It wasn’t a question of if.

It was a question of when.

That’s because it involved the Berry’s.

Tim Berry

I’ve yet to meet the founder of Palo Alto Software.

Yet.

We’re both members of this Brain Trust.

We have numerous mutual friends.

We both write for SBA.Gov.

We have similar philosophies.

Tim Berry (the founder) and I have been interacting online and via phone for a few years now.

I love the guy. He’s good people.

He’s smart. He’s loyal. And, he’s very supportive of my mission. This one:

“I’m focused on making franchising more transparent by aggressively informing all who wish to become franchise owners that there’s definitely risk involved, and then teaching them how to lower it through articles, eBooks, published hardcover books, podcasts and advisory services. I’m out to create a brand-new generation of super-successful franchisees! At the same time, I’m gently (sometimes) encouraging franchisors to only choose the best of the best franchise candidates, thereby increasing their chances of mutual success, which in turn, will lower the failure rates in franchising.“

Tim’s Son And Tim’s Daughter

Paul Berry (Tim’s son) recently started Rebel Mouse, a social aggregation service. He’s the CEO.

Megan, Tim Berry’s daughter (one of them) is the Community Manager.

And, because they are Tim’s kids, I’m supporting them-and their new business.

What is Rebel Mouse?

From Technorati:

“Rebel Mouse, does not just aggregate your content; it presents it in way that makes it easy for others to subconsciously consume. This is not only achieved by its use of the Masonry layout (now better known as the ‘Pinterest-style UI’). Rebel Mouse adds some clever UI design elements that let you easily—in less than a second—visually grok the topic of the post, see what you added social content, and differentiate this from comments, shared source material, etc.”

All About Franchises

As soon as I heard about it-a few weeks after, actually, I created an aggregation website based on blog posts and Tweets-mostly from this blog.

That was last year, and it was kind of cool.

A couple of months ago, I got invited to create a “Rebel Mouse powered” site. The timing couldn’t have been better.

Two years ago, a friend of mine suggested a domain name. I looked it up, and it was available. I purchased it, but never found the time to create a new website in my niche for it.

Until now.

I had been looking for a way to aggregate the content that I create and find on a daily basis in an easy way.

That’s because for me, it’s All About Franchises, 24/7.

And so is my new Rebel Mouse Powered franchise website.

www.allaboutfranchises.com

Franchise Business Content

I write 20+ articles on franchising each and every month.

Look:

2-4 posts a week for the franchise blog you’re on now

1-2 a week for this franchise blog

A monthly post for Small Business Trends

A monthly post for SBA.gov

A monthly post for Franchwire

1-2 guest posts

In addition, I spread around useful franchise and small business articles on Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, Facebook, and Bizsugar.

I’ve told myself that it would be great if all of that information could be organized in one place…that’s all about franchises.

Now it is.

Thanks to some Berry’s.

Best of luck with Rebel Mouse, Paul and Megan.

I’m going to teach you how.

So, franchise success can be yours.

Keep reading.

Be Like A Machine

Machines don’t have emotions.

I don’t want you to either.

Yet.

I just want you to get the facts you need on the franchise (s) you’re looking into.

So that when it comes time to make a decision on whether or not to buy that franchise-you’ll be able to do so with confidence.

And, confidence can go a long way towards becoming a successful franchise owner.

That’s what you want, right?

Free Franchise Research Tips

On Wednesday, May 22^nd, I’m holding a Free Webinar.

The webinar starts at 11:00 AM. (ET)

I’ll be sharing some franchise research techniques.

If you’d like to learn:

• How to avoid setting yourself up for franchise failure
• Where to really start your franchise business search
• The exact research steps you need to take
• Great questions to ask franchise owners

And, much, much more!

Register here now for the free webinar.

Get some free research advice.

Increase your confidence level so you can make a fact-based decision on the franchise you’re looking at.

See you Wednesday!

#Freefranchisewebinar 

Please Tweet This!

Free #Franchise Webinar | Franchise Research Tips fran.bz/116F8Uo

— Joel Libava (@FranchiseKing) May 20, 2013

 
Image courtesy of betsyweber, on Flickr
 

(Wholesome Tummies Franchise Owners)

Sorry, guys.

