Three days. One incredible network. Countless moments worth celebrating.
From October 5–7, The Glass Guru franchise family came together at the Embassy Suites in Frisco, Texas, for our 2026 National Franchise Owners Convention, Rise Above.
With 65 franchise owners in attendance, along with corporate team members, industry partners, guest speakers, and special guests, the convention was an opportunity to reconnect, share ideas, recognize achievements, and celebrate everything that makes The Glass Guru network special.
Over two and a half days, we experienced meaningful conversations, valuable learning opportunities, inspiring presentations, and plenty of memorable moments.
Most importantly, we celebrated the people behind our success — the owners, teams, families, and partners who continue to build The Glass Guru brand every day.
Rise Above wasn’t just the theme of our convention. It was a celebration of how far we’ve come and a reminder of what we can accomplish together.
Kicking Things Off: Reconnecting and Celebrating
The convention began Monday evening with our Welcome Cocktail Reception, bringing franchise owners, corporate leadership, and industry partners together to reconnect and welcome new faces.
For some, it was an opportunity to catch up with longtime friends. For others, especially our newer franchise owners, it was a chance to meet fellow operators, build relationships, and become part of the larger Glass Guru community.
Throughout the convention, those connections continued through conversations between sessions, shared meals, breakout discussions, and evening activities.
An Unforgettable Evening at The Star and Concrete Cowboy
Tuesday evening brought one of the convention’s memorable experiences — a visit to The Star in Frisco, home of the Dallas Cowboys’ headquarters and training facilities.
Franchise owners and guests enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic venue, creating a memorable shared experience outside the conference setting.
But the evening didn’t end there!
Following The Star experience, attendees continued the celebration at Concrete Cowboy for a special Happy Hour sponsored by MyGlassTruck.
The gathering provided another opportunity for franchise owners, corporate team members, and industry partners to relax, reconnect, and enjoy time together.
A special thank-you to MyGlassTruck for sponsoring the Happy Hour and helping make Tuesday evening such an enjoyable part of Rise Above 2026.
These moments outside the meeting rooms are an important part of our convention experience. They strengthen friendships, encourage new connections, and reinforce the sense of community that makes The Glass Guru franchise network unique.
Rising Above: Leadership, Learning, and New Ideas
Our educational programming focused on giving franchise owners actionable insights and new perspectives to help them strengthen and grow their businesses.
Keynote speaker Jeff Salzenstein, a former professional tennis player and performance coach, delivered an inspiring presentation titled Own Your Zone: How to Lead Through Change and Rise Above in the Moments That Count.
His message challenged attendees to approach obstacles with confidence, take ownership of their responses, and lead effectively through change.
Throughout the convention, our emcee, Mike DeJong, brought energy, enthusiasm, and audience engagement, helping connect the presentations, conversations, and celebrations.
Learning From One Another
One of the greatest strengths of The Glass Guru network is the experience and knowledge our franchise owners bring to the table.
This year’s owner-led breakout sessions provided opportunities to learn directly from fellow franchisees, exchange ideas, and discuss practical strategies for improving business performance.
A special thank-you to our breakout presenters:
- Gary Kirkindoll – Selling and Managing Window Replacement Projects
- Erik Hilger – Building Referral Relationships That Convert
- Chris Chambers – Properly Measuring Showers & Mirrors
- Michael Kugler – Building a Targeted Customer List
- Lisa Chambers – Local Marketing Tactics That Work
- Mitch Richey – Wood Rot Repair 101
These sessions reinforced an important principle: when one franchise owner shares an idea, experience, or proven practice, the entire network has an opportunity to benefit.
That is the power of the collective.
Recognizing Excellence: Our 2026 Franchise Awards
Wednesday evening was a highlight of the convention as we came together for our Franchise Excellence Awards Banquet.
The evening recognized 11 outstanding achievements across The Glass Guru network, celebrating franchise owners who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to growth, leadership, operational excellence, financial performance, marketing, and the brand.
Rising Star Awards
2025 Rising Star — Brian Garoutte, Apex, North Carolina
Brian was recognized for exceeding first-year expectations, embracing the franchise model, and establishing strong early business momentum. His willingness to learn, follow guidance, and consistently execute has created a solid foundation for continued success.
2026 Rising Star — John and Elizabeth Crowe, East Louisville, Kentucky
John and Elizabeth demonstrated outstanding first-year progress, growing their operation toward a second full team in approximately one year. Their commitment to the model, coachability, and continued development earned them this year’s recognition.
The Guru Way Awards
Marketing Award — Rachael and Craig Bell, College Station, Texas
Rachael and Craig were honored for their consistent local marketing efforts, including community involvement, networking, BNI participation, digital marketing, and social media. Their dedication to keeping The Glass Guru visible within their market demonstrates the value of consistent local brand building.
Operations Award — TJ and Su Randhaw, Bellingham, Washington
Recognized for operational excellence and exceptional customer service, the Bellingham location has maintained a 4.9-star rating with nearly 600 customer reviews since 2024. Their dedication to dependable service delivery and customer satisfaction exemplifies The Guru Way.
Finances Award — Steve Snead, Elk Grove, California
Steve was recognized for his disciplined approach to financial management, profitability, and data-driven decision-making. His focus on accurate reporting, sound business practices, and ongoing collaboration with his Franchise Business Coach demonstrates the importance of managing a healthy, sustainable operation.
