May/June 2020 $5.95
Leadership, Optimism and Options in a Time of Crisis
Marketing Tips
Legal Tools
Business Trends
March/April 2020 1
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The Franchise Woman
May/June 2020 $5.95
Leadership, Optimism and Options in a Time of Crisis
Marketing Tips
Legal Tools
Business Trends
March/April 2020 1
IFA Chair and FASTSIGNS® CEO Catherine Monson has taken her leadership roles to a new level during the COVID-19 pandemic which has impacted every business across every industry. Don’t miss her interview in which she mentors us through this unprecedented time. Publisher/ Editor in Chief Elizabeth Denham elizabeth.denham@thefranchisewoman.com Designer Annie Malloy annie.malloy@thefranchisewoman.com Contributors Reg Byrd, Nancy Friedman, Kristen Horler, Michelle Hummel, Faizun Kamal, Julie Lusthaus, Rebecca Monet, Michele Rempel, Marietta Snetsinger, Susan Scotts Marketing Juanita Azul info@thefranchisewoman.com
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Contact Us 7060 Ponce de Leon Drive Spanish Fort, Alabama 36527 www.thefranchisewoman.com Entire contents copyright ©2020
May/June 2020
3
IN THIS ISSUE
25
Departments 6 Letter from the Editor. 8 Marketing Your Franchise in the Time of Social Distancing.
16 How to Deliver Bad News in a Good Way.
30 Shifting to a Home-Based Business in the Time of COVID-19.
38 Policy and Pride. 40 How COVID-19 is Impacting State Registration and Filing Deadlines for Franchisors.
22 Don’t Be Afraid. 42 Meal Planning in the Time of 24 Mindful Social Media Strategies During COVID-19. COVID-19.
26 Emerging Franchise: Reimagining the Tatoo Industry.
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The Franchise Woman
50 Featured Franchises. 52 Women on the Move.
42
10
26
Features 10 Leadership in a Time of Crisis. 44 14 Navigating Disaster Relief Programs During COVID-19.
20 Use Your Fear to Pivot Your Career. 46 34 The Importance of Mentorship.
5 Questions an Emerging
Franchisor Should Answer “Yes” to Before Franchising. Optimisim in a Time of Crisis.
May/June 2020
5
Letter from the Editor Our regularly scheduled theme for this month’s magazine is “She Pays it Forward.” And the timing could not be more perfect for what we are going through in our world, our country, our families and our industry. As each and every one of us has been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, we are looking to leadership for guidance. In this issue, we have provided information to help you navigate this uncertain time with as much determination, optimism and information as possible. We understand that many of you are struggling to keep your business open, laying off employees and not knowing when it will end. We believe that, while it seems insurmountable now, there is always a gift in the struggle. It may be difficult to see now, but struggle breeds innovation, ingenuity, grit and drive. As leaders and mentors step up to help guide us through the pandemic, let’s take what they have to offer and then pay it forward. We are in this together. In this issue, FASTSIGNS® CEO and IFA Chair Catherine Monson encourages us to lead using the Five Common Characteristics of Highly Successful People. She is also making videos to send messages of positivity and hope. Rebecca Monet of Zorakle Profiles believes that businesses will come through this crisis even stronger and with an element of co-opetition. In other words, we will learn to collaborate with our competition for the betterment of us all. She is also the author of this month’s I Am Woman column! We have our usual marketing tips, legal tools and business trends, so check out those articles from our contributors, who are leading industry experts. We would like to give them a special “thank you” for their effort during an unusually busy time. We are also excited to announce that The Franchise Woman podcast will be premiering soon! I will have an amazing co-host, so stay tuned for the announcement! With information changing daily, it is important to seek out the most current updates and deadlines as circumstances may have changed since the writing of these articles. As always, we are here to answer questions, make connections and help you find the information you need to keep your business moving forward. Please feel empowered to reach out in any way, and we will do our best to connect you to the people who can help. We salute our Franchise Women for using their time, talents and treasures to make the world a better place. If you have a great story, please reach out. We can’t wait to meet you! Fiercely,
Publisher/Editor
6
The Franchise Woman
Do you Dream of Owning a Business? Are You Considering Franchise Ownership? Taking the leap into franchise ownership can be exciting. The prospect of owning your time and driving your own destiny is appealing. When choosing the right franchise system, it is critical to do your research and determine which will be the best fit for you. The Franchise Woman has partnered with Zorakle Profiles to provide a science-based assessment that will help determine your aptitude for success.
Find Out Which Franchise is the Best Fit for You! Take the survey for $29.95, and you will receive a business profile outlining the following: • Values • Stage of growth • Culture • Work style • Competencies
Take the Survey
For more information, please contact The Franchise Woman at info@thefranchisewoman.com Powered by Zorakle
May/June 2020
7
Marketing Tips
Marketing Your Franchise
in the Time
of Social Distancing
Michele Rempel, Managing Partner, Westvyne
As the owner of a marketing and website design company, I’ve had many intense conversations with business owners over the last few weeks. Some have had to close their doors as “non-essential,” while others have seen their revenues drop dramatically. A few have even seen an increase in business. What they all have in common is a question about what they should be doing with respect to marketing.
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The Franchise Woman
You may have the same question, so here is a summary of what I have told our clients and anyone else who has asked:
1.
Stay active. If your doors are closed or you have reduced business, it may feel weird or futile to continue posting on social media or sending out emails. Resist the urge to stop. More people than ever are on their phones, tablets and com-
puters and are scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, emails, TikTok, etc. Remind them that you’re still here. Reassure them. You owe that to everyone.
2
Grow your audience. I’ve been telling everyone to make a concentrated effort to increase the number of connections you have on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. On Facebook, this is mostly
“
Grow your audience, be real, say thank you, laugh a little and stay healthy! achieved through placing an ad or sharing your page with friends, but on Instagram you can follow people/businesses in your geographic area and you’ll see many follow you back. Ask to connect with people on LinkedIn. Get your business out in front of more people right now. You’ll have a larger audience when your business is back up to speed.
3.
Be real. Your customers and prospects are feeling weird right now too. Let people know what’s going on with your business and your employees. Consider recording a short video on your phone or on Zoom to talk about what’s happening. For example, we have a client who is the owner of a cleaning franchise. We helped her make a video in which she talked about what they are doing to keep their clients and employees safe. Her clients and prospects have appreciated the information and the time she took to reassure everyone.
4.
Offer tips or helpful information. A few of our clients offer spa treatments and massages, but they are closed right now. So, they are offering self-care tips and educating their clients about products and techniques they can use while they are at home. Some are even inviting people to group Zoom calls to stay in touch and answer questions.
5.
Thank your staff and customers/ clients. If you have had loyal customers or have experienced people buying gift cards for future use, etc., take the time to thank them on social media. You don’t have to name names necessarily, but letting people know you appreciate your customers’ loyalty and help goes a long way. In the same vein, if you have some employees that you would like to highlight, now is a great time to do so!
6.
Make sure your Google My Business listing is updated with your current hours or status. If you’re offering delivery or curbside pickup, you can add that as well. Take some time to upload photos or refresh your listing. Send an email or post a message on Facebook asking loyal customers to leave you a Google or Facebook review. Don’t forget that you can post to Google My Business as well! Search for your business on Google, Bing and Yelp and review how your business is showing up. Not coming up with the information
you want? Take the time to update your listings or let your franchisor know that you need to update some details.