This one’s not for you.
 

(He’ll get over it.)
 

American Express Report

According to a report commissioned by American Express Open, only 20.5 percent of franchise businesses are owned by women.

Personally, I’d like to see that number rise.

Today’s women have a plethora of resources available to them to help them learn about and investigate business opportunities-including franchise ownership options.

And, if they become small business owners, they can check out some of the newer resources like Leanin.org, “A global community committed to encouraging and supporting women leaning in to their ambitions.”

Working With Women

I’ve always loved working with women…advising them on the best way to choose, research and buy  franchises that can offer them the greatest chances of success.

One of the reasons that I enjoy working with women has to do with their egos.

I wrote about that fact in a blog post that I wrote for Small Business Trends in 2010.

“Most of the women I’ve worked with don’t let their egos get in the way of their goals (like men sometimes do). I’ve found that once they’ve gotten comfortable with me and my consulting style and techniques, they follow my directions–they just do it. They share the facts that they’ve gathered in my weekly follow-up calls, and then I suggest the next steps they should be taking. This goes on for a few weeks, until it’s decision time.”

Go Here

If you’re a woman who’s thinking about becoming a business owner-a franchise owner, specifically, and you want to gather all the information that you can…check out what the team at Franchise Direct has put together…just for you.

They have created a special webpage for women interested in exploring franchise opportunities. It includes the following topic headings:

• Introduction – Women in Franchising Statistics
• Why Is Franchising a Good Business Venture For women?
• Financing Information
• Assistance From Associations and Organizations
• Home-Based Franchising For Stay-at-Home Moms
• 10 Key Points Potential Female Franchisees Should Consider
• Case Study: Successfully Running a Restaurant Without Prior Franchise Industry Experience

Women: If you want to get out in front…and really be prepared in your possible search for a franchise business opportunity, go to this Franchise Direct webpage.

 
Image courtesy of Brian Finifter, on Flickr
 

(This is a Sponsored Post)

Today’s college graduates don’t have it very easy.

Years ago, graduating from college meant you were nearly guaranteed employment and some level of job security. That piece of paper automatically gave you an advantage that many of your peers did not have. But, times have changed and created a much different post-college experience for young people. Some of them are experiencing a perfect storm:

• Massive amounts of student loan debt
• Limited employment opportunities and intense competition for those few positions
• New corporate cultures that don’t reward longevity

It’s not a pretty picture. Especially for those who are entrepreneurially-minded.

College Is Still Good

While it’s true that time spent at a four-year college can be long on theory and short on real-life experience, it still can provide a solid foundation for those looking to become entrepreneurs. And, foundations can be built on.

There are opportunities to work with others that are engaged in entrepreneurial pursuits. Working on college-level projects with like-minded students can provide great lessons in teamwork, project management, and idea-sharing.

In addition, attending college helps students become independent and creative thinkers. The workload and fast-paced environment creates individuals who can multi-task; a skill which becomes invaluable in future employment situations. And, for many students, college is the first time in their life where they are making their own decisions, they know the choices they make will impact the future…college instills a sense of commitment in many young people.

Networking opportunities abound on college campuses. Fellow students, graduate student teachers…even local corporate executives that make frequent visits to college campuses, can all end up becoming future resources to tap into after graduation.

Entrepreneurial Training Is Lacking

So yes, college is still valuable, and in most cases a degree is a requirement to get you through the door of most professional companies. But, for the most part, colleges just don’t offer options for entrepreneurial students to actually own and run their own business.

And, that’s too bad, according to Judith Cone. She feels that learning the building blocks of business, things like marketing, accounting and management, are crucial for those who want to become the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Cone, the VP of Entrepreneurship for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation feels that “Today’s students want to learn how to recognize opportunity, harness the resources to exploit that opportunity, exercise their creativity, create sustainable solutions, take the inherent risks, and participate in the rewards.” Read her article here.

While some colleges are starting to offer entrepreneurial courses of study (which is a good thing), it’s not the same as learning how to actually run a business in the trenches.

Unless you become involved with College Pro.

The College Pro College Student Opportunity

The executive team at College Pro feels that nothing beats real-life experience, when it comes to running a business. College Pro encourages students and young entrepreneurs to challenge themselves to stop reading about business and start running their own.

