Northland Couple Operates Mr. Transmission Shop In Nkc

Couple shares how-to guide for franchise choice

NORTH KANSAS CITY (Thursday, September 09, 2004) - Jere Smith and her husband Don Lueders may be living the American Dream as the two celebrate the first two months as owners of a Mr. Transmission shop in North Kansas City.

They may also represent a move among professionals who seek their own path rather than looking over their shoulders at possible takeovers and downsizing.

"We have had friends who have worked for Sprint and American Century who have been let go," she said. "A lot of professionals are the ones losing jobs too and they have just had it. They want to be their own boss. It does seem to be a trend."

Smith said she and her husband started talking about self-employment in 1998.

"A friend purchased a franchise called Entrepreneur Source and started talking to us about the statistics of success versus failure when a person buys a franchise rather than starting a business from scratch," Smith said. "Then she presented us with several companies to research."

Lueders and Smith spent three months, analyzing what company might be the best fit.

"We looked at home-based businesses and then retail," she said. "Then we looked at different business models that pulled us out of the mindset of our backgrounds. We had to see something that we could be in management rather than using our specific skills."

Both Lueders and Smith have master's degrees - his, electronics engineering; hers, accounting. Smith teaches accounting at Avila and Lueders teaches at Keller.

The couple looked at Jackson Hewitt but Smith said she would be doing taxes day in and day out. They also looked at Sports Cuts, a salon for men.

"However Mr. Transmission proved to be the right fit," she said. "We received the right support and training. We knew we could manage, but not have to necessarily know how to fix transmissions."

Smith said many companies that offer franchises use "discovery days" to share business information with perspective buyers.

Smith said a significant plus in her accounting book is Mr. Transmission's president, Barbara Moran. There are 18 other Mr. Transmission franchises co-owned by women nationwide.

"Moran Industries provides a great deal of support, creating a wonderful balance in being self-employed with all the benefits and support of an established brand," Smith said. "As a woman in a predominantly male industry, I look forward to being a part of a company that is run by a woman and encourages honesty, integrity and the involvement of other women within the franchise system."

Lueders said he also appreciated the support.

"I spent a week with a successful Mr. Transmission businessman," he said. "Then he spent a week with us, helping us get established. As we move along we will gain more marketing support. We are a small business, but with big-business resources. We never anticipated we would get into transmissions."

Smith said she and Lueders have complimenting skill sets as partners.

"Don has always wanted to be in sales," she said. "I can handle the books."

Lueders said both have an "intuition regarding managing."

Smith said the economy drove their decision to make the move.

"We don't want to be transferred or laid off. Companies are bought and sold where sometimes employees ride it out and sometimes everyone is asked to leave," she said. "If we are going to work long hours, they we are going to do this for ourselves. It is our own destiny ... our self-employment."

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