Why Franchising Makes Sense for So Many Women

Why Franchising

Makes Sense for

So Many Women

by Faizun Kamal

Climbing 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.

Before their move to the U.S., Peggy was the Director of Human Resources at one of the top accounting firms in the world. She had led large teams of people, managed strategic initiatives and drove growth for her company. When she began working with me, she had gotten deeply frustrated by the lack of corporate opportunities that fit her schedule. She was a highly qualified, mid-career professional who could not find a job that paid her what she was worth while allowing her to take care of her personal responsibilities. She had started wondering if franchise business ownership was the best option for her and her family. Over the course of the next couple of months, I worked with her to evaluate various franchise brands. She dug deep and did her due diligence to understand the business models of various brands.

“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.”

Based on her background in human resources and operations, Peggy gravitated towards a franchise that provides staffing services to mid- and large-sized companies. It was a perfect fit with her skills, and she knew she would be able to hit the ground running and make the business profitable using the franchise’s proven playbook.

Unlike Peggy who wanted to run her business as a full-time owner-operator, many female franchisees opt for semi-absentee franchises. These franchise busi

ness models allow for managers to run the day-to-day operations, while the franchisee spends about 10 to 20 hours per week working on the business versus in the business. They stay engaged in doing local marketing, keeping track of key performance indicators, and hiring and firing, among other responsibilities.

Franchising offers a range of ownership models in a staggering array of industries from food to fitness, retail to senior care. So if you are a professional woman who is tired of struggling through a corporate career and wants a job that offers a lucrative income and a great work-life balance, there may be a franchise out there for you.

Faizun Kamal is a nationally-renowned public speaker, best-selling author and sought-after career strategist. As CEO of The Franchise Pros, Faizun coaches people nationwide on making the transition from employee to entrepreneur. Want to find out about franchises that may be the “perfect fit” for you? Email: faizun@thefranchiseconsultingcompany.com.