Having seen the success his parents had with their Miracle Method franchise, Ryan Gladhill decided buy his own Miracle Method franchise. He opened his first showroom at 1450 W. Patrick St. Suite 1013, Frederick, MD in July 2007. Miracle Method is the largest kitchen- and bath-refinishing company in North America and Gladhill is currently one of its most successful franchisees. He has locations in three different states, including the only Miracle Method store in South Carolina, and he’s currently working on refinishing all the bathrooms at the Philadelphia Airport. After just a few months, they’re already ten down with only 190 to go.
Although most people think of their own homes when they think of refinishing kitchens and bathrooms, residences aren’t the only buildings with kitchens and bathrooms (although those are important, too). Prior to working on the Philadelphia Airport, Gladhill had worked on similar projects for universities, which is part of how he got the job at the airport.
“The key personnel at the airport reached out to me to see what I was capable of doing,” said Gladhill. “I showed them the university jobs I had done and demos of what I could do for them.”
Before becoming a franchise owner, Gladhill worked in new home construction for three years. A similar industry to kitchen and bath refinishing, but he saw a more sustainable career with Miracle Method.
“New home construction was on the decline,” said Gladhill. “I wanted something more sustainable for my long-term career and saw that Miracle Method was a better long-term business structure.”
It looks like Gladhill made the right call. He said his biggest challenge hasn’t been finding business, it’s been making sure he has enough employees to do the available projects.
In keeping with the family spirit of the franchise, Gladhill opened his second store at 3333 Ashley State Rd. Suite B North Charleston, SC after his parents moved to Charleston. “I decided to open a location down by them, since I loved the area,” said Gladhill.
That move provided the first Miracle Method store in South Carolina and Gladhill has found the expansion has added to his business in unexpected ways.
“I am able to see what works well and apply it across the board,” said Gladhill. “Work in Philadelphia (where he has mobile operations) creates different opportunities in Charleston.”