Shawnee Mission, Kan.—Scott Perron, a lifelong specialty floorcovering retailer and author of FCNews’ “Retailer2Retailer” column, is leaving the showroom floor and headed to the corporate world as the new president of Big Bob’s Flooring Outlet.
The appointment comes as the cash-and-carry franchise operation begins its 25th year. Dave Elyachar, chairman and founder, along with his brother Adam, said Perron is the “perfect” person to bring on board at this juncture. “In order to reach the next level, we need more and better talented people. And there is no one I’d rather be associated with. He has bought into our corporate culture and understands the value system we live by: ‘at the end of the day take care of the people around you.’”
As president, Elyachar explained Perron will not only oversee Big Bob’s corporate operations here, he will be recruiting new franchisees while helping the existing group reach their full potential.
He noted this move is not a signal that he and his brother are retiring or slowing down. “Now we have an extra horse pulling the wagon. Scott will make the foundation stronger—he is the consummate professional.”
Perron currently resides in Connecticut with his family and owns both a Big Bob’s and a specialty store started by his father now operating under the Flooring America banner. At press time, he told FCNews he was in the process of selling each, along with his home in order to relocate to Kansas.
While leaving retail was a tough decision, “I’ve been doing it since I was 10,” he said. “I have been looking at other options and [Elyachar] presented me with this great opportunity. I’m flattered and honored. We have a nice eclectic group that has some great ideas and one of my jobs is to put these together to get the most out of each member. I also plan to travel to our suppliers, to new members as well as to prospects to help out any way I can.”
In addition, Perron will help solidify the corporate headquarters as a model for the franchise. “My goal is to skim all the best practices our members have and put them to work in our Kansas City operations as that is the vehicle we use to recruit and show off Big Bob’s.”
He also plans to use the corporate facilities to hone practices in order to filter them back to members. “We need to give each member every available tool to operate a successful business. We won’t force the stuff, but we do need to make it available.”
Perron added with 53 member locations the organization is about to hit critical mass and now is the perfect time to put a true infrastructure in place if the franchise is to grow to 150 stores while allowing each member to make money.
“But we need everything in place or it will be hard to do,” he explained. “A great deal has been done in recent years. The stores are completely redesigned and now inviting and friendly. We’ve taken the Wal-Mart and Lowe’s approach but with floor covering and Big Bob’s mentality.” A galleria program has also been developed so that “we have the ability to put the program in any size store. This way we can attract people in any market. This will allow us to grow.”
Members seem excited by the potential. Aaron Pirner, CEO of CAP Carpet, which owns a Big Bob’s in Wichita, Kan., said, “Scotty and I are good friends. He is smart and charismatic. The enthusiasm drips from his body with this engagement. He has lofty goals, and it will be fun to help him attain them. With his skills and David’s skills…wow!”
The appointment comes as the cash-and-carry franchise operation begins its 25th year. Dave Elyachar, chairman and founder, along with his brother Adam, said Perron is the “perfect” person to bring on board at this juncture. “In order to reach the next level, we need more and better talented people. And there is no one I’d rather be associated with. He has bought into our corporate culture and understands the value system we live by: ‘at the end of the day take care of the people around you.’”
As president, Elyachar explained Perron will not only oversee Big Bob’s corporate operations here, he will be recruiting new franchisees while helping the existing group reach their full potential.
He noted this move is not a signal that he and his brother are retiring or slowing down. “Now we have an extra horse pulling the wagon. Scott will make the foundation stronger—he is the consummate professional.”
Perron currently resides in Connecticut with his family and owns both a Big Bob’s and a specialty store started by his father now operating under the Flooring America banner. At press time, he told FCNews he was in the process of selling each, along with his home in order to relocate to Kansas.
While leaving retail was a tough decision, “I’ve been doing it since I was 10,” he said. “I have been looking at other options and [Elyachar] presented me with this great opportunity. I’m flattered and honored. We have a nice eclectic group that has some great ideas and one of my jobs is to put these together to get the most out of each member. I also plan to travel to our suppliers, to new members as well as to prospects to help out any way I can.”
In addition, Perron will help solidify the corporate headquarters as a model for the franchise. “My goal is to skim all the best practices our members have and put them to work in our Kansas City operations as that is the vehicle we use to recruit and show off Big Bob’s.”
He also plans to use the corporate facilities to hone practices in order to filter them back to members. “We need to give each member every available tool to operate a successful business. We won’t force the stuff, but we do need to make it available.”
Perron added with 53 member locations the organization is about to hit critical mass and now is the perfect time to put a true infrastructure in place if the franchise is to grow to 150 stores while allowing each member to make money.
“But we need everything in place or it will be hard to do,” he explained. “A great deal has been done in recent years. The stores are completely redesigned and now inviting and friendly. We’ve taken the Wal-Mart and Lowe’s approach but with floor covering and Big Bob’s mentality.” A galleria program has also been developed so that “we have the ability to put the program in any size store. This way we can attract people in any market. This will allow us to grow.”
Members seem excited by the potential. Aaron Pirner, CEO of CAP Carpet, which owns a Big Bob’s in Wichita, Kan., said, “Scotty and I are good friends. He is smart and charismatic. The enthusiasm drips from his body with this engagement. He has lofty goals, and it will be fun to help him attain them. With his skills and David’s skills…wow!”
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