Emerging Franchise Brands Podcast Featuring Simply Cabinetry Franchising: Diana and Derrick Simmons on Scaling a Recession-Proof Business
On a recent episode of the Emerging Franchise Brands podcast, hosted by franchise expert Frank Fiume, co-founders Diana and Derek Simmons of Simply Cabinetry share the story behind how their company was built, how it evolved through multiple economic cycles, and why they ultimately chose to franchise their proven showroom model.
What began in 2008 during the housing market downturn as a small garage-based operation selling surplus building materials has grown into a multi-location cabinetry business grounded in simplicity, education, and strong contractor relationships. Today, that same foundation is being used to expand into franchising across new markets.
In the episode, Diana and Derek walk through the real journey behind the brand, including:
How a pivot during the 2008–2009 housing crash led them into cabinetry
The early days of running sales and design operations out of a garage
Why they built a simplified, tiered product structure for different market needs
How contractor and trade relationships became the backbone of their growth
The decision to expand into franchising after refining their model over 15+ years
They also discuss what makes their showroom approach different from traditional cabinetry retailers, and why education, trust, and relationships matter just as much as product selection in today’s market.
Beyond the business model, the conversation also highlights what it takes to succeed as a franchise owner in a service-driven, relationship-based industry—and why cabinetry continues to be a resilient category through both strong and uncertain economic cycles.
This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the mindset, strategy, and systems that shaped Simply Cabinetry’s growth—and what’s ahead as the brand continues expanding its franchise footprint.
Watch the full episode here:
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