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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 bit uneasy.
I used to be providing recommendation to audiences full of managers and skilled enterprise homeowners, 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 concept however lacks real-world credibility. I needed my insights to be grounded in expertise, not simply inspiration.
Then someday, flipping by way 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 would acquire insights I might deliver to my shoppers.
My objective was by no means to go away my talking profession. It nonetheless is my main ardour. However I needed to complement it with a enterprise that may 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 day by day.
Associated: Is Franchising Proper For You? Ask Your self These 9 Inquiries to Discover Out.
We confronted our share of challenges, particularly early on. However finally, we constructed one of many highest-volume areas in California. Later, I acquired a struggling second location and made it worthwhile inside a yr. We received awards for greatest customer support and supervisor of the yr 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 here are six key methods that made it potential:
1. Select the best franchise mannequin
Not each franchise is suited to absentee possession, it doesn’t matter what the gross sales workforce says. I selected a model that allowed for it, however shortly 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 regarded for a enterprise with clear techniques, 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 pacesetter, only one main from a distance.
2. Construct techniques that work with out you
If I weren’t going to be within the retailer day by day, I wanted techniques to keep up visibility and accountability. Every night time, 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 evaluation 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 preserve) the best folks
Discovering the best supervisor modified the whole lot. My first two hires have been strong 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 yr after I offered the shops.
Jennifer and I have been in each day contact, even once I was on the street. Once I was residence, I would go to a minimum of as soon as every 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 usually about who we have been as a workforce and what sort of atmosphere we needed. We skilled 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’d have. Nobody offered 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 normal, that was sufficient for achievement, and it gave me area 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
Whenever you’re not on-site, metrics turn 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 stored 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 in regards to the tradition we would constructed. That award confirmed what I would come to imagine: franchise success is not about working more durable. It is about working smarter, creating techniques and rising folks.
The expertise did not simply strengthen my talking content material — it reworked 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 folks. Watch your numbers. And above all, belief the workforce you’ve got constructed.
That is the way you develop one thing nice — even if 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 bit uneasy.
I used to be providing recommendation to audiences full of managers and skilled enterprise homeowners, 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 concept however lacks real-world credibility. I needed my insights to be grounded in expertise, not simply inspiration.
Then someday, flipping by way 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 would acquire insights I might deliver to my shoppers.
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