But, running a College Pro franchise business is hard work…it’s not for everyone. The students who work for College Pro will give up a care-free summer to own and operate their own local seasonal painting or window cleaning franchise. They will be responsible for generating business, customer service, hiring staff, managing finances, and of course…making a profit.

College Pro has been offering this opportunity to young people in the US and Canada since 1971. Every year College Pro receives over 25,000 applications to their program. Of those, 750 are chosen to participate in the program. The 750 who are selected will learn things like:

• Leadership
• Marketing
• Selling
• Financial Management
• Employee Management
• Customer Service
• Project Management
• Problem Solving

Unique Opportunity for Future Entrepreneurs

There’s no other program like it.

The next generation is an ambitious bunch. It’s an entrepreneurial one. One way to turn their ambitions into action is to allow them to experience the ups and downs of business ownership, their own businesses, on a daily basis.

The College Pro franchise opportunity can provide today’s college students with a solid entrepreneurial foundation that can prepare them for the unique challenges and opportunities of business ownership.

For more information on the College Pro opportunity, please visit CollegePro.com
Image courtesy of Jason Bache, on Flickr

That’s right; one-click of your mouse.

One tap of your Smartphone…that’s all it’s going to take.

But you already know that.

Do You Buy Local?

My friend, Chris Brogan, consistently pisses me off.

That’s because he’s always writing thought-provoking posts, and I’m not always in the mood to think.

Thanks, Chris.

Here’s a snippet from a post he wrote on local small business:

“I went into a running store to pick up a windbreaker kind of thingy because evidently wearing a spring jacket means I will sweat like a prisoner. The guy who runs the shop remembered selling me my shoes (almost a year ago). That feeling, of being remembered, equals good to me. But maybe not to everyone.”

Chris Brogan’s post really got me thinking.

And then it got me aggravated.

Face To Face Purchases Are Disappearing

Pretty soon, seeing local hand to hand business transactions (the legal kind) are going to be about as common as seeing one of these cruising through your local park.
 

You…me… all of us, are not buying products and services from people who know us (in person) as much as we used to.

We can blame Jeff Bezos of Amazon, and Tony Hsieh of Zappos for that.

And the internets.

And, the credit card companies.

Easy Peasey

It’s become waaaay too easy for us to buy stuff online.

And, because we don’t always have to pay sales tax on our purchases, it can be cheaper to buy online.

Unless The US House of Representatives passes this.

Now, easy is nice. Getting products and services cheaper is nice, too.

But, it’s not so nice for our local small business owners.

Amazon is choking the life out of them.

And, it’s not just local businesses that are hurting.

Or, extinct.

Border’s

I was really bummed out when Border’s closed.

I really liked it there. Good coffee. Good selection of books.

Good atmosphere.

A short time later, another large bookstore in our area closed up shop.

That bummed me out even more.

Guess where I buy (and sell) my books, now?

Can We Ever Go Back?

Can the online shopping and buying trend be reversed?

Can we save local small businesses?

Are you willing to?

Are you willing to drive all over town around the holidays to shop local?

Are you willing to leave your computer screen to drive into town-and buy a product or service from a local business owner?

Why?

Or, why not?

What Can Local Business Owner’s Do?

Is there anything that local business owners can do to curb our appetites for easy peasey?

Can franchise owners in your neighborhood come up with some cool ideas to combat online purchases?

Or, is our buying behavior been forever changed?

Let me know your thoughts.

I’ll be here.

Or, shopping over at Amazon.com

Check Out Chris Brogan’s cool programs by clicking the banner below. (Affiliate link)

 
Image #1 courtesy of pjen, on Flickr
Image #2 courtesy of bobosh_t on Flickr
 

(This blog post about franchise leads is for franchise company executives, small business loan providers, franchise attorneys, accountants, SEO firms, web design firms, and any other business that provides products or services to future business owners.)

If you’re looking to own a franchise, buy a business opportunity, dealership/distributorship, or any other type of business, please go to this website…because the information below isn’t meant for you.

Connections

In an age where the market is over-saturated with franchise business opportunity directories and portals, the team (me) behind the Franchise Biz Directory has successfully developed an optimized process to effectively reach and engage users in a non-intrusive way. The directory targets users through their search to be their own boss and fosters a mutually beneficial experience by connecting opportunity seekers with opportunities.

