Ground Floor: Seasoned executive charts new business course

When the software company where Dori Luke had served as a senior executive for several years was acquired, Luke decided it was time to strike out on her own.

'I was ready for that next great adventure,” she said. 'I thrive in an entrepreneurial situation.”

With 20 years of experience in the technology and sales industries, Luke was looking for a business opportunity that aligned with her background and skills.

'It was important to me to stay in a business-to-business environment,” she said.

She turned to a franchise broker for assistance.

'The broker helped me to understand and investigate the opportunities that were available,” she said. 'Franchise brokers have tools to help prospective business owners understand their interests, what they get excited about, and the level of investment they are willing and able to make.”

Another advantage of using a franchise broker, Luke said, is that the franchiser - not the applicant - pays the broker fee.

'I decided to take advantage of what was available to me,” she said.

With the broker's assistance, Luke identified Schooley Mitchell as a viable option early on in the process.

Schooley Mitchell is a telecommunications and merchant services consulting firm that helps businesses identify service providers and obtain cost-savings. It has around 100 franchises throughout the United States and Canada.

'I decided to join Schooley Mitchell for a few reasons,” Luke said. 'Number one is that the services we offer are around technology, which is what I know. Also, it presented a really intriguing opportunity to work with business owners and executives in areas that aren't their core competencies.”

Luke opened her Schooley Mitchell franchise earlier this month.

Luke said she operates completely independent of and receives no commissions from any provider. Her fees are based on a percentage of the savings she generates for her clients, and those savings can be meaningful - Schooley Mitchell reduces telecommunications and merchant services expenses by 28 percent on average.

'When providers know we're in the game, they sharpen their pencils,” Luke said.

Luke said hers is one of only a couple exclusively female-owned franchises within the Schooley Mitchell system. She wants to set herself apart in another way, too. Within the next five years, she would like to be in the top 10 percent of franchises in terms of revenue generated. And she has a plan to get there.

'My goal is to become an integral, trusted resource for my clients - to be a part of their team,” she said. 'I bring a lot to the table for business owners and executives.”

' Know a company or manager who has been in business for less than a year that would be ideal for 'Ground Floor”? Contact Francie Williamson at francie.williamson@thegazette.com

At a Glance

' Owner: Dori Luke

' Business: Schooley Mitchell

' Email: dori.luke@schooleymitchell.com

' Telephone: (319) 774-8877

' Website: www.schooleymitchell.com/dluke