In 1996, Jyoti was able to buy her own hotel. Now, she is a Principal at Ellis Hospitality, a third-generation hotelier franchise. But none of this would be possible without the franchise business model. For many, buying a business is no easy feat. But because of the support of a national brand, a tried-and-true reservation system, and national marketing programs, Jyoti has been able to achieve her own American dream. “The bottom line is that franchises are a force for good because they allow us to be in business for ourselves, but not by ourselves,” Jyoti says.

And her franchise enables her to create local jobs for others in her community, including folks who were once immigrants just like her. “I’m most proud of being a small business owner with the ability to grow. Without franchising, I think we’d have never expanded to owning eight hotels… I’m also proud of employing people and the growth it allows me to do for more people, people who are growing along with the business.”

Jyoti admires her family’s story – one that so many other immigrants share of coming to America to build a new life for future generations. Franchising afforded her family the opportunity to live the American Dream, and Jyoti doesn’t forget it.

Jyoti Sarolia is a local business owner, and she is Open for Opportunity.