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I’ve spent a long time as a enterprise and administration 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 enterprise house 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 concept however lacks real-world credibility. I needed my insights to be grounded in expertise, not simply inspiration.
Then in the future, flipping via 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 determine it and make it work for me, I would not simply construct a enterprise — I might achieve insights I might convey to my shoppers.
My purpose 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 will sharpen my message and develop my earnings. 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 prospects. It required full dedication—even when I could not be there each day.
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We confronted our share of challenges, particularly early on. However ultimately, we constructed one of many highest-volume places in California. Later, I acquired a struggling second location and made it worthwhile inside a yr. We gained 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 fitting franchise mannequin
Not each franchise is fitted to absentee possession, it doesn’t matter what the gross sales group 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 seemed 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 each day, I wanted techniques to take care of 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 instances. I might additionally log in to our system from wherever to evaluation dashboards and efficiency knowledge.
Cross-training was one other key technique. Each group member might deal with a number of duties, giving us flexibility and defending in opposition to staffing gaps.
3. Rent (and preserve) the fitting folks
Discovering the fitting supervisor modified the whole lot. My first two hires had 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 bought the shops.
Jennifer and I had been in each day contact, even after I was on the highway. Once I was residence, I might go to at the least as soon as per week to remain related with the group. 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 had been as a group and how much atmosphere we needed. We educated slowly, coached persistently and gave workers the prospect to guide. Their enter helped us innovate, meet targets and keep aligned.
When group 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 bought as a lot or cared as deeply. However they did not must. I realized that if the group might function at 80% of my private commonplace, 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 concentrate on rising the enterprise, not simply working it.
6. Handle by the numbers
Whenever you’re not on-site, metrics grow to be your eyes and ears. I watched weekly gross sales, common ticket measurement, bills and buyer evaluations 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 after I was out of city.
One of many proudest moments of my franchise journey was successful the very best customer support award. It wasn’t nearly gross sales—it was concerning the tradition we might constructed. That award confirmed what I might come to consider: 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 must take that enterprise critically. Put techniques in place. Lead your folks. Watch your numbers. And above all, belief the group 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 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 enterprise house 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 concept however lacks real-world credibility. I needed my insights to be grounded in expertise, not simply inspiration.
Then in the future, flipping via 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 determine it and make it work for me, I would not simply construct a enterprise — I might achieve insights I might convey to my shoppers.
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