Evolving with an ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET

"Cartridge World USA has evolved over the years from its ubiquitous brick-and-mortar stores to a home-based, executive model established in 2014. The model allows franchisees to work from anywhere while benefiting from low overhead, no inventory or employees, recurring revenue, a work-life balance, unlimited earnings and more.

Founded in 1988 and franchised in 1997, Cartridge World USA boasts more than 120 franchises and is recognized worldwide for its recycling and remanufacturing of toner cartridges, which helps to reduce eco-waste. The brand provides businesses with quality products and services as well as major savings over its competitors. It also provides new franchisees with 40 hours of online training, live webinars, marketing, ongoing support and more."

Franchisees Micaela and Gary McConnell, owners of Cartridge World Sacramento Region in California, joined the brand in 2007 and, at one point, owned three brick-and-mortar stores. Since 2019, they have exclusively operated from their home, embracing the executive model. The decision to explore franchising arose when Gary was downsized from the mortgage industry in 2007.

“We were striving to take control of our own destinies, to be in charge of ourselves,” he said.

Raising their blended family of six children, Micaela and Gary McConnell discovered Cartridge World at an eco-friendly expo. Micaela was attracted to Cartridge World’s environmental aspect, while Gary was drawn to sales, networking, and building relationships.

As owners of brick-and-mortar stores, the McConnells and their employees engaged with customers in the front offices while handling recycling and remanufacturing of ink cartridges behind the scenes. Now, they operate out of two rooms in their home—one for products and the other for their office.

“Just before COVID hit, we were hearing about executive models, and I said, ‘Let’s do it,’” Micaela recalled. “The bottom line is really much better without brick-and-mortar,” Gary added.

He still enjoys networking, meeting clients, and making sales, while Micaela manages the business, handling accounts receivable, vendor relationships, and inventory control.

“We’re looking at reducing the product that we house and doing more drop-shipping and more remote e-commerce business, which has been the direction that Cartridge World has been heading,” Micaela said.

Drop shipping means that Cartridge World ships directly to customers, eliminating much of the need for hand delivery. The cartridges are now remanufactured at the brand's headquarters, ensuring quality and uniformity throughout.

In the past year, the McConnells embraced Cartridge World’s subscription-based No-cost Printer Program™. This program assists clients in receiving discounted toner, cartridges, supplies, and services. Through this initiative, the McConnells offer customers a free printer, with the agreement to purchase their printer supplies from Cartridge World for a two-year period. Micaela assists clients in finding the best printers for their needs, and the program has further increased the couple’s profits.

The husband-and-wife team has streamlined their business over the years. According to Gary, it's crucial for executive-model franchisees to establish clear lines of responsibilities, with one person handling sales and the other managing the office. New owners should actively network and build relationships in their communities, even in the era of e-commerce. Micaela emphasized the importance of resourcefulness, an independent mindset, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

The McConnells cherish the lifestyle the business has afforded them, as it enables them to travel and visit their now-grown children.

Patty Horansky