Leadership and Brand Recognition
Leadership Award — Michael Kugler, Austin North, Austin South, and San Antonio, Texas
Michael has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership within the franchise network. As a longtime Franchise Advisory Council member and multi-unit owner, he willingly shares knowledge, supports fellow franchisees, and helps strengthen the organization through mentorship and collaboration. His location also serves as a training resource for the network.
Brand Champion/Ambassador Award — Kenny and Connie Meredith, Warner Robins, Georgia
Kenny and Connie were recognized for their dedication to promoting The Glass Guru brand beyond their own location. From helping neighboring owners to supporting prospective franchisees and representing the brand positively in their community, their commitment demonstrates what it means to be true brand ambassadors.
Business Improvement and Growth (BIG) Awards
Phase 1 BIG Award — Michael and Laurie Bean, Fort Collins, Colorado
After acquiring an existing location, Michael and Laurie strengthened their business operations, reorganized processes, built a full team, and expanded their capabilities. Their location is averaging approximately $63,000 in monthly revenue and secured a significant project at a nearby military base.
Their achievement reflects the value of perseverance, coaching, and operational improvement.
Phase 2 BIG Award — Lisa Chambers, Mason, Ohio
Lisa’s business has exceeded $1 million in annual revenue for three consecutive years while advancing into a two-team operation.
Her dedication to building a strong business, overcoming challenges, and maintaining consistent engagement with her Franchise Business Coach demonstrates the resilience and commitment required for long-term success.
Phase 3 BIG Award — Erik Hilger, Charleston, South Carolina
Erik was recognized for successfully advancing his business into Phase 3 of The Glass Guru operating model.
By empowering a designated manager, rebuilding his team to 11 employees, and focusing on larger projects, Erik has positioned his business for continued development and potential expansion into an additional territory.
Model Store Award – Dave Hull — Roseville, California
The Model Store Award recognizes a location that consistently demonstrates The Glass Guru’s highest standards for operational performance, customer experience, brand presentation, and business excellence.
Dave and his team transformed The Glass Guru’s original location with the assistance of their general manager and an interior designer.
The renovation included an impressive interior refresh, updated logos throughout the facility, and vehicle graphics aligned with current brand standards.
The result is a revitalized location that represents the look, feel, and customer experience of a model Glass Guru operation.
Congratulations to Dave and every one of our award recipients!
Your achievements inspire the entire network and demonstrate what is possible through determination, collaboration, and a commitment to The Guru Way.
Celebrating the Partners Who Support Our Success
Our 2026 convention was made possible in part through the participation and support of our valued sponsors and industry partners.
We extend our appreciation to:
Alside Windows, FieldPulse, Salesask, Out of the Box Technology, Dallas Flat Glass, Future Glass, FHC, ScreenFab, ScreenCo, Birdeye, CareerPlug, ProfitKeeper, Precision Frameworks, MyGlassTruck, Lewer Benefits, and Yelp.
These partners provide products, services, technology, and resources that help our franchise owners strengthen their operations, serve customers, and grow their businesses.
Thank you for investing in The Glass Guru network and being part of Rise Above 2026.
A Memorable Finale
Our convention concluded Wednesday evening with an awards dinner, live music, and a celebration of the achievements and relationships that make our franchise community so special.
It was an opportunity to recognize the hard work that takes place throughout the year, reflect on the progress made across our network, and enjoy an evening together.
From the opening reception to the final celebration, Rise Above 2026 was filled with moments that remind us why coming together matters.
Thank You for Making Rise Above 2026 a Success!
To our franchise owners, thank you for taking the time to participate, share your experiences, support one another, and contribute to the continued success of The Glass Guru.
To our presenters, speakers, sponsors, and corporate team, thank you for your time, expertise, and contributions to making this event possible.
And to the families and team members who support our franchise owners throughout the year, thank you for the important role you play in their success.
As we look ahead, let’s carry the ideas, relationships, and inspiration from Frisco back into our local markets.
Keep growing. Keep learning. Keep leading.
Let’s continue to Rise Above Together!
Relive the Moments!
Below you’ll find Above the Noise, the impact video that opened the event and named the things we need to rise above. We’ve also included the Rise Above 2026 Convention Recap with highlights from the week: memorable moments at The Star, our speakers and breakout sessions, franchise owners connecting, and Wednesday evening’s awards celebration.
#RiseAbove2026 #TheGlassGuru #GlassGuruConvention #RiseAboveTogether
Rise Above 2026 in pictures. Sixty-five franchise owners, our corporate team, and our partners stepped away from the day-to-day in Frisco to reconnect, learn from one another, and celebrate what we’ve built together. For a few days we set down the things that weigh us down and keep us from where we really want to be, and we remembered what it feels like to rise above them. Now we take that home.
This short impact video kicked off Rise Above, our 2026 franchise convention. The focus of Rise Above was helping owners name what’s weighing them down, both inside the business and the outside forces they can’t control, and then rise above it. Focus on what matters. Keep the promises you made to yourself when you started this business. Build the systems, processes, and team that deliver on those promises, and go realize your dreams, whatever they may be.
