Joel Libava's Blog: The Franchise King Blog, page 88

More Women Needed (To Become Franchise Owners)

 

 

 

The franchise industry needs you. If you're a woman, and you've thought about what I call "Owning what you do," here's your chance.

 

If fancy corporate offices just aren't doing it for you anymore, and you'd prefer to have an office that you can call your own, there's really only one way to do it;

 

You need to be your own boss

 

 

If you're up for it, the process doesn't even have to be complicated.

 

But, you shouldn't do it alone. You need to use all the tools–all the resources that are available to you, in order to make sure that you're on the right track. It may be that a franchise business isn't for you. Not everybody is right for the mostly-rigid franchise business model. There are lots of rules. There are lots of procedures. And, there are a lot of cool opportunities.

 

This Is Cool

 

 

In my role as a franchise ownership advisor, I've learned that most women don't need too much in the way of motivation to get where they want to go.

 

 

 

 

In a guest post over at Up And Running, (Palo Alto Software's Corporate Blog), I wrote;

 

"Most of the women that I've worked with don't need to listen to  $1,200 worth of motivational tapes to get their game on. They seem to have it built-in as part of their psyche."

 

That's been my experience.

 

But, there's another reason that I was asked to send over a few paragraphs about women. And motivation. And franchising.

 

It's because of #OWOF

 

If you don't know what those 4 letters stand for, you know what to do.

 

Read The Post

 

 

A Discussion About Women Franchise Owners

 

I'd really like to see more women enter the world of franchising–specifically, franchise ownership.

 

In my role as a franchise ownership advisor, I've been able to provide actionable advice and tips to several women. Some of them, like Margie Toombs, went on to become very successful franchise owners.

 

I remember meeting Margie and her husband, Ray, several years ago. They attended one of my franchise ownership seminars, and I found it kind of interesting that Margie had brought Ray with her. That's because it was Margie who was the downsized worker…not Ray. As a matter of fact, the dozen or so people that were in attendance that day were all recently downsized individuals; the seminar was being held at an outplacement office.

 

The Franchise King's® Presentation on Franchise Ownership Options from Joel Libava on Vimeo.

 

In my experience, most seminar attendees–the ones that were attending my seminars on franchising in outplacement offices, didn't bring their spouses along with them. So, when Margie showed up with Ray at her side, I thought to myself that she must be pretty serious about at least one thing.

 

 

Not Going Back

 

 

During our first meeting, (about a week after my presentation) it was obvious to me that for Margie, there was no going back. She had no intention of going back for more– "More" being what she had just experienced; getting downsized from an executive position at a large corporation in which she had put her heart and soul into for years–only to get fired because of "The economy," or something of that nature. She wanted more. She wanted more freedom and more control.

 

Margie and Ray are now the proud owners of the Northeast Ohio Maid Brigade franchise, and have not looked back, once.

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If you'd like to learn why Margie has become on of the most successful franchisees in Maid Brigade, tune in tomorrow morning, as I share some things about women franchise owners with Jim Blasingame, The Small Business Advocate®, on his long-running small business radio program. Jim has interviewed me 20 times; we've discussed all the important issues relating to franchising and small business.

 

In addition to our discussion of women business owners tomorrow morning at 7:25 AM (ET),  Jim will try like heck to pull some details out of me surrounding #OWOF.  Go ahead; click the tile ad below….I know you're curious.

 

 

 

Women can make great franchise owners.

 

Stay tuned for an announcement concerning a cool contest for Women Only. 

 

If you sign up for a free subscription here, you'll know about it first.

 

 

Franchise Help Available!

 

 

 

If you feel that franchise ownership is in your future, read on…

 

The amount of information that's within reach these days can be overwhelming at times. It can be tough to know what to believe–even who to believe.

 

 

 

 

The Key

 

 

Google has made it pretty easy for you to vet what needs to be vetted, in most cases. Once in awhile, though, franchise expert wannabees slip through the cracks, and can be found on Page One or Page Two of Google. Go ahead-do a search for, "franchise experts" on Google, and see what comes up. I'll wait.

 

 

Obviously, I did it for you, already.

 

The results return an interesting combination of ads, advisors, and a lot of franchise consultants/brokers.

 

Are they all experts? That's for you to decide.

 

In the meantime, I just launched a new service for people that are really close to signing a franchise agreement–also known as a franchise contract.

 

 

That usually stays in force for 10 years.

 

 

Click here to learn more about my new service for franchise buyers.

 

Before you sign anything.

