GROW BIZ INTERNATIONAL

Grow Biz International addresses the practical need to manage the lifecycle of goods, especially for families whose children quickly outgrow clothing and equipment. The historical Grow Biz International, Inc. operated in the ultra high value retail niche, buying, selling, trading, and consigning used and new merchandise to provide affordability and convenience. Martha Morris founded a used sporting equipment store in Minneapolis in 1983 after having difficulty reselling a backpack. She began with consignment and later expanded into outright purchases and new goods. By mid 1988, Morris sought help with franchise development and worked with Ron Olson and Jeff Dahlberg. Dahlberg brought franchising experience from his family's hearing aid business. The company was initially called Play It Again Sports Franchise Corp. and was renamed Grow Biz International, Inc. in August 1993. That month, it completed an initial public offering of 1.6 million common shares at $10 per share. The stock reached $15 per share on its first trading day, and the offering raised approximately $16.7 million. By the end of 1993, the historical company had 490 stores across the U.S. and Canada and had awarded 282 additional franchises for future openings. The current Grow Biz International franchise profile shows 59 total units, all franchised. Its Once Upon A Child concept focused on children's and infants' clothing and helped establish a model built around efficient use of capital and local customer relationships. The brand is therefore relevant to buyers considering a value focused franchise opportunity in the secondhand market.

Children's and infants' clothing, the core category for Once Upon A Child, operates in a large international market. The global children's wear market was valued at USD 283.37 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 403.26 billion by 2031, reflecting a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 5.92% from 2026 to 2031. Another report places the global kids apparel market at USD 225.88 billion in 2025 and projects growth to USD 423.01 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 7.25%. The global baby apparel market was estimated at USD 177.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 248.25 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 4.8% from 2024 to 2030. Demand is supported by higher disposable incomes, particularly among millennial and Gen Z parents, and interest in premium, skin safe, stylish, and personalized apparel. Environmental concerns and interest in sustainable products also support secondhand retail. Premium garments can retain 40% to 60% of their original value, which supports the buy, sell, and trade model. Offline stores held an 81.90% market share in children's wear in 2025, as parents often want to assess fabric quality and fit in person. E commerce is projected to grow at a 7.42% CAGR through 2031, creating changing distribution options for a modern franchise. Mass market lines accounted for 69.58% of spending in 2025, while premium offerings are projected to grow at a 6.95% CAGR through 2031. Those figures support the market position established by Grow Biz International in high value secondhand retail.

Investment analysis for a Grow Biz International franchise can be viewed against general industry benchmarks. In 2025, initial franchise fees for typical franchises generally ranged from $20,000 to $50,000, while larger or more established brands could charge more than $75,000. Total initial investment for retail franchises, including real estate, staffing, and equipment, often ranged from $100,000 to $199,000. The actual amount can vary with the store format, geographic location, and whether the franchisee builds out a new space or converts an existing one. Prospective franchisees generally need liquid assets for initial operating costs and a net worth that demonstrates financial stability to lenders. Ongoing royalty fees commonly range from 4% to 9% of gross sales. Some sources report an average of 6% to 10%, while professional services franchises often charge 8% to 12%. Advertising fees usually range from 1% to 5% of gross sales. These benchmarks place the potential Grow Biz International franchise cost in a mid tier range for prospective entrepreneurs. After becoming publicly traded in August 1993 and raising approximately $16.7 million through its IPO, Grow Biz International, Inc. operated without a traditional parent company and relied on its shareholders for corporate backing. Veterans may qualify for up to 80% financing from the SBA, which could reduce the initial capital requirement.

The operating model centers on a retail store that buys, sells, and trades used children's clothing, toys, and equipment along with new merchandise. Daily work includes inventory management, sales activity, and customer service under a standardized system. Staff must evaluate merchandise quality, process transactions, and maintain a customer friendly store. Developing capable front line managers is a key staffing consideration. Historically, Grow Biz International, Inc. offered management training to help franchisees run their businesses, along with assistance during the opening of a new store. Franchisees also received periodic field support visits after opening. Operating tools included Point of Sale Computerized Information Systems, centralized buying, and warehouse services. These resources supported purchasing and gave franchisees access to economies of scale. Advertising and marketing assistance helped franchisees promote their locations in local markets. Store design, television advertising focused on the buy and sell concept, and standardized merchandise purchasing processes were subject to brand guidelines. Current territory details are not available, but historically, protection from another franchise opening too close to an existing location was a factor for prospective franchisees to examine. Without adequate protection, nearby locations could compete for the same sales. The training and support structure point toward an owner operator model in which the franchisee takes an active role and follows established operating standards.