That was one of the most boring paragraphs this franchise blog has ever presented.

I’m sorry. I’ll try again.

Get Unlimited Franchise Leads!

Now, we’re cookin. Check this out.

I’ve submitted the image below for inclusion in the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary and Thesaurus.

Here are the words that accompanied my submission:

To whom it may concern,

Let me start-off by telling you that I really respect what you do. Your site helps millions of people each and every day define the words that make up our language. You do so in a first-class way, and your website is very easy to navigate; readers can quickly gather their needed information.

I also like the way that you use images on your site, and I have one that I would like to have added, if you feel that it’s appropriate. (I sure do!)

I’m proposing that you add the image below to the following page on your website:

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/no-brainer

The image above would be perfect if inserted underneath the term, “No-brainer.”

Now, I don’t expect you to know all about franchises or business opportunities.

And, I definitely wouldn’t expect you to know all about online visibility and SEO.

I just want you to trust that I do; that’s why I’m making a formal request to include the image above in your terrific online dictionary and thesaurus.

Sincerely,

Joel M. Libava

The Franchise Biz Directory

A Tiny Investment

You shouldn’t won’t need an executive committee to approve the small investment needed to add your listing to the Franchise Biz Directory.

That’s because introductory pricing for listings on the Franchise Biz Directory starts at only $59. $99 as of May 16th.

For an entire year of online exposure.

You read that right; you’ll receive unlimited franchise leads and unlimited traffic to your website—for an entire year, for a one-time investment of $99.

This is a no-brainer.

My Web Visitors-Your Leads

Visitors to the Franchise Biz Directory can’t contact me for more information about what you’re offering.

If a visitor to the Franchise Biz Directory is interested in your franchise or business opportunity-or in the products and services that you offer, they must go to your website if they want to learn more and contact you.

That’s because I don’t provide “Request More Information” forms on the Franchise Biz Directory site.

Most website owners want their visitors to spend as much time as possible on their sites. Call me crazy

“You’re crazy, Joel.”

But, I want visitors to the Franchise Biz Directory to spend as little time as possible on the site.

That’s because I want them to go to your website.

Take Your Best Shot

I want you to have control of the process as early as possible.

You’ve spent thousands of dollars designing and (hopefully) optimizing your website.

You know your offering better than anyone.

I don’t want to get in the way.

I just want to bring you people that are looking to get into business for themselves.

After that, it’s up to you…take your best shot at converting those visitors to new owners.

Increase Your Odds

To increase your odds of getting found online by people who want to start a business, you have to make sure that your web presence is powerful.

One way to do that is to increase the number of places that your website can be found.

Adding your listing to a quality web directory is one such way…especially if it’s in your niche.

Add your listing today.

One more thing; be sure to check out the Platinum Listing option which enables you to send me press releases about your company which get posted on the blog portion of the directory for even more exposure!

Add Your Listing Now 

Get some leads.
Image courtesy of @mist3ry30, on Flickr

I know you want to.

I understand.

I know that Google is The Place for information.

But, it’s not the place for you.

Let me explain.

TMI On Franchise Opportunities

There’s way too much information about franchises on Google.

It’s too easy to get lost.

Think about it; how many times have you sat down in front of your monitor and searched for something on Google-only to find that one and a half hours had gone by. (And you couldn’t even remember what the heck you were searching for?)

If you choose to use Google…or Bing, (right out of the gate) to search for a franchise to buy, your roommate, family members… whoever it is that usually knows your whereabouts, will have to contact the Authorities to report you

You will quickly become lost.

You’ll be lost in a sea of franchise opportunities with no way out.

That’s because there are thousands of franchises to choose from.

And, you don’t know what you’re looking for.

This Guy Is Wrong

Nick Friedman, the co-founder of College Hunks Hauling Junk, just wrote a post with a very enticing headline over at Forbes.com.

The Headline:

3 Ways To Avoid Getting Stuck With The Wrong Franchise

He leads his post off with this:

“Google is a great place to start for your preliminary research. You can spend hours looking into different opportunities, reading about how a company is doing and what clients think of those companies.”

