The Directors of Regional Support (DRS) are Maui Wowi area developers who work with franchise owners within their designated regions, assisting them with location selection, lease negotiations, construction supervision, grand openings, store training, promotions and operational support needed for efficient territory management.

Our goal with the area developer program is to provide an additional level of local support services for franchise owners while increasing opportunities for potential new franchise locations and venues. The Directors of Regional Support are dynamic leaders within their regions and continue to work hard to support local franchise owners, the Maui Wowi concept and our product line.

To learn more about our DRS individually, click on any name below or scroll down the page. Feel free to email them and find out how each one is working to support the franchise owners in their area!

Click here to learn how to become a Director of Regional Support!

Carol Walden - DRS for Arizona

Why I chose franchising:
The obvious answer is that franchising provides a proven model for success, but in my case, the attraction was Maui Wowi itself. The company and products are first-rate, lively, fun, and compelling – and healthy! I’ve known the CEO for nearly a decade, and I’ve enjoyed watching the growth and development of this terrific company.

What I did before taking up a franchise:
My background is entirely in concert promotion, event marketing and production, which also led me to Maui Wowi. Our franchisees have very successfully utilized festivals, fairs, events, and sports & entertainment destinations to grow their businesses, and I’m utilizing that same model in Arizona, through my relationships with venues and events.

The training and support I receive from my franchisor:
Maui Wowi provides terrific initial and on-going training for franchisees. As an employee of the company, I have participated in monthly training for two-and-a-half years; it’s continuously expanded, enhanced and improved. The DRS (directors of regional support) program is young, and the quality of training, plus meetings and support is impressive, while growing.

The challenges I have faced:
Brand recognition for young companies is always a challenge, but our rapid growth has given Maui Wowi recognition across many new industries and markets. For instance, Maui Wowi is very attractive as a tasty and healthy beverage option for arenas, convention centers, stadiums, fairs, festivals and special events. As a result, consumers and fans are loyally including us in their entertainment experiences.

My advice to someone thinking of buying their first area developer territory:
The ground-floor opportunity to build a successful and respected company with a terrific product line is hugely appealing to entrepreneurs. My advice to would-be business owners is run, don’t walk, toward this option…IF, you’re willing to work hard, follow the proven model, reinvest in your business, and have reasonable expectations and great vision!

My plans for the future:
The future for Maui Wowi is pure blue sky, and I plan to have a great share of that in Arizona, by cultivating and coaching the right franchise operators, by protecting and building the brand and by aggressively marketing the opportunity. Bringing in the best franchisees and helping them acquire significant real estate locations will ensure our success.

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Don and Sharon Scheer - DRS for Louisville/Lexington metropolitan markets and southern Indiana

Why we chose franchising:
We were looking for a good investment opportunity and thought a franchise would generate a good return on our money. Maui Wowi is something new to our area and looked like a great investment that would be fun and exciting. The growth of the company, the concept and product is what sold us.

What we did before taking up a franchise:
We are both CPA’s and have a total of over 45 years experience in consulting. Sharon has over 17 years in the profession and provides consulting services for small businesses, including accounting system implementation, taxes, payroll taxes, contract controller, human resources, etc. Don is a retired partner from Deloitte & Touché LLP with 28 years of experience and is currently providing consulting services as a contract Chief Financial Officer.

The training and support we received from our franchisor:
We attended the September 2004 training in Denver. The training was extensive, very informative and included all the operating procedures for Maui Wowi. The entire mainland staff is easy to work with and very responsive to our needs and those of the franchisees. The mainland is continuously looking for opportunities to grow Maui Wowi’s brand recognition and opportunities for our franchisees across the US.

The challenges we have faced:
Because we are new Directors of Regional support with no franchisees currently in our support area, we have some added challenges. We know that to adequately promote Maui Wowi in our support area; we need to get our new franchises up and running as quickly as possible. We know we can accomplish this in a relatively short period of time. We are currently actively searching for and selecting profitable venues to get our team up and running quickly. Because we want our franchisees to own a successful business, we will be devoting our time and energy to assisting our team of franchisees to ensure that their franchise is off to a solid beginning. With our many years of experience consulting for small businesses, we know we can assist our franchisees on an on-going basis achieve, if not exceed, their short and long term goals. We are just looking for the right people to join our team.

Our advice to someone thinking of buying their first area developer territory:
Our advice is to ensure that you have a strong networking system so that you can meet and inform as many people as you can about Maui Wowi. Of course, it helps that you have a great product to offer. We believe Maui Wowi is a wonderful investment with a more than adequate return on your investment dollar. Who would not want to be involved with a business that has the potential for a good investment return and have some fun too?