In 1995, Play It Again Sports franchises, a flagship concept under the Grow Biz International umbrella, were described as “moneymakers for their owners,” which was considered unusual in the general franchise environment at that time. The company had reached 490 stores across the U.S. and Canada by the end of 1993 and had awarded 282 additional franchises, indicating demand for its concepts and an ability to attract investors. The children's wear market adds further context. It was valued at USD 283.37 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 403.26 billion by 2031 at a 5.92% CAGR. The high value model buys, sells, trades, and consigns used merchandise, which can produce different inventory economics from traditional new goods retail. Premium secondhand children's garments may retain 40% to 60% of their original value, supporting a supply of quality inventory and appealing to value conscious customers.

Grow Biz International, Inc. expanded quickly during the early 1990s. By the end of 1993, it had 490 stores across the U.S. and Canada, with 282 additional franchises awarded for future openings. Eight of the stores were corporate owned. International expansion began in 1991 through the franchising of Play It Again Sports stores globally. In 1993, the company entered joint venture agreements to establish franchises in Europe and Mexico. It withdrew from Mexico by late 1994 and closed its two corporate owned stores there. Franchised stores in Germany continued operating despite corporate losses in that venture. The franchised portfolio included Play It Again Sports, Once Upon A Child, Computer Renaissance, Music Go Round, and Disc Go Round. The historical company's major corporate developments were concentrated in the mid 1990s, including its 1993 IPO and international expansion efforts. The current profile shows 59 total franchised units, suggesting a more focused or different operating footprint than the historical peak. Competitive strengths of the model included recognition for concepts such as Once Upon A Child, systems for buying, selling, and trading used merchandise, management training, centralized buying, warehouse services, and Point of Sale Computerized Information Systems. Children's wear is projected to grow to USD 403.26 billion by 2031, and demand for sustainable, value driven products gives the concept continued relevance.

A suitable franchisee would generally have an interest in retail management and be prepared to operate as an owner operator. Previous experience in the specific industry is not required, but experience managing staff, controlling inventory, selling products, and serving customers would help with the daily demands of a children's and infants' clothing store. Management training and store opening assistance can help people who are new to this category. Franchisees must follow requirements for store design, marketing, and standardized merchandise purchasing to maintain consistency across the network. Multi unit expectations are not detailed for the current profile, but the historical expansion to 490 units by 1993 shows that the underlying model supported growth and multi unit development. Available territories would depend on the current strategic focus of the entity using the Grow Biz International name. Historically, the brand operated successfully across the U.S. and Canada. Markets with population growth, especially in the infant and toddler segment, may offer favorable demand. That segment is projected to advance at a 6.57% CAGR to 2031, and the below 5 years segment is also relevant. Asia Pacific held a 40.69% share of the global children's wear market in 2025 and is projected to be the fastest growing region, with a 7.92% CAGR. North America held a 33.4% revenue share of the baby apparel market in 2023. The time from signing a franchise agreement to opening a store would generally include site selection, build out, training, and initial inventory procurement. Investors should review the agreement term, renewal provisions, transfer conditions, and resale considerations.

Grow Biz International combines a secondhand children's retail model with a market that was valued at USD 283.37 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 403.26 billion by 2031 at a 5.92% CAGR. The concept addresses demand for affordable and sustainable goods by buying, selling, trading, and consigning used and new merchandise. Grow Biz International, Inc. reached 490 stores across North America by 1993, and Play It Again Sports franchises were described as “moneymakers for their owners” in 1995. The current profile shows 59 franchised units, giving the opportunity a smaller footprint than the historical peak. The category continues to benefit from higher disposable incomes among millennial and Gen Z parents and from interest in environmentally conscious products. Premium secondhand garments can retain 40% to 60% of their original value. Historical support included management training, centralized buying, warehouse services, Point of Sale Computerized Information Systems, store opening assistance, field support visits, and marketing assistance. Buyers should weigh that history and the market opportunity against the current operating footprint and their own financial and operating resources.