S8 E8: Franchise Ownership with Nasutsa Mabwa

WinHers United

“Do a good job every time, and people will gain that trust. People will share your name around, and [you will] get more leads. That’s how the business can grow.” – Nasutsa Mabwa

During Season 8 Episode 8 of WinHers United the podcast Nasutsa Mabwa, President of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, talks to us about the difference between franchise ownership and running an independent business, pivoting business services when needed, and having a business exit strategy. She also shares insight on the importance of being an emotionally sound business owner, taking breaks as needed, and making decisions based on your values.

Episode Highlights

(3:12) Nasutsa tells us about franchise ownership and why she decided to start one

(4:23) Nasutsa talks to us about the services offered at her company

(7:16) Nasutsa shares how she had to get innovative to remain relevant during the pandemic

(9:10) Nasutsa discusses the marketing strategy she uses to grow her business

(13:45) Nasutsa explains why she prefers to run a smaller company that is lean and agile

(18:30) Nasutsa gives us insight into having a business exit strategy

(20:41) Nasutsa tells us why she chooses to operate her business with a selective mindset

(24:27) Nasutsa talks about the personal practices she uses to stay grounded

(29:07) Nasutsa shares what she has done lately to develop herself

(30:34) Nasutsa discusses a resource she uses to decrease stress

(32:18) Nasutsa talks about what self-care means to her

(34:16) Nasutsa provides a tip for business strength and health

(40:32) Nasutsa shares her latest win and why it’s important to her

(42:42) Nasutsa gives us her definition of a WinHer

(43:51) Nasutsa offers her parting words of wisdom

Nasutsa’s Bio

Nasutsa Mabwa is President of ServiceMaster By Simons, managing the strategic direction and operations of ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons, a MBE/WBE certified firm, City of Chicago and the State of Illinois. Nasutsa brings an extensive background in real estate development and urban planning to ServiceMaster By Simons. She is focused upon building the commercial and residential side of property restoration and construction business by nurturing and developing key real estate industry relationships.

Mabwa previously served as a Senior Project Manager for McCaffery Interests, a real estate development firm. At McCaffery, she managed the Lakeside Development, a 600-acre mixed-use community on Chicago's southeast side. Before joining McCaffery, Mabwa worked for the City of Chicago as an Urban Planner and Director.

For all her achievements and involvement, Nasutsa was awarded the Women in Real Estate Bright Horizon Award in 2008, named one of Crain's Chicago Business's "40 Under 40 Class" of 2010. She is a 2015 Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Graduate, and a 2015 Chicago Anchors For a Strong Economy/World Business Chicago Program Graduate. ServiceMaster By Simons was awarded “Rookie of the Year” in 2015 for achieving the highest revenue in the company’s first year of business out of all ServiceMaster franchises in the US.

Currently, Nasutsa is Vice President Elect, serving on the Board of Directors, for The Evanston Chamber of Commerce. Her company was honored with the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics in 2020. In 2020, Mabwa was awarded the C-Suite Award by the Daily Herald Business Ledger for Chicago suburban Executives. ServiceMaster By Simons was awarded the 2018 ServiceMaster© Achiever Award at the annual national ServiceMaster conference. Mabwa also was honored as an Influential Women in Business 2017 by the Daily Herald Business Ledger and an Influential Woman in Business in 2018 by the Chicago Business Journal.

Nasutsa holds two advanced degrees: a master's degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois-Chicago and an MBA with a real estate development concentration from Roosevelt University.

Nasutsa resides in Evanston with her husband, their two children and spends much of her free time gardening or biking.

Check out Nasutsa’s website at: https://servicemaster-restorationbysimons.com/

Send Nasutsa an email at: [e-mail]

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As always "Be Empowered and Empower On" - Nicole Walker