Franchise Overview...A Profile in Success!
Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, (OLP), is a comprehensive provider of high-end architectural and landscape lighting systems to affluent home-owners as well as home builders, contractors, and landscape and landscape architectural trade professionals. Nationwide in scope, OLP has enjoyed sustained growth since 1995, the year the company was founded. Headquartered in Metropolitan Charlotte North Carolina, OLP currently has 57 franchise locations. You can link to our location map directly by clicking here.

There are many opportunities for ownership in our franchise system as OLP maintains a strong commitment to corporate and individual franchisee success. On successive pages you can read more about what makes OLP a very desirable business opportunity for someone just like you.

Lighting is Our Only Focus
In the corporate era of diversification, globalization and an economic evolution from manufacturing to information technology, one aspect of "American Life" remains constant — people take immense pride in their homes. This is underscored by unprecedented growth in the housing and construction service industries. As more and more families become first-time buyers or move-up buyers, the foundation for continued growth is assured in an industry such as ours. With great pride we declare that landscape and architectural lighting is our ONLY business. Our formula is not radical. But it is proven and takes inspiration from core business values. OLP puts the customer first, period. And this is demonstrated time and time again as evidenced by the magnitude of referrals from satisfied customers.

In short, we rely on a proven marketing formula that emphasizes market penetration with Residential Homeowners and into Key Housing-Related Trade Segments. Franchisee owners have a multitude of marketing materials available to them as well as ongoing sales and technical training. Database and accounting systems are also synchronized and provided in conjunction with your franchise purchase.

Our Qualifications:

MARKET LEADERSHIP
Like all successful franchise systems, OLP enjoys a strong market position within our industry/category.OLP is not complacent about being the "Nation's Largest Landscape and Architectural Lighting Company." Our niche is recognized as one of the leading after-market growth opportunities in the "Green Industry." And, our name recognition ranks high amongst prospective buyers of our services.

FRANCHISE SUPPORT

Product Training
OLP provides the franchisee network with field and classroom training as well as access to operations and product support counsel administered in the following manner:

• In-person at your location
  
• Via telephone from our Manufacturer B&B Lighting, and OLP Principals
  
• Via a sophisticated web site content-delivery bulletin board
  

Sales Training
As your ultimate success will be reliant upon your ability to interface with prospects and provide a compelling sales presentation, OLP considers it vital that you have the best sales training available to you.

OLP is under contract with a leading national sales training organization. Working in tandem with them you will learn the techniques that will be invaluable to your long-term prosperity.

The training is multi-faceted and due to OLP propriety and confidentiality, we may only disclose this information in detail upon your confirmed interest in our franchise opportunity.

Annual Franchisee Conference
Held in a location that is accessible from the East and West Coasts, OLP hosts an annual meeting which brings together owners and employees of our growing franchise system. Spanning a range of subjects including industry trends, product advancements & R&D, sales and marketing success stories, and business management tactics as well as training/coaching clinics, the Annual Meeting always produces actionable strategies for a franchisee's continued growth.

Sales/Database Management & Accounting Software
OLP makes available the most beneficial and easy-to-implement accounting and database management systems possible. Through a sound and secure web site, we are able to provide assistance in the set-up and maintenance of these programs. Should you commence with the purchase of an OLP Franchise, you will receive personal training and hands-on help reviewing your database and accounting software options.

Quick Start Marketing and Operations Kit

• Trade Show Booth and Graphics
  
• Operations Manual
  
• Set-up & Access to OLP WEBSITE Bulletin Board
  
• 30-Fixture Lighting Demonstration Kit with Power Center
  
• 5,000 to 10,000 Piece Direct Mail Blitz (Count depends on territory size)
  Includes list acquisition, printing and mailing
  
• 5,000 additional Doorhangers or Postcards
  
• 300- 8.5" by 11" Printed Professional Full-Color Advertising Sell Sheets suitable for both end-users and trade partners
  
• Affiliate Membership of ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects)
  
• Direct access to Franchise Support Personnel--Charlotte, NC and St. Louis, MO
  
• Participation in Franchise Advisory Council
  
• 5 days of classroom and field training in Charlotte, NC home office training center
• Annual training conference (3 days)
  
• Samples of all advertising materials
  
• Comprehensive, Confidential Operations Manual (2002-03 Edition) covering all aspects of the business including: business administration, marketing methods, sales skills, installation details, and trade partner development
• National advertising and brand enhancement programs
• Access to product manufacturer that only provides product to the OLP Franchise owners
• Miscellaneous support items: logo shirts, notebooks, etc.
  

