An Interview with Genna Bohlman, FACE FOUNDRIÉ Facial Bar Franchisee

Meet Genna Bohlman, FACE FOUNDRIÉ’s pioneering franchisee, who shares her decision to leave her corporate career and become a multi-unit business owner. Genna opened the brand’s sixth location in Wayzata, Minnesota, and opened her second location in Apple Valley in the spring of 2023. She now plans to open her third location in Blaine, Minnesota, by the end of April 2024. Today, her remarkable achievements stand as a testament to the advantages of leveraging a strong franchise model, inspiring others to pursue entrepreneurship through FACE FOUNDRIÉ’s franchise business opportunities.

What’s your Background + Experience?

“I was always a bit of a rule follower. Growing up, my parents demonstrated pursuing higher education, then a corporate career. I found myself following that example, climbing the corporate ladder, managing large projects and teams, and working my way up in a large organization. But it felt like something was missing, and as time went on, I started feeling more and more disconnected from the work.”

“When Covid hit, juggling full-time work from home and kids’ distance learning pushed me to seek change. I connected with a career coach who helped me realize that I craved the autonomy of owning my business without the risks of starting from scratch. I’m a Type A person who thrives on innovating processes and teams. That’s when the idea of franchising clicked.”

 

Why FACE FOUNDRIÉ?

“I was initially a client. I loved how the services made me feel. I had never splurged on skincare before; I was more of a drugstore kind of person. However, after trying out the services and products, I immediately saw and felt the difference in my skin. I didn’t want to spend a fortune. This was affordable and it worked.”

“Dealing with my skin concerns, I understood the impact they can have on women’s confidence and felt deeply connected to that purpose, so I decided to leap. I filled out a form, and within 24 hours, I was scheduling a phone call with Michele, the Founder (+ CEO).”

“Understanding the different roles within the franchise system made me feel like it was a perfect fit. It was a big step for me—I’m usually pretty risk-averse. But what solidified my belief was the support from FACE FOUNDRIÉ and the autonomy to lead our local team. It’s all about creating your own culture, with the right balance of support and flexibility.”

 

What are your most significant achievements in your personal and professional life?

“Taking the leap from corporate life to entrepreneurship felt like a huge personal win for me. Finding purpose in my work has been transformative—it’s no longer just a job, it’s something I genuinely enjoy pouring my energy into. With more flexibility, I’m able to prioritize what truly matters, whether it’s spending time with my team, and family, or handling administrative tasks.”

“Personally, I’m always striving for balance. Amidst a growing workload, I’m also pursuing personal goals outside of work, like training for a triathlon in college, I was a competitive swimmer, so it’s a goal I’m excited to pursue again.”

“This shift from corporate leadership to business ownership has provided invaluable insights. Though the challenges differ, seeing the success of my stores now, I’m confident I made the right move.”

 

What role has making connections played in the growth of your franchise?

“I’m all about trust and authenticity when it comes to networking. As an introvert, I thrive on genuine connections and meaningful conversations. My network consists of friends that I’ve had for 20+ years, neighbors, and other local parents, as well as people from my previous organization who genuinely want to see me succeed. In my corporate days, I often felt like I had to wear a mask, but now with FACE FOUNDRIÉ, I feel like I can truly be myself.”

“I love being on the ground, seeing my team in action, and feeling the energy of the stores. My teams share a light-hearted, optimistic attitude and a ‘get it done’ mindset. Lately, we’ve embraced the following mantra:”

• HEART: We prioritize caring for ourselves, our team, and our clients.
• HUSTLE: We’re dedicated and hardworking.
• HUMBLE: We acknowledge there’s always room for growth and learning.
• HUNGRY: We’re driven by ambitious goals and aspirations.

“I visit each store at least once a week, especially newer developments, focusing on supporting and coaching the store managers and overall team development. When I’m not in the stores, I work from home on strategic planning, marketing, inventory, and accounting tasks.”

 

In your opinion, what are some skills that are beneficial to become a strong franchise owner?

“For me, one of my strongest assets is my continuous improvement mindset. Whether it’s improving myself as a leader, refining our processes, or enhancing store operations,  I’m always pushing for improvement. You need grit, empathy, and strong communication skills. It’s crucial to be hands-on and relatable, fostering a positive atmosphere within the team – you can’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty when necessary.”

“I’ve also learned a lot of new skills along the way too – from accounting to understanding small business laws and even learning more about skincare. Google Calendar keeps me organized and accountable while making the right hiring decisions has been key in maintaining skincare standards and providing our customers with the best experience possible.”

 

This is your second year serving on the Franchise Advisory Council, why do you find it valuable and how do you believe your involvement contributes to both your accomplishments and the growth of the FACE FOUNDRIÉ franchise?

“FACE FOUNDRIÉ is quickly growing, yet the organization remains nimble and consistently evolving to deliver best-in-class experiences to our clients. I’m honored and energized to have a seat at that table to discuss what the future may hold. Being one of the first franchisees, I’ve seen firsthand what works and what doesn’t within the system. Additionally, my corporate background in mass retail equipped me to understand how strategy and operations can scale, which is a unique skill set that I bring to the table. Having early insight into upcoming developments gives me confidence in the brand’s future. It also helps me inspire and support other franchisees.”

 

Franchise Business Opportunities

Since FACE FOUNDRIÉ began franchising in early 2021, the brand has grown significantly year after year. The brand currently has 40 locations and plans to have 60+ open by the end of 2024.

For entrepreneurs looking to own a franchise in a fast-growing beauty industry and a concept that boasts multiple revenue streams—product, service, and membership sales—FACE FOUNDRIÉ offers a proven model, a supportive development team, and the ability to leverage cost-effective build-out plans with top-notch support.

The minimum franchisee financial qualifications are $250,000 in liquidity and $550,000 in net worth. 

Learn more by inquiring at facefoundrie.com/franchise.