The reasons entrepreneurs venture into the franchising world are many. Some seek financial independence, some want more time freedom, and some want the empowerment of being their own boss. For John Houston, the leap from the corporate grind in government contracting and owning a successful IT company to the whirlwind of franchising came down to one thing, passion.
During a normal workday while having a conversation with a colleague, John had an epiphany.
“I realized the work I was doing wasn’t satisfying anymore. It was affecting my quality of life. I needed something different, something that gave me more purpose.”
Right then and there, John decided that he was going to sell his company, retire, and follow his passions.
John has always been passionate about wanting to help animals. His initial idea was to open a non-profit dog rescue, but when his friend told him about Dogtopia, John knew that it was the perfect opportunity for him.
“I instantly fell in love with the business model a signed to open three locations in the Richmond VA area. Prior to Dogtopia I had never thought about franchising as a business and decided to keep an eye open for other franchise opportunities.”
After years of establishing three successful Dogtopia locations, John came across a budding skincare franchise, GLO30. John’s wife, Gabriela, a longtime advocate for active skincare, was instantly excited by the concept.
“I could see she had the same enthusiasm I had when I first learned about Dogtopia. The more she investigated the brand, the more I could feel her passion growing, and soon that passion spread to me.”
Combining John’s business acumen with Gabriela’s passion for skincare, diving into GLO30 was a natural evolution for the couple. They looked deeper into the business and discovered that GLO30’s franchise model closely mirrored the success they found in Dogtopia—premium services, multiple revenue streams, and a membership-based structure that provides stability and growth.
John was also moved by Dan Rowe (CEO of the global leader in franchise development, Fransmart)’s confidence in the brand. In 2024 when Dan was introduced to GLO30 and met the company’s founder, Dr. Arleen Lamba, he believed in the concept so much that he invested in the company himself.
John said that their decision to franchise with GLO30 was heavily influenced by their interactions with Dr. Lamba. What resonated with them the most was her assertion that “We are not looking for franchisees that just want to make money, we want franchisees that believe in the brand and the business model”.
About Dr. Lamba’s desired values in a franchisee, John said, “That is the passion, belief, and dedication we want in a franchisor. Gabi and I knew right then, GLO30 was the brand for us!”
John says that they are expecting overwhelming support from their Dogtopia customers.
“They can’t wait to drop their dog off for daycare and a spa service, while they head to GLO30 to get their monthly facial” he says.
We can’t wait to watch John and Gabriela’s journey with GLO30. Their passion is contagious, and GLO30 already has 100+ locations in development!
Ready to build your own success story and join one of the fastest-growing skincare brands? Learn more about becoming a GLO30 franchisee today: https://hubs.la/Q035Pgv-0