Are you interested in investing in a franchise or business opportunity? Do you know there are various organisations and institutions set up to help women enter into the franchise industry? Begin your research of the franchise industry by first reading up on the various aspects of women in franchising.
View information on available funds and grants for women entering into franchising. Read about the different organizations set up to provide resources for women in franchising. Finally, why not read women in franchising “success stories”. These case studies relate to successful women franchisors and franchisees, and also successful women working within the franchise industry. Let these stories inspire you to start your own franchise business.
Your future success in franchising starts here.
Women and Franchising: Top Franchise Characteristics
According to Iain Murphy in his book (The Franchising Handbook: The Complete Guide to Choosing a Franchise), women are in some ways better suited to franchising and make a more attractive group as potential franchisees.
Here are a number of interesting characteristics that make women in franchising a successful target group for franchisors:
- Women are good at organising, at coordinating activities and people efficiently. This means women franchisees will be naturally inclined to organise and coordinate their franchise opportunity more productively and profitably.
- Women are good at prioritising, at deciding which activities are
more important than others. This particular skill works well in the franchising industry, when problems arise concerning planning, staffing, financing and people management.
- Women enjoy working towards a common goal. Women operating a franchise will work to make that franchise a success, for all franchisees involved under the one franchise operation.
- Women are good at networking, ensuring effective communications are created between franchisee and franchisor, and franchisee and all other internal and external bodies.
- Franchising can offer women who are ambitious the opportunity to go into business and to be potentially successful and profitable on a personal and professional level.
Advantages of Running Your Own Franchise
- In franchising ,you get to be your own boss, and take control of your own life. Women franchisees are more successful because they enjoy the work life balance franchising can offer, making it more appealing to be their own boss.
- With 20% of small businesses failing in the first year of business, the concept of franchising offers assurance for women, interested in minimizing business start-up risks. The tried and tested formula helps reduce the risks by providing training, help and support.
- After a career break or pregnancy, women can often feel a lack of confidence in returning to the workplace. Franchising gives women the opportunity to rebuild their skills and knowledge in a supportive and successful environment.
This all adds up to one conclusion, franchising offers a tremendous opportunity for ambitious women to start their own business. Just as women’s characteristics are suited to franchising, franchising is suited to the needs and demands of women. It can’t be doubted, women and franchising make a very successful combination!
Read the following case study about one woman’s ambition to start her own franchise and how alongside two other women, Sari Blatt grew turned her idea to sell boutique gift-baskets grew into a successful and profitable franchise network across Canada.
Women Franchisors: Case StudySeri Blatt knew she needed to work for herself the day she got a scornful look from her boss because she had to pick up her sick daughter from a daycare centre. Looking for a business that would prove financially-feasible as well as creatively-rewarding, she and two other Canadian women started 2 Blonds and A Brunette in 2002. “I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, but also wanted a career. I joined forces with two friends (the other blonde and the brunette) and we started the company in 2002, running the whole thing out of my partner Laura's basement,” she told Franchise Entrepreneur magazine. “It wasn’t easy; not one of us could get a loan from the bank. Eventually, I agreed to terms on a $5,000 loan from mv husband-and paid back every cent, with interest. We managed to land a few big clients that first year, and were off and running.” Seri says that franchising the business was a simple decision as the concept started to gain popularity: "By 2006, I had bought out my partners and was running the business solo. One day, Laura called and asked about establishing a second location in Toronto, where she had recently moved. Within months of opening, the company was featured in Lou Lou, a national women's magazine. Suddenly, we had women from across Canada asking how they could be a part of our company. Franchising seemed like the best way to keep our unique boutique appeal while expanding. For women looking for a part-time, home-based business that they operate while running a home, a franchise like 2 Blonds and A Brunette is certainly appealing. Seri says she will do everything to help her franchisees out. "It's great to see how they run the business alongside the other things they're doing, whether its motherhood, another part-time job or a hobby they're passionate about. I do everything I can as a franchisor to support my franchisees because I want each and every one of them to succeed and get what I got out of the business-independence and a sense of accomplishment." |