7.
Do a website review. Go through your website with a fine-toothed comb. See anything that needs to be updated? Ask people who aren’t part of your business to give you their perspective. Does it ask the right questions? Does it look current? Is it clear and concise? Do photos need updating? If you have the ability to make updates, take the time to do that. If it’s up to your franchisor, make a list now and have a discussion with the powers that be. Don’t be afraid of humor. Yes, these are serious times, but I have been amazed and delighted at some of the creativity and laughter generated by clever people at this time. Laughter helps heal and humor reveals the human behind a brand. (And if you’re unsure about posting or sharing something, ask a couple of trusted people first).
8.
Bottom line: Now is a great time to intensify your marketing efforts and look at your marketing channels, online listings and offline materials with fresh eyes. Grow your audience, be real, say thank you, laugh a little and stay healthy!
Michele Rempel is the founder and managing partner of Westvyne, a marketing and website design firm based in California and Illinois. For almost a decade, she and her team have been guiding their clients in what to say, how to say it, where to say it, and who to say it to in order to attract and retain customers. For more information about Westvyne, visit www.westvyne.com.
May/June 2020
9
Paying It Forward
Leadership
in a Time of Crisis
The Crisis
“Mentorship is absolutely critical, especially in this time of coronavirus. It goes back to the idea of never stopping learning.” IFA Chair and FASTSIGNS® CEO Catherine Monson has taken her leadership roles to a new level during the COVID-19 pandemic which has impacted every business across every industry. From webinars to videos and from early preparation to constant communication and support she has not, for one moment stopped trying to protect her people. She continually supports her franchisees and ensure the franchising community will weather the storm and come out strong and intact. “We have had to address issues from both a practical standpoint and an emotional one,” Mon-
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by Elizabeth Denham son said. “And the principles of success that I speak about are even more critical right now, especially the one about never stopping learning. While I always knew we would face another recession, I didn’t know it would be due to a worldwide health crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented, so we have had to continue learning and adjusting and pushing forward.” Monson often speaks about what she believes are the Five Common Characteristics of Highly Successful People. Those characteristics are: 1. Positive Mental Attitude 2. Goal-Directed Behavior 3. Self Motivation 4. A Sense of Urgency 5. Never Stopping Learning
Emotional Support When the pandemic began, Monson had a conference call with 500 franchisees to discuss the issues and offer reassurance. Her usual “Connect with Catherine” conference calls with her franchisees took place every eight weeks and have now become weekly calls. She began creating weekly videos for her franchisees to build their skills in focusing on what they can control, perseverance and resilience; she shared those with the IFA, which posted them on their coronavirus site for membership. IFA members responded positively and at the request of the IFA senior team, she has made and distributed videos specifically for the IFA membership discussing courage, self-talk and keeping a positive mental attitude, to name
“
Scared is what I’m feeling. Brave is what I’m doing.
May/June 2020
11
a few. She has shared her story of overcoming struggles, and she has encouraged bravery. “Scared is what I’m feeling. Brave is what I’m doing,” she said in one video as she continually encourages leaders to rise to the challenge. She guides organizations to use the power of courage and positive thinking to push out fearful and negative thoughts and meet each day anew. Practical Support As FASTSIGNS® CEO, Monson has analyzed operations, supply chain and the reality of remote working and social distancing. She has provided guidance and instruction to her franchise network on how to pivot and produce COVID-oriented signage and other products19-. She has provided guidelines for using remote platforms, offered best practices for working from home and helped with navigating a recession. “A year-and-a-half ago, I had the team begin working on a document called, ‘How to Weather the Next Recession,’ ” she said. “It was 95 percent done last summer. Seventy-five percent of it applies to all businesses and the other 25 percent to the signage industry. We pulled it out, polished it and renamed it, ‘How to Weather the Next Economic Storm or Time of Uncertainty.’ We sent it out several weeks ago. It includes specific and detailed action steps to build sales, reduce expenses and improve cash flow.”
real estate support, sales support and COVID-19-specific marketing materials. Franchisees send in photos of the signs and products they are selling and share success stories, all of which are posted to the “Prepared” site, inspiring and motivating fellow franchisees. The site also includes educational information about social distancing and provides artwork for the stores to sell to customers about social distancing, new business practices, etc. FASTSIGNS® has also begun offering sneeze guards and safety barriers to protect employees of essential businesses, face guards for essential workers and even intubation shields to keep medical workers safe.
FASTSIGNS® created a special website solely to support franchisees during this pandemic called the “Prepared” site. It includes a deep collection of information on As IFA Chair, Monson and the IFA operations, technology, supply chain, team have been working with Con-
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gressional Leadership, the White House and with Steve Mnuchin on legislation to help save small businesses; the IFA was instrumental in getting many franchise businesses protection in the CARES Act. The IFA is providing daily webinars— often two to three a day— for everyone on the IFA member list. The webinars are designed for franchisees and franchisors and provide ideas and advice on how to navigate this crisis. The IFA has brought in franchisors, suppliers and franchisees to offer advice and provide tools. “Our goal is to provide value to every IFA member,” Monson said. “We want them to know we are here for them during this crisis and beyond. And together, we will get through it and come out even stronger.”
May/June 2020
13
Smart, Driven and Successful
Navigating Disaster Relief
Programs
During COVID-19
by Elizabeth Denham
Do You Qualify? Bethany Barnes, Director of Business Development at Rapid Business Plans, is using her experience to help businesses navigate the process of applying for stimulus monies to keep them afloat through the pandemic crisis.
help people try to weather the storm and stay in business.
“I write business plans every day for people who are applying for SBA loans for their businesses,” Barnes said. “I know what banks are looking for and how to help them through the process.”
“We are doing whatever we can to help,” she said. “We are sending out information, resources and links as we get them. Some people are great at doing it all themselves, and we guide them to resources. Others hire us to complete the process from start to finish and send their documentation to our Dropbox so that we can do all of the heavy lifting.”
When Barnes realized the impact the coronavirus was going to have on the economy, she knew her skillset could
The process Barnes takes people through is fairly simple. There is a questionnaire on her website to
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help you determine if you qualify. Credit is a factor in qualifying. If your credit score is below 640, she will recommend that you do not apply, and she will suggest other options. Once it is determined that you may qualify, Barnes will help you research what you qualify for in your state and through federal programs. “We have been recommending businesses apply for as much as eight months of expenses,” Barnes said. “We think that is a reasonable timeframe to expect to be impacted by the crisis.”
“
We have been recommending businesses apply for as much as eight months of expenses.
Disqualifying Factors • Credit below 640 • An arrest within the last six months • Previous defaults on government loans
Programs
State Bridge the Gap Loans Programs vary from state to state, but in Florida, for example, you can apply for up to $50,000, 12 months, interest-free. This money would be paid back from proceeds from business interruption insurance or federal disaster assistance. Barnes can let you know what your state is offering. Federal SBA Disaster Loans – EIDL and PPP7(a) Loans Economic Injury Disaster Loan- The federal government has set aside $50 billion (possibly more in the future) in SBA disaster loans that you can obtain for your business or for personal disaster assistance. Low-interest loans up to $2 million are available at a proposed 3.75% rate amortized over up to 30 years. A credit score of under 640 will be immediately rejected and we cannot recommend applying.
