How did you get into the digital marketing industry?
I saw a need for reliable website development services. I noticed that very few web design companies actually produce what they promise and I got into this to change that. Hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans in 2005, and the influx of new businesses like roofers and construction companies moving into a rebuilding city made selling websites very easy for the years following. I was able to build a name for myself quickly because of this.
What’s New in the Rhino Digital Business or in the Franchise Model?
Our only full-time franchisee in Baton Rouge is closing more deals than the home office lately.
Where do you See Opportunities or Challenges for the Franchise/Business Moving Forward?
I see lots of opportunities. Advertising strategies are making the phone ring with web development sales appointments daily. Expanding and creating new successful offices would be extremely easy. The challenge has been to bring potential franchisees to the table because Rhino Web Studios is a new type of franchise and not a typical business model.
What is your Goal for the Rhino Business Moving Forward?
We will have 20 franchise locations by Jan 1, 2027
Talk to us About Training and Support, How Do You Deliver with Rhino Digital?
We work with each franchisee directly and individually through:
- In-person visits/training
- Zoom/teleconferencing
- The head office can be on sales calls to help close deals via Zoom / Facetime
- The corporate office takes a hands-on approach with each franchisee with regard to troubleshooting issues, marketing and advertising and sales training
- Pre-recorded video training
Your most difficult moment in the Franchise Business?
The first month of dealing with a new franchisee. It was difficult training a person with absolutely ZERO web development knowledge to be able to sell our product. That being said, that franchisee is now doing FANTASTIC!
Define your Franchise Model:
A. Training and Support Model? We take a hands-on approach and work very closely with each franchisee until they can run their office without us
B. What is the Fee Structure? When a site is sold, we split the money 50/50 with the franchisee ($2500 PROFIT FOR THEM, Minimum), and we do all of the work of building the sites. When the site is completed, the customer pays $99 per month which is also split with the franchisee.
C. Territory Definition? Each territory is different, but as a general rule, we are looking to place one franchise in every major city.
D. Day in the Life of a Franchisee – What Does Your Franchisee Do in the Business Every Day? Franchisees will be taught a system. It generally works like this… We have proven radio ads and billboards which we will use in their market to get the phones ringing via traditional advertising, as well, the trained franchisee will be involved in their local Chamber and spend a few hours a week identifying potential clients and calling on them. A web development sales call lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Using our proven system, a NEW franchisee can expect a 50% closing ratio. Experienced franchisees closing ratios will be closer to 75%. The goal is to have 4 to 6 QUALIFIED sales presentations per week. Some franchisees will do this alone, while others may hire a sales staff or appointment setters. After a web development sale is made, the franchisee’s responsibility is to communicate with their new client, choose a website theme, teach the client how to use the project management software to upload their content and maintain the relationship with that client.
Who is the Ideal Franchise Candidate for a Rhino Digital Franchisee?
Our ideal candidate is someone with experience as a business owner. Someone who is good with sales and talking to people. We are not necessarily looking for web designers or people with experience with computers or websites, but more so looking for people who have a fantastic and positive attitude, are money motivated and can hustle.
Success Stories and Failures with Rhino Digital Franchisees?
My very first full-time franchisee started in January 2023. She was a Rhino Web Studios client who had owned a janitorial company for over 10 years. She was having difficulty finding people to work with in her company and asked me about the franchise opportunity. She had VERY LITTLE knowledge of website development, however after a month of training, she sold her first website in February of 2023. It hasn’t quite been 3 months, but she has made almost all of her investment back. If I can train a lady with ZERO website knowledge to earn almost 50K in 3 months, I can help ANYONE with the right attitude to succeed in this.
What Goals Do You Have for the Rhino Franchise Model in the Future?
I want to build a minimum of 20 offices in the next 5 years and grow the brand to triple that by 2033. My exit plan is to hand the company over to my daughter in 2033 or sell this company in 2033 and retire, but I want the legacy of the brand and what we’ve built to continue beyond my days!
For more information on the Rhino Digital Franchise, visit the corporate site; https://rhinopm.com