Friday, July 24, 2015

Did You Lower The Bar For Your Business?



You’ve done it. You successfully own a franchise or new business and the first three years have passed without too much trouble. Now 10 years…15…20, each with its own unique opportunity to keep your business perspective fresh and exciting. How do you stay motived and keep your passion thriving?

You’ve already overcome one of the hardest obstacles about business ownership, which is finding a business you find fulfilling and from which you gain a level of satisfaction. When your career matches up with your passions, it is hard to dread the workweek. Yet, that doesn’t mean you’ll wake up refreshed and ready to smell the roses at each ding of the alarm. While your emotions may fluctuate, you can’t lower the bar in your business relationship. It’s a constant give and take and your standards should remain resolute even in the roughest times.
  • Realistic Goals: The world around you is rapidly changing, which means your business will be affected. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment, track your progress and celebrate the small milestones as well.
  • Embrace Competition: Nothing like a good challenge to awaken the competitor within. Face it, we all like to win and a little healthy competition will encourage you to innovate and explore. Lacking in competition? That’s great! Challenge yourself. Let your friends and coworkers speak their mind and keep your business from becoming stale one way or another.
  • Your Business is a Result of Your Efforts: That’s right. Your intentions, actions, efforts will show in your business. It is ideally an extension of you, after all. Make sure you put your best foot forward, or the lack of motivation will start to show in your work.
  • Self Mastery: Continue to use the courage that got you to this point to achieve your dreams. Fear, if left unmanaged, will slowly deteriorate your business. Protect your future with courage and self-belief. Master your fears and always say you can do better. In turn, appreciate what you have accomplished and forgive your mistakes.
The bar, so to speak, is never set. It will be reached and repositioned, but only if you’re pushing professional (and personal!) boundaries. Always defy your limits and keep your passions alive.

Do you feel that you’re ready to get started? Let FranNet connect you with the business you’ve been looking for. Ask us about free consultation. Our purpose is to connect the dots and make the transition from corporate employment to the freedom of business ownership manageable and safe.

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

How Would You Feel If You Were Unstoppable?

Think about it. To be completely unstoppable. And, no, it’s not impossible. Even with the fact that entrepreneurs face several challenges, becoming unstoppable could be as simple as switching up your habits and redefining old routines.

First, if up until now all you have been doing is talking about becoming an entrepreneur, it’s time to make the talk a reality. All talk and no action does not make you unstoppable. You have to be ready to follow through on what you say and hold yourself accountable. Let’s go ahead and get this out there too – you’ve got to care about your health. Your mind is, without fail, affected by the state of your body. Care about how much sleep you get, the food you eat, the exercise you do and how much water you drink.

With the amount of uncertainty an entrepreneur faces, you have to be willing to embrace risk. Progress is impossible without stepping away from your comfort zone and exploring a variety of options. It’s actually less risky to accept change than to let you or your business become out dated and out of touch. As long as they are calculated, thoughtful risks, you will benefit from them.

Since your day is already complicated enough, try and keep your business plan clear and simple. If you want people to be on board with your idea, then you need to make sure it is easy for everyone to understand. Simplicity and brevity can take you far, so make sure your message is strong and to the point. Afterward, always try to expand your brand identity through authentic, honest marketing. Budget where to spend your money so it has the most impact and brings new consumers to your brand.


Unstoppable people are not super human – they make plenty of mistakes, are constantly rewriting their strategies and they learn more about themselves and their business every day. The fear of whether or not you will succeed will be there no matter what. The true test of an unstoppable person is what they do to put them in a position to test the unstoppable theory.



 Do you feel that you’re ready to get started? Let FranNet connect you with the business you’ve been looking for. Ask us about a free consultation. Our purpose is to connect the dots and make the transition from corporate employment to the freedom of business ownership manageable and safe.

Monday, July 20, 2015

Be The Problem Solver

headtoolHere is the situation: you own a franchise or small business. It’s the first year, so you are working through the speed bumps every business faces. You have a handful of employees that are pulling your attention to a million different things, the budget is tight but your demands keep growing, and you are still figuring out how to market your brand.

What is the one thing you have to be good at to succeed in this situation? Problem solving.