PPP- Provides up to two months of payroll, rent and utility expense that can be forgiven. If you have received an EIDL loan for different purposes, you are also eligible for this loan. If you have access to other traditional lending, you may not qualify for this program. Traditional SBA 7(a) Loans The CARES Act passed by Congress on Friday, March 27 has a provision providing six months of payments for all SBA 7(a) loans—existing and new—which are not deferments, but rather full payments of principal and interest to the lender for which the borrower will never be responsible again. For new SBA 7(a) borrowers, six months of payments of principal, interest and any associated fees beginning with the first payment due on the loan is available for new loans made within the first six months starting from the date of enactment (3/27/2020).
All in all, Barnes is helping people in whatever ways she can. She has done everything from sending out recipes to helping set up grocery delivery for people. She even helped an ICU nurse get set up with a trauma therapist. “It’s important to look at ways we can help during this chaotic time,” she said. “I believe the franchise industry will be resilient, and these loans can help them get through the crisis. When they get through it, there will be more of the market share available to them, and they will come out stronger.” For more information, visit www. rapidbusinessplans.com or text Rapid Business Plans office line at 904.999.3133.
May/June 2020
15
Customer Service
How to Deliver
Bad News
in a Good Way
by Nancy Friedman A long time ago, we at Telephone Doctor Customer Service Training, decided to remove whatever negativity in our life we could. We removed as many negative words, negative thoughts, and, yes, even negative people as we could. This has proven to be fortuitous during the current pandemic crisis. Many of you are probably giving some not-so-greatnews to your customers and maybe even to your employees. Even during normal times, every once in awhile, owners, managers or staff will need to share negative (bad) news with their customers. We asked ourselves how we could do that effectively without saying, “I have some bad news.” I’m not sure about you, but I’ve never met anybody who enjoys
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receiving bad news. So what we did was remove the words “bad news.” We just don’t say it. The customer NEVER hears it. When the ‘you know what’ hits the fan and you need to call a customer to explain something that’s not just right, try our Telephone Doctor “mission possible” technique. It works faceto-face, as well. It simply goes like this. “Mrs. Jones, I have some good news, and I have some not good news; which would you prefer to hear first?” You let the customer decide what they want to hear first. Good news or not so good news first. Here’s an example: Let’s use the premise that their order did not come in time to make the original appointment.
May/June 2020
17
Example You: Hi Mrs. Customer. This is Dan from XYZ. Do you have a quick moment to talk? (Without that question, your call is always an interruption.) Mrs. Customer: Sure, Dan. You: Good, thanks. (WITH A BIG SMILE) I have some good news, and I have some not good news; which would you like to hear first? Mrs. Customer: Well, I like good news. Let me hear the good news first. You: Me, too. The good news is your product has been ordered and is alive and well and on the way. All is good on that end. The not so good news is there is a 3-day delay. A bit later than we had anticipated. If you can offer something to ‘smooth’ the feathers, this is a good time to do it; however, shared positively, it usually works well. Now let’s try it when the customer wants the not so good news first.
You: Hi Mrs. Customer. This is Dan from XYZ do you have a moment to talk? Mrs. Customer: Sure, what’s going on? I was looking to hear from you. You: Well I have some good news and some not so good news; which would you like to hear first? (Notice we always give the client a choice of what they want to hear first.) Mrs. Customer: Well, let’s get the bad news over with. You: The not so good news is the product you ordered has a three-day delay making my promise to you not so good news. The good news is you are first on the list to get it installed on the same day it comes in. Certainly, we apologize, and I know you understand the delay is not on our end, but we do take responsibility for it.
“
I’m not sure about you, but I’ve never met anybody who enjoys receiving bad news.
Every industry has situations that call for delivering bad news. (Or rather ‘not so good news.’) And this technique will fit every industry. I’ve used it for years. And a bonus? It’s GREAT in your personal life as well! It has always lightened the load and made things much easier. KEY: Delivery, tone of voice, confidence and smiling are all critical in delivering this statement. There can be no “ummmms” or “ahhh” or over-apologizing. What bothers people the most is when you don’t offer them an alternative, or you just give them “bad news” without helping. REMEMBER: No one wants to hear “bad news.” And most people can adapt to “not so good news.” The other day my husband came to me and said, “Hey Nancy, I’ve got some good news and some not so good news; which would you like to hear first?” I fell for it and said, “Well, give me the good news first.” He said, “Well, the good news is our new puppy is doing very well on potty training; the not so good news is – his mistakes are on your side of the bed.” Laughter lightens the load. Especially now.
Nancy Friedman, Founder and Chairman of Telephone Doctor Customer Service Training, is a sought-after speaker for franchise and corporate conferences, sharing tips and advice in customer service, communication and sales. As a former franchisor, she brings the good, bad and ugly for us to review. Author of nine books, Nancy can be reached at www.nancyfriedman.com, or email her at nancy@telephonedoctor.com or call: 314-291-1012 CST.
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Do You Qualify for Disaster Assistance?
$2,000,000 Government Funds Available for Small Businesses Impacted By COVID-19 text our office line at 904.999.3133 May/June 2020
19
Feature
Use Your Fear
to
Pivot Your Career by Faizun Kamal
We are stuck. Quarantined inside our homes, the days starting to become a blur. We are worried about our livelihoods, wondering if we will still have a job when the pandemic ends. How will we pay our bills and provide for our families? As dark thoughts take over, it very quickly becomes a downward spiral. When you feel like you’re at the end of the rope, tie a knot and hang on. You may be at the end of a chapter that’s ending and not realize that you are at the beginning of a new one. In 2015, after almost a decade in the corporate world, I was laid off. I did not have a plan or a roadmap for my future. I was not sure what the
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next chapter of my life would look like. The one thing that I was totally certain of, and never wavered on, however, was the quiet determination that I was never again going to be an employee. I was no longer willing to trade my time, my freedom, my soul - for money. You see, like so many people we all know, I got a job. Not because it was my calling. Or because I felt so
passionate about it. I got a job that paid really well. Don’t get me wrong. Money is important. It allows us to take care of our families and our responsibilities. However, what I learned from this experience is that until my inner values aligned with my external actions, I could never truly be fulfilled or happy. So when my boss informed me about my layoff, I knew this was exactly the opportunity I had been waiting for. In the months that followed, despite huge odds and twists in the path, I found my calling. I started a franchise consulting business to help my clients redesign their careers and lives through a franchise business of their own. I now work in my zone of genius every day. I work for a purpose that is bigger than myself. I love my clients and see myself in so many of them. And I would not trade my life now for anything in the world.
As you find yourself living through a global pandemic, acknowledge the feelings that arise in you as you take inventory of your life and career. Have you been unhappy in your job for years? Have you lived in constant fear that you may be laid off at any time? Do you feel that you have so much more to offer the world and that you are living your life at half measure? If you feel a yearning inside you for something different, better, bigger…listen to it. It may be beckoning you closer to your best life.
Faizun Kamal is a nationally-renowned public speaker and career strategist. As CEO of The Franchise Pros, Faizun coaches people nationwide on making the transition from employee to entrepreneur. She provides guidance to embrace chaos, fear, insecurity and uncertainty as doorways of opportunity to help individuals find their “perfect fit” business based on an assessment of their personal, lifestyle and income goals. She guides clients to move beyond career burnout to build a sustainable career that they love! Email Faizun at faizun@thefranchiseconsultingcompany.com or call 443-604-6276.
