Why Franchising Makes Sense for So Many Women by Faizun Kamal
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limbing the corporate ladder is always hard, but it’s especially tricky for women. Often, they are considered unambitious compared to male peers because, though they work, they’re still the primary care-takers of their families. Some may have to leave the office at 5pm to pick up children from daycare, others can’t attend 7pm meetings because they don’t have childcare. Many can’t break away from home for overnight work trips because of elder care. And for women who took time off to raise their kids, it becomes challenging to get back in the workforce. For women at various stages of their lives – as young mothers, parents of teenagers and children of aging parents − these realities chop away at a woman’s opportunity for success. That is why many ambitious women are opting out of corporate America and choosing to go the franchise route. The very same women who sacrificed years of their personal lives to invest in their professional identities are now saying “no more.” They have discovered that there is a much more satisfying way to create a robust career without having to give up on a family life. Investing in a franchise becomes a very effective and, ultimately, very fulfilling way to brave the workforce—but this time, on their own terms. Owning a franchise is a great option for women who want to work and earn income but can’t put in the hours that traditional jobs demand. Business ownership gives women the flexibility to grow at their own pace, while working hours that gel with their personal responsibilities. About a year ago, Peggy attended my franchise workshop. When I met her, she had been a stay-at-home mom to two preteens. When she and her husband moved to the United States from Latin America, they made the decision for her to take care of the children. Her husband traveled constantly for his work and was almost never around, making it even more imperative for her to take on the role of primary caretaker.
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The Franchise Woman
