Returning Vets Find Colorful, New Start with Abrakadoodle Art

Three years ago while serving in Iraq, April Rose Blake read a cover story about the Abrakadoodle art education franchise in Black Enterprise magazine that fueled her desire to pursue an artful future following her deployment. Hunkered down in a bunker amid rocket fire, she and her future husband imagined their new lives as arty entrepreneurs. According to April, she and Isaac talked about their plans for establishing their Abrakadoodle franchise every night. They are now launching their dream with award-winning Abrakadoodle Remarkable Art, which engages children with creativity-boosting art classes, camps, parties and face-painting through its mobile art program that delivers to host sites well-trained, screened teachers, extraordinary lesson plans and top quality art materials. Abrakadoodle programs are offered in preschools, public and private elementary schools, community centers, parks and recreation programs, and many other community sites that serve children and families.

“The Jackson’s have been the picture of patience these past few years,” commented Rosemarie Hartnett, CFE, President and Co-Founder of Abrakadoodle, Inc. “We feel extremely fortunate to welcome these two enthusiastic, dedicated individuals to our Abrakadoodle franchise team. As industrious veterans who have served our country well, Isaac and April Rose bring not only an amazing work ethic but also a passion for art and education. This will be a great asset as they build their program at schools and sites throughout Oklahoma City.”

“We are so excited about how our program is going to transform children’s lives in a positive way through the magic of creating art,” said April Rose, Education Director of Abrakadoodle-Oklahoma City. “We had to work together a lot, which gives us an advantage as we launch our Abrakadoodle enterprise,” Isaac noted of their Middle East deployment in U.S. Army logistics. The pair met in 2009 while serving in Iraq, and then married in a surprise destination wedding Isaac planned in the Cayman Islands in January 2010. With a degree in graphic design from Jackson State, April also brings a passion for scrapbooking (she has her own blog: The Purple Scrapbook) and comes from a long line of creative family members. Additionally, April’s mother was a grade school teacher for over 15 years before her death in 2000. Isaac has a degree in finance and plans to complement April’s skills by handling the accounting, product inventory and financial aspects of the business. Isaac’s mom is a school teacher in the Oklahoma Public School system, affording both he and April a special knowledge of the education industry. They both refer to the military as “family” and feel well-equipped to work within a franchise family.

Abrakadoodle offers art classes, camps, specialty programs, birthday parties and face-painting at schools and community locations nationwide and in several international locations. A comprehensive visual arts program, Abrakadoodle provides instruction across a wide array of such art forms as painting, sculpture, drawing, collage, mosaics, digital design and more. Abrakadoodle’s Artist of Distinction program connects contemporary artists to children in the classroom through a unique mentoring program in which select artists share their vision, style and technique, which is incorporated into Abrakadoodle lessons. Students are encouraged to tap their imaginations as they produce original art. Abrakadoodle’s exclusive curriculum exceeds National Standards for Visual Arts Education.

In addition to exploring a variety of art mediums, students learn techniques, proper handling of materials, art history and vocabulary for a whole art education experience. The classes are designed to help children develop skills, confidence and creativity. Abrakadoodle’s well-trained teachers provide instruction, guidance and inspiration.

Rosemarie Hartnett is presented the Crystal Compass Award by Kerry Olson of International Dairy Queen

Rosemarie Hartnett was honored at the International Franchise Association Convention in Orlando Florida with the Crystal Compass Award citing her many contributions to franchising and her outstanding leadership ability. The award is presented each year by the IFA Women’s Committee. The recipient is chosen from a wide selection of franchising executives including both men and women. Hartnett was thrilled to be chosen as the 2012 recipient citing her thanks to the IFA, The Women’s Committee, Abrakadoodle franchise owners and staff, colleagues, friends and family. Congratulations Rosemarie on this outstanding acheivement!

Judy Siegel, Mary Rogers and Rosemarie Hartnett at Franchising Gives Back

Abrakadoodle’s co-creators Mary Rogers and Rosemarie Hartnett participated in the International Franchise Association’s first Franchising Gives Back event at the Orlando Heath and Rehabilitation Center. There franchising executives built gardens, created outdoor seating, repaired walkways and even built wheel chair height raised gardens. Rogers and Hartnett visited with the center’s severely handicapped children and created puzzles and airplanes with some of the residents. It was a great day and much was accomplished!

Abrakadoodle Commissions Original Works from Emerging South Carolinian Artist

Like an elf in her new studio, newlywed Robin Anne Cooper of South Carolina was busy creating 52 original 12×16 art pieces thanks to a holiday gift commission by international creative art education company Abrakadoodle. Robin Anne’s work caught the attention of Abrakadoodle CEO Mary Rogers during a recent visit to a Virginia gallery, where she appreciated Robin’s fresh, distinctive approach. Robin uses a unique style of canvas collage, which she paints, cuts up and then produces a new piece featuring such whimsical subjects as cats and dogs. Abrakadoodle’s mascot happens to be an arty dog named Splat. When Rogers first approached Cooper, she inquired about acquiring one original that could be replicated. Cooper, a big believer in the importance of creating original, affordable art, convinced Ms. Rogers that every gift needed to be unique.

