"HORN IN" On Franchise / Business Ownership - December '18 Edition

[OrangeLarry]

 

 

 “HORN IN" On Franchise / Business Ownership

a monthly post with blurbs, links, and other words-of-wisdom

regarding self-employment; career transition;

and franchise / business ownership;

as well as information for business owners

who may be interested in franchising their business.

  

December  2018

 

Franchise Opportunity Knocks

Self-employment Beckons

Start answering the call right here.

News you can use to help you find

The right franchise / business opportunity for you.

 

 

What’s Your Wish?

 The White Envelope... It's just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past 10 years or so.

 It all began because my husband hated Christmas---oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the “craziness” of Christmas – where he had a tendency to sit back and do WAY too much thinking, about his future, his family, what he wanted to be when he grew up, so to say. Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to do something for him. The inspiration came in an unusual way – I was watching a magician on television doing a “trick” when it struck me…

 I asked him to write down for me, every New Year’s Day, what he wanted from his life. It didn’t matter what he put down – this was for him. And I didn’t want to see it. Then, every Thanksgiving weekend, when we put up the Christmas tree, I’d ask him to open it and see what it said. And then I’d ask him, “Are you closer to reaching it? If not, what can I do to help?”

 After a couple of years of this, my husband turned to me and said, “Yes, you can help. You see – I want to own my own business. I’ve always realized I could build equity for our family better this way – plus get away from the corporate nonsense I deal with every day. But if we do this, we’re going to have to tighten our belts in the short-term. Are you ready to help?” I nearly keeled over from shock. I had become accustomed to our nice little life – and knowing my husband was able to make a good salary and support our family well. I worked as well, but was also busy with the kids, so we depended largely on his salary.

 “What are you considering?” I asked, trying to sound supportive.

 “Well, I’m looking at buying a franchise,” he said. “I’ve been working with a franchise consultant, and he has helped me understand my skills and what franchise companies would be right for me. I’m in the process of investigating several right now – and one, in particular, is looking like a really good fit for us.”

 “Oh. Crap,” I mumbled, and then quickly began thinking of ways I could submarine this radical thinking that was going to destroy the security of our family. “Have you spoken with your Dad about this?”

 “Yes, I have,” my husband said, “and he asked me if I had the ‘stuff’ to make it work?”  “Well, do you?“ I asked.

 “I don’t know,” my husband replied, “but I DO know that if I don’t see this through, I’ll never be happy, because I will have never seen through what I thought I could do with myself in life.” “Well, obviously this is important to you.” I offered. “Let’s share it with family when they’re here for the holidays – and see what they have to say,” hoping in my heart they’d help me out on this issue.

 “We can do that,” he said, “but I don’t need another WIPE-OUT. You know, WELL-INTENTIONED PERSONS OFFERING UNINFORMED THOUGHTS? My Dad has been doing that to me my whole life. It took me years to understand that he didn’t mean me harm, but that he wished for my safety, and that suggesting I avoid risk was his way of doing it.”

 “I’ve already spoken with a lot of people,” he went on to say. “And I’ve learned that once you begin to talk about your desires to own your own business, you will get all sorts of comments back that don’t always reflect an understanding of who you really are, and certainly don’t reflect a knowledge of the business you are investigating.  Be it your father, or your “know-it-all” sister-in-law, or your neighbor, or your co-worker.  They all seem to have an opinion. I have learned I needed to understand two things. First, as I said, I’ve learned that my loved ones have my “safety” at heart – not my “success” – so they are hardly in the position to advise me to do something that would put me or my family at any risk at all. Secondly, many can make a comment that may appear to have my best interest at heart, but that person doesn’t have the details I have in investigating a business.

 I guess I’ve learned this is something I simply have to do on my own.  Wow, I thought. He’s got me pegged. “OK, then what can I do here?” “Join me in this investigation process,” he requested. “Work with me to learn about these businesses. And then we can decide together – if this one particular business isn’t right, it won’t change how I feel. I still want to do this.”

 Well, we did exactly what he asked me to…and 7 years ago, we purchased a franchise business together. It has met his personal fulfillment needs – and neither of us has ever regretted a minute. But why still the “white envelope,” you say?  Do I still have him fill it out every year?

 “No, I don’t. These days it is no more than an empty envelope. But it’s a constant reminder to me to that I almost “blew it.  That I was thinking about what I thought was right for me, not for my husband, or for our family. And that reminder is the best message I can receive every holiday”.

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 Every year, thousands of people dream of owning a business and are drawn to the independence, flexibility and freedom of being self-employed. The job market as we have known it continues to change, so people are retooling their vision of how they will make a living in the years to come. This is driving people of all ages and career types to pursue self-employment options, including small business ownership as the “new” career of choice. Today, creating your own job has become the new path to job security. 

