Who doesn’t love the idea of being their own boss, controlling their own destiny, having more job security, making their own hours, and feeling a stronger sense of purpose? America was built on this premise of the pioneering spirit, forging new avenues of revenue and business creation.
In fact, Intuit’s recent “Just Start” survey reveals that 72 percent of respondents dream of starting their own business; 84 percent think if they start their own business, they will be more passionate about their work; and 81 percent think owning a business is more empowering than a “regular” job.
For some, their passion turns into a lucrative business. For others, it’s buying into a successful venture and then using their professional skills to further that business for themselves with the help of a corporate entity, i.e., a franchise model.
So why are you and most people working for someone else? Are the little negative voices saying, “It’s too risky and too expensive. I don’t have the right skill set. What kind of business is right for me? I don’t want to go it alone. Am I too young or too old.”
There are many reasons, but mostly they are founded in the fear of the unknown.
Franchising, wildly misunderstood, is simply another business format and, for many, a better business format. Franchising often lacks the buzz of “entrepreneurship” or “startup,” but, in truth, the emphasis is less on “startup” and more on “stay in” business. Franchises are a way to reduce risk and increase the likelihood of success due to market testing and proven longevity.
A recent Gallop Poll indicates that 94 percent of franchisees considered themselves successful.
While there is plenty of room for innovation and ingenuity within the confines of said companies, you don’t have to recreate the wheel alone; there is help available throughout the process. The best way to decide on your best franchise options is not unlike using a real estate agent to buy a house.
Professional business franchise consultants, like myself, help match the personality, skill set, and goals of the potential owner/entrepreneur to the right business. We are here to listen, teach, and guide to help you evaluate whether business ownership is right for you and, if so, which business segment or model suits your goals.
Through a statistically validated assessment, franchise choices that meet your interests, skills, and options are provided. (The alternative is searching and comparing data on your own through 3,000 available franchises.) There are franchises in every sector of the economy and you would be surprised at how many businesses that you use every day are franchises.
The consultant systematically guides you through due diligence and research so you have the knowledge to make an informed decision– all paid by the franchisers so there is no cost to you.
The best franchises then provide proven, tested systems for every aspect of your new business. The franchisee then receives extensive training and learns from past experiences –good and bad– of the franchisor and other franchisees. The learning curve is shortened so that the owner can work on the business growth sooner, thus turning your dream into a reality.
