Disrupting the Franchise Industry by Taking a Proactive Approach, A Founder’s Story with Josh Skolnick and Zach Beutler

Josh Skolnick: Pennsylvania native, graduated from Upper Darby High School, and set his sights on larger scale business. Initially worked in the mowing and mulch blowing industries, selling them and starting a tree care business, which he began franchising in 2012. He met his co-founder Zach Beutler at a conference in Mexico, and together they ultimately launched HorsePower Brands LLC, a portfolio of home service brands.

Zach Beutler: Nebraska native who began his franchise career as an 18-year-old in college, and was subsequently awarded his first franchise before his 21st birthday. After growing the franchise to 68 locations, he sold his equity and wasn’t sure what he wanted to do next until he met Josh at a conference in Mexico. Zach says that there are people you’re supposed to meet in business, and Josh was that for me. He is now a co-founder with Zach of the highly successful HorsePower Brands LLC.

Tell us about your childhood and where you grew up

Josh Skolnick grew up in Ft. Washington PA. His dad had his own business, and he worked in the business for a few years in summers and on other school breaks. He started his own lawn care business, and built it up so large that he had his own personal driver in his early teens! He built the business to over 400 service accounts eventually selling to pursue other business ventures. Zach grew up in Pender, Nebraska. His dad owned a livestock auction barn and he grew up chasing cows and pigs, but decided he didn’t like working for free! He subsequently worked on a dairy farm and ended up going to college. While he was in college, he began working for a health supplement company, and the rest is history.

How did you get started as an entrepreneur?

Josh — While much has been said about my starting as an entrepreneur with the lawn mowing service, I actually began much earlier than that. I started a business selling candy to my classmates when I was in elementary school. I would go to Sam’s Club and buy Slim Jims, bubble gum, and other types of candy, and sell it to the kids in the hallway. I went to school in the 90s before you had cash-loaded cards for lunch, and since my classmates had lunch money, I took it by selling them candy. Zach — I took a job at Complete Nutrition at the age of 18 while in college. A few days after starting the job everyone quit, and I became the general manager by default. Two years later I convinced the founder to back an SBA loan for me, I moved to Tallahassee Florida and opened my first franchise store before my 21st birthday.

What is one business lesson you would tell a startup founder?

Josh — I’ve got two. The first is that one mistake a lot of entrepreneurs make is that they constantly measure themselves against their competition. They need to focus on their business and be satisfied with what they’re doing. Don’t create a rerun of a movie of what the competition has done — write your own script. The second is that most entrepreneurs start with a business plan, and need to understand that there will be changes. By the time they reach the pinnacle of success, the original business plan looks nothing like it was at its creation. You have to have the personality to adapt to change and roll with the punches. Zach — Focus creates wealth, and diversification preserves it. A lot of people are trying to do too many activities to get rich instead of focusing on one thing. You also have to remember too that whatever you do is only as good as the people you work with. Clear measurable and perseverance are very important.