Check out the article below from franchising.com highlighting NTY Franchise Company’s 200th store: Device Pitstop Newport News!
Photo from NTY Franchise Company
NTY Franchise Company Opens Their 200th Store
National Leader of Upscale Resale Brands Will Celebrate 200th Store Opening in November
NTY Franchise Company, a national upscale resale franchise headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, today announced the opening of the company’s 200th store on Thursday, November 10 in Newport News, Virginia. Device Pitstop, NTY Franchise Company’s mobile and electronic device resale franchise, had the honor of achieving the company milestone when they opened their doors on Thursday morning.
“We’re very excited to open our 200th store in Newport News, Virginia this November,” NTY Franchise Company COO Chad Olson said.
“The opening signifies our continued growth and commitment to meeting the modern consumer’s need for high-quality clothing, devices and other items at an affordable price.”
NTY Franchise Company was founded in 2006 by President Ron Olson. Their first brand launched with the purchase of franchising rights for Clothes Mentor, a women’s resale store that today features more than 140 outlets. In 2011, NTY expanded its offerings by purchasing the franchise rights for New Uses, a resale store for home goods such as furniture, artwork and more. Expansion continued in 2013 when the company purchased Laptop Exchange and renamed it Device Pitstop, a franchise that buys, sells and repairs personal electronics.
In 2014, the company developed two new brands from scratch — NTY Kids, for newborns through preteens, and NTY Clothing Exchange for teens and young adults. A year later, NTY Franchise Company purchased an existing kids’ resale store, Children’s Orchard, and merged it with NTY Kids. The name Children’s Orchard stuck, and the new total of 30 stores were revamped to fit the modern design and concept developed by the NTY team.
About NTY Franchise Company
Founded in 2006 by Ron Olson, NTY Franchise Company is the gold standard in resale franchising companies. NTY franchises five brands, all with a different focus: Clothes Mentor, Children’s Orchard, Device Pitstop, New Uses, and NTY Clothing Exchange. The brands are all resale-based and cover women’s designer fashions, children’s apparel and accessories, furniture and household goods, electronic sales and repair, and clothing for teens and young adults. All are great business opportunities with cutting-edge technology, unmatched support, and lucrative resale franchises. NTY Franchise Company has helped individuals to establish resale stores throughout the United States in many communities, and it has territories available to develop nationwide.
Read about the first Device Pitstop store to open in Virginia in this article from dailypress.com. Congratulations, Device Pitstop Newport News!
Device Pitstop Newport News franchisee Paul Washington.
York County franchisee opens first Virginia Device Pitstop in Newport News Tech Center
Paul Washington of York County is opening a Device Pitstop today in Newport News Tech Center. The franchise repairs computers and cell phones on-site and buys and sells gently used computers and mobile devices.
“I think it’s a service that will fit the area well,” Washington said.
Customers can get laptops, desktop computers, tablets and smartphones below original prices because they are used and refurbished, according to a news release. The store certifies and tests the products, which are backed by 30-day and extended warranties.
The store also sells new accessories, he said.
Washington said he opened his store at 12080 Jefferson Ave. in Tech Center because he liked the new shopping center, which brought new brands to the market. Tech Center is highly visible and the AT&T store next door could bring more walk-in clientele to Device Pitstop, he said.
Device Pitstop started in Las Vegas in 2003 and currently has 10 stores nationwide, but plans to continue growing, according to its website. Washington had been working in a corporate job and wanted to run his own business, particularly one that appealed to his computer geek side.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call the store at 757-234-7565 or visit www.devicepitstop.com/newportnews/.
Hear answers to this frequently asked question from several Clothes Mentor franchisees from across the country:
Women’s Clothing Resale = Big Opportunities
Do you love fashion? Have you ever dreamed of owning your own women’s resale fashion boutique but never knew where to start?
Maybe you’ve been told by friends and family that there is no money in owning a women’s fashion resale franchise or that inventory is too expensive.
We are here to tell you that this is not the case, in fact, the exact opposite is true: There is a lot of money to be made in the women’s clothing resale space!
We interviewed several current Clothes Mentor owners to find out exactly how much money can be made in this booming industry. Watch the short video above to find out more about following your dreams and owning your own women’s clothing resale franchise.
Check out this exciting article from Franchising USA about NTY Franchise Company’s 200th store opening this month!
National upscale resale franchise NTY (New to You) Franchise Company, headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, will open their 200th store on Thursday, November 10. Device Pitstop, NTY Franchise Company’s mobile and electronic device resale franchise, will have the honor of achieving the company milestone when they open the doors of their new franchise unit in Newport News, Virginia.
