Things have certainly changed - - and perhaps you're considering a change as well.

In the blink of an eye…. need I say more? Never have we seen such rapid, fundamental society-wide change in our lifetime. Without any precedents, we do not truly know what the “new normal” will be. Covid-19 has knocked us off-center, but many of us are finding a new center of gravity in a simpler place. In the comfort of our home. In the company of our family. In the traditional center of our home - the kitchen. Through simple conversation, even though it may be via Zoom instead of face-to-face. Perhaps in trying to avoid the virus we have actually re-ordered our priorities.

Now as we prepare to return to our pre-Covid life - even if that is possible - many of us are questioning is that what we really want? Has anyone missed the early morning commute and the 12 hour days? Has anyone missed office politics? Do we really want to hear about budget cuts, re-alignments, relocations, excessing, and corporate pivots? We have learned a harsh lesson that we cannot control the world around us. But we can take steps to control our own lives instead of merely placing them in the hands of others. For many, that means owning our own business. Certainly, owning a business is not a risk-free endeavor. But unlike employment, it is not reward-free either. Business ownership gives us greater control of our lives. It rewards our hard work. It allows us to control our time and where we wish to live. It helps build wealth. It helps us establish a healthier relationship between work and the balance of our lives. And it makes us feel good about ourselves.

Research has shown that a majority of Americans would like to own a business. Most never do. Some do not have the financial resources. Many cannot devote the time necessary to establish a business. Others do not have a product or idea and simply do not know how to even start the process. There is, though, one path to business ownership which is generally overlooked: Franchise ownership. Franchising is largely misunderstood. It is much more than burgers, donuts and sub sandwiches. In fact, there are franchise opportunities ranging from STEM education to pet supplies, yoga studios to office maintenance, senior care to French macarons bakeries. There are franchises in which owners “roll up the sleeves,” ones where the owner assumes a CEO role and others which allow for semi-absentee ownership. Almost all seek good managers over people experienced in the field. As for cost, franchises are available for as little as $15,000 cash requirement and there are many great franchises that can be started for $50,000 cash or less.

Interested in learning more? Download my free eBook “Franchising: Who Me? 25 questions to help you decide if franchising is right for you.”