Just Between Friends is the dominant brand in the rapidly growing consignment sales event industry who’s franchisees offer “pop-up” gigantic sales events 2-4 times per year. Investment in a Just Between Friends franchise starts at $32,774, making it very affordable. Franchisees can opt for a single territory and hold a minimum of two events a year, which makes for an easy-to-manage, flexible business. Single-unit franchises are excellent for anyone looking for supplemental income. Want to run a full-time and higher-revenue business? You can purchase more than one territory and have as many events a year as you can handle, creating a full-time business with employees.
Word is spreading and Just Between Friends has been featured in a wide variety of national media outlets, including the Today show, Good Morning America, CBS Early Show, Fox News, CNN, Inside Edition — just to name a few — and hundreds of local publications across the nation.
Meet Dawn Escarcega and Bobbie Jo Pavlich – co owners of the Denver territory of JBF.
Tell us about your backgrounds:
Dawn: I graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver (formerly Metro State) with a degree in Aviation Management.
Bobbie: I attended college right after high school at Western State in Gunnison and had planned to play volleyball there and get my business management degree. I ended up coming home and working at Red Lobster and working my way into the management position. I was the culinary manager for 11 years and in the meantime got married and had two cute little babies that I yearned to stay home with. My husband and I switched roles so I could stay home for 2 years with my babies who were 4 and 6 at the time and he started working in the oil fields and everything was awesome.
What caused you to want to own a business and why JBF?
Dawn:
JBF has been part of my life since my oldest was 2. She just turned 13! The opportunity became available to own the business and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. JBF is a great way to help our community. Families can sell their gently used items and make extra money. They can also shop for items for their kids and save a huge amount of money! We also donate items to local Denver charities.
Bobbie: After being home for a bit I felt I needed either the corporate structure or a way to be involved again. Both for myself and to and show my kids that I was capable of doing it all and being successful. My husband was traveling a lot and I was really into JBF but at the time there was not any availability in Denver (it was sold). So I looked into Arizona since my husband was traveling I didn’t think it mattered where we lived. I started the process of looking into moving and the next day I got a call from the Denver owner saying she was interested in letting Dawn and I take over her Denver territory. That same day my husband got laid off from the oil company so it was a very tough day to wrap my head around all of the different directions our lives where going. I truly believe in signs and for me this was huge. The first night I was scared and unsure how I could buy a business with so things up in the air – but I went to bed and woke up fresh and ready to fight for what I wanted . I finally got approved for an SBA loan 145 days later and we were on our way to the next adventure.
Best thing about owning JBF?
Dawn: The people! JBF Denver has the best consignors and volunteers. We have made some long lasting friendships by working this sale. This business doesn’t work without the help of our volunteers and our charities, Catholic Charities, Crossroads of the Rockies and Rocky Mountain SER. Our business exists because of the people we serve.
Bobbie : The best thing about owning my own business is the feeling of success and knowing this is what I wanted and worked hard (and continue to work hard) for . I have learned so much and feel so confident about what we have accomplished, it’s an amazing feeling.
There are so many amazing people that we get to meet and work with and everyone has a story and are in a different place in their lives – but I love hearing about people coming together and making a difference in someone’s life. JBF warms my heart and we are going to continue to learn and grow and let people know this is more than just a place to make some money, our events are a place to make friends, save money, and have fun!