“We’re very excited to open our 200th store in Newport News, Virginia this November,” NTY Franchise Company COO Chad Olson (pictured above) said. “The opening signifies our continued growth and commitment to meeting the modern consumer’s need for high-quality clothing, devices and other items at an affordable price.”
Founded in 2006 by Ron Olson, NTY Franchise Company features five resale brands, all with a different focus: Clothes Mentor, Children’s Orchard, Device Pitstop, New Uses, and NTY Clothing Exchange. Their brands cover everything from women’s designer fashions, children’s apparel and accessories, furniture and household goods, electronic sales and repair, and clothing for teens and young adults. All brands feature cutting-edge technology, support, and lucrative franchising opportunities to help candidates establish resale stores throughout the United States.
What are the latest furniture trends for the home? Find out in this article from furniture.about.com.
Photo from NTY Franchise Company
Top 10 Furniture Trends
New Directions for Furniture in the 21st Century
By Abe Abbas
Furniture trends are dictated by who is buying what and why they’re doing it. Trends should not be confused with fads, which are fickle. Trends are the undercurrents that drive the results.
Some of the forces working behind furniture trends of the 21st century include younger buyers and technology. Women have more buying power than ever and are more involved in choosing and buying furniture. The globe seems to be shrinking, and there’s a rising concern for the environment. All this has resulted in some furniture riding a wave of popularity in the millennium.
1. Furniture Going Green
Furniture trends are dictated by who is buying what and why they’re doing it. Trends should not be confused with fads, which are fickle. Trends are the undercurrents that drive the results.
Some of the forces working behind furniture trends of the 21st century include younger buyers and technology. Women have more buying power than ever and are more involved in choosing and buying furniture. The globe seems to be shrinking, and there’s a rising concern for the environment. All this has resulted in some furniture riding a wave of popularity in the millennium.
2. Furniture With a Smaller Profile
Our living spaces are shrinking, and large and ponderous furniture pieces seem out of place in many of today’s smaller homes. The shift toward smaller pieces goes hand-in-hand with a preference for furniture that’s less ornate and more contemporary.
More streamlined furniture seems to be the logical choice for consumers trying to make efficient use of their available space. Recliners and chairs with smaller profiles are increasingly available as women tend to want to buy furniture that’s more suited to their preferences.
3. Multifunctional Furniture
Multifunctional furniture is not a new concept, but it has come into its own — perhaps as a result of those smaller living spaces. You need furniture that can perform multiple tasks when space is at a premium.
A lot of buyers look for extra storage to reduce clutter. You can find storage in tables, under beds and in entertainment consoles. Multifunctional furniture can serve any number of additional uses other than its main function. It can be used for sleeping guests — or even pets.
4. Technology-Driven Furniture Design
Modern technology has an effect on furniture design as well. This is most apparent in the design of entertainment centers.
Entertainment centers are obviously made to accommodate our entertainment paraphernalia, but bedroom sets, accent tables and other furniture pieces are also being made to accommodate gadgetry. Even a traditional piece such as a roll top desk can be updated to accommodate laptops and peripherals. The nightstands in the Hooker bedroom collection pictured here have pull-out shelves, outlets and USB ports for charging laptops, iPods and phones.
5. Popularity of Vintage Furniture
Vintage furniture is enjoying a surge in popularity. Yes, nostalgia is involved, but the search for green furniture also contributes.
Vintage furniture is green on many counts. Although the finishes weren’t originally non-toxic, they’ve finished off-gassing so they’re safe for indoor air. When you buy vintage furniture or use furniture you’ve inherited, you’re rescuing it from going to landfills. It’s already survived a lot of years so it’s probably well-made and durable. Hard economic times also make buying vintage furniture a feasible choice — it’s often less expensive.
6. Globally-Inspired Furniture
The globe seems to be shrinking and other cultures no longer seem quite so distant and foreign. The idea of bringing the world to our homes is catching on.
This isn’t just confined to bringing in furniture from other parts of the world but from their bygone eras as well. In the case of Asian-inspired furniture, it could be a search for a more Zen-like interior space or drama. Whatever the reason, the lure of travel has made globally-inspired furniture very popular.
7. The Growing Importance of Outdoor Furniture
Sales of casual and outdoor furniture have grown leaps and bounds. Consumers are discovering that they can significantly add to their existing spaces by utilizing outdoor areas as well. Outdoor rooms have become very desirable, and the quality and design of outdoor furniture has developed tremendously. Many furniture pieces can be used either indoors or outdoors.
