Former flight attendant franchisee flies high at Batteries Plus

Charging ahead more than 20 years later, Phipps oversees three Batteries Plus stores that exceed $3 million in annual sales.

Phipps’ career as a franchisee owner began while she was searching for a laptop battery. Around the same time, Phipps’ husband Rick Phipps had sold a multi-unit automotive business. During the battery search, the duo decided that Batteries Plus provided a solid business opportunity. As a result, they opened a store in Lake Worth, Florida in 2006.

While the business began as a 50-50 partnership, Brenda is now leading operations with Rick entering retirement.

“In the beginning, Rick and I worked side-by-side, but now I’ve taken on more responsibility as he’s taken a step back,” Brenda said. Running a business in a male-dominated industry was a challenge; I didn’t have a background in batteries or business ownership. But upon diving in, I quickly learned that developing the right team to support you can make all the difference in helping your business be successful, and I want other women to know they can do this, too.”

According to Batteries Plus, the locations owned and operated by Phipps have achieved sales honors for two consecutive years while reaching sales milestones in the company’s franchise system. Phipps specializes in commercial sales, particularly within the marine industry. One of the locations is three miles from the ocean and serves as a go-to resource for specialty batteries that power deep-sea fishing boats and luxury yachts.

Brenda says her success has been partially driven by her ability to learn and adapt.

“Don’t miss out on an opportunity just because you don’t know anything yet,” she said.. “When we started, I didn’t know much about batteries, but I learned one product at a time. First wheelchair batteries, and then light bulbs, device repairs, key fobs, you name it. It’s all about evolving with the business. The best way to learn is by doing.”

As a whole, Batteries Plus wrapped up 2024 with 57 new signed franchise agreements across 11 states and 30 new store openings in 15 states. This included new locations in key markets such as California, Florida, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, and Texas. This year’s plans call for 50 new signings and open 30 additional locations.

Phipps said that she hopes her story “will inspire more women to pursue entrepreneurship, especially in industries where they’re underrepresented.”

Based in Hartland, Wisconsin, Batteries Plus was founded in 1988. The business is an omnichannel retailer of batteries, specialty light bulbs and phone repair services for the direct-to-consumer and commercial channels. The retailer also offers key programming, replacement and cutting services.

Batteries Plus is owned by Freeman Spogli, a private equity firm based in Los Angeles and New York City.