Franchising World-September 2023 Edition featuring Chris East of Creative Colors International Columbus, Ohio.

The International Franchise Association is proud to celebrate our franchisee members. See below to learn more about of our Featured Franchisee-Chris East and why he got into franchising, his unique background and how he contribute to his local communities.

With experience working for Creative Colors International as a technician in high school, Chris East was prepared to take on entrepreneurship when the time came. 

The father of three had been working in construction when the opportunity to become a franchisee with his stepfather and brother arose. East was enthusiastic about the potential for economic growth with a low startup cost that the nation’s leading on-site leather and vinyl repair and restoration franchise presented.

He says that his favorite part of his work is being able to take on new challenges. Most recently, he was hired by an aviation company to repair the seating and cockpit areas of their flight simulators.

Beginning in Mansfield in 2003 and now heading up the Columbus territory, East has been with CCI for 20 years and enjoys every bit of his work. He admits that working within the company feels more like being part of a family. East said he appreciates the comradery and down-to-earth people that he works with, and it never feels like a big corporate company.

As each new project presents a new problem to solve, East couldn’t be happier doing repairs and helping people in the community that he calls home.