NW Missouri Times

When Cody Kliethermes enrolled at Northwest Missouri State University as a non-traditional online student in 2021, his primary goal was to earn a bachelor’s degree to advance his career in law enforcement. However, he realized an additional benefit last spring.

At the conclusion of the spring semester, Kliethermes completed his degree and was awarded the opportunity to own and operate the next DocuLock franchise.

“I got more than I hoped for with this business,” Kliethermes said of his Northwest experience and receiving the franchise. “It’s a great opportunity when you look at the dollars it takes to start a business.”

Cody Kliethermes and his wife, Sandy, are now owners of a new DocuLock location through a partnership with Northwest.

In May, DocuLock LLC—a service-based business specializing in document scanning, archiving, management, retention, and shredding—announced it was awarding its newest franchise to Kliethermes. The $43,500 franchise fee was waived for him, and he chose O’Fallon, Missouri for its location. Additionally, he is receiving no-cost assistance to start the business.

Kliethermes is the second Northwest graduate to receive a DocuLock franchise through a partnership with the university. Since opening his franchise, he has devoted time to learning about the business and joining community organizations such as the local chamber of commerce while building his client base.

“Not only did he come out testing highest across the board to begin with," Paul Janicek, DocuLock LLC chief executive officer said. "But being an active duty police officer for over a decade now...he’s seen the elephant...and definitely somebody that I was excited about bringing on board."

Janicek founded DocuLock in 2017 and aims to offer franchise opportunities annually to entrepreneurial-minded students enrolled in Northwest's business strategy course. He hopes this initiative will help elevate people into entrepreneurial roles.

“It’s really exciting,” Janicek said. “One of my big pushes has been to educate and help elevate people into entrepreneurial roles...The point is to find these folks that are hungry...They want to grow it.”

Now 32 years old with three children, Kliethermes completed an associate degree in 2012 and has spent 11 years working in law enforcement. He currently serves as a resource officer in the Wentzville School District but had always hoped of returning to school for a bachelor’s degree.

Kliethermes found Northwest appealing due to its personable faculty and affordable tuition. Even as an online student, he made valuable connections through group projects and other activities.

“I knew online was the only option I had at this stage in my life,” Kliethermes said. “All the teachers were very helpful if you emailed them or you had questions.”

Initially skeptical about his chances compared to traditional students who might have stronger rapport with faculty members on campus, Kliethermes decided applying would be good practice for job interviews.

“Being an online-only student...I didn’t have face time with my teacher,” he said. “So when I put in for it...I thought ‘There’s no way.’”

However, after successfully navigating the interview process, Kliethermes received confirmation from Janicek that he would be awarded the franchise.

“Once he called me and said it had been awarded to me—I was kind of shocked,” Kliethermes said.

He plans to continue working in law enforcement while operating his new franchise: “If I can turn it into something one day where I’m making enough money with it...that would be great.”

For more information about this partnership contact Rebecca Lobina at 816-364-4105.