Moving from Employee to Franchisee

How many of you have spent your career advancing to the Executive Suite, only to find out it was not what you really wanted?  Or, perhaps the company to which you devoted the majority of your career was sold, merged…or just decided they did not need your position anymore?  

That happened to me. I got the education I needed to be successful in Corporate America, and I worked my way up the career ladder.  But, I have to tell you: I was not happy with what I found there.  I had no work/life balance, and what good does it do to live here in paradise if you can’t find the time to enjoy all it has to offer?

In 2007, I was downsized.  It was the best thing that could have happened to me!  While I started out looking for another job, I just could not get excited about anything that I found.  Fortunately, I was introduced to franchising. Like you, I once believed that franchises were all fast food or retail stores. I thought that I couldn’t afford to buy one. I was afraid to be a business owner because I didn’t think I had the experience to succeed as a business owner.  I was very mistaken!  The experience I gained over the years in Corporate America has proven to be invaluable in running my own business.  The biggest asset I have is my ability to surround myself with people who have expertise in areas where I do not.  I have the support of the corporate headquarters of my franchised business, as well as my fellow franchisees. And, while I certainly work as hard as I ever did in my in my corporate life, I am in charge of my time. So, I can find the work/life balance that is so important to me. 

Franchises want people like us: people who are strategic thinkers; who have the ability to take risks, to manage people and to make good, solid business decisions.  It doesn’t matter if we know their industry. They don’t want us to. They want to teach us their proven system. All we need to do is transition the skills and talents that we already have and apply them in a different environment.

Take it from someone who knows: it’s scary!  It is a leap of faith in yourself and your abilities.  But, once you’ve made that transition, you’ll never look back. Remember, if you don’t follow your dream of business ownership, you’re working for someone who did.

At FranNet, we help people from across the country find franchise business opportunities that meet their personal and lifestyle goals.  If you are interested in learning more and live in the Tampa Bay area, please contact me at pdeering@frannet.com  (813)281-5473.  www.frannet.com

Written by Pat Deering, Owner, FranNet of Greater Tampa Bay