Deciding to start your own franchise is just one of the first steps to getting started. Buying a franchise is a lot like dating. You and the company have to be a good fit. The company you are considering starting a franchise with must fit your needs, and you must meet the guidelines they have set up.
You may be thinking, "I have the money, I will just sign up and get started." It's just not that easy. The companies want to make sure you will be successful and a large part of that will come in the form of discussions, questions, paperwork, and if you're still both attracted to each other ? FINAL APPROVAL!
Chances are if you're a true entrepreneurial spirit, your nature won't be right for most franchisors. Franchisors want you to be able to follow a system that they have proven to be successful. A good example of this is "the golden arches". You won't ever go into one that doesn't follow the rules and guidelines set down by the franchisors. They may for a little while, but they will and can lose their franchise license. There isn't room for innovation in franchise companies. They don't want someone to cause any trouble and rock the boat on their proven business systems. A great place to get some tips on Franchise Start ups is at startupsmarts.info.
If you're capable of following a PROVEN system for business success you will be a good franchise owner though. There will still be thousands of questions and they are looking for a specific type of person.
The franchisors want someone with an entrepreneurial spirit to be self sufficient, but with out enough free spirit to re-invent the wheel. The companies usually prefer you to have some management experience or extensive experience in the field.
Your personality is the next thing that will be reviewed on your "date" with the franchise company. If your wishy-washy and don't know what you want, you can probably count on this being your last date with that company.
Just like when you meet a new prospective person to date, you check out their outfits, car, etc... You don't want to end up dating a beach bum right? Well the franchisors don't want to be dating someone who doesn't meet their financial guidelines. If you're planning on borrowing the funds to start the franchise, you may have a rude awakening. Even if your credit is good, and you qualify for a home equity loan, you may find the bank will not lend it to you for starting a business.
Make sure you have your finances in order. Prepare a financial statement that includes your net worth, and what assets are able to be turned into cash in a decent amount of time. Franchisors are going to home in on your net worth and liquidity before anything else. Having cash on hand is much more important that having the ability to borrow funds. Financing debt on other debt is not attractive to many franchisors.
The franchisors will also look at your marketing skills, and your ability to work the schedule the franchise takes to run. If you are used to working a normal 8 to 4 job and suddenly find yourself having to be at "work" 7 days a week it WILL affect your life. Can you make that type of change?
You can find more information on Franchise Financing at: http://www.finance-franchise.info and place like http://www.entrepreneur.com/
Edward Charkow is the administrator for http://www.nichebiz.info and grants reprint rights for this article as long as this resource box remains intact.
weekly home cleaning Highland Park ..I'll be the first to admit that I went a... Read More
Managing cash flow is every small business owner's most important... Read More
Auto Detailing: Maintaining A Commercial Carpet ExtractorYou should drain your... Read More
If you discovered the bottom line in your business depended... Read More
All cities have a purchasing office and/or a procurement officer.... Read More
Early in my career, I wrote an article for a... Read More
A recent survey indicated that clean Taxi Cabs Fleets have... Read More
You have spent considerable time pulling your business plan together,... Read More
"Inch by inch, row by row...that's the way my garden... Read More
Running a small business requires many skills. However, to do... Read More
It is essential that you fully understand how the fuel... Read More
If you are a franchisee of a large franchise system;... Read More
Mr/Ms, 'not me' is often on holidays in your business.... Read More
Do you have a Business Plan? Congratulations, but you are... Read More
If you are just starting your business, or if you... Read More
As a specialist in getting restaurants open, it is surprising... Read More
E-mail and Internet use are integral parts of the typical... Read More
As you may already know, asphalt paved parking lots do... Read More
With the massive explosion of start-ups and home businesses developing,... Read More
How careful are you with the data you collect from... Read More
Not sure how to start a small business? This guide... Read More
Why does research and education play an important part of... Read More
Too often in business we get trapped into reviewing our... Read More
Great question!Freeing your time is an indisputably key element in... Read More
Work smarter, not harderWhat is one of the best ways... Read More
whole house cleaning Park Ridge ..Let me get right to the point. The single most... Read More
Researching information for a recent business plan, I came across... Read More
Technical writing services are employed to explain the details of... Read More
Starting your own e-commerce business can be quite the adventure.... Read More
North County San Diego has had some significant growth, and... Read More
Many investors and business ethics professionals are calling for more... Read More
The choice of financing is an important determinant of whether... Read More
You bet a name is important. Many small business owners... Read More
You make the decision to go into business and for... Read More
The easiest way to lift profits is to cut the... Read More
If your home business is not performing the way you... Read More
One way to determine your companies mission statement is based... Read More
Whether it has been thrust upon you by external market... Read More
As a Boat Detailing Specialist, you may want to offer... Read More
Cash is King... That is what everyone tells us and... Read More
In the world today, many people are further in debt... Read More
Here are a few tips on how to hand out... Read More
How do marine type businesses start? Have you ever thought... Read More
As you may already know, asphalt paved parking lots do... Read More
Articles abound advising the business community how to properly screen... Read More
WHEN you are operating or planning a small business that... Read More
To maximum potential profits and dollars in a mobile washing... Read More
First you have to start with knowing your budget and... Read More
-- The One Pager Shortcut Series --People do business with... Read More
1. Everyone Makes A Difference ? Despite not letting him... Read More
Small Business |