Sorry, Nick.

Using Google for “preliminary research” is the
 

to do it.

You Need To Do This

You need to avoid Google.

At least for a while.

Using Google for a preliminary search-as Nick suggests, will not help you avoid “getting stuck” with the wrong franchise.

As a matter of fact, using a search engine to help you find the right franchise (early on) can go a long way in screwing up your dream of owning your own business.

You need to start your franchise search in your head.

And, on a notepad.

Start writing down all of your top professional skills. Think about what you’re best at. Are you good at sales? Are you a great manager of people or data? Are you an operations person?

Write down everything that you’re good at.

You also need to write down your dominant personal traits. Are you shy, or are you more of an outgoing person? Are you a leader? Are you competitive? Do you prefer to be in the limelight or in the background?

Now, you have a starting point.

Now, you can use Google to look for franchises that will allow you to utilize your top skills.

Now, you can start honing in on opportunities that fit you…and your unique personal traits.

Does that make sense?

More

I’m full of…

Tips.

I have tons of proven, useful tips for you…if you’re thinking of buying a franchise someday.

As a matter of fact, the tip I just gave you-on where to start your search for a franchise to buy, comes from a post I wrote titled, “The Top 10 Ways To Lower Your Risk When Buying A Franchise.”

Read it here.

One more thing…before you check out the franchise blog post I linked to above.

Nick (in his Forbes.com post) was right about the other two things that all franchise buyers need to do.

 
Image #1 courtesy of Pulis Saklolo, on Flickr
Image #2 courtesy of CarbonNYC, on Flickr
 

Our Weeping Cherry Tree has never blossomed like this.

What changed?

Maybe it has to do with the soil conditions.

Or lower than normal spring temperatures.

Unless…

It Was Time

Our tree was planted 13 years ago.

It’s bigger than it was back then.

And, it has blossomed somewhat every spring.

(Our Weeping Cherry in 2000. It’s to the right, behind The Franchise Princess)

Maybe It Became Too Painful

“There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” -Anais Nin

Maybe our tree had enough, and decided this year…to blossom like never before.

Have you?

If not, maybe you need to be in more pain.

More career pain.

Maybe you have to get downsized one or two more times.

Unless you’re one of those that believe that corporations actually care enough about their employees to do whatever it takes to keep them employed.

Bursting

I’ve worked with a lot of people interested in franchise ownership that have been bursting at the seams.

• Some of them were wrapped so tight when they came to me that I felt if they didn’t do something, they actually would burst.
• Some of them were sick of moving to different parts of the country for a job.
• Some of them were sick of travelling 4-5 days a week in their jobs.
• Some of them were sick of working for idiots.
• Some of them were sick of being powerless.
• Some of them just wanted to take their shot.

But, everyone that I’ve worked with had one thing in common:

They were ready to take control of their lives.

They were ready to stop being in so much pain.

They felt that they were ready to blossom.

And become owners.

(Photo of Cape Town, South Africa courtesy of Sara and Joachim on Flickr)

According to Derek Smith, the new chairman of the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA), franchising in South Africa is poised to play a significant role in growing the economy through training and job creation.

He also said this about franchise success rates, according to the folks over at bizcommunity.com:

“Franchising can be the low-risk, high-reward route to owning your own business. It allows you to be your own boss, to build your business as far as your talent and ambition allows and beyond and it allows you to reap the profits personally. If you choose wisely, it also gives you the back-up of an established franchisor with a known brand and a proven business system, a roadmap to success that’s been traveled many times before. While a high proportion of independent start-up companies quickly fall by the wayside-the percentage of failures can be as high as 90% as opposed to under 10% in franchising, figures show that franchises have a significantly higher success rate.”

About FASA

But, how did the new franchise association chairman come up with those figures for South Africa franchising?

United States Franchise Success Rates

Franchise success rates in the US are a bit trickier to come up with.

That’s because there is a lot of spin involved.

Here’s an example from a US-based business brokerage website:

“Franchises have the highest success rates and the lowest failure rates of any business in North America today! Over 95% of all franchises are still in business after five years because they all come with built-in proven success formulas used by franchisees across the country.”

That quote is untrue, and I proved it on this blog post.