What It Takes To Succeeed

• Have the desire to run your own business — work outdoors and be your own boss.
  
• Possess the ability to interact and communicate with upper income homeowners and referral services
  
• Have a successful career history in direct sales, management or marketing
  
• Demonstrate strong follow-through skills in implementing OLP's marketing programs
  
• Maintain poised demeanor when performing lighting demonstrations
  
• Possess the ability and willingness to perform necessary accounting and bookkeeping functions
  
• Ability and willingness to train and manage sales and installation personnel
  
• Maintain the desire to attain success and remain motivated
  
• Possess the ability to network and establish relationships with lead sources
  

Most Asked Questions and Answers

Do I have a protected territory?
Yes. Each territory is typically defined by population and postal codes and provides enormous buying potential.

Who buys our service?
OLP relies on a combination of selling to end-users (residential homeowners) and trade partners, (other service contractors, builders, landscape architects, etc.)

Buyers of outdoor lighting typically have higher household incomes. In keeping with this upscale profile, their homes are more elaborate, and have extensive landscaping. Many have second summer or winter homes.

OLP has data to support these customer demographics which will be discussed with you in detail should you proceed in acquiring a franchise.

Why do people invest in OLP lighting?
There are two primary reasons: First, homeowners want to accent their home and landscaping investment for nighttime enjoyment. Second, OLP provides an immeasurable level of safety and security.

Is the sale of Outdoor Lighting products difficult?
Remember, OLP sales are "good news" sales since people want our products and services. Through our comprehensive advertising, prospect qualification, and home demonstration program, you are positioned to succeed.

Where do I buy light fixtures and other items?
A key benefit as a franchise owner is our combined network buying power. As a national outdoor lighting franchise, we provide sources for light fixtures, transformers, and miscellaneous supplies at a savings. Outdoor Lighting Perspectives has its exclusive manufacturer — B&B Manufacturing — whose sole distribution channel is OLP Franchisees.

Is the company name protected?
Yes, we have a national trademark on both the name Outdoor Lighting Perspectives and our unique logo. As a franchise owner, you will be exclusively authorized to use the name and trademark in your territory.

What about collections and accounts receivable?
One of the benefits of this business is you are often paid upon work completion — most jobs are completed and paid for immediately.

What specifically do I get as a franchise owner?
As a franchise owner you will receive the following

Quick Start Marketing and Operations Kit

• A complete 150 page Operations Manual covering aspects of the business from advertising and marketing to installation and service. This business plan has been developed and based on thousands of installations.
  
• A complete lighting demonstration kit with transformer and fixtures.
  
• Examples of advertising materials
  
• A variety of start-up marketing materials
  
• Marketing journal
  
• First 5,000 or 10,000 piece direct mail paid for by us
  
• Membership to our OLP franchisees only bulletin board
  
• Outdoorlights.com email address
  
• Sample business forms
  
• Material sources
  
• Custom marketing PC software (optional)
  
• Trade show booth including graphics and photographs (8 x 8).
  
• The opportunity to leverage our national buying power resulting in lower costs of goods.
  
• 4-5 days of comprehensive classroom and field training at our Charlotte, NC headquarters.
  
• Post-training phone support.
  
• An annual national training conference (held in Charlotte, NC)
  
• Sandler sales training in your location or a 2-day bootcamp in Charlotte
  

Are you a member of any trade associations?
Yes, we are members of the International Franchise Association (IFA), the largest organization of franchises in the world. We are also members of the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA).

We are also corporate members of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the largest organization for landscape architects and landscape contractors in the US. We are also thereby tied into the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA).

Dunn Enterprises/Sandler Sales Institute is another affiliate of OLP. They are also a franchise system and specialize in state-of-the-art sales skills training.