It’s something that comes up time and time again when you talk about Creative Colors International: FAMILY-ORIENTED. It’s not just a slogan. It’s not just a marketing ploy. When it comes to family, Creative Colors International doesn’t just “talk the talk” – the company “walks the walk.”
Consider the founding of CCI. The top on-site repair and restoration service for leather, vinyl, plastic, and fabric, started out as a family-owned business and it continues to operate as one today. Included in the company is a diverse and dynamic family. “Being that it was started by our parents, and all three of their children, along with their spouses, are in the business, that tells us it works,” says Kelli Bollman, Vice President of Creative Colors International.
That might make it a little hard to ever escape work, but it does something very valuable for the franchise — it keeps the organization very tight-knit and very family-focused.
“Our franchise owners are like family and so are their employees,” says Terri Sniegolski, Senior Vice President, and sister to Kelli. “Everyone comes through our training program here at corporate and are with us for two to three weeks. There is a bond that comes naturally during that time period.”
The sisters each have their own tasks and departments to oversee, but they still work with one another quite a bit, seeking each other out for advice when needed. Terri calls them “a great brainstorming duo.” But they weren’t always so close, especially during the tough years as teenagers.
“We are four years apart and I am the older sister. I think we had a typical love/hate sister relationship,” says Terri. Kelli admits her teens were tough years. “As the younger sister, I always wanted to be just like Terri. I may have been a bit annoying. However, about the time I turned 17, Terri and I found that we really did enjoy each other’s company. We became best friends.”
Through the years, the two business leaders have somehow found a way to balance all of their roles: work, wife, mother, and sister. “I think it is important that we have time to be sisters and take a break from being business partners,” says Kelli. Terri looks back to weekends spent raising their children together and evenings spent bowling. “We bowl together once a week. For 25 years we were on the same team! We’re also in a couples’ league with our husbands every other week.”
Both Terri and Kelli work hard to succeed in all the different roles they have. It’s not always easy. It takes effort and strength to keep it all together — and running smoothly. It’s one of the things that Terri admires most about her little sister Kelli. “I admire her emotional attachment to the value of family.” And that attachment extends beyond the bonds of blood; when you treat your franchise owners and their employees like family. “When a franchise owner and employee do well, we celebrate it with them. When they hit roadblocks, we are there for them.”
Kelli believes her sister’s drive to make things better plays a huge role in their friendship and in their business. “I also believe that her huge heart and empathy is what makes our company and our sisterhood so great.”
Family is more than just an idea; it’s a daily way of life for sisters Terri Sniegolski and Kelli Bollman, and for all of the Creative Colors International corporate team. As Kelli puts it: “A parent’s goal is to teach their children how to live and survive without them. That is how I look at our franchisees — I want to teach them all they need to know to be able to succeed at this business for a long time. That is the same with us at CCI. We feel that all of our franchisees are a part of our family.”
If you like the idea of being in business for yourself, but not by yourself, then Creative Colors International may be for you. For more information, please visit here. Our support staff is also just a phone call away at (800) 933-2656, and our online support and communication center gives you 24-hour access.
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