Today we’d like to introduce you to Greg P Zachary.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Greg P. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
The Oilerie Founder, Curt Campbell, appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank October 24, 2014. I was very intrigued by his story & how he turned down the panel’s money offer. Mark Cuban & Robert Herjavec both expressed interest, but on their terms. Curt Campbell turned them down because it was the right thing to do. Campbell’s stance was what got my attention as he essentially told these millionaires that his integrity was more important than their money. I was hooked & sent in my application for a franchise.
A few weeks later I received a phone call from the franchise rep to begin the vetting process. My initial response was one of surprised, as I had begun to think I did not make the cut. The franchise rep apologized for the delay, explaining that the response was overwhelming. He said a total of 572 applications were received & that I was the last to be called as they went in alphabetical order!! The vetting process was lengthy & thorough. In June 2015, my wife, JoAnna & I received the call to travel to corporate to sign the franchise agreement as we were awarded the only Oilerie franchise for the state of Texas. A little over a year later The Oilerie-The Woodlands opened its doors!!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
As with any new business venture, you have your ups & downs. The biggest challenge we faced was the length of time it took to get our store constructed. The weather played havoc with site construction as we faced delay after delay. Once in the building, more delays, especially around the permitting process. There was a tenant who didn’t have electricity hooked up & he decided to tap into the alarm system in the building. The results were a fried alarm system causing an unexpected 2-week delay. I used the time delays to build my networking contacts. This allowed us to hit the ground running once we did open!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the The Oilerie-The Woodlands story. Tell us more about the business.
The Oilerie-The Woodlands carries 29 varieties of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Aged Balsamic Vinegars & Nut Oils, all supplied to us from one 4th generation Italian Master. While there are others who carry similar products, no one can say they know exactly who makes it & where does it come from. The Oilerie-The Woodlands can! The Oilerie-The Woodlands is a wonderland for both cooks & non-cooks alike, where one samples the product before it is bottled. Which is why we say” The Oilerie is changing the way America is buying olive oil!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck is a product of preparation ( or lack thereof ). Timing, on the other hand, played an important part in obtaining The Oilerie franchise. The episode of Shark Tank was aired @ a stage in my life where I possessed the wherewithal needed to begin this journey. A year earlier & I would have had to wait for a different avenue,
Pricing:
- EVOO $16-$19
- Aged Balsamic Vinegars $19-$23
- Nut Oils $17.50
Contact Info:
- Address: Greg & Jo Anna Zachary The Oilerie-The Woodlands
2400 FM 1488, Suite 500 The Woodlands, Texas 77384 - Website: oilerie.com
- Phone: 936-321-3737
- Email: greg@oilerie.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/oileriethewoodlandstx
Image Credit:
Greg P Zachary