The only way your business (and your sanity) will make it is if you can take these problems and solve them -- for both your employees and your customers. The more you learn to master critical thinking and problem solving, the more time, energy and money you will save. Excellent problem solvers all go about it differently; however, there are some key steps that you can follow to find a solution.

Before you can do any solving, you must first identify the correct problem. It isn’t as simple as you may think as you need to be asking the right questions and find the root of the issue. After you’ve correctly identified the real problem, you can start the brainstorming.

You may like the idea of working alone, but the brainstorm process may better serve you if you include others. You never know, someone on your team might have the perspective that leads to a quick solution. This is the step that involves a great deal of critical thought, which is more a state-of-mind rather than techniques or tools. Looking at the issues from multiple viewpoints and remaining open minded will lead to the most creative, longer-lasting results.

Evaluate the different ideas you come up with and see how they will impact your goals within the constraints that you have. Shoot for high impact-low complexity ideas and get it done. Try to have a couple plans as a backup in case your original idea falls through; a problem can be solved many ways.

As a franchise owner, you will face many issues – some big and others little. No matter the size, you need to approach and resolve each hurdle with a sense of calm and purpose. Look for the opportunities within the problems, keep it positive and you’ll be ready for any situation.



Do you want to be your own boss? Perhaps it’s time for a free consultationFranNet has a great track record of assisting individuals on their path to business ownership. Make arrangements to speak with one of our representatives today!

There’s Still A Long Way To Go, But FranNet’s Stacy Swift Is Dedicated To Helping The Denver Kids, Inc. Organization

At FranNet, we cherish the opportunity to bring the joy of franchise business ownership to entrepreneurs in any stage of life. We love to share our client’s stories through the BE Campaign in hopes that you’ll experience a small part of what FranNet is a part of. Not only is your local consultant dedicated to the success of future franchise owners, you might just find them lending a hand elsewhere too.

Malinda & her little brother Antonio
Malinda & her little brother Antonio
FranNet of Colorado’s Stacy Swift has over 25 years of small business ownership, management, sales, and marketing experience. Stacy opened her first FranNet office in Denver in 1996 covering Colorado, Wyoming, & Montana. However, when Stacy isn’t working to match clients with their ideal franchise, she spends time with the Denver Kids, Inc. Organization. The main goal of the program is to help kids graduate from high school. In many cases, the child will be the first in his/her family to do so. Kids in the program are primarily from single parent homes and they live close to, if not in, poverty.

“They simply need an outside friend or support person to help them understand that they have hope and that they can grow up to be productive, valuable members of society,” said Stacy. “They can get a solid education to help them become whatever they choose to be in their lives.”
Malinda and Stacy

Stacy first learned of the organization nearly 25 years ago when looking for place to volunteer and give back to the community. Since then, she has served three terms on their Board of Directors, coming in at 9 years total. Currently, she contributes by donating $2,500 per year, a commitment that supports her overall goal of $12,500 in five years. She also spends time as a mentor to a young girl, who was matched with Stacy when she was ten and is now fourteen.

“I felt that I had a very fortunate upbringing, with loving parents, a great family, and a wonderful education,” said Stacy. “I simply wanted to help someone who was less fortunate than I was.”

What never fails to bring a smile (and plenty of laughter) to Stacy and her mentees are the wacky conversations that enrich their time together. She has heard it all, from a mentee stating she was “like a kid who never grew up” to a time when she was in her car and, out of the blue, her mentee said, “Stacy, what’s a hemorrhoid?” Stacy pulled over and had a full discussion about hemorrhoids! “It took everything I had to not crack up,” said Stacy.
Malinda
Malinda

The Denver Kids, Inc. organization is able to add more staff and counselors every year, thus serving more kids. Anyone can donate directly to the organization on their website, or they can volunteer to be a mentor! Time donations are just as valuable as monetary donations.

“It has definitely made me more grateful for all that I have.  It had made me realize that, although we aren’t all dealt the same hand in life, we really aren’t any different. Probably most importantly, it’s taught me that money doesn’t buy happiness.  Attitude is so much more important than material things.”

For more information on FranNet services contact Stacy Swift at 303-715-0397 or visit www.frannet.com/sswift.

Consider the Legal and Financial Aspects of Owning a Franchise

SavingMoneyAs with any major investment, the best decision can be made only if you’re as informed as possible. You need to spend a good deal of time researching, interviewing and exploring your options -- and a part of the process is determining what the legal and financial aspects are.

