Featured Franchise: Kitchen Tune-Up Charlotte, NC

This week’s feature is Tom Taube, Kitchen Tune-Up franchise owner since 2006. Tom and his wife, Debi, have taken home numerous national awards over the years for their outstanding sales and customer service, including our system’s top honor of Franchise of the Year in 2012. Tom is currently serving as the president of our Advisory Council.

You can find his business on Facebook at Kitchen Tune-Up Charlotte, NC, and click here to view the video of some before and after photos of kitchen updates.

What was your career before becoming a Tunie?
I owned a document imaging service company

What is your favorite part of owning your own business?
Being my own boss and having an unlimited income potential.

What comes to mind as your most memorable kitchen update? 
Probably a redooring project we did for Martha. She was the sweetest lady you would ever meet and was so excited about her new kitchen when we were done. It was like doing a kitchen update for your Grandma. I had to hug Martha each time I saw her.

Any advice for someone thinking about making the leap and buying their own franchise?
Be prepared to work hard and have the business become part of who you are. However, there is nothing more rewarding than building a successful business.

When you’re not working, what is your favorite hobby or pastime?
Riding my Harley or camping in our RV. I also love to fish so I make sure I get out a few times a year.

What’s something unique about your area?
Charlotte is in the middle of the bible belt and it’s very common for someone to ask you what church you attend. So, we are very involved with our church which provides us with opportunities to do things in the community to help others.

We switch up our National Reunion location each year. What has been your favorite city to visit or most memorable Reunion so far?
There have been a lot of cool places over the years, but my favorite to date is probably Las Vegas which we’ve been to a few times. We try to come in a bit early and make a vacation out of it. One trip we hung out at the Grand Canyon, walked on the glass bottom walkway, and stood about 20 feet away from some elk that were sparring. On another trip in Vegas, we spent the day in Death Valley which was really interesting.

Do you have a favorite cabinet door style?
I really like the Windom and Andale, but the new Portland door may be my new favorite. I love the stone stain on maple.

What was the biggest motivator to why you bought your own franchise?
I’ve owned my own business since I was 28 years old. I sold my first one and then worked for them for a while, but had to get back to being my own boss. I love being a business owner. I think it’s in my blood.

What have you found to be the biggest benefit to franchise ownership? 
My first business was not a franchise. Being part of a franchise is a huge benefit in that I don’t have to develop my own marketing material and I can take advantage of the experience of other owners, learn from their experience and not have to make costly mistakes. It’s like being a part of a large company with lots of resources but still being able to forge my own way, set my own goals, and make my own decisions.