 

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Would you like to participate with other like-minded franchise and business opportunity buyers in intelligent conversation? Would you like to ask questions about franchises and other types of business opportunities?

 

Check out the new Franchises and Business Opportunities Forum that I'm moderating over at Anita Campbell's Small Business Trends. I'd love to answer your questions, and help you make some great decisions in the process…(It's free to join, too!)

 

"Joel Libava knows what he's talking about. That's why I handpicked him to become the resident franchise expert for my online publication–no one else gives the same balance of facts and informed advice." — Anita Campbell, CEO and Editor in Chief of SmallBizTrends.com

 

 

Why You Need To Put Your Franchise Search On Hold

 

 

Stop your search for a franchise to buy this instant! You may be going about it the wrong way….

 

If you're like most potential franchise owners, you put your sweats on, kick off your shoes off, and jump online–hoping that you'll somehow magically be able to land on that, "perfect opportunity." I totally understand where you're coming from, and admittedly, that's how I would start, too.

 

If I didn't know what the heck I was doing.

 

But, I do know what I'm doing, with regards to finding great opportunities in franchise business ownership; I've helped hundreds of people do so. With the recent release of my franchise book, I'm able to help even more people learn how to go about their search for a franchise…but not just any franchise; a franchise that makes complete sense to pursue, and maybe even purchase.

 

 

It's About The Where

 

 

Where you start your search will have a direct impact on which franchises you end up pursuing. Let me explain…

 

If you start looking for franchises by looking for franchises, you're going to quickly get overwhelmed. There are well over 3,000 different franchise concepts that are currently being offered in the USA alone. That's a lot! So, instead of starting at a great franchise website like Franchise Direct, you need to do something else, first. (Then you can go to the website!)  You need to start your search with you. You! 

 

If you don't start with you, you may end up like these franchise owners who probably didn't. 

 

 

You

 

 

Starting your search for a franchise needs to start with some deep insights into you. You need to get away from all of your electronics for a day or two, and ask yourself these questions;

 

What are you really, really good at, professionally?

 

What do you enjoy doing in a work-related setting?

 

What are your dominant personal characteristics?

 

What are your short-term goals?

 

What are your long-term goals?

 

What does your financial picture look like?

 

Are you totally comfortable following a system?

 

Are you willing to pay a portion of your sales to a franchisor for 10 years?

 

If you don't ask yourself these questions before you start looking for the right franchise, you're lowering your odds of finding one that makes sense. If you're going to do this–do it right. Take the time now…before you plunk down $100,000, $200,000 or more into a franchise business of your own. You'll really be ahead of the curve.

 

The questions I gave you above are only some of the ones you need to ask yourself. Chapter 6 of Become a Franchise Owner! has even more.

 

Not once in this post did I suggest that this was going to easy. Or fast.

 

I know you want to do this right.

 

Would you like some one on one assistance with this? Would you like to work with me–and make sure that you do it right?

 

Let's do it. Just fill out the form.

 

Franchise Business Ownership Is Not Complicated

 

If you're smack dab in the middle of a search for a franchise to buy, I won't blame you for disagreeing with me here.  You're new friend, Mr. Adrenalin, has been hanging out with you as of late, and your family members are looking at you like you're an alien.

 

 

 

But, if you have the power to take the emotion out of it for a little while, the concept of franchise ownership is kind of simple. After all;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You want to have more control in your life

 

 

You want a business of your own

 

 

You wish to follow someone else's business system

 

 

You want to get to get in business quickly

 

 

You don't want to be totally alone in your venture

 

 

You want an opportunity to build equity

 

 

So, what's the big deal?

 

You're human. You have fears. Emotions. Negative self-talk. Fears.

 

If you can stay on top of those things, you'll be in a great position to say

 

 

 

 

to whatever opportunity you're looking into.

 

(Combined with great franchise research, and professional guidance.)

 

I can help you with both. Go here 

 

 

 

 

The Most Monumental Mantra in Franchising

 

From Ray Kroc, the founder of the McDonald's corporation;

 

"In business for yourself, not by yourself."

 

Kroc was referencing the business model of franchising-the business system itself, when he came up with that powerful quote. And, it still holds true today.

 

One of the greatest things about the franchise business has to do with the fact that you're not really alone. Now, you may be alone when you're walking up to the front door of your business to open up in the morning, but it kind of stops there. You have some employees around you. You have customers. And, you have a support team that's a phone call or email away.

 

Independent business owners don't have a lot in the way of support, in most cases. It's kind of all up to them. But, franchise owners do have support. In addition to the team at franchise headquarters, franchisees have another source of help that may even be better than the help that's available from the corporate office. Would you like to know more about the source I'm referring to?

