Flicko's Video Workshops awards Springfield franchise

Flicko’s Video Workshop, a Louisville, Ky.-based AV services company, plans to enter the Springfield market as early as late August.

Rodney Wood, a Springfield native with a degree in media from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla., has bought into the franchise company, which helps customers move their pictures and videos to DVD from older formats such as VHS and film, either by performing recording services for them or by renting them the equipment to record it themselves.

Doug Netherton, Flicko’s vice president of franchise development, said the company also helps businesses put together sales presentations and training videos, as well as property walk-through videos for real estate companies. Additionally, Flicko’s can make duplicates of home movie and picture disks, as well as transfer audio from older formats to CDs.

Wood is considering retail space in Elfindale Center, though he hasn’t signed a lease.

Wood and other Flicko’s franchisees pay an initial fee of $13,800 for their exclusive franchise territory, along with 5.5 percent in royalties on sales. Netherton said the average investment is $100,000 to $125,000, though he declined to say what the minimum asset requirements are for franchisees.

“We award franchises on an inquiry basis when we have someone interested in purchasing,” Netherton said. “Rodney was interested in being in this area, and it was a good fit.”

Netherton, a Joplin native, said he’s familiar with the Springfield area.

Wood spent several years as media director for church ministries in Tulsa and Las Vegas before moving back to Springfield earlier this year. While Flicko’s Video does not require franchisees to have previous film or video knowledge, Wood said his experience gives him an edge.

“Because I have a lot of background and knowledge that I can use, I think I’m (better) prepared in that I can offer my personal experience to the customer as well,” Wood said.

Janet Michel, franchise owner of consulting firm The Enterpreneur’s Source in Springfield, said Wood fits the trend for local franchisees. The Springfield area, she said, is a booming market for mid-level entrepreneurs – people leaving middle management or director positions to start their own business.

The other trend, she said, is away from food service.

“More (franchisees) are stepping into service businesses that give them the lifestyle to earn a very nice income but without the sacrifices needed in the fast food industry,” Michel said. “Fast food still remains the top franchise industry nationally, but service companies are beginning to grow aggressively.”

Another trend: Baby boomers are beginning to surpass 20- and 30-somethings among the ranks of new franchisees.

“Typical wage earners who have been employed for 20 or 30 years are tired of being at a plateau, and they’re at an age where they may not be able to go back into employment and get the level of income they were,” she said, adding that she doesn’t see an end to that trend in the near future.[[In-content Ad]]