May/June 2020
21
Don’t
Be Afraid
by Reginald “Reg” Byrd
For years I knew deep in my soul I had a desire to be an entrepreneur. I wanted to own my own business and be accountable to myself. My mother, my mother’s father, my father’s father and my grandfathers before them were all business owners. But like many, after college, I quickly ended up on the “boomer” track and found myself deeply engaged in corporate America. I owned a home, my boys were in school, my wife took care of the family, and there I was… my family depending on me entirely for our lifestyle. Don’t get me wrong, it was entirely my pleasure and joy to provide for my family. That feeling of being an entrepreneur never faded though. My lovely wife, now of 38 years, and I had conversations about my craving to one day break away from the “job.” There were many of those conversations over the years. Each time, I could see the fear and skepti-
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cism in my wife’s eyes. She was very supportive of the idea and wanted to hear all I had to say. She never shut me down, but I knew when I’d said enough. The comfort of my family always came first. Did my desire ever fade? Did I ever think entrepreneurship wasn’t in reach? Was I good enough or did I have what it takes? Was I afraid? Of course! There were conflicting thoughts that tried to creep in. I struggled with the idea, though I never lost faith. Then there was the day I came home from work and told my wife, “Honey, this is it! The time is now — let’s do this!” Were we nervous? Yes. And I’m sure my wife was more nervous and scared than I was. Being the rock-solid, confident person, she is, I could never tell she had doubts. It wasn’t a unilateral decision either. She had faith in me, faith in us as a unit and as a family. Ultimately, of course, it was a family decision.
I had spent a great deal of time planning this transition. In fact, I still have the binder with the papers where I wrote out planning strategies, affirmations and visions. Early on, when I first started penciling out my thoughts about starting the business, I came to realize it was extremely important to write about my purpose in life. What was my ultimate desire beyond starting my own business? What would make my family and me most proud? Self-reflection, knowing confidently how I could make a difference. I reflected strongly on my strengths and from time to time made lists of those strengths. Eventually, I compared the lists to find commonalities which led me to a deeper understanding of what I’m made of. This allowed me to be completely confident knowing what I bring to the table, and more importantly, how I could change the lives of others.
It is germane in your endeavors of entrepreneurship to be entirely confident in knowing what makes you, you. This might sound cliché but in the corporate world, I was caught up in climbing the corporate ladder, discreetly competing with my colleagues, being the first one in and the last one out so I would get the next promotion, and so on. I never set aside time to focus on me. Had I done that, I wonder how much more I might have achieved. Self-realization leading to self-acknowledgment of your potential and abilities must be the cornerstone of the business model. Having personal insight into your innate
talents and inherent attributes are also part of the self-realization necessary to succeed in all ways of business. Never cut yourself short by trying to lean on a weakness (we all have them). The weaknesses will make themselves apparent without any effort. Therefore, focus on your strengths by letting them lead the way. Over the years as business owners, we experience the highs and lows of our economy. Disaster leading to economic trauma is out of our control; we feel helpless. These are the times when your awareness of the results of self-realization is invaluable. Often, I hear those
seeking entrepreneurship tell me how nervous and worried they are about taking the first step. I always tell these individuals that I would be worried if they weren’t. Motivation and determination comes from the adrenaline caused by worry and the unknown. Don’t be afraid. Instead, confidently focus on the strengths you’ve identified — these are your drivers.
Reginald “Reg” Byrd is founder and partner at DCV Franchise Group. For more information, please visit www.singerlewak.com/index.php/dcv-franchise-group.
May/June 2020
23
Mindful Social Media
Strategies
During COVID-19 by Michelle Hummel
The COVID-19 outbreak is impacting consumer behavior in a big way. A recent study conducted by Numerator reported a staggering 59 percent of consumers have altered their purchasing behavior as travel restrictions, school closures and the need for physical distancing have affected communities across the country.
1
Adjust your messaging and consistently post It’s tough to know what’s coming, so you need to keep a close eye on your posts. The messages that worked yesterday might not work today. Be sensitive in your posts, and don’t be afraid to inject a little humor into your followers’ lives. At Web Strategy Plus, our proven mantra is especially poignant right now: teach me, inspire me, make me laugh and I’ll remember you when it’s time to buy. Make sure to keep your audiences informed of the latest news about your business and emphasize how they can assist you throughout
24 The Franchise Woman
As a result, it’s more important than ever for small business owners to locate opportunities that will help them establish personalized and enduring relationships with their audiences from a safe range.
2
Here are three bullet-proof strategies for managing effective social media communications during the pandemic:
these times with business activities, such as shopping online with a promotional sale, curbside delivery and any extra precautions you’re taking to keep your customers and staff safe. One tactic we’ve had great success with is to increase messaging about buying gift cards, especially if you’ve had to lay off workers. Not only can this income help keep your business afloat right now, but donating 20 percent of sales to your employees helps garner goodwill. If your business has shut down, now is the time to reassure your customers that you’ll be here for them during the crisis and ready to welcome them back when you reopen.
Develop brand awareness with your online audience With more consumers at home, we’re seeing a large spike in online browsing. The impact of this is already being felt by many companies, including Verizon, who just announced a 20 percent weekover-week boost in web traffic. For your social advertising, with additional impressions and changes in competition, your CPM will by all appearances diminish—which provides an ideal opportunity to seize more reach from your budget on Facebook and Instagram, specifically.
3
Remain steady and take advantage of the time Now is a great time to rebuild or tweak your business website, and for franchisees to start a website separate from the corporate site. This will dramatically improve your SEO results, which will translate into increased business. For your social ads, now is the time to try out a new digital ad in any number of formats (images, videos, infographics) on a range of audiences. Think about developing a new ad set instead of updating a current one so that you can better understand the actual results. For new ad creative, you’ll need to test against a previously high-converting ad. Doing so allows you to compare the results directly to an ad that has performed well for your business, saving you time when reviewing results.
Essential Tips for Working Remotely by Elizabeth Denham Now that most of us are working from home during the pandemic, we thought this would be a good time to provide a primer for remote communication. Here are some essential tips for video communication: If you are on a video conference and you are not speaking, mute your audio. If you are on a video conference and you are eating, mute your audio.
Facebook recently cautioned advertisers that because of recent staffing changes there will probably be some backlog and errors as they grow their dependence on automated systems to review new ads and commerce listings. In other words, when new ads are submitted or edited they will go through a new review policy. In order to prevent interference with an ad, increase the delivery period of your highest performing ads, as new campaigns will undergo a new review.
Here are several things you can try testing. • Audience targeting, demographic, interest-related or custom audiences. • Ad copy, including headlines and CTAs. • Landing pages, including copy, design and messaging. There’s a positive and supportive approach your business can take to become creative in a world of physical distancing, so capitalize on this opportunity to get creative and discover new avenues of growing your reach via social media.
If you are on a video conference and you are opening a bag of chips, mute your audio. If you are on a video conference and your dogs are barking or your phone is ringing, mute your audio. If you are walking from room to room, turn off your video. If you are holding the phone to your ear to hear better, turn off your video. If you are going to the restroom, please, please, turn off your video and mute your audio. You get the gist.
Michelle is the CEO and Founder of Web Strategy Plus, a full-service digital marketing agency, where her team of experts specializes in helping franchise owners develop websites, SEO and Social Media Strategies. A published author of three books in her series, “The Social Media Magnet: Everything You Need to Know to Attract Customers with Social Media.” She also holds a valuable Internet Marketing Degree and provides training to help individuals acquire Social Media Management Certification through Web Media University. Contact Michelle at michelle@webstrategyplus.com.
