low risk, HIGH REWARD

by Jerry Rieder Certified Franchise Consultant

low risk, HIGH REWARD

Three tempting categories to consider in home-based franchises

About 52% of small businesses are home-based, with some 38 million in the United States. These businesses are managed over the phone or online, can be full- or part-time, and require little or no traveling or client interactions. Depending on the business, the owner might never need to leave the house or may work on job sites as well as from home.

Home-based franchises typically cost less than traditional ones because of lower fees and minimal overhead— there’s no storefront to lease or buy, heat and cool, or pay taxes on. And with a franchise, as opposed to launching a from-scratch company, the business already enjoys widespread brand-name recognition with proven procedures and processes in place.

Home-based business opportunities are diverse. Popular and successful industries include education and tutoring, senior home care, cleaning and janitorial, management/ business services and financial consulting, marketing services, and home improvement/maintenance services.

Home-based businesses have a lot going for them, but here’s one caveat: You need strict discipline for separating your home life from your professional commitment. If you can stay focused, ignore distractions, and keep to a schedule, it could be the right option for you.

Does running a home-based franchise sound good to you? Here are three in-demand, high-growth categories to consider.

» Commercial Cleaning Services

For the security of repeat business and recession-resistance, commercial cleaning franchises make an attractive investment. These franchises are simple to run and quick to start up.

One respected brand is Office Pride® Commercial Cleaning Services. With more than 25 years of experience in full-service commercial cleaning and janitorial services, the company is an industry leader with exceptional customer retention. Franchisees work according to the company’s core values every day, believing that how they do business is just as important as excellent customer service.

» Senior Care

With people 60 and older comprising a large segment of the U.S. population, the need for senior care is here to stay. Depending on the franchise, services can include medical care such as dispensing prescriptions and giving injections and/or non-medical care like personal hygiene and companionship. Perhaps surprisingly, experience in the health-care field is rarely required, although managerial skills are crucial.

» Home Improvement/ Maintenance Services

Because many home and business owners are pressed for time or are simply unskilled, hiring out building repairs and improvements has become big business. There’s a never-ending demand for services ranging from routine maintenance to face-lifts to large-scale renovations.

One home-based franchise that provides TLC to commercial and residential buildings is Handyman Matters™. This technology-based company helps its franchisees build a foundation of satisfied, lifelong customers who will consistently enlist their services for jobs of all sizes.

Jerry Rieder, CFC, has been a franchise consultant since 2012. He became part of the FranServe Training and Development Team in 2013 and has helped a large number of consultants become successful. His compassion and desire to see others achieve drives him to share his techniques and best practices with new and experienced consultants alike. He serves as a trainer, a mentor, and also as a facilitator for FranServe’s Power Teams. His prior 25+ years of management experience with Fortune 500 companies provides the foundation for aiding others to achieve their goals. Contact Jerry at jerry@franserve.com