Testimonials

We just received our in-store copies of the After Thanksgiving ** Christmas Blowout Sale mailer and I wanted to say thanks! It looks great ... maybe one of the best sale promo pieces done. Sue and I receive a lot of catalogs and sale flyers at home ... and our pieces stand right up there with the best. So I say thank you. There is no way that we here at Arrowhead as an independent could produce catalogs and flyers of the quality that we now have. You make us look really good!

We are to be dispensers of Truth and Light and have been called by the ever faithful God to this ministry/business. We will remain faithful to that calling.

My story: franchising with Parable

Faced with the opportunity to own a Christian Bookstore, my spirit soared with anticipation of ministry moments that would certainly come. And come they did, along with the challenge of being thrust into the world of retail. Having had no prior retail experience, the dependence upon a strong brand, providing a wide spectrum of experience and expertise, was an absolute necessity. The decision to choose the branding of Parable Christian Stores quickly proved to be valuable to our success. Initial reluctance of various vendors to accept us as new owners was met with the strong influence of the Parable Group, resulting in timely deliveries of our inventory.

My heart was tuned and prepared for the ministry. However, without the timely coaching of John Strifler and Steve Adams, I would still be floundering with no defined direction. From personnel development to effective merchandizing, and everything in between, the advice I have received became my super-compressed, crash course in retail business ownership. Taking their years of experience and applying it convinced me becoming a Parable Christian Store Franchisee would continue to be a resource of knowledge and support I would grow to appreciate. Following John and Steve's carefully given recommendations, I opted into the Parable Essential Inventory (PEI), and the monthly catalog program and have seen a marked improvement in my total sales. They continue to offer assistance and encouragement through their attitudes, words and actions.

One vendor rep summed it up well. Commenting on our Parable Group selection, he said, "Steve Potratz lives on the edge of the envelope, resulting in innovative and progressive ideas that will be required to compete with the big box store business environment."
~Dennis Smith, Owner, Parable Christian Store of Newnan

Parable's Essential Inventory program has given me the tools that make my managing smarter. On average it saves time and money, my customers get better selection and I get a better margin. We both win!
~Tim van Eijl, Shepherd's Voice Christian Bookstore

Parable's expertise in database information management has been critical in our ability to cost-effectively stay in close contact with our core customers, regularly connect with other customers, and attractively introduce ourselves to hundreds of valuable new customers.
~ Jim Kregel, Kregel Parable Christian Store

All the Parable special promotions, events, coupons, exclusives and cost savings are necessary in today's market, and we could never do them as professionally as Parable does.
~Mark Bingle, Lighthouse Christian Stores of Southern California

I was amazed at our sales after sending out the private sale invitation. We made the same amount of money that day in March as we make on a day during Christmastime!
~Becky Higgs, Crossroads Books & Gifts, Mobile, AL

Our biggest thing we have been working on this year is our relationships with churches. I feel the programs you have put together for us gives me a reason to talk to the churches. They didn't realize we offered all this-and they respond.
~Mark Stofer, The Bookery, Mansfield, OH

Even in the midst of construction, the franchise helps our store survive. Parable negotiates TV ads that promote the latest products in my store's local market. Our customers noticed the ad and were excited about it.
~Dorothy Alford, Parables, Omaha, NE