A franchise / business opportunity may not be right for everyone and they are certainly not all created equal, but a good business model can lower the risk factor and accelerate one’s potential for long term success. The key is finding the right match between the franchise / business opportunity model and the owner-operator.

Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, “The great thing in this world is not so much where you stand, as in what direction you are moving.” Are you allowing your professional life to wander aimlessly, or stand still? Do you dislike your corporate job, but don’t know how to find your real niche in life?

 A window of opportunity won’t open itself…  

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You desire to be self-employed…

What is preventing you from moving towards that dream?

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Is Living A Few Years Of Your

Life Like Most People Won’t,

So That You Can Spend The

Rest Of Your Life Like

Most People Can’t.

                  -Unknown

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The New Year 2019 is rapidly approaching.  I’m sure many of you are contemplating your professional future, as well as what you want to do when you “grow up”.

Perhaps you are facing the perplexing dilemma:  Do I stay with the Ugly Girl / Steady Eddie boyfriend (Employment) because I’m afraid to pursue the Beautiful Girl / Stud Jock (Business Ownership)...

Note:  Please do not interpret the above statement as any type of sexist statement.  It is only intended to be an illustrative play-on-words.

 Perhaps you have the perfect job and perfect life, but do you have a back-up plan if the unthinkable happens?  Maybe you are ready for a change, ready to live life to its fullest or ready to take control of your future.  If you are presently employed can you continue to do what you are doing now at the same intensity for the next 10, 20, or 30 years?  Do you really want to?  You may want to infuse some excitement back into your work-life.

 Or, does your life in corporate America seem like you are standing on the edge staring down into the abyss? 

 Today, many people would answer YES to that question.  Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, “The great thing in this world is not so much where you stand, as in what direction you are moving”.

• Are you allowing your professional life to wander aimlessly, or stand still? 
• Dislike your corporate job, but don’t know how to find your real niche in life?
• Presently have a demanding JOB, but prefer to have a LIFE?  
• Desire is to own your business with more flexibility, financial success and independence?
• Fed up with your job and ready to be your own boss?
• Burned-out from corporate America?
• Prepared to take control of the future for you and your family?
• Eager to infuse excitement back into your work-life?
• Content with your present job, but don’t have a back-up plan if the unthinkable happens?
• Ready to change the future by controlling your destiny, rather than having it dictated by someone else?  

Today, many people dread going to work.  It is estimated that as many as 80% of the working population is dissatisfied with their jobs.  For these folks, going to work is a chore.   Did you know the average person will spend over 90,000 hours at work over their lifetime?   Wow, that’s a long time to be unhappy.

 Blake Mallen, a very successful entrepreneur, once told me,  “The moment you stop doing what you think you are supposed to do, and start doing what you were meant to do, is when the script ends and life begins”.  Is it time for you to break from the script and go after a life that offers you greater flexibility, freedom and independence?

 Studies show that the majority of Americans say they would like to own their own business.  But, only a few will ever realize this dream.  Perhaps that can be best explained by a quote from Brian Tracey.  Mr. Tracey has said, “A thousand dreams die unborn every day because the dreamer lacks the courage to take the first step”.

 Please allow me to describe a common scenario… You are ready for a career change-you get the urge to tell your boss what she / he can do with the latest company policy. The reality of corporate life is becoming more painful; job security is an illusory; your work-life and income is being dictated by someone else; your employer isn’t investing in your future.  Now, your brain is on a mental trampoline and you exclaim, “Well, why don’t I invest in myself?”.  Then, your mind begins to race back and forth between the known reality of the uncertain and often unpleasant life in corporate America, and the unknown aspects of how you can get independence through business ownership. If you are one of the 80% don't let the "FUD (Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt) Factor" stop you.

Tony Robbins:  Fear can create unnecessary stress in the mind and how to get it out of your head when it happens.

What a lot of people call suffering is really just an overload of stress, Robbins says. When billionaires call him seeking business advice, he digs deeper to uncover the root of their problems. They might be looking for growth or more impressive sales results, but after he acknowledges what they want, he aims to give them what they need.

 If I follow the trail of your stress, it will take me to your deepest fears, he says. And I always believe that life is the dance between what you desire most and what you fear most.

Somewhere in that equation lies the real need, the one thing everyone wants the most… a meaningful life. You won’t achieve that by living in a way that favors suffering, such as overstressing about money, Robbins says. Since the brain was designed for survival rather than happiness, it’s up to the human to decide its fate and to create happiness in a space that historically functioned on a fight or flight level.

 It’s learning how to train yourself with a new set of habits to look at it, to be entertained by the mind and know that you’re more than your mind, Robbins says.

