I love my franchise owner network. From the time I first became interested in the franchise brand I signed with, my fellow franchisees have been a priceless source of support and encouragement. They help me problem-solve, persevere through challenges, and celebrate my successes. And best of all, I get to pay them back in kind.
When I think about it, there are countless reasons I’ve loved working with my owner network. But if you pushed me to name the Top 10 benefits, this would be my list.
Phone Support
I can’t count the number of times I’ve picked up the phone to talk to a fellow franchisee. Sometimes the calls are impromptu and sometimes they’re scheduled. Some have been related to crises, like software issues. Others have been just to shoot the breeze. They’re a fantastic way to generate solutions and encourage each other.
Site Visits
My franchises are brick-and-mortar businesses, which means that site visits have been a terrific way for me to gather useful information from my owner network. These visits work both ways, too: I’ve visited other franchise locations, and I’ve invited other franchisees to visit mine. Site visits help me and my fellow owners improve the details that can only be evaluated effectively in person: employee interactions, the flow of the building, equipment setup, and more.
Brainstorms
When I’ve had to solve an especially tough problem, my franchise owner network has been a lifesaver. It’s so easy to bring a few people together, in person or on Zoom, and talk through potential ideas. I especially appreciate that I can tap into a network of people from all different levels of experience and business backgrounds.
Vendor Recommendations
Particularly with salon-suite franchises, I need good vendors to keep things running smoothly. Our laundry and cleaning services are especially important – few things are more important to a salon owner than fresh towels and a clean space. While my franchisor has a list of approved vendors, fellow owners are the ones who can tell me how someone performs in real life.
Employee Referrals
Finding good employees can be hard, but my network makes it easier. Some of my best people have come through recommendation from fellow franchisees. After all, who has a better idea of exactly what kind of manager or scheduler my business needs?
Marketing Support
I spent more than 20 years as a marketing executive before becoming a franchisee. But I worked in the corporate world for a Fortune 50 company and rarely felt under-resourced. Marketing my own small business was a different animal. Thanks to my franchise owner network, I had access to all kinds of advice about where to spend my limited time and budget for the best return.
Mentoring Sessions
I love to mentor people and watch them grow. But when I was on the path to becoming a franchise owner, I needed to be on the other side of the table. I’m forever grateful for the franchisees who spent the extra time to sit down with for deeper conversations and candid advice about business ownership. (Looking for a mentor of your own? Try these tips.)
Customer Referrals
In the corporate world, everything is cutthroat. But because I’m with a good franchisor who plans their territories carefully, I don’t really have to worry about my fellow owners undercutting my business. Instead, we can be collaborative. I can send customers to another franchise location, knowing that the favor will come back around to me at some point.
Accountability Partners
Another benefit of the collaborative culture: it’s easy to find an accountability partner if I want support to reach some big goals. That blend of oversight and encouragement is a great way to keep myself on track. After more than 20 years of feeling like I had to watch my back every day, it was an incredible change to have colleagues who were truly invested in my success.
Paying It Forward
As I mentioned above, I love to mentor people, so this is probably my favorite aspect of the franchise owner network. Once I’d been a franchisee for a little while, I started to get those calls from new owners seeking advice or encouragement. It was a true joy to pay the support forward – my work is far more fulfilling because of it!
Even now that I’m focused primarily on my consulting business, I still connect regularly with fellow franchise owners. In fact, the network I’ve built through franchising is a big part of the reason I say it was the best career decision I’ve ever made.
If you’re exhausted by cutthroat corporate culture and ready for a healthier, more collaborative path, franchising may be the right fit for you. You can start exploring your options with just a 20-minute phone call, and my services are completely free! Book a call with me today to find out how franchise culture can be just the shift you need to love your work again.
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