November 2012
| Business World Magazine | 89
mechanism that helped produce it is a mod-
ern marvel that reflects advancements in en-
gineering, computer technology and digital
art. And for all its wondrous function, the
use of these devices was something largely
controlled by large companies. The focus at
Hirsch involved selling equipment. It would
take other brains to realize there was yet
greater potential, not from the mere selling
of machines, but more importantly, in pro-
viding entrepreneurs with the means to start
and successfully operate their own business.
THE INNER WEAVINGS
Following a visit to a Hometown Threads
store six years ago, Wayne Brown of Au-
gusta, Georgia, determined to buy the com-
pany, and he did. As Chairman and CEO,
Brown’s philosophies on customer service,
team building and hands-on leadership have
helped Hometown Threads emerge as one
America’s fastest growing retail franchises.
There are currently more than 40 locations
throughout the United States, with many
strategically centered within high traffic
stores such as Wal-Mart.
While each store is capable of producing
embroidery of almost anything that catches
your eye, there is a lot more going on than
meets the eye. For as finely tuned as the
equipment may be, so too is the system that
CEO Brown and President Hatch have per-
fected in growing the franchise. This has in-
cluded investments in tools, technologies,
research and time, which is now paying off
in dividends and enabling professionals to
fulfill their own dreams for success.
The franchisees will find these stores
on the low-cost side of typical investments,
but Hatch provides a list of all the services
that come with it: on-site real estate consult-