Small Business Stories - Just Between Friends

Alex Fees: I’m Alex Fees on sbtv.com and joining me here in IFA Orlando, Florida is Shannon Wilburn. Shannon good to meet you. Shannon Wilburn: Thank you. Alex Fees: I appreciate you being here. Shannon is the co-founder and President of Just Between Friends. Shannon Wilburn: Yes. Alex Fees: And you describe that as a children’s and maternity consignment sales event. Shannon Wilburn: Yes. Alex Fees: Or a glorified garage sale. Shannon Wilburn: It’s basically that. We don’t really like to call it that because people have a bad perception of garage sales that we are well-organize events where consigners can bring their children’s and maternity items to sell them to make money on them. Alex Fees: Okay. And you said 61 franchises in 16 states? Shannon Wilburn: yes. Alex Fees: So this is to keep kids in clothes. Shannon Wilburn: Correct. As you know, parents have all of these things that they purchase for their children and they invest all these money. And they need a way to be able to kind of give a little bit of—many out of the items that they have bought when their children outgrow those things. So they will bring them to our events and they will make 65% to 70% on the items that they sell. Alex Fees: How did this come about? This is a very simple concept that you had some successes in franchising with, right? Shannon Wilburn: Well, 10 years ago I had two children of my own. My business partner also has two children and they were little and we were looking for a way to get of our children’s clothing and so really the need was there, and so that’s how the concept came about. We invited all of our friends to come into my home bring us their children’s and maternity items we advertise the event and we have them—so we have the shoppers come in. We actually use the kitchen drawers as cash drawers and somebody tried to buy my couch, but it was a successful sale from the beginning. And we’ve been in business since 1997 when we started selling franchises in 2004 because people were saying we want to have one of these in our area. Alex Fees: Shannon what about your involvement with IFA, tell me about that. Shannon Wilburn: Well, we just became members in 2006 and I got to attend the International Franchises Association convention last year in Las Vegas and absolutely loved it. I thought it was the best thing for my business because there are so many different people here that are willing to help you. And any question that you have about franchising or starting your own business—there are people here that are experts in that, and more than willing to share their advice, their experience with you. It has been invaluable. Alex Fees: Shannon where can people get more information about Just Between Friends? Shannon Wilburn: We have a website. It’s jbfsale.com. Alex Fees: Right, jbfsale.com. Shannon Wilburn: Yes. Alex Fees: Alright Shannon thank you very much. Shannon Wilburn: Thank you! Alex Fees: Again she is Shannon Wilburn. She is a co-founder of Just Between Friends. Good to meet you. Shannon Wilburn: Nice to meet you.