Business Focus: Ben Lucas, Snap-On Franchisee

When we think of small business owners, we often think of stand alone businesses that are not only sole proprietors, but operating from their own system. While this is often the case, it leaves a gap where small business owners working from a franchise system fit in the picture. These are still small businesses, but have a built in support system and framework which they operate from. Today, I would like to introduce you to Ben Lucas, Snap-On Franchisee.

I met Ben when he was working on the Corporate side of Snap-On. Ben started off as a Field Support Specialist in 2007, he diligently worked his way up through many positions ranging from a Company Store Manager, then Franchise Developer, to his last role as a Sales Developer. While working in his last role, an opportunity to buy a route came up, one that he felt he could not pass up, and so he took the jump and became a Snap-On Authorized Franchisee.

Ben has excelled while owning his route, in fact, he has been Franchisee of the Year, the last 2 years in his Franchise Performance Team. This is in part due to the knowledge he came on board with as a former Snap-on associate, what it entailed to have success as a franchisee, but the bigger thing is that Ben strives to have excellent relationships with his customers, and that contributes greatly to his performance. Ben looks at his customers as an extended family, and many of them feel the same way about him.

Speaking of family, Ben’s employee, Jarome Harris, truly is more of a family member. When Ben purchased his route from Gary Bartley, they both felt it best to keep Jarome on board, as he was a asset to Gary. Jarome has proven to be a vital asset to Ben’s business, and to all of their customers, alike, in fact he runs his own Snap-on truck for the business.

It takes a great team to run a successful Snap-on business, and that starts at home. Ben’s wife Brooke, along with their three children, are not only supporters of his endeavors, but they are involved in the business on occasion as well. If you see Ben’s truck, you will see the names of his family proudly displayed, letting you know this truly is a family effort.

Ben Lucas cares about his customers, he cares about his community, and he cares about his family, all aspects of it.