When I got into business I wanted to build a company, which helped people and provide a product and service that people loved and were willing to pay for; one I would not have to sell or convince anyone of. Something that people truly wanted to extend and enhance their pursuit of happiness. I found the perfect service that everyone wanted and where sales were not really needed at all. In addition I found a way to allow my team to reap the rewards of delivery of that service to the masses.
Franchising accomplishes all those goals for me. Franchising is the hardest business in the World. You have to be a coach, a psychologist, a lawyer, a strategic planner, a king, a marketer, a janitor, a grandfather, sounding board, and a mentor. The pressure is on and if you make a mistake there is no one to blame, it is all on you. People give you their life savings; real people who have real families, real needs and need to make money. If you underestimate your competition, miss a market opportunity, pick the wrong franchisees, you can destroy everything you've created. The stakes are high; but it is rewarding and challenging. Do I have any complaints, no? Would I do it again? HELL YES. For the right Team I will go to hell and back. And I may have to, judging by the incessant litigation and over regulation in our civilization today.
Ray Kroc was right to name his book "Grinding it Out" because that is exactly what its about. My hat goes off to those greats who came before me. Most people will never experience what they have, what I have, or have the perseverance to see it through. As I read their biographies, the similarities are so close to home it is scary. Most people give up right before they succeed. I can't because I am not allowed to quit, I promised myself that early on in my sports career as a long distance runner, later in fundraising for non-profits, in college again in business.
I remember once I rode a bicycle from OR to Mexico to raise money for Special Olympics. I did it in six days. I remember being so tired, so cold in the rain pushing my bike because I couldn't ride any farther until I made it to my goal for that day. Later in that ride I nearly froze shaking so bad I could not hold the bike straight, but again refused to quit. Refused to give up. I think I froze the inside of my throat that early morning after riding non-stop through the cold at 20 degrees plus the wind chill factor created by peddling at 30 mph, it still hurts to this day. I would not give up then or ever again. I kept remembering my favorite quote "Winners never quit and quitters never win." I later added to that quote "You can never lose if you never quit." This is similar to the saying; If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. It makes you proud of our past leaders with their famous quotes of "Perseverance," "Press On" and "Never, ever, ever, ever, ever give up."
Why did I start my franchise company? Because I saw something no one else saw. I see a market everyone else denies exists; went out to prove it exists. We helped others reach their dreams to own their own business. Without having to endure what I have. I already did it for them. Our team would not let down those willing to go the extra distance. We will help them find a way if they are serious and they want in, we will figure it out. And so our mantra became literally "to boldly go" and to never surrender. In this day and age those are the qualities you need if you wish to franchise and you probably need a million in start-up capital too. There is no easy way. Think on this.
"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs

I have worked in the credit industry for over 17... Read More
Frequently overlooked and hidden deep within our marketing tool box... Read More
Many people believe owning a franchise will make them rich,... Read More
One of the most important management tools a franchised company... Read More
If that sounds like you, here's what you may be... Read More
Having built a business from a bucket of water and... Read More
I've seen terrible images today on the television and internet-bodies... Read More
Recently my bank opened a new branch that is a... Read More
For the past ten-months, I tried every drug from the... Read More
What Startups Need to Get a Business Loan, Part 2In... Read More
It is only natural that when you start a business,... Read More
I would like to give some advice to all the... Read More
Discover the pitfalls of owning your own business BEFORE... [you... Read More
Hello Creative Entrepreneurs!Welcome to the e-class on Creativity & Entrepreneurship:... Read More
So few really understand the drives and motivations of entrepreneurs.... Read More
When I'm not running my own business, writing articles about... Read More
Being an entrepreneur and running a successful home-based business is... Read More
Life as an entrepreneur is the American Dream. To be... Read More
With all the buzz about everybody being an entrepreneur these... Read More
In discussing entrepreneurship and writing articles on the subject, I... Read More
Start your own business, and soon enough, you find yourself... Read More
At an International Franchising Symposium in London, Peter Holt made... Read More
More and more corporate workers are leaving their jobs to... Read More
Rohit Kochgaway was very upset with his boss for his... Read More
When I ask why you don't start your own business,... Read More
Many people are starting an online business without a thought... Read More
Last week I was working with one of my small... Read More
As a senior in high school, he paid cash for... Read More
In the early days of my first consulting business, I... Read More
The most important function of a business plan is to... Read More
As a service provider, the most important type of "boundary"... Read More
At an International Franchising Symposium in London, Peter Holt made... Read More
Almost every day, I talk with people who want to... Read More
Rohit Kochgaway was very upset with his boss for his... Read More
Use this comprehensive checklist to plan each step of your... Read More
Most entrepreneurs constantly come up with new ideas. Whether they... Read More
I've seen terrible images today on the television and internet-bodies... Read More
You have decided to strike it out on your own... Read More
Successful business owners and managers need to be very clear... Read More
As a first time entrepreneur, there are a variety of... Read More
A streak dating back more than three decades came to... Read More
"Real champions believe in themselves even when no one else... Read More
When companies enter into negotiations with venture capital firms, there... Read More
The first step in deciding whether to start a business... Read More
Franchising InformationFranchise oppotunities are all around us today. You may... Read More
Business plans continue to be an essential element of the... Read More
I am going to begin this article by sharing a... Read More
Sally and Jim have launched their automotive franchise business and... Read More
Franchise business is being part of a successfully proven business... Read More
The "spark" for many entrepreneurs is seeing an opportunity that... Read More
Answering Service ResourceAnswering Service Resource |