, Interstate Batteries. (Photo by Jake Dean/Dallas Business Journal)

Scott is the son of Interstate’s Chairman Norm Miller, and he’s worked hard his entire career at Interstate. As a teenager, he swept floors in one of our warehouses and became a route sales manager after college.

On his relationship with his father and how it affected his career, Scott said:

“Every move that I’ve made, up until the last few moves, was my move. Norm got me my first job at Interstate, but he’s never played an active role in my movement or progression. It doesn’t mean he’s not interested.”

Read more of the interview on the DBJ’s website: Scott Miller Climbed the Ladder at Interstate Batteries

In the interview, Carlos discusses electric vehicles and the future of the battery market.

“Electric vehicles have been talked about for many years and now they are becoming more of a reality,” he said.

He also mentions how Interstate has Dealer and Distributor locations all over the country and how success is not entirely about Interstate’s size but about how team members work together to generate opportunities that are rewarding, profitable and growth-oriented.

“Our brand is to be Outrageously Dependable® and that is our goal,” Sepulveda said. “The battery itself will not be that but the people around the product will be.”

Listen to the interview now: Interstate Batteries CEO Carlos Sepulveda on KRLD’s CEO Spotlight

They fail to do the homework.  A prudent businessperson will always look past the sales pitch and dig a little deeper to see the big picture. Before buying into an opportunity, research it thoroughly and talk to people who have been involved in the company. Do not just speak with those who have been successful, because talking to those who have failed can often yield valuable insight.
They fall for the product, ignoring the business model. You can have the greatest product in the world, but if the business model is a flop, you will not be a success. Go as far as you can in examining the business plan of any opportunity.
They underestimate the cost. Most business opportunities require up-front capital to buy in, and more money after you are in as well. However, this does not equate to the total cost. You need to know how long it is going to take to turn a profit, so you can be prepared to support the business in the meantime. In addition, know the other costs, too: your time and energy. Be certain you have the financial and personnel resources available to make the business work.
They do not look closely enough at the parent company’s resource plan. A franchisee, in particular, will need resources from the franchisor. A good parent company provides training, detailed instruction, marketing assistance and other resources necessary to get your business off the ground. Before you get involved, know what the company offers.

Interstate All Battery Center is one of the top franchise opportunities in the United States. They have been around since 1952 and consistently rank at the top of the $86 billion battery industry. One secret to their longevity and success is the resources and collaborative environment they provide their franchisees, through training, marketing, and other resources. For business opportunity seekers, there are not many companies that provide the level of opportunity offered by Interstate All Battery Center.

The key to running a successful business lies in the proper management of assets, and part of that is inventory control. Few things are as important to a small business as the importance of inventory management. When you take advantage of a franchise opportunity, such as with an Interstate All Battery Center, It can mean the difference between success and failure: too much is wasted money; too little can mean lost sales.

• Analyze your needs. Start with a spreadsheet program, such as Microsoft Excel.  You will need to make a list of everything in your inventory, down to individual units, and you will also need to know certain facts about your stock, including:
  • Re-order points
  • Storage requirements
  • Item location
  • Special considerations like seasonal demand and perishability
  • Alternate inventory that can be substituted for out-of-stock items
• Determine your costs. Having too much of a high-priced item can quickly drain resources. Good inventory software can help you determine how many of each item is needed on hand. Also, it is important to make sure you are paying the appropriate price for your stock. If you are paying too much, you will not be able to sell it at a high enough price to bring a profit.
• Track the flow of merchandise. Clear items that are not moving, and stock up on what sells at a rapid pace. Use common sense, and pay attention to holidays and trends.
• Rotate your stock. First in, first out is a good rule of thumb. Smart business owners know that it is important to move older stock to make way for the fresh stock. Anything that is not moving should be placed on sale or removed. Dead stock cluttering up your shelves is bad for business.

Properly managing your inventory can increase the profitability of your business by up to 50%, says the U.S. Small Business Administration.  Whether an independent business owner or a franchisee, you must understand the importance of inventory control to run a successful company, and a franchisee should have good support and training in inventory management. Interstate Batteries has been in business since 1952, and has the knowledge and experience to back up its franchises. Consistently ranked among the top franchises in the country, Interstate All Battery Center provides exactly the sort of brand and system a small business owner needs to be successful.

• A franchise business comes with a proven business template. The franchisor already knows what works, and the franchisee does not have to “reinvent the wheel,” because a plan is already in place.
• A franchise often includes instant brand recognition. Choosing a franchise with a strong brand is a smart move, because it means that you will have customers interested in your business before you even open.
• A franchise provides a safety net. A good parent company arms franchisees with resources, training and marketing tools. They provide detailed instructions, assist in promoting the business and supply a company culture on which the franchisee can build a competent team.
• A franchisor can teach you what business school cannot. You can learn many things at business school, but the best education comes from the day-to-day operations of a business. A franchisor can guide you around the common pitfalls, because the company has already been exactly where you are and knows how to handle it.

If you are looking for a small business franchise opportunities, Interstate All Battery Center is an excellent option. With more than 50 years in the business, they consistently rank at the top of their industry. Their expertise in the highly profitable battery market is unsurpassed, and the support they provide for their franchisees is excellent. For someone looking for a successful business model in which to participate, Interstate All  Battery Center is a top-notch opportunity.

• Lead with LUV: A Different Way to Create Real Success, by Colleen Barrett and Ken Blanchard: A conversation between Blanchard, author of The One Minute Manager, and Barrett, President of the highly successful Southwest Airlines. This book describes a masterful way to lead, and how to use it to achieve exceptional business results.
• Various books by Seth Godin: He is an entrepreneur, author and public speaker who popularized the concept of permission marketing. Plentiful and well worth the read, his books have a broad appeal, and include:
  • Linchpin – This book is a bestseller that ties his ideas together.
  • Big Red Fez – A book about websites that work.
  • Permission Marketing – This classic was named “best business book” by Fortune Magazine.
  • Purple Cow – A book about remarkable products and services.
  • Unleashing The Ideavirus – Read this book to learn how to create ideas that spread.
• Built to Last, and Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap … and Others Don’t, both by Jim Collins: Collins is a business consultant, author and lecturer whose books deal with company sustainability. Companies of all sizes can benefit from his advice and insights.
• The Speed of Trust: The One Thing that Changes Everything, by Stephen M.R. Covey: Written by Stephen R. Covey’s son, this book shows how trust is vital to a successful business.
• Biblical Leadership, by Ken Collier: Leadership is a privilege that brings responsibility, and a biblical approach to leadership, encouraging integrity and humility, is presented in this book.
• Quantum Leadership: A Textbook of New Leadership, by Timothy Porter-O’Grady: Written for leaders in the healthcare industry, this book suggests strategies designed to help leaders create a healing environment.
• Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress Free Productivity, by David Allen: This book offers a practical organization system that can help you handle your to-do list and manage all the pieces of information involved in running a business.
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey: Another book that was not written specifically for businesses, this offers insights regarding how to deal with yourself and other people.
• How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie: This book is just as pertinent today as it was when it was written, almost 75 years ago. Though it is not technically for businesses, the insights it offers are invaluable when trying to build relationships in every aspect of your business, from customers, to partners, to investors.

Of course, this is by no means an exhaustive list, and new books hit the market every week. Even when you are busy running a small business, it is important to make time to keep up with trends and information, to stay at the top of your industry. If you are looking to be a part of a franchise that helps to keep franchisees one step ahead of the crowd, with excellent support and up-to-date information, consider Interstate All Battery Center.