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.

Michael Martuza Discusses His New Book, "The Franchise Rules"

Michael Martuza is the owner of FranNet New England and the author of recently released The Franchise Rules: Find a great franchise that ‘fits’ your goals, skills, and budget. As a franchise consultant, Mike works with individuals considering business ownership to match them with franchise businesses in the local market. The book (paperback, ISBN 978-1500615734, $5.99) is the culmination of “rules” he’s gathered over his career to help others discover their ideal business opportunity.

What made you decide to write The Franchise Rules?
While working with clients, I continually come across the same situations and questions. Everyone tends to get hung up on similar issues, so I thought I would write about the underlying guidelines that I recommend clients follow when considering franchise ownership. Not only does it help me as a consultant, but it helps the client be better prepared and educated when they begin their investigation.

Much of the book's content was taken from my franchise business ownership seminars, which feature three basic rules. The book expands on that idea and is really a culmination of all of the rules I’ve figured out over my years of doing this.

How long did the book take you?
Three to four months.

What was your writing process?
I had all of these thoughts and stories I wanted to tell to clients before they began to look at a specific franchise. Prior to outlining the book, I really had to consider how to organize it. How do I make it easy to read and follow?

The book is formulated along the lines of a client’s thought process, beginning with what a client should do or how they should decide if a franchise is the right opportunity. And finally, how best to approach the due diligence process.

I would say 90 percent of the effort was in the organizing and editing. The goal was to provide a lot of great information in a very easy to read book.

How did the title come about?
I was sitting there with this list in my hand thinking about how best to get readers/potential clients to really understand that finding a great franchise is a step-by-step process. It occurred to me that this wasn’t just a list or a process, but for the most part "rules" that should always be followed. I think the title really sums up the contents of this book.

Your first rule, “Don’t Do Anything Stupid,” is pretty blunt. What was the inspiration behind that?
I often talk about people who end up making emotional buying decisions. What I mean are those potential business owners who, without doing any research, think “I want to be in this type of business because …” or “I saw this concept when I was on vacation and it worked there.” I stress that it’s important to inform them so they know what they’re doing and what they’re getting into.

It’s the first rule and phrased that way, because I don’t want readers to rush into a buying decision. Read the book. Read all of the book, and come away better educated on the process before making any decisions.

If there were one thing you would want readers to take away from The Franchise Rules, what would it be?
Utilize experts. They can help the potential franchise owner find the right opportunity; something that will ‘fit’ their goals, skills and budget.

How do these rules come into play when you’re working with clients at FranNet? 
Before a client comes in for a consult they are required (call it homework) to read the book. If they have attended a seminar, I will give it to them in person, otherwise I send it (via Amazon Prime) immediately after a Personal Franchise Assessment (PFA) review call. It takes about two hours to read, so if they are serious about looking at franchises, there is no excuse.

It’s great prep work. Not only does it help educate clients on the process they’re about to start, but it sets expectations and commitments for both parties.

Where can The Franchise Rules be purchased?
The book is available on Amazon, both in electronic ($2.99) and paperback ($5.99) versions.

Many Businesses Thrive in All Economic Conditions

If you’re considering franchise business ownership, then you’re most likely aware of the number of options available to you. From quick-service restaurants to IT services and health and wellness businesses, there are more than 3,000 concepts available across more than 90 industries.

Having experienced an economic recession, you may be among the potential business owners thinking, “What about the economy?” Fortunately, the franchise industry is expected to see a continued increase in employment growth and franchise units established for 2014, according to a report released by the International Franchise Association.

Even so, if the economy is on your mind, you should know that there are many businesses that thrive in all economic conditions. So what are they and why is that the case? Below we discuss three areas of franchise businesses considered to be recession-resistant.

Growing markets driven by demographics
Senior care, residential repair and cleaning are just a few of the markets that continue to see steady growth within the franchise industry. What sets these markets apart is how they are driven by demographics.

Take senior care, for example. There are nearly 76 million baby boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, in the U.S. They make up approximately 24 percent of the U.S. population. As a matter of fact, there’s a person who turns senior age every seven seconds in the U.S. As this generation ages, we will continue to see a growing need for specialized services, care and products. These are needs that, regardless of the economic climate, will need to be met.

Essential services
Essential services are those things that, for the most part, we have to have. These types of services range from the automotive and damage restoration industries to health and wellness, and even hair care.

Let’s look at the automotive industry. From getting to work, to driving to school or dropping the kids off at practice, many of us depend on our cars daily. The best way to keep your car in tip-top shape is to perform routine maintenance, cleaning and detailing.

If you’re thinking, “I can do an oil change myself,” consider that cars today can have fairly advanced issues. Problems with the electrical or fuel system, for instance, may require the expertise of a professional. Plus, many people just don’t have the time, even if they have the knowhow, for DIY. In other words, if you’re a car owner, it’s likely you’ll make needed financial adjustments in order to keep your vehicle up and running.

Businesses that help other small businesses
Franchise opportunities that help other small businesses are things like business coaching, professional consulting, expense analysis and sales training. These types of franchise businesses are great for taking the skills you’ve developed over your tenure and applying them through your own business to help others succeed in theirs.

In an economic downturn, companies may need to re-budget, improve their sales process or decide how best to retain current clients. Often times, additional expertise is needed in these situations. But if you think about it, even in a good economy, these types of business issues are equally important, helping companies focus on business growth or staff development.

There are more than 3,000 concepts to choose from in the franchise industry. We’ve touched on just a few. If the thought of an uncertain economy makes you weary about business ownership, remember that many businesses thrive in all economic conditions.