Franchise of the Year Award!
For Immediate Release Contact: Diane White Phone: 918-770-3905 Email: Diane@DianeWhitePr.com
National Company Awards Williamson County Business “Franchise of the Year” Just Between Friends Event Receives Prestigious Award Local mompreneur helps thousands of families save & earn money at popular consignment events
Austin, Texas – A small business owner from Williamson County, Texas is receiving national recognition as Franchise of the Year for Just Between Friends Franchise System, Inc. (JBF). JBF is North America’s leading children’s and maternity consignment sales event. Local “mompreneur”, Bridget Jones, received the honor at the company’s national conference earlier this month. Jones owns and operates the popular consignment event that happens twice a year.
For the last three years, Jones has helped thousands of families throughout Williamson County save money and earn money on items for their children. At the JBF 
events, local families sign up as consignors and sell the new and gently used children’s items their families have outgrown. They can earn between 60% and 70% of the selling price and literally turn “clutter into cash”. Other families shop the JBF events and can typically save 50% to 90% off retail on items such as children’s clothing, toys, baby equipment, furniture and much more. The independent judges who chose the Williamson County franchisee said key deciding factors were Bridget Jones’ passion, drive and innovation that led to her success. They cited some key metrics: • More than doubling sales & growing consignors by 93% • Building Facebook engagement and growing fan base from 800 to more than 7200 likes • Facilitating donations of more than 17,000 items totaling more than $78,000 to local charities In addition, they were also impressed that Jones focused on investing and planning for growth for her JBF franchise. She recently moved to a new venue with more than 28,000 square feet of space. In addition, she has invested in equipment and other resources to help grow her company. The judges also called Jones’ commitment to serve “impressive”. She gives back to her community through charitable donations to the Reveal Resource Center and the Leander ISD PTA Clothes Closet. She also gives back to her company, serving on the JBF conference planning committee the past two year as well as the hospitality team. 
“Bridget Jones truly is a bright spot in our franchise system. She is enthusiastic, hardworking and leads with such a giving heart. I am thrilled that the judges chose her for this honor, which she earned through hard work, commitment and by putting others’ needs first. Her main focus is helping families in her community. I know she will continue to grow and thrive in our company,” explained Just Between Friends CEO and Co-founder Shannon Wilburn. In addition to winning Franchise of the Year, Jones was also awarded Top Achiever Status. In addition, she received JBF’s “Super Nova”, chosen by her fellow franchisees as a top JBF cheerleader for the franchise system who is always willing to help others in the franchise system. JBF-Williamson County is planning its spring event May 4 – 6 at the Premier Athletic Complex in Leander. For more information or to schedule an interview with Bridget Jones or with JBF Co-founder and CEO Shannon Wilburn, contact Diane White at 918-770-3905 or DianeWhite@jbfsale.com We can also provide photos and video. About Just Between Friends In 1997, Just Between Friends was created in a living room in Tulsa, Oklahoma when Shannon Wilburn, a mother of two young children, and her friend Daven Tackett hosted a sale with 17 friends as consignors and had gross sales of $2000. In 2016, that same sale hosted two events and grossed almost 1 million dollars. The sales caught on with families and grew, so in 2003, they formed Just Between Friends Franchise Systems, Inc. Wilburn is now sole owner and CEO of Just Between Friends Franchise Systems, Inc., which has 153 franchises in 30 states and one in Canada for a total of 154. System-wide sales in 2016 topped 29 million and they expect to top 31 million in 2017. For the last three years, Forbes Magazine named Just Between Friends one of the top ten franchises in the United States in the under $150,000 investment category. JBF was also named one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 500 Franchises for the last five years. Just Between Friends Franchise Systems Inc. also received a “Franchisee Satisfaction Award” and was named in the Top 50 franchises by “Franchise Business Review” for the past seven of the last eight years. JBF has been featured on numerous national television shows including The Today Show, Good Morning America, Real Biz with Rebecca Jarvis, Fox News, CBS Early Show, ABC News, CNN, Headline News, Inside Edition and CNBC’s The Big Idea. They have also been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, Wall Street Journal, Inc.com as well as many top markets including Seattle, Minneapolis, Denver, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco and Philadelphia and on popular websites www.yahoo.com, www.sheknows.com and Disney website www.family.com.