Franchise focus
Kim has worked her way to the top with focus and hard work.
My first job ever was working at a daycare center in high school.
I was first introduced to franchising in the year 2000, after I earned my accounting degree, I transferred within the company I worked in, I transferred to their franchising division. And that’s where I began learning about franchising, and I was there for 16 years before coming to PIRTEK.
The biggest challenge in franchising at any time is the relationship management with the franchisees.
The advice that I live by is to be honest, in everything you do.
My job is to lead and provide strategy while my team executes.
I was first introduced to franchising accidentally. But I very quickly started to appreciate the whole concept of having a model that basically anyone can start a business as long as they’re hardworking.
I first came to PIRTEK as their corporate controller and worked my way to CFO. I just dig in, and I ended up working in all kinds of different areas of the business outside of finance, which ultimately what led me to the position that I’m in today.
What I love most about my job is contributing to these dreams that people have when they when they open a small business.
The most difficult part of my job is getting 100-plus owners and 50-plus employees to all move in the same direction.
My professional strengths are that I’m passionate about what I do. I’m driven, trustworthy. I’m a problem solver. Ultimately, I care about people.
Charisma is overrated in business. People said leaders needed charisma. I don’t know that I’m very charismatic, it’s kind of overrated.
The hustle
This early riser likes to squeeze in a workout before hitting the office.
I get up at 6:15 am in the morning at the latest.
The first thing I do in the morning is check my email. I know that’s a bad habit, but I do.
I have several routines before leaving the home and they rotate because I exercise in the morning. It depends on if I’m going somewhere to exercise or exercising at home.
Fortunately, I don’t need to organize anyone else. The kids are grown and my husband’s pretty organized because he’s a military person, so we like order in our home.
The time I reach my office varies based on my exercise schedule. So anywhere from 7 am to 9 am.
We made a decision about our mornings, to have all of our meetings in the afternoons. Afternoons are for meetings and mornings are for focus time.
I eat a lot of the same things at lunch; I don’t have a very sophisticated palate I’m afraid. I’m a big lover of turkey sandwiches, so that’s my go-to.
The afternoon is full of meetings. We like having it that way, because then people can plan a little bit better.
The time I leave the office varies. But I usually leave, go home, have dinner, and then I work a little bit more most nights.
I do like to relax by watching a show or two on Netflix. I continue to check my email, and maybe social media, but I’m definitely a morning person.
My perfect evening after a long day at work is one that involves quiet. I’m a pretty quiet person by nature. And most days, I talk all day long, which is outside of my norm. I definitely would want a lot of quiet.
Get to know…
Kim has enjoyed huge success as the CEO of Pirtek U.S.A., so let’s find out more about the woman behind the title.
My least favorite chore is to clean toilets.
My one guilty pleasure is that every day, I have a little piece of chocolate, and I usually have that after lunch. Even if I travel, I find a way to take it with me or to have it available.
Exercise is absolutely a part of my routine for all the obvious reasons, to control weight, but also for stress. I’m a really big believer in keeping your health balanced. I’m also a big fan of pilates and I try to do that several times a week on top of cardio.
The ideal place to live would be somewhere in the mountains with a scenic view, but only 20 to 30 minutes away from a major city. I need to live close to a city for shopping activities, restaurants, that kind of thing.
My idea of success is being able to look at myself in the mirror and know that I’ve helped other people, worked as hard as I could and that I did it all with integrity.
I’m not super adventurous, but a few years ago, my husband convinced me to climb Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica and I’m definitely afraid of heights. It was very slippery, but I did it!
I don’t focus on regrets. I live more on the belief that everything happens for a reason.
If there was one thing I could change about myself, I wish I was more extroverted. I wish it came more easily to me, but it doesn’t.
I actually have a very vivid memory from when I was three years old. My grandmother came to visit and brought me this little doll with long blonde hair and I have a picture from that day. And I still have the doll!
