Believe in Yourself
Merri Cronk
President| Sr. Franchise Consultant| Educational Speaker and Trainer| Advisor to Executives Exploring Franchise Ownership
The holidays are coming. For most of us these can be joyful times filled with family and friends. It can be a time to catch up with people you haven’t seen throughout the year. This is also a time people begin to think about the New Year and resolutions. Sometimes when we begin to vocalize our desires and goals to our friends and loved ones they are going to have something to say about our considerations in life and professional goals. Sometimes what they share comes from love or professional knowledge if they have experience in what you are planning. Sometimes what they share comes from the heart but has no basis in knowledge. Many people will have something to say about what you are planning without any education or knowledge. They are simply sharing assumptions and opinions.?
Are You Scared Yet?
It is scary enough looking at getting into business without the input of others. One of the things I like about franchising is that it is a way to get into business for yourself but not by yourself. In researching franchises, you get to know the franchise and all the people who will train you and support you at the headquarters. You also get to know the history of the business in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and your future as a franchisee in the form of the sample franchise agreement, also, in the FDD. When you speak to the owners of the franchise, you learn their day-to-day operations as the owner, the financial potential, and how they feel the franchisor is supporting them to grow their business. You do all of these things prior to investing in the business.?
By nature of the research process, you are in a position to gain education and knowledge in order to make an informed decision. You are also reducing your leap of faith. What’s left is your belief in yourself that you can do what needs to be done to run the business.?
When speaking with the people in your lives about business ownership, you may hear the huge successes and the huge failures of people they knew who had their own businesses. That’s why knowing the most you can and getting your facts together in the research process is key to moving toward success.?
Making a Fact Based Decision
When considering a franchise, get your facts together, because you can and you should. Work to remove the risk. Then make sure you have the skills to move it forward.?
Is Franchising Right for You?
You can really learn about how a franchise business can work for you based on that research, or maybe not for that matter. Perhaps you should be looking at something else completely. All of that information comes from doing the right research. The more research that you do, the safer and less risky it becomes!?
If you'd like to learn more about franchising fits for you, please reach out and let's talk about it.