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.
shuttle to Midway Beardstown .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareWhy are Chambers a good launching pad?Chambers provide you with... Read More
What are the benefits of using a Freelance Consultant /... Read More
The day care industry is expanding. There are now more... Read More
Seems as though there are a lot of business closings... Read More
Your product is dying. With the same inevitability that we... Read More
Researching information for a recent business plan, I came across... Read More
Here are some sound debt collection techniques that can be... Read More
What does it take to grow a business and run... Read More
How careful are you with the data you collect from... Read More
As a specialist in getting restaurants open, it is surprising... Read More
The modern Franchise business model and the much different business... Read More
Here is an interesting case study of a company, which... Read More
Some of the greatest words of wisdom for any man... Read More
All legitimate home business entrepreneurs insist and announce loud and... Read More
Contrary to popular belief, small businesses can survive a crazy... Read More
If you have ever had your antique shop or mall... Read More
Tap these treasures of ideas. The best money you can... Read More
We all know that a building has to have a... Read More
Don't let your customer satisfaction research initiative collect dust on... Read More
Writing a business plan is a fundamental step to ensuring... Read More
When small businesses fail, the wreckage is often assigned to... Read More
The restaurant industry in the United States employs an estimated... Read More
Canon City, Colorado is known for it's 6 Prisons; State... Read More
There are many potential niches for pressure washing companies that... Read More
So it's time to invest some finances into advertising your... Read More
Green Bay Hummer H2 SUV rentals ..The reason we Franchisors call it an exclusive territory is... Read More
Winning small and home based businesses today must continually shake... Read More
In the first article we mentioned the main characteristics that... Read More
In my previous article, Step 1, your challenge for the... Read More
In the Truck Washing Business every single type of vehicle... Read More
The efficiency of debt collection is the difference between a... Read More
Ask anyone trapped in a cubical about their entrepreneurial dream... Read More
To have one of the popular in home daycare businesses.... Read More
"The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing... Read More
Let me get right to the point. The single most... Read More
Writing a business plan for your Solo Entrepreneur business doesn't... Read More
In the world today, many people are further in debt... Read More
How to identify future solutions and opportunities?Your power page, if... Read More
If you're just ramping up your small business email newsletter,... Read More
A few years ago, I visited Beijing for the first... Read More
Technical writing services are employed to explain the details of... Read More
If you're anything like me then you dislike with a... Read More
In your small business debt collection laws will eventually become... Read More
Often smart entrepreneurs look for out of the way businesses,... Read More
Consistency is a huge word when operating your business. I... Read More
The success of your business is critically dependent on how... Read More
Support is critical for your small business survival. You may... Read More
All legitimate home business entrepreneurs insist and announce loud and... Read More
One of the great challenges for independent professionals and small... Read More
Last week we discussed the importance of performing an autopsy... Read More
Small Business |