Comments on: The Whole Franchise Thing

By: Tammy Warren

Tammy Warren — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:39:30 +0000

I am the owner of a company which is part of a franchise. No one my company started. I can tell you having the responsibility of being a owner of the franchise name would take a huge amount of time. I often think about my company and how many hours I spend with it. I cannot imagine trying to help lead, govern, and control other companies. Whew…what job.

By: Ellie

Ellie — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:03:07 +0000

Thea - I love the quote! It is soooo true!

By: liz

liz — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:33:52 +0000

One reason is hypnosis is very interesting. I have taking a few classes on it. I think it can help someone in any buisness . I really dont know much about franchise

By: Thea Westra

Thea Westra — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:28:26 +0000

Yes, my concern with a franchise would be how closely the quality of a service could be monitored.

Having a franchise, or having a partner (or five) in your own business, are two different things.
It really all about valuing the provision of high quality service.
If a franchise can demonstrate its ability to do so then there’s no problem with that structure, or any other.

My feeling about it all, is best reflected in this one of my favorite business quotes:

“If you would spend 80% of your ad money making your existing customers feel like kings, you could get one customer to bring you another customer just like them - by Word-of-Mouth advertising. That would double your business and keep your customers loyal - what a concept.”. ~Jeffrey Gitomer~

Cheers,
Thea

By: Ellie

Ellie — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:38:18 +0000

I like that “Maybe its about freedom.” Very poetic. Thank you both for your viewpoints. I’m definitely on the page for remaining independent (especially after all the bad press).

By: Jaime Nichols

Jaime Nichols — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:59:24 +0000

The first questions I would be asking myself would be along the lines of “Why did I choose to study hypnosis and start a business as a hypnotist?” and “What values are most important to me in my business and my life outside of business?” Do you want to do hypnosis your way or their way? Do you value your independent voice?

Also, have you actually read through the franchise agreement for Positive Changes and gone through the details with a business attorney? My anecdotal understanding is that the contract limits the ways you might choose to do business and is loaded with a few ‘hidden’ fees.

By: Michael Raugh, C.H.

Michael Raugh, C.H. — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:09:27 +0000

Leaving the ‘all about business’ idea aside, Ellie, perhaps you never considered a franchise because you were looking to build your own business, do things your way, be your own boss. When you sign up with a franchise you get all the responsibility of a business owner plus you’re accountable to the franchise company, so you’re not really your own boss and you don’t necessarily get to do things your way.

Maybe it’s about freedom. ;^)

I didn’t know such franchises existed either when I started, but I wouldn’t have fit the mold anyway because I started part-time on a shoestring. I’m still part time, practicing out of my home, and I like it that way for now.