How this Big Frog Franchisee went from Corporate America to Small Business Ownership in Northern New Jersey
After nearly 30 years of working his way up the corporate ladder at a large laboratory equipment company, Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More Franchisee Dave Ackley was at crossroads. Did he want to continue that same trajectory he had been on, or finally take matters into his own hands and determine his own financial future?
That’s when he discovered the Big Frog franchise opportunity and decided to embark on a new journey into entrepreneurship. Now, luckily for the Township of Washington, Dave is pioneering Big Frog’s growth in Northern New Jersey after signing a franchise agreement to open a second location in the state.
“Dave is on track to open our second location in New Jersey, and we’re proud to partner with an entrepreneur as experienced and passionate as he is,” said Big Frog Co-Founder, President, and CEO Dr. Tina Bacon-DeFrece. “Dave’s approach to business in his community aligns perfectly with Big Frog’s values, and we’re excited for this next phase of growth.”
Dave hopes to open in mid-August 2024. He finalized the lease for his new business endeavor, received training at the headquarters office in Dunedin, Florida, and onsite training at his Northern New Jersey store. He and his wife Jill, who also will be involved with the business, are wrapping up their training at a “Centers of Excellence” Big Frog store. They look forward to getting started with running their own store.
“There are tons of small businesses in our area, and I’m hoping to make their lives easier by giving them a real person to talk to about their custom apparel needs instead of just an impersonal online-only process,” said Dave. “I’ve been around apparel and printing for years. Big Frog gives me an opportunity to get involved in my current community with sports teams and other local businesses. I’ve already built many relationships, and I’m working to create additional community connections.”
About Big Frog of Northern New Jersey
The new store will capitalize on the rapidly growing global apparel industry, which is expected to grow to $2 trillion by 2027, As one of Big Frog’s newest franchisees, Dave will specialize in Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing, which is cleaner and greener than other methods. He will also offer Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing, which allows for more vibrant, detailed designs.
Additionally, Big Frog in the Township of Washington, NJ will provide apparel decorating services such as screen printing, embroidery, vinyl, and Ultra Print (heat press). At Big Frog, customers also receive free design help, no art or setup fees, and a quick turnaround for each order.
Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More of Northern New Jersey will open during the month of August 2024. The one-stop-shop creates “un-frog-ettable” custom apparel for large corporations, small businesses, schools, non-profits, government, retail, and individual consumers within the community.
Located at 261B Pascack Rd., Township of Washington, NJ 07676, the store will be open, starting in mid-August, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and closed on Sunday. Customers can visit BIGFROG.COM/NORTHJERSEY to sign up for email updates.
“I have always loved managing people and developing teams,” said Ackley. “It is so fulfilling to know that my wife Jill and I will be supporting individuals and organizations in our own community while contributing to a larger, nationwide mission. We can’t wait to get started.”
Big Frog has over 75 For information on US franchise opportunities, visit BIGFROGFRANCHISE.COM. For information on Canadian franchise opportunities, visit BIGFROG.CA. View Big Frog YouTube content here. To find a Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More store near you, visit BIGFROG.COM
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