By Paul Linenberg, Gotcha Covered

It’s very common that people accidentally find careers in franchising.

That’s a funny dynamic in this industry. Not many people say, “Hey, I want to be in franchising.” That number is so small, in fact, that I don’t know how you would measure it.

Most people probably don’t know that much about franchising. They know about Ray Kroc and McDonald’s, but that’s about it.

But once someone finds their way into the industry, they tend to stay in it. They might start as a franchise owner, become a franchisor, then become a franchise consultant. There are a lot of ways to find new challenges and opportunities.

What is it about franchising that keeps us engaged and motivated?

It’s simple. Franchising is one of the best vehicles for wealth and business ownership for a large percentage of people.

I’m a huge proponent of business ownership and everything it offers — independence, pride, economic opportunity, a prosperous lifestyle for you and your family.

And you can build a lot of different businesses in a lot of different ways. I just happen to believe that franchising is the best way for many people who are looking for a thorough, positive transformation of their lives.

A not-so-hidden secret in our industry is that franchising is available to far more people than have ever actively considered it. One important characteristic of franchising is that it allows people who don’t have particular interest in a specialized market to become business owners.

In fact, most franchisors are looking for candidates without industry experience. Franchises rely heavily on repeatable systems and processes; candidates who have translatable skills but not direct industry experience don’t have to be untrained and then trained again.

Translatable skills are key. That’s what successful franchise owners bring to the table. With franchising, you can match your existing skill set and experience with the various options available. In many ways, the industry is a widget. It’s less important that you have a passion for sandwiches or window treatments and more important that you find the right franchise system for you. If you’ve been an accountant for 20 years and have a strong affinity for numbers, there are options for you. If you’ve been in sales and love getting out and meeting people, there are options for you, too. And there’s something for everyone in between.

Another not-so-secret insight about franchising is that everyone wants everyone else to succeed.

Franchising is one of the most adaptable opportunities available. As long as you’re properly funded and do your due diligence — research, read the documents, talk to current franchise owners — there are multiple options for almost anyone’s personality and goals.

Another not-so-secret insight about franchising is that everyone wants everyone else to succeed. It’s in the franchisor’s interest for franchise owners to do well. It’s in the owners’ interest for the franchisor to grow and thrive. Everybody’s role in the process is essential.

It’s a partnership. Individual success breeds success for the system. It’s that partnership that gives franchising incredible advantages over starting a business on your own. Support, proven processes, systems that fit your aims — franchising offers unique tools that make business ownership accessible for millions of people. Starting a business from scratch is one way to reach your dreams and achieve financial freedom. But franchising can make it easier.

Paul Linenberg is the president of Gotcha Covered, a custom window treatment franchise that has over 160 franchises in the United States and Canada combined. For more information about IFA franchisor member Gotcha Covered, please visit franchise.org/franchise-opportunities/gotcha-covered.

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