A recent Entrepreneur roundup highlighting advice from business women for women looking to get into franchising had an insightful comment from Barbara Moran-Goodrich, President and CEO of Moran Family Brands, winner of the IFA’s Bonny LeVine Award. Moran-Goodrich said “You want to look at all the different options and don’t limit yourself because you think, oh that’s something for men to do, or that’s something that only married people do together.”
When you’re looking into franchise opportunities, the hardest job can be to limit your choices. There are so many options that it’s natural — and sensible — to try to reduce the number quickly so you can spend a reasonable amount of time looking closely at a limited number of possibilities. In order to help you do that, our Franchise Bulls-eye tool lets you specify the investment you’re prepared to make, the geographical area you want to focus on, and the industry you’re drawn to.
We also list our franchise opportunities not only by industry, but also in groups that might be especially appealing to men, women, minority business owners, veterans, retirees, and people looking for green businesses.
These tools are designed to reduce the number of franchises you consider so you won’t feel overwhelmed. They’re not designed to limit your options. If you don’t see the right franchise opportunity for you the first time you look, expand the possibilities you consider.
One example of a business women might shy away from is UFC Gym franchises . Since it’s associated with boxing, UFC might seem like a business best suited to a businessman rather than a businesswoman. The reality is, UFC Gym franchisees should have a lifestyle centered on physical fitness with the ability and assets to execute a business plan—it has nothing to do with whether they have gone ten rounds in the ring. Women who have a “no pain no gain” approach to life might find that UFC Gyms might be a good franchise choice for them, despite the aggressive character that could make it seem like a “man’s” franchise.
Equally, we list the Learning Express toy store franchise under opportunities that might appeal most to women. Women tend to do more toy shopping than men, and the market is more likely to be female. Still, a guy who loves toys and brings a playful attitude to life can do very well with a toy store.
Some franchises do require franchisees to be married with children (an example is BounceU), but other franchises that seem like a perfect fit for couples can be successfully run and managed by an individual with dreams of business ownership. Couples looking to start a business for their family to grow with often open TCBY franchises, but individuals and business partnerships can easily find a place in the TCBY family. Outgoing and energetic men and women who have strong leadership skills and care about the details can succeed with the TCBY brand without the need of a partner. They just have to be willing to work as hard as or harder than a couple running a franchise together.
Regardless of your gender, always be sure to look at the franchisee requirements when looking into a franchise and never discount yourself from an opportunity—you might find that you’re better suited to the franchise than you initially thought.
