Simply Cabinetry Franchising Founders Share Lessons from Recession to Franchise Expansion
Diana and Derrick Simmons never set out to build a franchise. In fact, their cabinetry business began as a creative pivot during the 2008 housing crash—selling surplus materials out of their garage. But what started as a resourceful side hustle has evolved into Simply Cabinetry Franchising, a growing brand with three successful locations and a keen focus on relationship-driven growth.
In this episode of Emerging Franchise Brands, Diana and Derrick share the journey from their early days juggling newborns and showroom hours, to becoming one of the best-prepared brands to enter franchising. Long before signing their first franchise agreement, they attended multiple IFA and Springboard events, absorbing everything they could about the franchise ecosystem. That preparation is now evident in the systems they’ve put in place—from localized B2B strategies to an LMS-backed training program.
What makes their model unique is the intentional balance between customer education and community-based trust. Rather than competing with contractors, Simply Cabinetry partners with them, becoming a preferred source for cabinetry without overlapping in services. With a compact showroom footprint and a focus on scalability, Diana and Derrick aim to grow regionally in the Northeast before expanding their Simply Brands platform even further.
For those looking to invest in a business rooted in real-world grit and thoughtful planning, Simply Cabinetry offers more than just a proven model—it offers a mission to make home improvement approachable and repeatable.
June 3, 2025
