Paul Joseph served 24 years in the military and federal government before retiring in 2012. He was introduced to EarthFruit Yogurt franchising by Richard Ashe and was impressed by the high quality product and community focus. Joseph completed training with the corporate team and opened his EarthFruit Yogurt store in Bowie, MD in 2013. For Joseph, owning the franchise allows him to create jobs and inspire young employees, using skills he developed in the military like self-discipline, teamwork and determination to complete any mission. He recommends franchising to other veterans as a way to pursue their dreams and be their own bosses.

1. Paul Joseph
Profile
“Veterans have the drive and determination that a
lot of corporations look for, and they know we’re
not going to stop until we get it done.”
Growing up in Pass
Christian, Mississippi,
Paul Joseph attended the
University of Maryland
where he earned a
Bachelor of Science in
Business Management.
After graduating and in
need of a steady job,
Joseph enlisted in the
United States Army and
soon after became a
warrant officer.
Serving seven years on active duty, in 1988
Joseph then enlisted in the Army Reserves.
In July 1992, while still in the Reserves,
Joseph gained employment working for
the Department of Justice, with which he
spent the next 20 years travelling the U.S.
auditing federal prisons. During this time
Joseph purchased a commercial cleaning
franchise called Cover All, which he ran
in the evenings while not on duty with the
Department of Justice.
After serving 24 years in the military
and a total of 27 years with the federal
government, in December 2012 Joseph
retired from the Department of Justice to
pursue his own dream.
Yogurt that caught his attention. “Richard
told me they did kosher yogurt, and I’m a
kosher kind of guy,” Joseph laughs
Visiting EarthFruit Yogurt’s corporate
team in Salt Lake City, UT, Joseph tasted
the product and was hooked. “I knew it
was the best yogurt out there,” he says.
“The staff were great, the all-natural
yogurt was the best quality and the store
design was beautiful.” The low overhead,
DIY service concept, and the company’s
community involvement were also selling
points for the brand.
Attending a one-week training program,
Joseph worked with the corporate team
covering everything from how to operate
the machinery and manage financial
planning, to hiring procedures and
daily operations. Signing his franchise
agreement in December 2011 and lease
for the Bowie, MD store in February 2013,
Joseph’s store opened its doors on August
24, 2013. On October 19, 2013, Joseph,
along with his 12 employees, hosted the
store’s grand opening.
For Joseph the most rewarding part of
owning an EarthFruit Yogurt is being a
part of the team and inspiring others. “My
main goal was to create jobs and help the
kids looking for employment. Working
with the Department of Justice I’ve seen
where a lot of young folks wound up if
they never had a job or finished school, I
think one of the best ways I can give back
is by showing them the right way to go.”
Recommending franchising to veterans
looking to start their own business, Joseph
says veterans’ instilled self-discipline, selfmotivation, and little need for direction
makes them great franchise owners. “We
like to accomplish the mission and we
know how important team work is,” he
says, adding, “Veterans have the drive and
determination that a lot of corporations
look for, and they know we’re not going to
stop until we get it done.”
Joseph’s final thoughts to veterans
interested in owning their own business:
“Pursue your dreams, and don’t ever let
anyone stop you. Look for something
you’re compassionate about. To me,
this is not a job, it’s fun because I like
teaching people, meeting my customers,
and providing them with the best service
possible,” he says. “We’re here to serve
others.”
For more information:
Website: www.earthfruitsyogurt.com/
franchise
While attending an IFA convention in
Washington D.C., Joseph met Richard
Ashe, President of Veteran Franchise
Centers. Expressing his interest of
operating his own full time business,
Ashe presented Joseph with a variety of
franchise options, but it was EarthFruit
Franchising USA
v e t er a ns i n fr a nch isi ng
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