Outdoor fabric has improved, too. The colors, textures and patterns can just as easily be used indoors, and they’re typically easier to maintain and keep clean.
8. Custom-Made Furniture
Customization of furniture seems to be a trend that continues to develop and evolve. While some manufacturers, such as Norwalk, have been offering it for years, the growing demand has made more manufacturers take notice. Smaller studios have offered customization for years, but more mainstream manufacturers such as Ethan Allen and Thomasville are offering an increasing amount of customization as well.
It can vary from fabric color or pattern to changing the style of an arm or leg on a sofa. Many manufacturers let the customer provide his own fabric. There are choices in finishes, colors, veneers and hardware options in casegoods. It depends on the manufacturer, but customization seems to be a trend that’s catching on.
9. Specialty Sleep Surfaces
The interest in specialty sleep surfaces began with waterbeds and it’s grown and developed over the years. Specialty sleep products now make up a sizable share of the sleep market.
With our hectic lifestyles, a night of perfect and comfortable sleep seems like the ultimate reward. Although it’s possible to find your perfect sleep surface, it’s not the easiest of tasks and it might require a great deal of research before you settle on the product you want to buy. There are a lot of options out there as this trend takes hold.
10. Leather Furniture
Leather furniture has discovered a newfound popularity because it now comes in so many different shapes and colors. Leather is an old favorite, but now it has a new face.
American Leather is one of the leaders in leather furniture, but other manufacturers offer plenty of choices as well. Leather is easy to maintain and to clean. It retains its appeal much longer than fabric. One downside is that some stores offer bi-cast leather, also known as by-cast leather. This is not leather. This wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t classify it as such, but it can be misleading for consumers.
Check out this blog post excerpt from Shades of Sarah to see the perfect leather jacket that she found at Clothes Mentor Springfield:
Photo from Shades of Sarah.
True story: I’ve wanted a leather jacket for years. Leather jackets were made for fall, but so many of the leather jackets out there were too “moto” for my style. Who knew that I would find “the one” at Clothes Mentor? And let me tell you, leather jackets are worth the hype. Dresses, jeans and a tee — this jacket adds a cool vibe to everything.
One of my favorite ways to wear it? This LOFT tank works great with patterned dress pants, but it’s way more fun with jeans, a leather jacket and tough ankle boots. A cool boho pendant necklace and wine-colored lipstick, and this outfit totally feels like a cooler version of me. (Those buckled boots by the way? Yet another awesome Clothes Mentor find.)
When it came to update my fall wardrobe this year, I tried something different: shopping at Clothes Mentor. My closet has its fair share thrifted pieces, but I hadn’t found a thrift or consignment store in the Philly area that I truly liked shopping at. Before I get into why Clothes Mentor is awesome, let me breakdown what I picked up courtesy of Clothes Mentor Springfield:
Dana Buchman faux leather jacket, $16 (not pictured)
LOFT lace dress, $14
Crew pants, $20
Kohl’s chunky cardigan, $10
LOFT sleeveless tank, $8
Macy’s Style & Co. dress (with tags), $14
Black top, $14
Chico’s bolero (with tags), $18
Nine West heeled boots, $24
Delia’s ankle boots, $18
Not bad right? That’s 10 quality pieces for less than $160. My mom and I were honestly carried away — I used every penny of the gift card they generously provided (and more out of pocket!), and my mom picked up a bunch of stuff too. If you haven’t visited your local Clothes Mentor (there’s three in the Philly area!), here’s why it’s worth the trip:
♥ Quality pieces at discounted prices. I love bargain hunting, but sometimes you get what you pay for. At Clothes Mentor, it just happens that what I’m paying for is a new-with-tags Macy’s dress well over 50% off.
♥ Everything is vetted and on-trend. Clothes Mentor is a consignment store, not an average thrift store. Instead of being donations-based, the team at CM inspects items and only accepts clothing and accessories they know will sell. You can learn more about consignment stores here, but basically CM does the hard work for you. Speaking of consignment stores…
♥ You can make some shopping money. Cleaning out your closet? If you’re more the instant gratification type, you can try your hand at selling at CM. I haven’t tried this yet, but they do give you cash on the spot for what they’re happy to buy from you.
♥ It’s eco-friendly. Admittedly, I don’t have the most planet-friendly shopping habits but buying secondhand and saving gently-worn items from landfills is a good start.
As for the Springfield, PA location in particular, I cannot say enough good things about the staff. They are so happy to assist you in any way, and they keep the store in tiptop shape. It’s bright, organized and they have something for everyone. The shop girls had no problem finding items in my sizes and to suit my tastes.