Our plans for the future:
Our plans are to award an adequate number of franchises in the Louisville / Lexington metropolitan markets. With creative, driven and enthusiastic franchisees we will be able to provide our customers with an atmosphere that will make them think they are on a mini vacation in Hawaii. Our customers will want to stay awhile, relax, meet friends and dream of relaxing on the beach while enjoying the best smoothie anywhere.

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Jeff & Corinne Fortenbacher - DRS for Michigan

Why we chose franchising:
Looking back nearly six years ago when we first became franchisees we were excited to be part of a fast growing new concept; one with fantastic products, a great name and a fun style. Today, with the addition of great new products and multiple business models the opportunities are endless.

What we did before taking up a franchise:
Jeff owned and operated a real estate sales and development company for 14 years, and Corinne spent 17 years as a Human Resources Manager for one of the country’s leading Office Furniture Manufacturers.

The training and support we receive from our franchisor:
Starting out as the 14th franchisee in the country, we’ve seen the franchisee training grow from one day of basic training to four days of extensive training. As Directors of Regional Support, we receive ongoing training and support from the franchisor, and as the DRS program grows the input of each new DRS continues to build a strong support system for the DRS and the franchisees.

The challenges we have faced:
Living in a cold climate, our challenge has been to help franchisees and potential franchisees understand that there are just as many, if not more opportunities, in the cold seasons as there are in the warm seasons. The weather is always perfect indoors and people love to escape to Maui Wowi for their vacation in a cup. A large part of our time is spent making sure we have an inventory of opportunities for our current franchisees; therefore providing continued growth opportunities for both current and future franchisees.

Our advice to someone thinking of buying their first franchise:
Talk to as many current franchisees in the system to gain enough knowledge to make the determination if this business is right for you. You will talk to franchisees that are extremely successful and to franchisees that are moderately successful. Determine what personality and business traits separate the two and evaluate yourself to see if your personality and skills align with the successful franchisees. The products, training and support are the same for every franchisee. The great thing about Maui Wowi is that you determine the amount of success you will achieve.

Our plans for the future:
Our goal is to recruit and develop successful franchisees with the talent and ability to own and operate multiple locations. As our territory grows and the Maui Wowi national system grows, there are opportunities for more than 100 operating units in Michigan. Successful maturing franchise organizations are built with the help of Directors of Regional Support who recruit and assist franchisees with the capabilities to manage multiple units

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Jim Mill - DRS for Chicago area

Why I chose franchising:
I loved Maui Wowi’s concept of protected events and locations instead of protected territories. Of course, the advantage of a nationwide support system and a well-manufactured product was also an enticement.

What I did before taking up a franchise:
I worked for 25 years in a family-owned business in the construction industry.

The training and support I receive from my franchisor:
Both the training and the support is ongoing. Training for new franchisees consists of four days at the company headquarters. Directors of Regional Support have two extra days of intensive training. Additionally, the Directors meet quarterly for additional training and discussions with the home office staff. Support for the system is provided both by member of the home office staff and by the DRS.

The challenges I have faced:
Locations and events are abundant, but finding qualified people who want to own their own businesses and join our system is a challenge.

My advice to someone thinking of buying their first area developer territory:
Everybody wants to know about the financials. To me, that is the last piece of the puzzle. As an area developer, you have to have confidence in the company and its concept or product, and you have to have confidence in your own abilities to develop your territory. If the franchisor is well-run, growing, and sound, the potential area developer can then concentrate on what skills will be needed to succeed in their particular marketplace.

My plans for the future:
1. Grow my business
2. Help Maui Wowi to grow
3. Have fun!

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Robert Hudspeth - DRS for St Louis market

Why I chose franchising:
Leaving the corporate world, I had no small business experience and knew that having a franchise system behind me would increase my chances of success by eliminating the “start-up mistakes” that come with starting a business without any proven operating guidelines, supply sources, or support system.

What I did before taking up a franchise:
I was a corporate executive of a Fortune 50 company with responsibility for customer service centers nationwide. Responsibilities included staff of over 4000 people and annual budget of $1.2m.

The training and support I receive from my franchisor:
I purchased a master franchise and received a full week of franchise operator training as well as four days of specific training for master franchise owners. The training was excellent in preparing me for both operating units as well as developing the franchise in my market.

The challenges I have faced:
The major challenge has been in establishing brand recognition in my territory for the franchise concept. With only two operators in the area with a limited number of units, the brand is not well known. Marketing efforts and community involvement is getting our name established and I’m pleased with the progress to date.

My advice to someone thinking of buying their first area developer territory:
If buying a master franchise/area developer territory without first being a franchise operator in the system, I would suggest getting as much hands on experience in unit operations as you can. Your representation of the concept and creditability with prospects will be greatly enhanced with this experience.

My plans for the future:
10 year plan for the territory is to have 50 units operating with no more than 10 franchise owners. Plan also calls for my ownership of some units within the territory.