Do you have a dream to be self-employed and to own you own business?  Does this dream inspire you, energize you, and stir your inner drive to do everything you can to achieve it?  Perhaps the most important question is…How will you achieve your dream?  The answer to this question is imperative because it is the reason most people never realize their dream. 

Too often franchise business owner "wannabes" simply lose their focus and drift away.  These people who really want to own a business don’t ever get to enjoy this wonderful experience because they allow the "FUD Factor" to grow, fester and steal their dream.

They have no guidance or strategy in place, no knowledge of what is needed and must sometimes be sacrificed to have the dream come true.  Most people have no idea how to achieve their dream of becoming a business owner.  They don’t know what type of business is right for them, where or how to start the process.  So, most people simply get overwhelmed with fear, uncertainty and doubt.  And, when people are unsure as to what, how, and when, they STOP. 

A window of opportunity won’t open itself.  So, would this scenario be of interest and value to you… a process where you receive assistance to help you better identify your goals, financial requirements, lifestyle needs and what you would like for your work-life to look like; then provided information on self-employment options and guidance on exploring these opportunities within the confines of a safe and no-obligation environment?

Owning your own business may provide the opportunity for you to reach your goals.  And, buying a franchise provides the opportunity to be in business for yourself, but not by yourself.  A franchise already has a proven concept and an effective business model with a stable track record.  Therefore, you gain access to a successful business concept without having to reinvent the wheel.

Franchises are everywhere today.  Financial experts believe franchising is the wave of the future. Within 10 years, franchises could comprise over 50% of the retail and service sectors.  This expectation is based on the underlying concept-Franchises offer aspiring business owners the greatest success potential, with the least amount of risk.  Franchises present countless opportunities for successful ownership and financial independence.  In U.S. and world economies, franchising is creating greater avenues for wealth accumulation among both franchisees and franchisors.  As existing franchise systems become more successful, new franchises will be developed and introduced to the market.

 In today’s market, thousands of franchise opportunities are available - just about everything from advertising to maid services to weight control. The franchisor knows the business, so industry experience is not required.  Franchisors seek franchisees possessing customer service, business and management skills. Franchises have proven to be an effective vehicle for successfully transitioning into a new industry and self-employment with an improved quality of life, while becoming the master of your own destiny. 

 

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Are you in career transition, or contemplating making a change?  Would you like a "sounding-board"?  As a former Human Resources executive and now a Franchise Coach / Consultant, I have over three (3) decades of assisting folks with career transition.  Plus, I have personally walked down that path a couple times myself.  If you would like to visit about career transition in general, entering self-employment via a franchise or business opportunity and / or UT sports, please call me at your convenience… 888-479-2491.  Or shoot me an email with your phone number and a good day(s) / time(s) to call you.  I will gladly provide complimentary advice and counsel. And, remember, I'm a coach, not a sales person.

 Would this scenario be of interest and value to you… a process where you receive assistance to help you better identify your goals, financial requirements, lifestyle needs and what you would like for your work-life to look like; then provided information on self-employment options and guidance on exploring these opportunities within the confines of a supportive, educational and no-obligation environment?   

Have a job you don’t like?  Seek other employment > I call that Changing Your Curtains.  Perhaps, you prefer a bolder approach which may provide a new and invigorating work-life.  I refer to that as Changing Your View.  In 2001, I decided to Change My View.  If you are ready… Let’s Talk.  I can help you Change Your View too…

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I highly recommend:

 If you are seeking top-quality financial / investment advice,

Teamwork Financial Group and Doug Moe...Texas Ex.

Doug is the CEO of Teamwork Financial Group in San Antonio.  He is an attorney and CPA.  He has provided valuable insight to me and my wife regarding investment / financial advice, including guidance on having a Will vs. Revocable Living Trust, re-balancing our investment portfolio, as well as assisting us move a portion of our IRA investments into Fixed Asset Annuities.  Over the past several months, I have had a number of very enjoyable meetings with Doug, since we have a tendency to spend time talking sports, as well as financial / investment stuff. Doug played basketball at UT in the 80s and is the son of Doug Moe, the former coach of the San Antonio Spurs. And, a great guy.

 

Do You Need Furniture Repaired...

If so and in the San Antonio area, CALL Pat Bonney...Texas Ex... Owner of a Guardsman Furniture Pro. franchise...The Most Trusted Name in Furniture Repair. Pat was on the UT baseball team in the early 70s.  I have used Pat's service multiple times for a variety of furniture repairs in my business and home.  Great guy and fantastic service.     210-849-9663    Email: gfpsa@sbcglobal.net

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Don't Just Change Your Curtains...

Change Your View. I Did. My Story 

2017 newsletters; as well as copies of 2016 and 2015 newsletters can be viewed by going to the Franchise Quest Website.  

Click on the Website link below, or go to:

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Hook 'em.