Need more convincing? Just wait until you see the outfits I’ve come up with.
~ Sarah
P.S. Thanks again to CM Springfield for the invite!
What did blogger Ainslie Gordon think about her personal shopper experience at Clothes Mentor West Chester? Find out in this article featured on cincinnatiparent.com:
Mom Style Made Simple at Clothes Mentor
Personal shoppers aren’t just for celebrities!
By Ainslie Gordon
Do you think personal shoppers are just for celebrities? Are you trying to dress trendy and stay within a budget? Well, I have the store for you! Drop the kids at school, grab your girlfriends and head to Clothes Mentor to purchase all the latest styles for less. This is resale at its best — think 70% off retail on gently used designer pieces from trendy to classic. And to make your experience even more fun, register online for your free personal shopper who will make shopping simple and easy.
I have been a lover of clothes since before I could walk. I studied, created and wrote about fashion. My greatest lesson about dressing myself came from my mom: simple but elegant. I have carried this motto throughout my career as a fashion blogger and stylist. And as I begin to style the next generation, my piece of advice will be to leave a little to the imagination.
So, now it’s my turn to be styled by the free personal shopper at Clothes Mentor! First, I filled out the online form to let my stylist know my personal preferences such as size, height, current wardrobe needs, budget, likes, etc. Then my personal shopper, Ashley, called to set up an appointment date and confirmed my fashion needs. I couldn’t wait to see what was in “store” for me!
As I arrived to the West Chester location, I was awed by the friendly staff and the store’s meticulous organization by color, size, season, etc. They truly make finding your perfect outfit easy and affordable. I was introduced to Ashley; and she already had several complete outfits (dresses, pants, shirts, accessories and shoes) chosen from my preferences in my dressing room. Then I began trying on the outfits selected and creating new ones with Ashley’s wonderful eye.
The key to a great personal shopper/stylist is listening and collaborating with your client. Ashley and I got along beautifully. I would tell her about more looks I wanted; and she would find me those and bring back some that I did not even think of. Together, we created several on-trend and classic outfits that can take me from weekday casual/business to weekend trendy. The personal shopper experience was so much fun; I could have stayed there all day.
Plus, I had a $100 budget. With Ashley’s amazing help, I left with three dresses, two pairs of jeans, one sweater, one necklace and one scarf for under budget. And when I returned home, I made even more outfits by coordinating my new pieces with clothes already in my closet. Score!
Shopping for clothes should never be stressful or scary. (Plus, as busy moms, who has time to be at the mall all day?) Let the wonderful staff at Clothes Mentor find your perfect outfit(s) and accessories. Or book your appointment today and let the awesome (and free) personal shoppers do the work for you! After this experience, I will forever be a loyal shopper. To find your neighborhood store, or for fashion events, contact Clothes Mentor.
Clothes Mentor franchisees from across the country answer the frequently asked question: Would you recommend the Clothes Mentor business to others? Find out what they say in this video:
Linda Berg is the Franchise Business Consultant for Clothes Mentor’s Southeast region and the Franchise Operations Manager for Clothes Mentor, Children’s Orchard, and NTY Clothing Exchange. Linda joined the company in 2016 as the Store Manager and the Area Manager of the three corporate stores. Linda worked for Gap Inc. for 12 years at both Old Navy and Gap in various management roles. Her retail experience also includes 12 years at Mervyn’s in several management and training roles.
Amy Donnelly
Director of Inventory Management | Franchise Business Consultant
Amy Donnelly is the Director of Inventory Management for Clothes Mentor. In addition, Amy holds the position as Franchise Business Consultant for Clothes Mentor’s Southeast Region. Prior to joining Clothes Mentor in 2013, she spent 8 years in retail management with Limited Brands. Amy holds a BA degree.
Ashley Huebner
Director of Marketing
Ashley Huebner oversees Clothes Mentor’s marketing and advertising efforts to drive sales and build brand awareness. She also leads creative initiatives, driving the brand’s vision in aesthetics, tone, and trends to elevate our position as a leader in the resale category.
Ashley joined the Clothes Mentor team in March 2015. She has 10+ years of Graphic Design experience, a strong background in design and user experience, and a passion for creativity. She holds a BA degree in Advertising and Art.
Michelle Vaudrin
Senior Director of Operations
Michelle Vaudrin is the Senior Director of Operations for Clothes Mentor and Children’s Orchard. Prior to joining NTY Franchise Company in March 2016, she worked in leadership roles for Burlington, American Eagle, and Macy’s. Michelle attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a degree in Retail Merchandising and Business Administration. She brings extensive background in training of strategies, merchandising, customer service and multi-unit store operations to the team.
