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I’ve spent a long time as a enterprise and administration speaker, presenting to leaders about efficiency, management and constructing sturdy 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 enterprise house owners, lots of whom had much more hands-on expertise than I did. I did not wish to be perceived as one other speaker who talks idea however lacks real-world credibility. I wished my insights to be grounded in expertise, not simply inspiration.
Then in the future, 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 comparable markets, however efficiency varies. That meant there needed to be a variable. If I might establish it and make it work for me, I would not simply construct a enterprise — I might acquire insights I might carry to my purchasers.
My purpose was by no means to go away my talking profession. It nonetheless is my major ardour. However I wished to complement it with a enterprise that might sharpen my message and develop my revenue. 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 staff, and serving prospects. 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 finally, we constructed one of many highest-volume places in California. Later, I acquired a struggling second location and made it worthwhile inside a 12 months. We gained awards for finest 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 correct franchise mannequin
Not each franchise is fitted to absentee possession, it doesn’t matter what the gross sales workforce says. I selected a model that allowed for it, however rapidly realized that success nonetheless requires deep engagement. You do not have to be bodily current on a regular basis, however you do must be mentally current.
I appeared for a enterprise with clear methods, model requirements, and robust 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 methods that work with out you
If I weren’t going to be within the retailer daily, I wanted methods to take care of 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 observe the shop remotely and confirm open and shutting occasions. I might additionally log in to our system from anyplace to evaluate dashboards and efficiency knowledge.
Cross-training was one other key technique. Each workforce member might deal with a number of duties, giving us flexibility and defending towards staffing gaps.
3. Rent (and maintain) the correct folks
Discovering the correct supervisor modified the whole lot. 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 bought the shops.
Jennifer and I have been in each day contact, even once I was on the highway. Once I was residence, I might go to not less than as soon as per week to remain related with the workforce. 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 workforce and what sort of setting we wished. We educated slowly, coached constantly and gave staff the possibility to guide. Their enter helped us innovate, meet targets and keep aligned.
When workforce 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 might have. Nobody bought as a lot or cared as deeply. However they did not must. I realized that if the workforce might function at 80% of my private customary, that was sufficient for achievement, 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 concentrate on rising the enterprise, not simply working it.
6. Handle by the numbers
While you’re not on-site, metrics change into your eyes and ears. I watched weekly gross sales, common ticket measurement, bills and buyer opinions religiously. I studied each P&L. I additionally tracked particular person worker efficiency so Jennifer might coach in actual time when wanted.
She managed the ground. I managed the numbers. That construction saved the whole lot shifting, even once 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 concerning the tradition we would constructed. That award confirmed what I might come to imagine: franchise success is not about working more durable. It is about working smarter, creating methods and rising folks.
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 must take that enterprise severely. Put methods in place. Lead your folks. Watch your numbers. And above all, belief the workforce you have constructed.
That is the way you develop one thing nice — even whenever you’re not there to see it.
I’ve spent a long time as a enterprise and administration speaker, presenting to leaders about efficiency, management and constructing sturdy 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 enterprise house owners, lots of whom had much more hands-on expertise than I did. I did not wish to be perceived as one other speaker who talks idea however lacks real-world credibility. I wished my insights to be grounded in expertise, not simply inspiration.
Then in the future, 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 comparable markets, however efficiency varies. That meant there needed to be a variable. If I might establish it and make it work for me, I would not simply construct a enterprise — I might acquire insights I might carry to my purchasers.
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