Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> May 1, 1998
RONALD G. OLSON is Co-Founder, President and CEO of Grow Biz
International, Inc. The Company has developed a unique approach to
retailing new and used products it calls 'Ultra High Value Retailing'.
Its Play It Again Sports Franchise System is the nation's fastest
growing chain of sporting goods stores. Mr. Olson developed the
franchise system for Play It Again Sports and purchased the business in
January 1990. The Company has expanded into five other retail
categories: children's clothing, toys, and furniture (Once Upon A
Child), computer equipment (Computer Renaissance), musical instruments
(Music Go Round), compact discs (Disc Go Round), and video games (It's
About Games). The Company went public in August 1993. In 1994, Grow Biz
International was named the fastest growing company in America by
Fortune and INC. Magazine. The company has over 1,300 franchises in the
United States, Canada, and Europe. During his tenure at Dayton Hudson
and Associated Dry Goods, both Department Store Chains, Mr. Olson held
various merchandise positions including buyer of Linens, Furniture,
China and Glass, and was Group Manager of total Home Furnishings at the
Dayton's Southdale Branch. Mr. Olson moved to Associated Dry Goods with
the Powers division as Vice President for home furnishings. Mr. Olson
was the Founder and President of R.J. Brandon Galleries, a Drexel
Heritage home furnishings store, which served the upper end customers
with full design services. Mr. Olsen is Co-founder and President of
Franchise Business Systems, Inc., a franchise development, marketing and
investment firm specializing in identifying emerging franchise
opportunities and assisting their development into national franchisers.
Education: North Dakota State University. Profile
summary on Grow Biz International.
Mr. Olson: Grow Biz actually was founded back in 1990. Previous to that,
Jeff Dahlberg