Jenny Mann
Vice President of Operations | Executive Director of IT
Jenny Mann is the Vice President of Operations for Clothes Mentor and Children’s Orchard. In January of 2020, Jenny also took on the role of Executive Director of IT, overseeing BST, our Point of Sale system, and the e-commerce platforms for both brands. Prior to this, Jenny was the Director of Marketing for NTY Franchise Company since January 2013. Jenny started with the NTY Franchise Company in 2008 with Clothes Mentor and has held many roles, including; Store Manager, New Store Opener, and Regional Operations Manager. Before joining NTY Franchise Company, Jenny worked for Old Navy (Gap, Inc.) and Target in management roles.
Jarvis Herndon
Franchise Business Consultant
Jarvis Herndon is a Franchise Business Consultant for both Clothes Mentor and Device Pitstop. Jarvis has a strong background in retail management, leadership, and a history of operational success within a franchising system. He is passionate about assisting small business owners in developing their path to success while maximizing their businesses’ potential. Jarvis brings a great mix of skills and experience to the NTY Franchise Company.
Sarah Primmer
VP of Finance & Human Resources
Sarah Primmer is the Vice President of Finance and Human Resources for NTY Franchise Company. She joined the company in January 2014. Prior to joining NTY, Sarah spent over 25 years as the controller and business manager of a local sales and marketing firm calling on Target stores.
Chad Olson
Chief Operations Officer
Chad Olson has been Chief Operations Officer of NTY Franchise Company since January 2007. From May 1994 to December 2006, he held various positions for Winmark Corporation (f/k/a Grow Biz International, Inc.), including Field Operations Manager for the Once Upon a Child concept from 1999 to 2002, and Regional Operations Manager for the Plato’s Closet concept from 2002 to 2006.
Dan Goetz
Franchise Business Consultant
Dan Goetz is the Franchise Business Consultant for Clothes Mentor in the West Region. Previous to joining the Clothes Mentor Corporate staff in February of 2014, he worked in leadership positions with Aèropostale, Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Target stores. He attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth and St. Cloud State University. He brings a strong background in Operations, Merchandising, and Human Resources to the Clothes Mentor team.
Sean Marrs
IT/Tech Administrator
IT/Tech Administrator
Ashlyn Aarness
Social Media Specialist
Social Media Specialist
Marissa Stacy
Jr. Graphic Designer
Jr. Graphic Designer
Gina Geary
Franchise Business Consultant
Franchise Business Consultant
Alice Heidenreich
Franchise Business Consultant
Franchise Business Consultant
Jessica Fix
Franchise Contract and Office Administrator
Jessica Fix is the Franchise Contracts and Office Administrator for NTY Franchise Company. She started with the company in January of 2018. Jessica works alongside the Franchise Development Team and provides office support to the headquarter office. She has 20 years in the franchise industry, previously working for Carlson Leisure Group/Travel Leaders Franchise Group in a variety of roles, such as Database Coordinator, Legal Contract Administrator, and Executive Assistant to the Franchise Sales Team.
Ronald G. Olson
President
Ron Olson has been President and a Director of NTY Franchise Company since October 2006. Ron’s background included starting his career at Dayton’s Department Store, where he held many management positions. In 1977 he opened his own furniture store in Minnesota, which was a Drexel Heritage prototype store. In 1988 he co-founded Grow Biz International, now called Winmark. The first franchise rights that Olson purchased and started marketing was Play It Again Sports. Olson continued buying the Franchise rights for Once Upon A Child, Plato’s Closet, and Music Go Round. Today there over 1,000 Franchise locations.
Under NTY Franchise Company, the franchise rights were bought for Clothes Mentor and New Uses. In 2013 Olson bought Laptop Exchange and changed the name to Device Pitstop. In 2014 the company opened NTY Clothing Exchange and NTY Kids, now Children’s Orchard. There are currently 204 stores sold and 133 stores opened under the NTY Franchise umbrella.
Michael D. Smith
Vice President of Strategic Planning
Michael D. Smith is the Vice President of Strategic Planning. From December 2000 to July 2010, Michael held the position of Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of the franchise company Laptop Xchange. From June 1994 to December 2000, Michael held numerous roles within the Grow Biz International brands of Play It Again Sports and Computer Renaissance. These roles included Corporate Store Management, Field Operation Specialist, and Franchisee.