By the time you get to franchise validation, you have done a lot of work. You identified all of your wants and don’t wants. If we were helping you, you have a model that articulates your perfect business and you’re exploring franchises that are a good fit at first glance. You’ve had a handful of conversations with the franchise company, and you’ve received the FDD. Now you’re ready to start talking to current owners in what’s usually one of people’s favorite parts of the fran

This is my favorite time of year, because we get to start a new chapter in our story. It’s not just a new year; it’s a new decade! Everyone want to know what the next hot concept will be, so here’s a snapshot of industries on a strong growth trajectory that still have a lot of room for great owners. Industries to Consider A frequent question I get is, “What franchises are out there besides fast food?” The answer is a lot – there are so many fantastic franchises that have noth

Nearly every time someone finds out I provide a free service to match people to franchises, they tell me they’ve considered or are considering buying a franchise. It’s such an intriguing venture, and everyone wants to know if they could make it work. And just like putting together a puzzle, franchise companies want to know if you’re going to be a perfect fit for their model. If you’re in the majority wondering if franchising is a smart move, here’s a quiz to evaluate yourself

Robert Kiyosaki’s book Rich Dad Poor Dad was one of the first business books I read. At 20 years old, it was shocking revelation that my way of thinking wasn’t the most effective for success. I’ve gone on to read several other of his books, and the Cash Flow Quadrant is one my favorites. The model is a great illustration of transitioning into franchising and the difference between owner/operator, semi-absentee and resales. The Cashflow Quadrant The Cashflow Quadrant is made u

The generation of i-everything and social media royalty gets a bad rap for being lazy and a little self-centered. That’s not been my experience. I see millennials as the generation of creativity, innovation and hustle. Look at some of the most valuable companies and how many were started by millennials in their teens and twenties. It’s an idealistic group full of budding entrepreneurs. Mentorship, Leadership and the Next Generation One of the best characteristics of the new g

I used to think some people are naturally fearless. They jump out of airplanes and not because it’s about to crash. I couldn’t relate. I was extremely risk averse. If there was any chance I would fail, I wouldn’t even try regardless of how small the risk or great the reward. That was me until a mentor told me what the seemingly fearless know that I did not. Here’s the secret: Everyone is afraid. Sane people do not jump out of planes with no fear or trepidation. They feel the

My high school guidance counselor asked me, “What are you passionate about?” At that time, I loved art. He helped me fashioned the next 40 years of my life around a teenage hobby. You can guess how well that ended. It was my first lesson in the folly of following my “passions.” I hear a lot from budding entrepreneurs that they’re trying to "find their passion" to help figure out what type of business fits them best. It’s one of the fastest ways to fail and here’s why.: Passio