Local businesswoman named Entrepreneur of the Year by IFA
Monday, March 7, 2005
LANSING–Mary Ellen Sheets had no idea that a $350 investment would someday lead her to be one of the most admired businesswoman in the country.
Her business savvy created TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®but it was her vision and determination that has driven it to an international level – and keeps it moving forward.
Today the International Franchise Association honored her for her work. Sheets was named the Entrepreneur of the Year at its 45th national convention held in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The IFA is the world’s oldest and largest organization that represents franchising and has members who operate in more than 75 industries and more than 100 countries.
“The fact that I was able to start this business with a very small investment and a lot of work is certainly proof that the American dream is still alive,’’ Sheets said.
Sheets’ sons started the moving coming in the early 1980s with a single pickup truck. After they left for college, Sheets continued to field calls. In 1985 she bought an old moving truck for $350 and officially opened the first TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®.
Sheets made the focus of her business to be the customer. News of her success grew. She earned a spot on a panel at a Michigan State University graduate business seminar in 1987.Later that year, the first franchise was open.
William Edwards, president of Edwards Global Services, Inc., said Sheets is a classic example of an entrepreneur who used franchising to grow her business. That insight makes her the perfect candidate for this award, he said.
“The Two Men and A Truck® franchise system has enjoyed double digit growth every year,’’ said Edwards, also member of the IFA Certified Franchise Executive board. “That's an entrepreneur making the most of franchising by helping many people start and grow their own business."
Sheets is a member of the IFA board of directors, the Franchisor Forum and Membership Committee. She serves on the board of the Michigan Freedom Foundation, Michigan Law Abuse Watch and Edward Sparrow Hospital. She is on an advisory board for Lansing Community College and the Lansing Art Gallery. She is a member of the Lansing Regional Business Travel Trust. She previously served on the both the Lansing and Michigan Chambers of Commerce, the Chief Okemos Boy Scout Board of Directors and was a State Commissioner on the Michigan Truck Safety Commission. Sheets was the United Way Campaign Chair for the Lansing area for 2004.She has won various awards, including the Athena Award, Michigan Top 25 Women Business Owners, Lansing Business Person of the Year and Ernst & Young Michigan Entrepreneur of the Year awards.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®/INTERNATIONAL, Inc. has 151 locations in 27 states and more than 978 trucks on the road. Started as an after-school endeavor for two high school boys, Michigan-basedTWO MEN AND A TRUCK®has grown to become one of the largest moving companies in the United States.
For more information on TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®/INTERNATIONAL, Inc., call Katie Rexrode at 1-800-345-1070 or visit www.twomen.com.
Entrepreneur of the Year
First presented in 1982, this award is conferred upon an individual who is currently building a successful business venture.The recipient need not be an IFA member, but must exemplify the “entrepreneurial spirit” that franchising represents.He or she must demonstrate innovative management skills and be a risk taker in a franchise that has been in operation for at least three years, while remaining active in his or her community.