 

Read my new column over at the Cox Small Business Navigation Program website to find out what I'm talking about.

 

Have you read the Free Chapter of my franchise book, yet? Here 

 

If you've read my book, I'd really appreciate it if you'd post a short review here. Thanks!

 

 

I'm Running For Office

 

You heard it here first.

 

The author of the newest book on franchise ownership, that Tweet-First-Ask-Questions-Later guy that you've come to…well…(know and love?) is asking for your vote.

 

 

Please Vote For Me!

 

My new book–my 1st hardcover book, actually, was just nominated for a 2012 Small Business Book Award!

 

Winning an award like this is one feather that I'd love to add to my cap crown    

 

             

 

You're allowed to vote once per day, until the book contest ends on February 16th!

 



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So, will you help me win?

 

Thanks!

 

 

(And, I'm not running for office!)

 

 

A Duct Tape Marketing Podcast For Potential Franchise Owners

 

I met John Jantsch, the man behind Duct Tape Marketing, about 5 years ago.  He was the keynote speaker at an event in Cleveland. I had read his bestselling marketing book, and was excited to hear what he had to say.

Check out this short snippet of his presentation at Cleveland's Corporate College that John allowed me to tape- John Jantsch's Cleveland presentation.

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I liked what John had to say, and I've been able to up my marketing game because of him.

I consider John a friend, and we've been able to spend some quality time together-in person, and his laser-sharp focus on smart and sticky marketing is a sight to behold.

John was one of the first people I reached out to in the moments after I signed my book deal with Wiley Publishing. Here's why;

 

1. I knew that John would be genuinely happy for me

2. I wanted to make sure that an influencer like him, knew about it

3. I was hoping that he'd tell his network. (He did.)

 

And, not only did John send out the news via Twitter etc….he gave me some words of encouragement.

And, he wrote this that's now located on the back cover of Become a Franchise Owner!

 

"The decision to become a franchise owner is a big one—you would be crazy to even consider making it without Joel Libava's years of experience in your corner."

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Of course, I sent John my book, and he was kind enough to ask me to join him on one of his legendary Duct Tape Marketing podcast interviews.

Listen to my interview with John Jantsch, which is titled, "Does a Franchise Make Sense as a Business Option?"  You'll pick up some things that aren't even in my book. And, the podcast has been Re-Tweeted over 400 times. Already

Thanks, John.

 

Grab a Free Chapter of My Book Now

 

 

Franchise Research Questions | Franchise Research Answers

 

As a potential franchise owner, you're undoubtedly going to have questions. I can easily provide you with great due diligence questions to ask, but if you don't know who to go to them with, they won't do you any good.

Recently, I wrote a guest column for CNBC.com on researching franchises. I'll take you there in a couple of minutes. First, watch this;

 

 

Here's the column I wrote for CNBC.com on this important topic for you…the franchise buyer.

 

Did you get some value out of either the video, the articles, or both?

 

Let me know. That way, I'll know if I'm on the right track with you.

 

Reminder:  my book contains the 40 top questions that you need to ask current and former franchisees.

 

 

 

This Park Ridge, Illinois Resident Loves Franchise Businesses

 

Park Ridge, Illinois.

Population: 37,480

Location: 15 miles northwest of Chicago.

 

 

FFI, (Franchise Friendly Index) 100

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Not all local communities are what I call, "Franchise Friendly." Sometimes, local officials oppose big franchise chains coming into town. That's unfortunate. The revenue from a properly run franchise operation can be pretty substantial, especially if it's a shovel-ready food franchise. Towns need revenue. Especially in times like these. I really can't imagine a town turning down a franchise business–but it happens.

But, not in the city of Park Ridge, Illinois.

It seems that some the local officials and local residents there really get it.

That's because the subject of franchise businesses came up during the Park Ridge's Economic Development Task Force's 1st meeting held recently.

And in Park Ridge, just like in any community across America, the independent businesses vs. corporate chains and franchises tug of war took place. One area resident described Park Ridge as, "A community of many 'mom-and-pop' shops." He also said that he was, "Happy that franchise businesses have opened as well since they bring consumers into the community." Read more at The Park Ridge Herald-Advocate.

 

Test The Waters

 

 

 

 

Here's a tip:

 

Before you consider buying a franchise that will require a physical location in your area, test the waters a bit. See if you can get a feel for how Franchise Friendly your community is. If they're not, it's okay. They may need a little education. It's easy to find stats that support the economic impact of franchises in local communities.

 

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