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Ron & Barbara Putman - DRS for San Diego and Riverside markets

Why I chose franchising:
Franchising has a proven system model for success. After that, all you need is the drive, and commitment to manage the system.

What I did before taking up a franchise:
Barbara owned and operated a Beauty Salon for 8 years. After having 3 children, Ron convinced her to sell her salon and come to work with him in his fast growing digital printing business. Ron’s printing business has been established now for 9 years. Now we are ready to start-up our Maui Wowi business together.

The training and support I receive from my franchisor:
We have been in constant contact with the mainland for 4 months. The support that we have received has been very rewarding. I strongly feel that it is a “TEAM” effort with a “Family” atmosphere.

The challenges I have faced:
Brand recognition for our young company has definitely been a challenge. It has affected us in the aspect in finding prime real estate. A big part of having a successful business is having the perfect location. Another challenge with the DRS program is receiving clear, defined answers to questions that we might have. However, the mainland always follows through and finds a way to get us the answers that we need no matter how difficult it might be.

My advice to someone thinking of buying their first area developer territory:
There are two types of people in this world. The type that sits around and WAITS for things to happen and the type that goes out and MAKES things happen. Do not let opportunity pass you by. As my mother said, GO FOR IT !!!

My plans for the future:
Our goal is to build the brand name and protect it at the same time. We also plan to recruit, support and help develop qualified franchise operators and help them become successful business owners in San Diego. As Maui Wowi grows nationally you will see a big part of that here in San Diego.

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Jim & Denise Cox- DRS for Tamp/St Petersburg market

Why I chose franchising:
Re-inventing the wheel is not something that appealed to us when we were considering a business of our own. We were looking for an organization that was in a dynamic growth stage that we could be a part of. We wanted a company that offered a great, fun system and support every step of the way. Maui Wowi offered all of those attributes.

What I did before taking up a franchise:
I spent the last 24 years with two of the largest convenience store companies where I franchised and consulted operators of 24 hour convenience stores. The last 5 years were spent directing the operations of 550 Circle K stores mostly in Florida and Louisiana.

The training and support I received from my franchisor:
We have not gone through our initial training at this point, but the support and help we have received leading up to that training has been excellent. Like anything else, we will get out of the training what we put into it. But, I have never seen a franchise company more interested and energized about supporting their franchise base than Maui Wowi.

The challenges I have faced:
Because we are so new to the system, most of the challenges we have faced were in the due diligence phase of our experience so far. Our upcoming challenge is one that we are very excited about. That challenge is taking a wonderful, fun concept like Maui Wowi and growing it throughout our region where Maui Wowi currently is almost unknown. This offers an advantage in that we can insure that all franchisees who enter the system in our region have a very strong understanding and adherence of the Maui Wowi concept.

My advice to someone thinking of buying their first area developer territory:
My advice would be to understand up front that this is a wonderful opportunity, but that it will only be successful with hard work, following the Maui Wowi system to the letter, patience, and a desire to have fun. It will be important to have realistic expectations and to re-invest in the business in order to build on this wonderful ground floor opportunity.

My plans for the future:
Our plans are to learn the event business by operating an event unit ourselves / Locate, build-out, and open our own fixed location to use as a great showcase of the Maui Wowi concept and franchise opportunity / Advertise and network the entire market to grow the Maui Wowi franchises and operating units / Support each franchisee in order to help them grow their business. But, the most important part of these plans is to grow a group of business people who will truly be an Ohana (family) and who will help each other to develop and find success.

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Arthur Tovmasian & Rick Kotikian - DRS for the Los Angeles market

Arthur Tovmasian, one half of the LA Boys, brings with him a strong network of brokers, agents and developers which help in the process of securing premium locations for our franchisees. His expertise of the Los Angeles market is proven through our recent development of the Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees & Smoothies concept. Without a single location in December of 2005, Arthur Tovmasian was able to secure prime locations all around Los Angeles County by gaining the trust of owners and real estate developers. With an extremely new concept in Los Angeles, Arthur was able to paint a promising image of Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees and Smoothies Franchise and the benefits it brings to the community. His ability to visualize the concept helped our investors to secure prime locations all around Los Angeles. As a result, Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees and Smoothies has grown to 15 locations in about 2 years and we are now moving aggressively to secure locations inside malls all across Los Angeles County. Arthur Tovmasian has a background in the insurance arena; he has built his practice from the ground up and has successfully established his portfolio of professionals to executives such as dentists. His success has been through building a strong foundation of a network of clients and associates that he has developed in the 10 years of his practice. Arthur has been in sales and relationship building and is a true believer in becoming an entrepreneur. This is part of his passion to help bring out the entrepreneur in all of us.