Your Success

The only success you need to concentrate on is your success.

Stats are great.

Graphs are kind of cool, too.

But, they have nothing to do with you.

Your situation is unique.

There are a lot of things that go into buying a franchise.

Read 20 things to do before you buy a franchise.

In addition, the place that you’re thinking of setting up shop will have a huge impact on your probabilities of success as an Owner.

Like if you were to start a franchise in South Africa.

Or in the United States.

Check out the blog posts on franchise success, below.

So you can improve your chances of being a successful franchise owner.

10 Things That Will Insure Your Success in Franchising

Defining Success

Make A Great Match

5 Tips on Running a Successful Franchise

How To Become A Successful Franchise Owner

Start looking around for a bail bondsman.

Once you find one, add their contact information to your Smartphone and set their 24-hour hotline number to speed dial #1.

You’re going to want fast access to it so they can get you out of jail.

It’s not like you’ll be able to get teleported out.

Whatever It Takes

Are you willing to do whatever it takes to insure that you have the best possible chance of success as a franchise owner?

Are you sure?

If so, keep reading.

A Powerful Franchise Research Technique

Hopefully, you’ve been following along as I’ve been slowly revealing the top 40 questions to ask current and former franchise owners.

If not, bookmark this link so you can go through them one-by-one when you have time.

So far, I’ve been providing important questions for you to ask current (and former) franchisees of the concept (s) that you’re interested in.

And, while some of them may be construed as being a bit “uncomfortable” to ask, none of them carry the risk that question #36 does.

It’s Not The Question That’s Risky

Question #36-the question that I want you to ask each and every franchisee, isn’t risky.

The way in which I want you to ask it is, however.

The technique that I’m about to describe must be used in-person.

And, you’re going to feel really weird when you use it.

Before I go on, I guess that I should share the actual question that you’ll be asking.

But, I’m not going to. Yet.

That’s because I want you to meet someone, first.

He Has Pointy Ears

Leonard Nimoy played a powerful (and really cool) character on a very popular television show.

The show I’m referring to is Star Trek.

Source: SPACE.com: All about our solar system, outer space and exploration

Use The Vulcan Mind Meld

Mr. Spock (seen below) used the Vulcan Mind Meld.

The Vulcan Mind Meld works really well as an information extractor…but it really does have to be used in-person, face to face. (Hand to face actually)

But, you have to do it quickly-or you may not be able to escape the long arm of the law. (You may be charged with assault. Grabbing someone’s face tends to increase the odds of that happening.)

 
 
Learn how to do it by watching the video above at least 60 times.

Once you learn it, you can start practicing on friends and family.

Your speed will eventually increase the more you do it.

Keep practicing over and over again-until you get it right.

You can even practice on yourself like I did.

What To Extract

Here’s what I want you to extract from the minds of the franchisees that you’ll be visiting in-person as part of your research:

I want you to find out what the franchisees that you’re talking with wish they would have known before they purchased their franchises.

So, using the Vulcan Mind Meld technique, ask them this question:

“What do you wish you would have known before you invested in the franchise that you now own?”

Trust me, it works like a charm.

The things that you’ll glean from them could allow you to have a serious jump-start towards your success as the owner of a franchise business.

For example, what if they tell you that you don’t really need to purchase certain very expensive supplies that are suggested by the franchisor-until you’re in your 6^th month of being in business? Having that kind of information could help you get to break-even faster.

Or..

What if one of the franchisees tells you that you don’t really need a 2,000 square foot store like the franchise suggests-and to look for commercial space in the 1300-1400 square foot range instead? That kind of information could end up saving you $1000-$1500 a month or more in rent!

Imagine being able to reach profitability faster!

Another Option

I realize that you may not be 100% comfortable grabbing someone’s face in order to extract useful information on their franchise business. No problem.

And, even though the Vulcan Mind Meld is the most powerful research technique available to us mere mortals, it does carry a lot of risk. (Like jail time)

So, instead of grabbing a face, just ask the question-and hope for the best.

And, make sure that you smile when you ask it.

P.S. If you choose this more traditional route, don’t forget to erase your bail bondsman’s phone number from your Smartphone’s speed dial.

Top image by dno1967b, on Flickr