Robin has been working as a professional artist for eight years, having recreated herself after a layoff in the IT industry. She experimented with techniques that would satisfy her need for collage material that was both thick, stiff and would give her control of the color. “Kids so often associate art with well known artists of the past like Picasso and Rembrandt,” Rogers said, adding, “Abrakadoodle features these classic artists, as well as some of today’s working artists like Robin Anne Cooper, who create amazing artwork that inspires kids to be creative and see how real people incorporate art into their lives and their work.” Ms. Cooper said, “I knew I was onto something when I did an art demo at a local school, and a second grader recognized my art at an event and brought his parents to see my creations.” Rogers remarked, “I am delighted to help support Robin and thereby her local economy, while buying customized art made in the US.” The original artwork is being shipped as holiday gifts to Abrakadoodle franchise directors across the United States, as well as its international franchise locations.

If you are a returning Veteran, Abrakadoodle Wants You!

Abrakadoodle Veteran’s Program

One out of every seven franchise businesses are owned and operated by veterans of the U.S. military. Abrakadoodle, with its strong training and support systems, provides veterans returning from overseas an opportunity to transition back into civilian life through franchise ownership.

Abrakadoodle is also proud to offer a 10% discount off our franchise fee to all qualified veterans.

Abrakadoodle recognizes that veterans in franchising are often a great fit! We are looking for veterans who bring the valuable skills they developed during their military service:

• Strong leadership skills
• Dedication and discipline for operational excellence
• Ability to implement systems and processes
• Value for team work
• Dedication to the mission and a know-how for accomplishing goals!

To learn more about Abrakadoodle’s Vet Program, fill out a no-obligation Initial Inquiry Form today!

Abrakadoodle Advantage for Veterans

The Abrakadoodle franchise provides:

• Comprehensive business development training. Veterans are given systems to follow in order to maximize success. Like in the military, learning and implementing our proven systems is a key responsibility!
• Strong business support. The veteran separating from military life can enter a brand new field by joining the Abrakadoodle franchise system. You are supported through solid systems, on-going training and business development support. You join a franchise culture of Abrakadoodle franchise owners and Headquarters staff committed to each other’s success – you join a new team!
• Proven marketing program that helps develop and keep customers. Veterans with experience in working with diverse people will find these skills helpful in developing their sales abilities.
• An opportunity to bring an international Award-Winning Program that helps children develop their skills, imagination and creativity into your community through Abrakadoodle franchise ownership!

To learn more about Abrakadoodle’s Vet Program, fill out a no-obligation Initial Inquiry Form today!

The Artful Doodlers Wall Street Journal’s Big Innovation Contest

“Don’t be afraid to color outside the lines,” is the message we give students at Abrakadoodle Remarkable Art Education. But when the housing and economic recession hit our five-year-old franchise company in 2009, my business partner, Rosemarie Hartnett, and I decided we needed to follow that same advice.

Total franchises had stalled at 50 as sales slowed because most buyers used home-equity loans to finance their franchise purchase. While demand for Abrakadoodle arts and creativity education programs for children remained strong, we still relied on revenues from franchise sales. It was time to get creative.

We began by making the operation more efficient. Then we looked for new markets where parents were spending discretionary funds on services for their children. The most logical market was Asia. We had been entirely focused on U.S expansion but decided to take the plunge far away from home in the Far East.

We sold master franchise rights first in Singapore and Malaysia, and later in Japan, Indonesia, China and Macau. These rights allow the purchaser to grow franchises within their country/region. The new strategy required a drastic change in Abrakadoodle’s business model to include retail locations. In the U.S., Abrakadoodle focuses on delivering mobile art programs by sending trained teachers, materials, curriculum and programming into sites where children are already receiving educational services: charter schools, community centers, private schools and afterschool programs. In Asia, with its denser populations, we designed Abrakadoodle Art Studios for Kids that are retail locations that can attract nearby students.

The strategy is paying off. Late last year, Japan’s largest, publicly held franchisor of education programs purchased rights to Abrakadoodle programs. After being delayed by the tsunami early this year, the franchisor is kicking off the Abrakadoodle program across Japan this fall.

China was next. Last year, we co-branded with the Chinese owner of My Gym International Franchises, a U.S. company that has been operating in China. In June, Rosemarie and I — along with Abrakadoodle’s stuffed, black-and-white mascot dog Splat — visited China to launch the program.

In Beijing, we met with over 250 Chinese moms and dads, anxious to learn about Abrakadoodle and creativity. While Chinese students have top scores in math, science and language arts, they lag behind in creative pursuits. The meeting and creative demonstrations went on for more than two hours as Chinese parents peppered us with questions. Already, Abrakadoodle China has opened 16 locations, with many more planned soon.

Expanding into Asia helped Abrakadoodle not only to survive the recession, but to thrive. Total franchises grew from 50 to 79 today, with system-wide revenues over $5 million up from $3 million in 2007. We expect to reach 100 franchises in 2012. From Beijing to Baltimore, Abrakadoodle has offered programs to more than a half-million children.

The international expansion led to new growth-strategies: co-branding and partnering with a well-established large franchise. We also have learned there are parents everywhere who want their children to develop creativity and imagination—and to color outside the lines.

Did you like this story? Readers are invited to vote for their favorite entries between Sept. 12 and Sept. 30 (one vote per week). The Reader’s Choice winner will be revealed when the Journal’s special report is published Nov. 21. Rate Abrakadoodle for the Big Innovation Contest.

Krista and Bill Roberts

New Jersey Abrakadoodle franchise owners Krista and Bill Roberts are featured on the cover of Black Enterprise magazine in the September 2011 issue.  The cover story is entitled ” How to Make $100,000 From Home.”  See the cover and view the whole story at Black Enterprise September Issue.