It has been 47 years since Michael and Norma Riley got married before their last year at Chico State. Not only did they find their life partners in each other but they've also been business partners for the past 15 years. After decades in the Bay Area, the couple found an opportunity to own a franchise business with Batteries Plus Bulbs that brought them back to Chico. The couple who started out with one store 15 years ago, now have four stores located in Redding, Yuba City and Vacaville. The couple takes pride in helping people find what they need and having it on hand. The couple sat down with the CN&R and talked about the benefits of owning a franchise as well as how technology has changed over the years. Norma mentions that when they first opened there were only cordless phones and now they’ve expanded to providing phone and device repairs. Michael mentions how light bulbs have evolved from incandescent bulbs to LEDs and the difficulties that change has presented for customers when they have to now shop for an LED. Michael says the benefits of owning a franchise include networking and saving on trial-and-error headaches because you can follow a proven model. Norma believes owning a franchise takes some entrepreneurial skill because you are risking your own money but it can be very fulfilling when you're building a business. Read More opens in new window