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.
professional maid services Glencoe ..I was floored! I couldn't believe what they were saying!... Read More
As small business managers, we juggle limited resources in a... Read More
Let's face it, we all tend to get stuck in... Read More
When a regulator finds a target to go after to... Read More
What is a Virtual Assistant?? A Virtual Assistant is that... Read More
Many physical therapists in private practice have the appearance of... Read More
How do you sponsor an event and get personal introductions... Read More
In a perfect world, starting a small business would be... Read More
I love lists. I make them for everything. And I'm... Read More
Think the best way to get more customers is to... Read More
If you're starting your own business or currently work for... Read More
Are you a home or small business owner and you're... Read More
If you're like me, you love accounting. It's so fascinating... Read More
There were only an estimated 1800 active franchisors in this... Read More
No matter how small your small business is, it is... Read More
CONSIDERING COMPANY NEEDS: In identifying your needs for the internship,... Read More
As a small business owner, outsourcing work to Virtual Assistants... Read More
Just as you are about to say "good-bye" to your... Read More
Announcements can be handed out as a business cardAnnouncements can... Read More
1. There Are No "gimmes" ? They count two-foot putts... Read More
There are no "rules of thumb" in the pursuit of... Read More
A janitorial cleaning service is one of the best businesses... Read More
One of the greatest pitfalls in e-commerce is Field of... Read More
If you run a pressure washer business you need complete... Read More
You're a small business owner with a hot new product... Read More
last minute cleaning help Lincolnshire ..Consistency is a huge word when operating your business. I... Read More
Many small business startups fail within the first 2 years... Read More
The resume writing service serves an important role in the... Read More
Image of your franchise automotive outlet is so important. Some... Read More
If you're starting your own business or currently work for... Read More
Small business success is very similar to learning to walk,... Read More
It's just like a marriageTo expect a bank manager or... Read More
What could Seinfeld possibly have to do with marketing a... Read More
My 16 year-old daughter said, "Gee Dad! You look just... Read More
One of the most common issues that comes up for... Read More
How many "get rich schemes" have you joined? Or have... Read More
One of the simplest ways to expand your marketing efforts... Read More
Every employee would like to earn as high a salary... Read More
Having their own business is something many millions of people... Read More
Here are some sound debt collection techniques that can be... Read More
If you interviewed business owners of failed businesses, a majority... Read More
Not sure how to start a small business? This guide... Read More
In this series of articles I'm going to show you... Read More
Is it right for you?If you decide to advertise your... Read More
Security Professionals provide the products and services necessary to create... Read More
As long as you eat and breathe you will stay... Read More
Would it help you as a real estate investor to... Read More
One thing I have noticed in my travels to different... Read More
Outsourcing is the strategic use of outside resources to perform... Read More
A lot of business owners I've spoken with lately have... Read More
Small Business |