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I’ve spent many years as a enterprise and management speaker, presenting to leaders about efficiency, management and constructing robust groups. However early in my profession, I began to really feel a little bit uneasy.
I used to be providing recommendation to audiences full of managers and skilled business owners, a lot of whom had much more hands-on expertise than I did. I did not wish to be perceived as one other speaker who talks principle however lacks real-world credibility. I needed my insights to be grounded in expertise, not simply inspiration.
Then someday, flipping by means of an airline journal, I noticed an advert for Edible Preparations. One thing clicked. Franchising intrigued me as a result of it is a mannequin that mixes consistency and variability. Everybody follows the identical system in related markets, however efficiency varies. That meant there needed to be a variable. If I may determine it and make it work for me, I would not simply construct a enterprise — I would acquire insights I may deliver to my purchasers.
My aim was by no means to go away my talking profession. It nonetheless is my major ardour. However I needed to complement it with a enterprise that may sharpen my message and grow my income. That is how I ended up opening an Edible Preparations franchise in 2006.
Let me be clear: there was nothing “part-time” about this enterprise. Opening a franchise meant taking out a mortgage, signing a 10-year lease, investing in a buildout, managing workers, and serving clients. It required full dedication—even when I could not be there daily.
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We confronted our share of challenges, particularly early on. However ultimately, we constructed one of many highest-volume areas in California. Later, I acquired a struggling second location and made it profitable inside a 12 months. We received awards for greatest customer support and supervisor of the 12 months out of greater than 1,000 shops worldwide — all whereas I used to be nonetheless touring for talking engagements.
So, how did I do it? Listed below are six key methods that made it doable:
1. Select the fitting franchise mannequin
Not each franchise is fitted to absentee possession, it doesn’t matter what the gross sales staff says. I selected a model that allowed for it, however shortly discovered that success nonetheless requires deep engagement. You do not have to be bodily current on a regular basis, however you do need to be mentally current.
I appeared for a enterprise with clear techniques, model requirements, and powerful company assist. I additionally spoke with different franchisees to make sure my dual-career setup was real looking. I wasn’t simply an investor—I used to be nonetheless a frontrunner, only one main from a distance.
2. Construct techniques that work with out you
If I weren’t going to be within the retailer daily, I wanted techniques to keep up visibility and accountability. Every evening, the closing worker despatched me an in depth report on gross sales, points and suggestions. I put in safety cameras to watch the shop remotely and confirm open and shutting occasions. I may additionally log in to our system from wherever to assessment dashboards and efficiency knowledge.
Cross-training was one other key technique. Each staff member may deal with a number of duties, giving us flexibility and defending towards staffing gaps.
3. Rent (and hold) the fitting individuals
Discovering the fitting supervisor modified every thing. My first two hires have been stable however did not stick. The third, Jennifer, joined 9 months in and stayed for the remainder of my possession. She even labored with the brand new proprietor for a 12 months after I offered the shops.
Jennifer and I have been in day by day contact, even after I was on the highway. After I was house, I would go to at the least as soon as every week to remain related with the staff. I did not work shifts, however I maintained presence. I wasn’t micromanaging — I used to be tradition managing.
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4. Lead the tradition — even remotely
Tradition would not simply occur — it should be formed. We talked typically about who we have been as a staff and what sort of atmosphere we needed. We skilled slowly, coached constantly and gave workers the possibility to guide. Their enter helped us innovate, meet targets and keep aligned.
When staff members proved themselves, we gave them extra autonomy. That funding paid off in loyalty and efficiency. The shops did not simply really feel like mine — they felt like ours.
5. Let go of management (strategically)
Nobody ran the enterprise precisely like I’d have. Nobody offered as a lot or cared as deeply. However they did not need to. I discovered that if the staff may function at 80% of my private customary, that was sufficient for fulfillment, and it gave me house to maintain talking and open a second location.
Letting go gave others room to step up. It made Jennifer’s job simpler. And it allowed me to deal with rising the enterprise, not simply operating it.
6. Handle by the numbers
If you’re not on-site, metrics change into your eyes and ears. I watched weekly gross sales, common ticket dimension, bills and buyer evaluations religiously. I studied each P&L. I additionally tracked particular person worker efficiency so Jennifer may coach in actual time when wanted.
She managed the ground. I managed the numbers. That construction stored every thing transferring, even after I was out of city.
One of many proudest moments of my franchise journey was successful the most effective customer support award. It wasn’t nearly gross sales—it was in regards to the tradition we would constructed. That award confirmed what I would come to consider: franchise success is not about working more durable. It is about working smarter, creating techniques and rising individuals.
The expertise did not simply strengthen my talking content material — it remodeled it. I had actual tales. Actual wins. Actual setbacks. All of it added authenticity to my message. You do not want to surrender your day job to construct a profitable enterprise. However you do have to take that enterprise critically. Put techniques in place. Lead your individuals. Watch your numbers. And above all, belief the staff you have constructed.
That is the way you develop one thing nice — even whenever you’re not there to see it.
I’ve spent many years as a enterprise and management speaker, presenting to leaders about efficiency, management and constructing robust groups. However early in my profession, I began to really feel a little bit uneasy.
I used to be providing recommendation to audiences full of managers and skilled business owners, a lot of whom had much more hands-on expertise than I did. I did not wish to be perceived as one other speaker who talks principle however lacks real-world credibility. I needed my insights to be grounded in expertise, not simply inspiration.
Then someday, flipping by means of an airline journal, I noticed an advert for Edible Preparations. One thing clicked. Franchising intrigued me as a result of it is a mannequin that mixes consistency and variability. Everybody follows the identical system in related markets, however efficiency varies. That meant there needed to be a variable. If I may determine it and make it work for me, I would not simply construct a enterprise — I would acquire insights I may deliver to my purchasers.
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