May/June 2020
25
Women on the Rise
26 The Franchise Woman
Emerging Franchise
Reimagining
the Tattoo Industry by Elizabeth Denham What do you do when you have been thinking about getting your first tattoo? You open a tattoo shop, of course! At least if you are Maria Joukov of inq Tattoos. Maria and her husband, Peter opened their first storefront last year in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia and started franchising in February. “Neither of us had a tattoo when we started, so we both got our first one in our own shop,” Maria said. “When we started, we reimagined the idea of tattoo shops and tried to improve on the experience to accommodate the changing demographic of people who are getting tattoos.” They decided to bring an updated approach to the tattoo industry. inq Tattoos offers online booking, digital design catalogs, an active presence
on social media and digital payments. The space is sleek and modern with an emphasis on cleanliness, stringent sterilization requirements and single-use equipment. “We wanted to provide an experience that was better for both the customer and the artist,” she said. “We have more of a spa-like feel in the physical space. It’s lighter and brighter than a traditional shop. There is a nice waiting area with tea and water where you can look at designs on an iPad.” Maria said that the type of people getting tattoos has changed over the years, and now more and more business professionals, soccer moms, lawyers and doctors are joining in the trend. They wanted their business to reflect this growing trend.
May/June 2020
27
“We cater to both the experienced and inexperienced,” Maria said. “We do a lot of customer education and talk people through the process. We work to understand what they are looking for and make sure they understand that we use high-quality, vegan inks and focus on hygiene. More importantly, we want them to leave feeling really comfortable and walking around with art they love.” As far as the artists they have in the shop, the Joukovs recognized there were a lot of ways to improve their professional experience. “In a typical shop, the artists either rent space or have a revenue split with the owners. They are mostly contract workers,” she said. “We wanted to make it so the artists
can focus on what they do best, so inq Tattoo artists are all salaried employees with benefits and stable schedules.” Maria said their way of supporting the artist eliminates the competition for clients as they have team goals and are free from having to run the business side of things. They also have paid leave and a relaxed work environment. Both Maria and Peter have experience launching and operating businesses across several different industries. Maria started a government contracting company. Peter, after a stint in the
Navy, has an events company and previously started and ran a private equity fund. Starting inq Tattoos was an exciting next step for them together.
Goals The Joukovs just started trying to sell units when the pandemic hit. As things open back up, they are focusing on sales in the southeast. The good thing about being an emerging franchise, according to Maria is that you get to be at the forefront of a new trend. They are more accessible to more people and strive to be inqlusive – with a ‘q.’ ” “It’s really great to see people’s reaction when they walk into the boutique,” she said. “Even the seasoned pros say that it’s a great experience!”
28 The Franchise Woman
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What do you do when you have been thinking about getting your first tattoo? You open a tattoo shop, of course! Ideal Franchisee • No tattoo experience required • Trailblazer mindset a must • Emphasis on customer service • Interested in community engagement
Community Service • Sponsors fundraisers for breast cancer through the Pinq Campaign • Sponsors Arlington Police Officers race for 9/11 memorial • Sponsors races for the fitness community • Local raffles, fundraisers for Association of U.S. Army and local Air Force Unit
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the Old Town location is temporarily closed. They plan to reopen in June if it is safe to do so. In the meantime, Maria and Peter are available for inquiries and look forward to growing and trailblazing in the tattoo industry! For more information, please visit www. inqtattoos.com/franchising
May/June 2020
29
Feature
Shifting to a
Home-Based Business in the Time of COVID-19 by Susan Scotts Right now there are so many unknowns for our future and so much fear, uncertainty and doubt in the world. Many people have been furloughed, laid off or let go by their employers. According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), “The coronavirus pandemic will cause a severe economic contraction, 14.4 million job losses and a spike in the unemployment rate this spring.”
omists, it is predicted that the unemployment rate will hit 13 percent in June this year and still be at ten percent in December. To give you an example, the jobless rate in March was 4.4 percent. The world, and employment, as we know it has shifted. SHIFT HAPPENS. But we have to remember that it is not what happens to us, but how we react to it, that is truly important.
In a WSJ survey of business and academic econ-
Perhaps you have always wanted to work for
30 The Franchise Woman
yourself or would like to learn how to become more self-sufficient. By leveraging a proven system of doing business, also known as a franchise, you can! There are many low-investment, excellent opportunities that will allow you to leverage your talents and background which are either homebased or virtual. These businesses will allow you the flexibility to be there for your children and your family, to take time to travel, and to do what you want when you want to.
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Last I looked, hope is not a good business strategy!Â
May/June 2020
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This allows you to be in control, so that if a next government ordered seclusion comes, you can still have the opportunity to create income for yourself. Why not use this quarantine time wisely to learn about new opportunities and perhaps spark the change we need in key areas of our lives? Now is a perfect chance to re-evaluate our priorities and re-think what is really important to us going forward. There’s never been a better time to learn what home-based or virtual businesses might be a good
match for you. There are also options for essential businesses that can really help your community. The Small Business Administration (SBA) has just approved forgiveness for the first six months of any new SBA loan. Not only can you possibly use the government›s money to fund the business at the lowest rates ever and pay yourself a salary, but the SBA is offering to forgive the first six months in payments in some cases. These incentives are for a limited time only, so why not investigate all the options available to you as you consider your current options. Gather the facts and information versus living in
fear and waiting to see what happens. Last I looked, hope is not a good business strategy! And as one of my clients best put it, “There’s never been a better time to get into business than now.” I’m hoping the country can return to normal for everyone’s sake soon, whatever the “new” normal is going to be. Are you going to allow things to happen to you, or are you going to be proactive and in control by creating your own future? As Alan Larkin so wisely put it, “Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.”
Susan Scotts is a multiple award winning career transition coach with The Entrepreneur’s Source® and possesses three decades of experience in helping empower individuals to become entrepreneurs through franchise business ownership. For a complimentary consultation, she can be reached at 561-859-9110 or SScotts@EsourceCoach.com.
32 The Franchise Woman
Have an Eye for Color? Turn it into a PT/FT business as a Paint Color Consultant! • Low Entry Cost/Quick Start Up • Home-based • Work/Life Balance • Large Territories
1-844-EZ-COLOR 1-844-392-6567 www.AmericasColorConsultants.com May/June 2020
33
Pays It Forward
The Importance
of
Mentorship by Elizabeth Denham
Aubree Coderre has been one of the lucky ones who has had the gift of mentorship throughout her career. From college to today, she has had strong women guide her in everything from learning about social media to franchising and life in general. And now she is paying it forward.
34 The Franchise Woman
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There is a kaleidoscope of leadership and experience out there.
“There is a lot of male leadership out there, which is great,” Coderre said. “But when you have women who have grown in similar ways, they have a lot of experience and wisdom to relate to.” Coderre is a national sales manager at C Squared Social, and as her career has progressed, she has relied on the generosity of other women to help her forge her path. “Rebecca Monet has been an amazing, long-term mentor to me,” Coderre said. “I met her in a public speaking class when I was in college, and she brought me into Zorakle and was my first boss.” Monet is the founder and president of Zorakle, a company which
offers psychometric assessments to determine franchisee-franchisor compatibility. “Sally Facinelli also took me under her social wing and taught me a ton,” Corderre added. “And Mary Ann O’Connell of FranWise taught me a lot about the environment of franchising. I believe we gain insight over time through coaching and mentorship. Having a strong network of people is invaluable.” Coderre said she has accidentally become a mentor a few times. She hosted a Franchise Business Networking group through the International Franchising Association. She has done some professional coaching, and coaches newer members of the C Squared team.