Rick Kotikian has an extensive resume in the Finance field. With a background in Banking, lending, financial analysis and costing, Rick helps investors secure financing for their business during the initial stages as well as help in evaluate their cost of goods and overhead expenditures. Further into the process, Rick works with individual owners with marketing initiative and operations by analyzing areas of opportunity for each owner and their specific market demographics. Rick Kotikian holds an MBA in Marketing from Loyola Marymount University where he fine tuned his finance skills and developed an understanding of financial returns related to marketing. Rick has also owned and operated a successful wholesale bakery business for 7 years where he successfully managed a portfolio of large supermarket retailers.

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Laura Gifford and Dan Shaffer - DRS for the northern New Jersey market

Why we chose franchising:
Collectively we all have been successful in our chosen careers. We are successful in a sense of providing for our families and creating a consistency with regards to responsibility and structure for our lifestyles. However, like most people, we work extremely hard with a great deal of stress, doing the same thing everyday, working with the same people with not much diversity. Due to this, our professional enjoyment, relaxation and happiness for what we do fell to the wayside. We chose not only franchising, but Maui Wowi, because of the challenge it would give us to build our territory in a fun, exciting and rewarding way. We chose to take our individual skills and apply them to be a part in the growth of Maui Wowi. The diversity of different models and working with many different people is a major attraction to us. Knowing we will be a part of guiding franchisees to success by teaching them about the brand and giving them pointers learned from our professional lives will be extremely satisfying. But, most importantly to know we were a part in bringing someone into the business as a franchisee, taking a part in their success with a top rated company and product that will make them successful and happy in their new lifestyle. This is an extremely rewarding feeling for us.

What did we do before taking up a franchise: Kathryn’s background is in the medical field. Training and supporting Heart Surgeons to work with and implant heart valves. Laura's background is in Commercial Real Estate, working with investors to maximize there investments. Daniel's background is in the steel business. He has spent many years cultivating and growing his family business, cross trained in all areas of the business.

The training and support we received from the franchisor: We have received support from the mainland with questions we have regarding new franchisees, ordering, accounting and marketing. We are looking forward to working with the staff as we grow our territory.

The challenges we have faced: The largest challenge in our territory is that Maui Wowi is not known at this time by a high percentage due to the fact it is new to the territory. We look forward to this challenge and have every intention of bringing our territory into a leading position of recognition.

My advice to someone thinking of buying their first area developer territory: The biggest piece of advice we could give, would be to “Plan the work and work the plan”. Become knowledgeable with the current franchisees in your territory and find out what their future plans and expectations are. Know the product to the best of your ability.

Our plans for the future: Our plans are to grow with Maui Wowi and growing our territory to the maximum potential. Open a plethora of fixed units. To make sure all our franchisees are successful.

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John and Sandy Tyler - DRS for the Houston market

Why we chose Franchising:
After we decided that we wanted to run our own business we set out to evaluate three options - existing businesses, starting from scratch, and the Franchising concept. When we started our due diligence Franchising was a distant third option for us. It soon became evident that this was an approach that could get off the ground quickly with a proven model that met all the criteria we set for business ownership.

What we did before taking up a Franchise:
I (Sandy) worked early in my career as a paralegal and most recently have been involved in volunteer work. Most of my activities have centered around leading functions, committees, etc. associated with my 2 daughters.

I (John) continue to work as the COO in a technology company. My background in sales helps us to develop our sales and marketing plan for our company. Our personalities make this a natural fit for both Sandy and I.

The training and support I receive from my franchisor:
The training we received is a multi-phased approach. As a DRS we are trained in all aspects of operating a successful Maui Wowi franchise – making smoothies and coffee, ordering, marketing etc. . In addition we go through extensive training on the different business models we offer and the benefits of each of these to a prospective franchise operator.

In addition to this formal training we really enjoy the different ongoing personal training opportunities that Maui Wowi corporate (commonly known as “The Mainland”) makes available for us to take advantage of. The support and reinforcement after training is helpful and continues to improve as we refine our business model.

The challenges we have faced:
The biggest challenge we faced in starting up is just evaluating all of the opportunities. When we started there was a successful store operating and a successful event operator so we had a nice base to grow from. Our objectives included growing the brand awareness and tapping into the market of potential business owners who wanted to become a part of our Houston based team. We have developed a plan and we are starting to see the results of working this plan

My advice to someone thinking of buying their first Area Developer Territory:
First of all make sure it is for you. Obviously with the Investment commitment you have to be comfortable that you are buying into a concept that when executed properly will work financially. From here with all the different options find something that appeals to you so that when you wake up in the morning the passion will drive you to work harder than you have ever worked before. This should be fun and you should jump in with both feet...

Our plans for the future:
Our plans include growing the Houston market by executing the plan we have developed. This includes finding potential business owners and sharing with them the realities of owning their own business – hard work with high reward. We enjoy helping people to succeed and doing our small part in helping them to realize their dream of owning their own business and building a business that they can be proud of and in the process – Have some fun!!!!!

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