Shannon Wilburn, CEO and Co-Founder of Just Between Friends Franchise Systems, Inc. Granted Certified Franchise Executive Designation

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Shannon Wilburn, CEO and Co-founder of Just Between Friends Systems, Inc, has been recognized as a Certified Franchise Executive by the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives. Wilburn completed a comprehensive course of study in franchise management offered by the institute, which is the academic branch of the International Franchise Association’s Educational Foundation.  IFA is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide and Shannon was recently honored during the IFA’s annual convention in Las Vegas. Just Between Friends is North America’s leading children’s and maternity consignment event with 150 events in the US and Canada – each run by local families. Wilburn co-founded it in 1997 in her living room in Tulsa, Okla. Local families sign up as consignors to sell the new and gently used children’s and maternity items their families have outgrown. They prep their own items, price and tag them and can earn up to 70%. Other families will shop and can typically save between 50 and 90%. In 2014 their system-wide sales topped 26 million dollars and helped more than 600,000 families. Nearly 1,800 franchise executives are currently enrolled or have received certification.  More than 300 IFA-member companies currently have one or more executives enrolled in the program that provides benefits such as specialized knowledge, industry recognition, peer-level networking and professional standing. Candidates are required to complete a rigorous course of study to earn the CFE designation, which includes attending institute-sponsored educational seminars and workshops.  The program enhances franchising professionals’ understanding of both the industry’s fundamental and complex aspects. 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 2014, that same sale hosted two events and grossed close to 1 million. 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 over 140 franchises in 28 states and one in Canada.  They expect to top 27 million in 2015. In June 2014, Forbes Magazine named Just Between Friends one of the top ten franchises in the United States. JBF was also named one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 500 Franchises in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.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 6 years. Wilburn was also named on of Oklahoma’s “50 Women Making a Difference” by Journal Record Newspapers, was awarded the Small Business Administration’s “Women in Business Champion” for Tulsa,  and was part of the Tulsa Business Journal’s 40 under 40.   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 many top markets including Seattle, Denver, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco and Philadelphia as well popular websites  www.yahoo.com,  www.sheknows.com and Disney website  www.family.com. Editor’s Note:  For more about the CFE program, visit Franchise.org or contact IFA Media Relations on 202-628-8000.