“Mentorship comes in many forms,” She said. “There are always little ways to mentor and often, longterm relationships develop. Helping people is so important – there are so many barriers out there. If you can help someone navigate through those barriers to grow and learn, it’s a great thing.” Corderre has volunteered with homeless and at-risk youth through the Stand Up for Kids program, which helps kids set goals and create opportunities. “I think there is so much more out there,” Coderre noted. “I want to be a part of helping someone grow and learn that they can do more than they think they can.”
May/June 2020
35
Connecting on Social Media
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36 The Franchise Woman
#1 Ranked S.T.E.A.M. Enrichment Franchise Snapology.com/franchise May/June 2020
37
Pride by Elizabeth Denham
Paul Picket is the co-founder and co-chair of the newly formed Franchising Pride Council of the International Franchise Association (IFA). While his experience coming out was relatively simple compared to many, when he decided to come out at work, he was anxious -- but his fears were unfounded. “My boss, Jim Carpenter, founder and CEO of Wild Birds Unlimited, told me that no one at work cared. And he told me never to lie about it,” Pickett said. “I was worried about someone not wanting to come into the franchise system because I was gay. He told me that you couldn’t build relationships without getting somewhat personal, and if it came up, we always tell the truth at WBU.” Carpenter further added that if a potential franchisee would not join the franchise because of Pickett’s sexual orientation, it was not someone they wanted to work with. “Jim told me that our company embraces diversity,” Pickett added. “It is part of our value statement, and he said that he wouldn’t want someone who wouldn’t also embrace every person, franchisee or customer. Birds don’t care, so we don’t care.” Pickett is Chief Development Officer at Wild Birds Unlimited. He was inspired, in part, by Stan Friedman’s work to increase diversity in
38 The Franchise Woman
the IFA by forming the Diversity Institute. When Friedman won the Ronald E. Harrison Award for diversity in 2010, his message hit home with Pickett. “Stan got up on the stage and said that we do ourselves a disservice when we don’t embrace diversity and recognize that it doesn’t matter — your sex, color, religion, who you choose to love. If we don’t embrace the richness all people have to offer, we have lost a huge amount of opportunity,” Pickett said. “That speech made me feel like I could take a step forward and become more involved.”
Pickett believes The Pride Council is an opportunity for the IFA to make a statement that the franchising industry is an open organization that it is approachable to all walks of life. “Our goal is to make sure all people, particularly in the LGBTQ community, are treated appropriately and equitably,” Pickett said. “In this time, it would be archaic not to reach out to all members of the community.” The Pride Council launched at the September 2019 IFA meeting with a reception to introduce itself to franchising. There were 75-100 at-
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If we don’t embrace the richness all people have to offer, we have lost a tremendous amount of opportunity.
tendees, and Pickett was encouraged by the response. “The power of that support, to know we had so many people interested in progressing inclusion and equity, it was amazing. We were so pleased.” Picket said.
In December in Washington, D.C., members of the council met with LGBTQ business leaders, the Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and a congressional caucus to discuss next steps and set forth the role of the council. Plans for the next year include attending the Franchise Action Network Annual meeting, creating educational content and increasing opportunities for engagement. Long-term goals include advocating for other brands to actively embrace
the LBGTQ community along with all other communities that have been historically marginalized. “I have a personal goal to identify the economic impact of the LGBTQ community on the franchising industry,” Pickett said. “I think that in a perfect world, sexual orientation shouldn’t matter, but now, as we achieve a lot of firsts as a community, we must stop for a moment to celebrate. It has been so heartwarming to me that though this experience of forming the Pride Council, so many people – gay and straight – men and women – have offered to help. We are on the right track.”
Paul Pickett is the IFA’s 2020 winner of the Crystal Compass Award. In addition to his role at Wild Birds Unlimited, Pickett has served on the Advisory Board for the Franchise Update Leadership and Development Conference, which he also chaired in 2018. He sits on both the IFA’s Franchise Relations Committee and Franchisor Forum and is the co-chair of the newly formed IFA Pride Council. You can reach him at pickettp@wbu.com.
May/June 2020
39
Legal Tools
How COVID-19
is Impacting State Registration
and Filing Deadlines for Franchisors by Julie Lusthaus As the coronavirus spreads across the U.S., the federal and many state governments are providing relief to businesses by extending the deadlines on various filings. Among the areas receiving attention are state registration and filing deadlines for franchisors. Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD) must be prepared and
40 The Franchise Woman
updated annually within 120 days after the franchisor’s fiscal yearend under the FTC Franchise Rule. Franchisors that ended their fiscal year in December must update their FDDs before the end of April. In addition, some states have their own registration and filing obligations before a franchise can be sold within the state and then renewed annually. State requirements vary. Some mirror
the FTC 120-day rule; others require renewal within a year of the franchisor’s initial registration. Depending on the state(s) in which the franchisor offers and/or sells franchises, the annual renewal filings must be made within 90 to 120 days following the end of the franchisor’s fiscal year or prior to the anniversary of the effective date of the franchise registration.
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Best practice is to check with each state in which you are required to register…
While many franchisors are likely concerned about complying with due dates because of upheaval in their business, states are starting to provide assurances of extra time. For example, in New York, deadlines for registration renewals, amendments, and other filings have been extended. In addition, a franchisor that is filing a franchise registration renewal or an amendment may offer, but not sell franchises, while the IPB reviews the application. New York is also working on implementing new electronic filing procedures to improve operations. Similarly, Maryland announced that it is continuing to accept and process franchise registration applications as they are received although the staff is working remotely. In addition, the state is granting an automatic extension of the effective dates of franchise
registrations and exemptions of effective franchise offerings in Maryland that would otherwise have expired during its state of emergency. A franchisor whose Maryland registration is extended during this emergency period may continue
Virginia has also announced an extension of the deadline for registration and exemption renewals. California has not extended its due dates but has waived the additional $225.00 filing fee through June 30, 2020 for franchise renewals that are filed after the franchise registration has lapsed. Ideally, other states will provide similar relief to franchisors, but it should not be assumed that they will. Best practice is to check with each state in which you are required to register, renew, or file as soon as possible since many deadlines are coming up quickly.
to offer, but not sell a franchise under certain conditions, if the franchisor provides to prospective Maryland offerees an updated FDD that complies with the FTC Franchise Rule.
If you are unsure of what you need to do or you will not be able to meet a deadline, contact Lusthaus Law for assistance.
Julie Lusthaus represents franchisors, franchisees and independent business owners. To learn more, visit her website at www.lusthausfranchiselaw.com
May/June 2020
41
Health and Wellness
Meal Planning
in the time of
COVID-19
42 The Franchise Woman
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Ultimately, if you’re working full time I find it helpful to use the search function on Pinterest to locate recipes for that one and you have a thing in my fridge that I’m I can turn into a meal family, it is essen- hoping that the whole family will eat cauliflower). I also like tial to ask for help. (e.g. the fact that I can save (or As a busy mom, wife, and franchisor, meal planning is often the last thing on my mind at the end of a busy day. And now, with COVID-19 quarantines, our trips to the grocery store are few and far between. This means we must be even more strategic when grocery shopping since it is not as easy to run out to the store to pick up that last ingredient. I am not a Pinterest mom, except when it comes to meal planning.
