So you’re ready to launch your franchise but there’s a thousand-and-one things to do, where do you start?
We asked our leading Franchise Partners what their first steps would be if they were starting a franchise from scratch, and here's what they shared.
Drawing from their decades of experience in owning and operating successful franchise businesses, they provided their top 10 recommendations for launching your franchise on the right foot. By implementing these proven strategies from day one, you'll lay the groundwork for long-term success.
Connecting with trade partners
Many Franchise Partners collaborate with local trade partners to help homeowners complete projects. By understanding what's involved in tasks like flooring installation or siding repair, you can identify the best professionals for the job and refer them to your clients. In return, these trade partners are likely to refer your business as well.
Inspiring work in the trades
Engaging with teachers, instructors, and students about the value of careers in the trades and establishing referral programs with local colleges is an effective way to staff during the busier months.
Franchise Partner John Barrows creates summer employment programs for college students to support his business during the busy season. When the slower season arrives, the students return to school. He’s found great success with student painters returning year after year.
Setting boundaries between your business and your personal life
Starting your own business can be overwhelming. It’s common to feel like you need permission to say, "This is family time," and "This is work time," just as you might when working for someone else.
As your business grows, it becomes easier to set boundaries for your weekends, but it takes intentional effort to break the habit of feeling like you have to work every moment of the day.
Networking
Find your people. A big part of owning a franchise is building a team, and it’s a lot easier to do that from day one. Building a network of people that understand what you’re doing, how you’re different and what you can do for each other can have major benefits for your business.
Some Franchise Partners join BNI Groups or other networking groups. Even if they haven’t experienced WOW 1 DAY PAINTING before, they know exceptional customer service when they meet it in person.
Racking up Google reviews
Reviews can make or break a homeowners decision on who they’ll trust in their home.
We truly impress our customers with one-day, whole-home transformations. So, what's the key to getting reviews? Simply ask for them. Make it easy for customers to leave a review when it's fresh in their minds, right after you've shown them their home’s stunning new look.
“We have infinitely more reviews than companies who have been in business for 20 years longer than us,” says Casey Renkema, Franchise Partner. “I think it really speaks to the value of our service and how much people love working with us.”
Start hiring early
Two or three months before your franchise puts paint on anyone’s walls, take the time to hire people that want to grow with your company and train them well.
Hiring isn’t just about finding painters. For your business to grow and stay profitable, it’s crucial to have the right people from the start to keep you out of the red. Many Franchise Partners also stress the importance of hiring an operations manager, which allows owners to focus on the aspects of the business they enjoy most.
In the fast-paced world of business, quick decisions can seem like the path to progress, but hiring the wrong people can end up setting you back.
Make a solid business plan
Plan out the first two years of your business carefully. Monitor your balance sheet closely to ensure you're investing in getting your name out in the community without sacrificing net profit. It's essential to maintain enough profit to continue reinvesting in your business's growth.
Local marketing
When you start your franchise, no one knows that you’re there until you tell them! We talk to our partners about being “Five Mile Famous” — in their immediate community, building a reputation. Building a local marketing campaign every year that combines charity, sponsorships, paid ads, lawn signs and more.
Something we heard from our Franchise Partners is that they wish they had invested more quickly and aggressively in their business.
“I would have doubled-down when I felt nervous at certain phases in the business,” says C.J. Welsh, Franchise Partner. “I would encourage my old self to really just lean-in and continue to lean-in, don't give up. And the hard days are, there’s always a season and the good days come and you just keep on moving and keep on building.”
The first six to twelve months of marketing are really crucial, so making sure you have a healthy budget for marketing to start things off is important.
Ready to be your own boss?
Owning your own business can be incredibly gratifying and rewarding. To get started, click the button below and we'll get in touch with you. We will guide you through a mutual vetting process to make sure it's a good fit for both sides.
