‘The people here are what makes the difference.’
Member Profile: Charles Franz, Franz Management Services
Charles Franz has been a member of NFIB for as long as he can remember, the support being a common thread between his different business ventures.
“NFIB has been on the front lines, representing small businesses, in a multitude of ways,” he says. “NFIB has provided an avenue for camaraderie with other business owners, representation of our issues in Washington and Montgomery, and various tools and resources to help grow my business.”
In the 1980s and 1990s, Franz co-owned a veterinary distribution company, and in 2003, he started Franz Management Services, LLC. Franz Management Services, located in Montgomery, is an association management company that provides management services for six veterinary associations and foundations. Some of these associations are international in scope and others are solely focused on Alabama.
“There are wonderful rewards in conducting a business like this, including helping veterinarians to obtain the latest cutting-edge continuing education, assisting them in addressing various challenges to their businesses and providing various support to them and their veterinary practices,” Franz says. “The best part of being a small business owner is the satisfaction that comes from knowing that you are contributing good jobs and providing an opportunity for others to have a positive influence on a particular market or service. I have always appreciated the opportunity to interact with other small business owners on business issues that face all of us.”
Franz notes the importance of getting involved for small business owners: “Unless we work together to promote our collective interests, positive change will be next to impossible to attain.” He is especially concerned about out-of-control government spending and the importance of creating efficiency in government and putting a stop to the waste.
Another common issue for small business owners is the importance and difficulty of hiring the right people. In that regard, Franz speaks highly of Alabamans.
“For me, Alabama is home,” he says. “This is where I grew up and where I raised my children. The people here are what makes the difference. Individuals with strong work ethic and a supportive and caring attitude are essential for a business to thrive.”