‘pin’) recipes that I’d like to add to the menu another week (or month).
Now that my children are in high school, I try to get them involved in the process by asking them to pick a meal that they would like each week. It’s even better if I can get them to help with a little food prep like chopping veggies or prepping a salad. I ask my husband to help with two meals each week to help support the process and we order in once a week. This means I’m figuring out on average two to three meals each week.
by Kristen Horler, MS Sometimes my work life bleeds into my home life. I have even been known to create spreadsheets for weekly meal planning so that I can use what’s in my cupboards and ensure that my grocery list is complete. Planning, especially now that outings are limited is the key to providing healthy meals at home. There are also apps you can use to create grocery lists for you as you choose meals. These can come in quite handy! Ultimately, if you’re working full time and you have a family, it is essential to ask for help. If not, dinner may end up being as bland as cereal or as unhealthy as fast food. Keep it simple and remember to eat your veggies.
Meal Planning • Make a list of meals for a week (or two during the pandemic). • Make a list of groceries for your planned meals. • Order online for pick up delivery. • Mark ingredients for meals so that they don’t get stolen for snacks or lunches. • Post a list on the refrigerator of each meal for the week and who is making it.
Kristen Horler is a recovering overachiever who is learning to let more stuff go that is not aligned with her values, priorities, and goals. As a former pastry chef turned fitness professional, Kristen created Baby Boot Camp shortly after her first child was born in August 2001. Eighteen years later, Kristen rebranded the company to MOMLETA. The new brand represents the company’s mission of inspiring moms of all ages and stages through fitness, nutrition, community, and business. Kristen is passionate about food, fitness, and inspiring wellness. She enjoys cooking, spending time with her family, and traveling. Visit www.momleta.com to learn more.
May/June 2020
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5
Questions an Emerging Franchisor
Should Answer “Yes” to
Before Franchising by Marietta Snetsinger
Have you been thinking about franchising but aren’t sure if your business is ready? It’s important to look deeply into every aspect of your business to evaluate if it’s suitable or ready to franchise.
Here are 5 questions to ask yourself before you Franchise:
1
Is your business highly profitable?
Profitability is important in determining whether or not you’re ready to franchise. What is considered highly profitable? You want to be generating more income than your direct competitors or other similar businesses in your industry. There needs to be enough margin in the business to allow yourself and your franchisee to receive a percentage of it while still generating revenue. As an emerging franchisor, you’ll need to go line-by-line through your business to ensure that all possible areas that could increase the profitability of your business have been executed. This could include incorporating any technology that might help. Overall, you’ve gotten your business to a profitable place.
44 The Franchise Woman
2
Is your business established?
Is your brand or name recognizable? Are you considered a subject matter expert (SME) in your area? Do you have positive reviews on Google? You want to be able to answer yes to these questions as a way to ensure you’ve established your business and to continue to positively grow your reputation. You need to take action in order to build your reputation because the better your reputation, the more attractive your business is to potential franchisees. If you haven’t taken steps towards establishing your business, you can work on it right now. Here are some easy ways to start establishing your brand and growing your reputation today: • PR events • Personal branding Association involvement • Writing articles Speaking events • Apply for awards
3
Do you have a clear sales and marketing plan?
Along with your business being established, you also want to make sure that you have clear branding that is consistent throughout your various platforms (websites, social pages, etc.). You’ve registered your trademark and if you haven’t yet, you are ready and thinking about it. You also have clarity around what it is that you do different and better in your space. Another important factor is having a proven sales and marketing funnel. You want to have figured out how to attract and retain Can your business function customers through this funnel and created a continuous without you? flow of customers. Along with this, you’ve figured out how to get your existing customers to consume more of your products or services and return You should be beginning to add system processes to to your business on a regular basis. your business that will allow you to remove yourself from it. Instead of doing the work yourself, you are now the leader of the organization with a team implementing your day-to-day business practices for you. From here, you’ve stepped into a visionary role that allows you to focus on the bigger picture when it comes to your business. Basically, you’ve added system processes in a way that you’ve replaced yourself so that if you didn’t show up tomorrow, the business isn’t going to fall apart.
4
5
Do you have an end result in mind?
You need to begin your franchise journey with the end in mind and start thinking about how to connect with people who would be interested in your business as a franchise. This can be started with an email list. You can keep potential franchisees engaged while you prepare your business to be franchised. Consider sending relevant articles about becoming a franchisee, what your franchise model looks like, or the steps you’ve taken in your franchise journey, for example. Use this engagement as a way to begin a relationship with them so they can tag along for the ride and be kept up to date.
With more than 20 years of experience in the international franchise industry, Marietta Snetsinger is passionate about establishing solid operational systems and leadership within franchise organizations. She played an important role in developing operational support tools and recruitment strategy with brands including M&M Meat Shops and Baskin-Robbins. She is a well-respected franchise expert and speaks at franchise shows across the country. As the founder of Ascend Franchise Solutions, Marietta works closely with small and emerging franchisors, on a daily basis. Reach out to her at marietta@ascendfranchise.com call 519-212-0309 or visit www.ascendfranchise.com.
May/June 2020
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Fun, Fierce and Fabulous
Optimism
in a Time of Crisis by Elizabeth Denham
“When I see crisis, I see opportunity and innovation. I believe how you handle this crisis tells people who you are. And I believe we will come out better and stronger.�
46 The Franchise Woman
I Am Woman by Rebecca Monet My favorite word is bodacious. Someday, this single word will define my legacy. Some see me as timid and reserved. I am not. Boldness does not require peacock feathers and fanfare. Some say I’m knowledgeable and intelligent. My true endeavor is to seek, gain and share wisdom. I’m a Believer. I answer to a higher authority. For this I’ve been mocked. I’ve loved and lost. I have but one regret. That I have not remarried. Yet. I’ve been knocked down and knocked off course by those who wished me harm. But there is none more tenacious and purpose-driven than me. I’m a visionary, entrepreneur and public speaker. Once while speaking I fell off the stage in front of thousands of franchisees. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness often comes in the form of business ownership. I believe franchisee-franchisor fit is the answer. I believe franchising is the last bastion of the free enterprise system. I’m a scientist on a mission, fighting alongside others to protect it. Bold + Audacious = Bodacious. I’m understated and stealth like, but nevertheless bodacious.
May/June 2020
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Rebecca Monet, the founder and president of Zorakle, a company offering a customized suite of assessments used to determine franchisee-franchisor compatibility, believes more good than bad will come from the COVID-19 pandemic. “I believe individuals and businesses will develop a co-opetition mentality – meaning that we will learn to collaborate with our competitors,” she said. “This kind of time tends to make us come together to help each other. People are coming up with new ideas and ways of running their businesses that will last long past the coronavirus.” Monet credits Dr. Douglas Jackson, an expert in the field of human assessment, with her resiliency and positive outlook. “When I was in my 20s, I was a young mother with two babies. I was recently divorced and so lost. My uncle introduced me to Dr. Jackson who founded Sigma Assessment Systems, he gave me an assessment and he was there when I started my process of self-discovery,” she said. “He mentored me as a friend, and he told me someday I would be a business owner/entrepreneur.” Jackson taught Monet how to leverage her gifts to become a more satisfied human being. She said he planted seeds in her over time that helped her grow into who she is today. “I used what I learned from mentors about how to become successful,” she said. “And I think it is important, especially now, to know that we are not alone.” Monet tells a story of a singular moment that changed her life.
