Global Franchise 9.2 - Issue 56

Alessandro and Victor Daher’s remarkable life journey – from escaping danger in South America to achieving global franchise success – highlights the inspiring impact of family influence when it comes to shaping business futures Father toSon: howa family legacy created a franchise powerhouse As a father, few moments are as surreal and pride- inducing as watching your son grow into an accomplished franchise expert, leading the expansion of a Top 500 franchise in the United States. Victor, my son, was immersed in my business from a young age, cultivating the work ethic essential for success in both Brazil and here in the U.S. In Brazil, I identified a significant opportunity within the burgeoning economy and franchise industry. Affordable cleaning services and accessible franchise opportunities were scarce, with the market dominated by giants like McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, and Subway.With Maid for You, I introduced an investment opportunity with a remarkably low entry point yet substantial potential for profitability. The most rewarding aspect of my work has been enabling hard-working Brazilians, many of whom had never owned a business, to succeed and build legacies for their families. This continues to drive me daily. It was economic instability and increasing violence in our hometown that drove us to emigrate to Florida – I was determined to provide my son with a safer environment and greater opportunities.While Brazil and the U.S. differ in culture, regulations, and business practices, the fundamentals of managing daily operations and overcoming challenges remain surprisingly similar. From a young age, I ensured Victor grasped the basics of business management. After earning his degree from Florida State University, he joined me in managing the daily operations of the business. However, after a year, it was clear that it was time for him to forge his own path in the franchising world. Seeing how far he has come in the past decade fills me with immense pride. His achievements and the brands he has helped grow are a testament to his dedication and expertise, making me a proud father every day. My father has always been my role model. The work ethic and success I’ve achieved wouldn’t have been possible without his unwavering love, support, and guidance throughout my childhood and young adult years. As an only child, I was deeply influenced by everything my father did, especially his journey from a small business owner to a franchisor.Watching him work tirelessly to impact the lives of countless entrepreneurs through his franchise brand sparked my early passion for franchising. The U.S. is a melting pot of immigrants from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Being a multilingual immigrant myself, I have the unique ability to connect and build strong relationships with candidates from various countries, cultures, and backgrounds. This cultural insight allows me to understand their goals and aspirations better, ensuring they align with what we aim to achieve at Batteries Plus. A popular method of domestic expansion is awarding franchise licenses through the E-2 or EB-5 investor visa programs. My trilingual skills enable me to communicate effectively with E-2 and EB-5 candidates, helping them pursue their American dream through our Batteries Plus franchise model. There’s nothing more rewarding than awarding a franchise to one of these candidates and witnessing them succeed and build the life they’ve always wanted. While the future is unpredictable, I am confident that franchising and entrepreneurship will continue to play a significant role in it. My father and I have often discussed the possibility of bringing his Brazilian franchise model to the United States. However, for now, my focus remains firmly on the mission at hand — leading Batteries Plus into unprecedented growth and ensuring the brand’s continued success for many years to come. Alessandro Daher Alessandro, an entrepreneurial franchise owner in South America, faced threats to his life, prompting his move to the U.S. with his son. His journey inspiredVictor’s global franchising success. Victor Daher Inspired by his father’s entrepreneurial journey, Victor embodies the American dream, leveraging his multilingual skills to help other immigrants succeed, and driving growth asVP of Franchise Development at Batteries Plus. “Seeing my son grow into a top franchise expert has been my proudest achievement” “Franchising has been the key to fulfilling countless dreams, including my own.” 82 GLOBAL FRANCHISE Issue 9.2 Interview | FEATURE