Top Five Franchise Myths… by Bruce Violette

Myth 1:

I’ll only be successful if I find the right business.

Many of us define “right” as what we’re already good at. But don’t limit yourself. Define your

transferable skills from the corporate world: delegation, management, marketing, etc. If you

had them in one type of business, you can easily use them in another.

Myth 2:

I can only be successful doing something I love.

Believe it or not, businesses based on an owner’s background have the highest failure rate. Your

franchise business is a vehicle to the lifestyle you’re seeking. If you limit your choices to what

you’re familiar with or good at, you’re placing yourself at a major disadvantage by ignoring a

huge number of possibilities that are outside your realm of past business experience.

Myth 3:

I’ll instantly know the right opportunity when I see it.

Many people want to fall in love with their business at first sight. That’s an emotional decision,

not a career choice. You have to take the time to learn about the details and nuances of an

opportunity to understand its potential. You simply can’t do that when you make a

determination based only on what you feel today.

Myth 4:

I can’t be in a business I know nothing about.

of course you can. It’s natural to want to stay in your comfort zone and stick to areas you have

experience in. But as a franchise owner, your job is running and growing your business, no

matter what it is. Remember, you have transferable skills. That’s your strength. You can hire

people who know the details. Your road to success is buying into and learning the franchise

system–which is already a positive working model–and then using your talents to make it grow.

Myth 5:

There’s no freedom in a franchise–corporate dictates everything.

This is one of the most pervasive myths about franchise ownership. In actuality, there’s tons of

room for individuality. The franchisor “dictates” only one thing: the basic system–the

framework, if you –that’s already proven successful. Beyond that, you’re in charge. You’re

managing your business. You decide who to hire and fire, how to market your location and how

to promote it regionally. Keep in mind that the franchisor wants you to succeed, because if you

don’t, they don’t. It’s a win-win situation.

Scroll to Top