Reggie and Chris have accomplished GREAT FINANCIAL SUCCESS in their business. Starting as employees, they now own their own business!

REAMS COME TRUE: Reggie and Chris Terry now own their own MARS business, after being sponsored as Employee Operators for five years by Franchised Owner / Operators Don and Wanda Slater.

REGGIE &CHRIS TERRY and SONS

(l-r) Chris, holding son Adam (3), son Brandon (8), and Reggie.

Reggie and Chris Terry (Florida), our Operators of the Month for August 2004, got 'sick and tired of being sick and tired' of making money for other people. Reggie had a history of 22 years in the grocery industry. "I did it all," he recalls. He started as a bagger and worked up to buyer supervisor for the food industry. It was a successful, well-paid career.

EMPLOYEE SHARES IN PROFITS
"I was attracted to MARS because I had 'done it all' in my grocery career," he says. "I was getting bored. I was tired of the grocery business, and I wanted to make money for my family, not others.
"I was glad to hear about an opportunity like MARS. I was an employee when I started, and this is the type of business where fifty percent of what the Employee earns can go back into his pocket."
(When contracts are drawn up between an Employee and a Sponsor, bonuses are created to up to 50 % split).
"Not only was it more profitable, it was more interesting to me. I like the business. I like working with cars. It's a niche I've always had."
REGGIE AND CHRIS WORK SIDE BY SIDE
Reggie was also glad to find a business where he could work side by side with Chris. As it turns out, the MARS business was perfect for their joint efforts.
Reggie sings praises about his wife's abilities. "We've been on the truck together since the first day," he states. "Chris does all our touch up work, the preps for all bumper work; in fact, she does everything except body work and fill work.
"I'll rate my wife's skills as the highest against any guy on the lot!"for business, but even with those contacts, Reggie still saw the FRIENDLY 'MONSTER'-THE $$ KIND!
"We've been in this business five years,' Reggie continues.

" From the very beginning, we did very well. During the first year, our business was one of two chosen nationwide that MARS reported to have the highest grossing year on the first year out.
In the second year, we did about the same, due to some family problems. Every year since then, it's grown ten percent or more. In fact, this business has grown to be a monster!"(It's a friendly 'monster'-the profitable moneymaking kind we'd all like in our back yard!) When he uses that expression, Reggie simply means that their business has been phenomenal, providing as much work as he and Chris can accept. "Chris and I have all the work we can handle in only five accounts. These are strong accounts, on large lots, and they give us all the work we can manage.
MARS FRANCHISED OWNER / OPERATOR SPONSORSHIP A PLUS!
From the very first, Reggie began to learn the value of being a 'Plan A Employee' sponsored by an Area Development Manger.
He was sponsored by Don and Wanda Slater (Florida), and reviewing his five years of that association, Reggie recalls the benefits of the arrangement.
HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM
Don and Wanda Slater, an extremely successful husband and wife team, provided good role models for Reggie and Chris. They had the example of how a husband and wife team could effectively work together. Chris had the example of how a woman can handle the MARS work and be part of a team.
MORE MENTORING
"We had more help in the field," says Reggie. He realizes that with full-time Sponsors, he and Chris had much more assistance when they encountered problems. "Most new Operators have Mentors with them for two weeks. We had Don and Wanda actively helping us during our entire first year. "When we needed help, Don and Wanda would bail us out.
"To start off, they gave us great training in the MARS Systems and skills. To get us going, they turned over two established accounts to us. We took those over, which was a great help.
For that entire first year, the best way they helped us was by always being there, supportive and helpful. They would either come over to help, or advise us on the phone."
LIKE HAVING THEIR OWN BUSINESS
Reggie is quick to point out, though, that he loved the independence of being his own boss.
They way the Slaters set them up, the Terry team definitely had to manage their own business. The Slaters assisted and drew their commissions, but other than that, they left the Terry team alone to develop on their own.
Although Reggie had the title 'Plan A Employee', he points out, "In reality, from the very first, I was a full MARS Operator on my own. I had to set up my own accounts, set up my own vehicle, and manage the business.
"It was either sink or swim!"

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