As your focus gets more serious with the idea of owning your own franchise, you need to genuinely look at your financials and propose a budget with which you feel comfortable. Research the many options you have, like the Self-Directed 401K option or loans. Financing a franchise may be considered a lower risk investment, mostly because franchises have proven track records and an established trademark and brand. That being said, it is still crucial that you prepare an in-depth business plan and explore a range of options so you commit to the one that makes the most sense for your budget.

The two main documents you must be aware of are the Franchise Disclosure Document (or FDD) and the Franchise Agreement. The FDD provides prospective franchisees with specific information about the franchisor, the franchise system and the agreements that lead to an informed decision. The law requires franchisors to show you the FDD before any franchise is sold. The Franchise Agreement goes into a little different detail than the FDD, specifically on the relationship between the franchisee and the franchisor.

There are various matters that need to be observed in your decision, which is why FranNet suggests you seek the advice of an experienced franchise attorney and financial advisor. They will help you decide the appropriate investigations for any franchise you are interested in and will offer exposure for the legal documentation that will be used to implement the transaction.



Are you ready to get started? Perhaps it’s time for a free consultation FranNet has a great track record of assisting individuals on their path to business ownership. Make arrangements to speak with one of our representatives today!

Is It Possible To Own A Franchise After Years In The Workforce?


However, you’re the only one who can convince your stubborn, scared self that it’s possible. Spending years in corporate America or working for other small/large businesses doesn’t have to cripple your franchise ownership dreams. In fact, the experience and knowledge you’ve gained to this point will prove to be very useful! At FranNet, we want you to know that it is certainly not time lost – look at it instead as time preparing for this new path.

Think about your current social circle and the activities with which you are involved. Slowly start to transition it all toward your new franchise goals. Look for local franchising events – they will provide opportunities to become acquainted with the right people who will then refer you to the right places, provide you with resources and contacts as well as give valid advice.

Do your research and look for a consultant to guide and help you toward a field that is right for you. See what’s out there and get to know the players. Your current skill set will without a doubt align with a franchise. You may watch online seminars and read several blogs by current franchisees and discover where your budget and needs will fit into the industry.

Keep moving forward. The only guaranteed roadblock that will stand in the way of owning a franchise is you. Don’t continue to sit and wait with the expectation that it will someday change. There is an appropriate amount of due diligence and testing that comes with the process, but ask for help and afterwards go through with it. Can you really own a franchise after years in the workforce? Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! The real question is: where do I sign?


Do you feel that you’re ready to get started? Let FranNet connect you with the business you’ve been looking for. Ask us about a free consultation. Our purpose is to connect the dots and make the transition from corporate employment to the freedom of business ownership manageable and safe.

How Big Is Franchising Anyway?

The number of franchise establishments in the United States has grown to 781,794 – the highest it has ever been. Along with the steady growth, the International Franchising Association (IFA) projects the industry to continuing its impressive expansion for a fifth consecutive year.

When talking about the franchise industry, some may debate the many benefits of such an investment while others will cautiously warn against getting involved. The truth is, there are both positives and negatives to owning a franchise and it depends almost entirely on the person and the process. However, after the extensive research the IFA completed, no one can deny the numbers for 2015. The number of direct jobs in franchise establishments will increase 2.9%, from 8.6 million to 8.8 million jobs. The monetary output of franchise establishments will increase 5.4% in nominal dollars from $844 billion to $889 billion.
Image From Entrepreneurs Source
From: Entrepreneurs Source
In an article by the Wall Street Journal, the percentage of women that become franchisees are 28.1% vs. the 71.9% of men. The median age of franchise owners is between 45 and 54, with 12% younger than 34 and 28% over the age of 55. When it comes to education level, 44% of franchise owners have a bachelor’s degree and a significantly less 19% hold an advanced degree.

Franchising is becoming a more appealing option for entrepreneurs who are ready to be a business owner, but don’t want to go through the hassle of beginning a business completely from scratch. After extensive research and counseling, finding a franchise can prove to be a very rewarding experience – for both your heart and wallet.


Do you want to be your own boss? Perhaps it’s time for a free consultationFranNet has a great track record of assisting individuals on their path to business ownership. Make arrangements to speak with one of our representatives today!