48 The Franchise Woman
Rebecca Monet is CEO and Chief Scientist of Zorakle Profiles. For more information, please visit https://www.zorakleprofiles.com/. She had been doing one-on-one consultations with businesses identifying values, conflict, belief systems and strategies that could be holding them back from success. She was asked to speak at what she thought was a board meeting -fairly routine for her. It turned out, when she arrived, she realized she was speaking to 300 people – not routine at all! “It was an overwhelming, scary feeling,” she said. “I was on stage for the first time, and it was like something took over. The things coming out of my mouth came out in a way I had never seen – I was more articulate than I had ever been. I spoke for three hours. And in that
moment, my life changed.” Monet said she had to overcome her conservative, religious upbringing that taught her that as a woman, she was to be quiet and submissive. In getting past the gender role issues, programmed into her from childhood, she was able to step into the gifts she didn’t know she had – until that day. “It would never have happened without Dr. Jackson,” she said. “And without my insatiable curiosity about who or what I was meant to be.” I had the raw material, and in that moment, all of the pieces came together.”
Monet likens her experience to what we are collectively going through today. “When you are faced with challenges, when you are feeling attacked, it’s painful. But it often allows us to build muscles to fight back and have bigger impact,” she observed. “You learn that you need to build your own tribe, sense of self and confidence.” Monet believes that this pandemic, a universal challenge, will help us grow our strength and resiliency collectively, and that we will come out of it with new ideas and stronger relationships. “When we invest in relationships, the benefits are beyond money. It’s about mental health, physical health and emotional intimacy. And those are the things that will help us sustain and grow our businesses as well. I am excited about the future, and I can’t wait to see what comes from all of this.” For more information about Zorakle, please visit https://www.zorakleprofiles.com/
Let us help you tell your business story... Over 100 Books Published • Become a subject matter expert • Increase your credibility • Tell your story
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Featured Franchises
The Patch Boys® The Patch Boys solves a common problem for homeowners: repairing drywall. Whether the electrician left a hole after replacing a light, a leaky pipe ruined the bathroom ceiling, or the kids decided to play catch in the living room, holes happen. While repairing drywall may sound easy, contractors usually won’t take on such small jobs and most homeowners don’t have the time or skill to do the work themselves. The Patch Boys specializes in this in-demand service and has created an easyto-run, home-based franchise opportunity for investors. With more than 100 locations, this fast-growing brand has won many accolades, including ranking on Franchise Business Review’s “2019 Most Innovative Franchises” and Entrepreneur magazine’s “2019 TOP 100 New Franchises to Keep Your Eyes On.” For more information, call 844-99-PATCH or visit www.thepatchboys.com.
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The Original Popcorn House The Original Popcorn House is popping up in cities across the country. They feature over 60 handcrafted, gourmet popcorn flavors, homemade sweet treats, and deliciously crafted, cinnamon frosted, praline nuts. Every family-owned and operated small business franchise can sell gourmet popcorn through retail locations, wholesale, catering, fundraising, special events, corporate accounts and E-commerce. Franchisees benefit from exclusive training at Original Popcorn House’s headquarters in Delray Beach, Florida. You’ll receive a hands-on “popping” experience, plus operations, marketing and business management support. This is a low-cost and unique franchise opportunity. For more information, visit www.originalpopcornhouse.com.
Turn it into a PT/FT business as a Paint Color Consultant! • Low Entry Cost/Quick Start Up • Home-based • Work/Life Balance • Large Territories
1-844-EZ-COLOR 1-844-392-6567 Snapology understands that children are meant to learn through play. Whenwww.AmericasColorConsultants.com children Snapology
are actively engaged in hands-on, interactive learning activities, their creativity flourishes and they show a greater interest in school. If kids are happy, then parents are happy and your business will flourish. There are several elements that make Snapology a great franchise opportunity. First, Snapology programs are fun. They provide the right balance between fun and education to appeal equally to children and their parents. Second, Snapology offers dozens of revenue streams. Imagine the possibilities with the over 60 different program topics and themes to offer for classes, parties, summer camps, and scouting events. Birthday parties alone are a $10 billion industry. Third, large territories are available. Finally, Snapology is a low cost, home-based, mobile business teaching robotics and STEAM principles through classes, camps, parties and other events. For more information visit www.snapology.com/franchise.
Got An Eye For Color?
America’s Color Consultants (ACC) is the nation’s first paint color consulting franchise. Paint color consultants are important - and popular - members of the booming home improvement industry. A trained ACC Consultant helps clients select fresh colors for their spaces through convenient in-home appointments. During this time of “safe at home,” virtual consultations are available. An ACC franchise is an excellent lifestyle business for anyone with an eye for color/design to earn additional household income or start a lifelong career. Qualified candidates can grow their home-based business from P/T to F/T with a proven, successful business model. The entry fee is low and there is ongoing training and personal support by the founders. 1-844-EZ-COLOR (1-844-392-6567) www.americascolorconsultants.com
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Women on the Move The Franchise Woman would like not only to inspire women to achieve their dreams of successful business ownership, but also recognize women who are owning it, killing it and making big moves in the industry.
Amanda Clark Experienced Industry Leader Amanda Clark Joins Papa John’s as Chief Development Officer.
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Nikki Lawso Taco BellÂŽ Appoints Nikki Lawson As Global Chief Brand Officer
Kristen Horler Kristen Horler has shifted her brand from “Baby Boot Camp” to “Momleta” to reflect the company’s mission of inspiring moms of all ages and stages through fitness, nutrition, community, and business.
Tiffany Mason Driven Brands announces new CEO Tiffany Mason.
Mary Beth McGehee Coolgreens Welcomes Mary Beth McGehee as VP of Business Development
Frances Allen Checkers & Rally’s announces new CEO Frances Allen.
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Contact Us Let us help you grow your brand! Find out how we can target your next franchise owner. We strive to create an amazing resource for women in the franchise industry. Please contact us at any time.
251-300-1324 www.TheFranchiseWoman.com info@thefranchisewoman.com
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PUSHPA KUNWAR The Patch Boys Las Vegas, NV
TAMARA HOLMES The Patch Boys Central VA
LEA RUBINSTEIN The Patch Boys Ocean County, NJ
LISA KALEZIC The Patch Boys Raleigh, NC
Don’t Let Our Name FOOL YOU The Patch Boys is a Great Business for Women • Niche Concept
• Flexible Schedule
• Low Cost of Entry
• Low Overhead
• Quick Startup Time
• High Margins
• Home-Based Business
• Ideal Work-Life Balance
Holes in your ceiling? We can help!
www.holeshappen.com
844-99-PATCH
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www.justletmedoit.com franchise@justletmedoit.com 704-960-4554
Just Let Me Do It “We Strive & Thrive To Make It Happen” We are a “one call does it all” service provider for all retail stores and restaurants. Looking for contractors and handymen to join our team!
• We bring the work to you • We handle the back office
• You schedule & complete jobs
• You get paid
It’s That Simple! Ranked #1 with our clients
