Even making it to the Olympics can be a lofty goal just like the dream of being your own boss. Just like Olympic Athletes, if you put in the time, have a great coach, get a few breaks and stay focused you just might win the goal medal of franchise ownership.
There certainly is a lot of buildup to the Olympics each time they roll around, and for good reason- the Olympics rarely disappoint. There is still a purity to the games that is lost in many of the professional sports. If you’re like me, you might find yourself thinking what could have been… What if real effort had been put into a childhood activity…could it have blossomed into chasing an Olympic opportunity? Olympic athletes are an exclusive group, many of them overcoming huge obstacles to reach their dreams. While the odds of becoming an Olympian are long, it is still ok to dream. While there seems to be more older Olympians than in the past, some over 40-years old, mostly the games are reserved for the young. So, what do more “mature” people dream about?
What “the mature” sect often dreams most about is often owning a business and being their own boss. Having been a franchise consultant for many years, I am regularly reminded how powerful the dream of business ownership can be. When I tell someone I am the president a Franchise Consulting company, I am almost immediately asked – “what is a good franchise to buy?” People often tell me how they always wanted their own business or how they had tried doing something on the side and always wanted to give it another try. People will ask me what they can do to find a business that fits them, how much they typically cost, and is there financing out there available if needed. I can see the wheels turning and the dreams starting as I provide answers to the questions. Knowing dreams without a plan are merely a wish, I typically try to provide practical advice detailing steps and tools they may utilize to actually formally investigate the opportunity of business ownership. I provide them links to franchise portal websites where they can examine businesses by industry, initial and ongoing expenses as well as other criteria that allows for narrowing from hundreds of brands to those that best match their experience and interests.
The other major criteria I mention to the newly excited prospective business owner is to find a business they truly find interesting. You have to love what you do – with passion comes profits. So, while investment, ROI, and earning potential are all important, you want to find yourself waking up each day excited to go to work. By finding a franchise you are passionate about you will also discover happiness and success will follow closely behind.
So, figure out if you are more of a distance person like the grueling biathlon events, a risk taker like the downhill skiers, or more of a team player like the bobsled; there is a business out there for you. Once you identify what type of business “athlete” you are; make a plan and chase that dream- you might just end up getting the gold!
By: Mike Cannon
