Cindy Rayfield

Not everyone can be a business owner. Sometimes people need to stick with a job. But if you've been laid off, you may decide to look at investing in a franchise to see if it's the next right step. Certain factors make it appealing - facing ageism, topping out at a job, lack of prospects, controlling your time, creating cash flow into retirement. I've worked with hundreds of clients who decide either yes or no on franchise ownership, and they come to it usually by starting the research process and seeing if it makes sense. The good news is, it doesn't cost any money to the research, but it does take some dedicated time.

One of the best ways to get exposure for your business, as well as get customer feedback, is to go after reviews on platforms such as Google and Yelp. It can be a love-hate relationship. Do you want to hear the feedback? Sometimes the answer is no, but it's important to hear it and take lessons from it. I tell my clients that the feedback can humble you, but it can make your business better. Sometimes the feeback isn't true. It can create thoughts that aren't true. But using the feedback to improve and learn humility can be valuable. Take it in, listen, improve where you can, grow your franchise. And don't take you and your business too seriously. Provide value for others, and use feedback to support that value.

Here's the bigger question: do you want to turn your "passion", maybe a hobby, into your "jobby"? A jobby is a hobby that has now officially become your job. Do you like your job or do you want to escape it? Why do you want to take something you love, and risk turning it into something you might eventually hate? Maybe you won't hate it - it's 50/50. Ask yourself if this could possibly happen. It happens to millions of people who love to bake cookies, but then find themselves fulfilling cookie orders everyday. Be real with yourself. Maybe you could get passionate about helping people solve problems. That's what good, solid, proven, profitable franchise businesses do everyday, and it doesn't have to be your personal "passion".

One of the best things that ever happened to me was a layoff - looking back. At the time it was devastating. I thought it defined me. What it really did was force me to be uncomfortable. No one really wants to do that, but that's the only way we grow. Life is a series of uncomfortable events. Every one of those events leads us to a different outcome and opportunity. That's what it did for me. I started a business, then added multiple businesses, then helped others find and start businesses. That would not have happened without that layoff. Assess your reality, but don't let a layoff define you or your future. You are destined for something truly great and meaningful. Now you can make that happen.

Make sure you find the right franchise for you! Trust is the name of the game. Trust between franchisor and franchisee is paramount to the success of your business. It's like a good marriage. You learn to lean on each other and promote each other's strengths. Trust your franchisor (they've done this before). Trust your own instincts (your mindset and learning to overcome adversity will help you and your business grow). Trust your customers, but don't expect blind loyalty. Learn from what they tell you - understand when or if they leave you. Trust your employees. Your first team won't necessarily be your dream team, but they help you learn to hire and develop the best. Trust that you're growing a mature business over time, not in 6 months.

Now it's time to launch and grow your business. Here are a few things that have made a difference in my salon franchise business growth: - Profit First banking philosophy (read @Mike Michalowicz's Profit First). - Managing payroll/reducing expenses. - Focus on revenue producing employees. - Facebook networking in targeted groups. - Third Party Google review solicitation. - Facebook Marketing Funnels. - Facebook boosted posts to look alike audiences. - Seat "Fillers" (discounts to email list, SMS of availability, etc.). - 3-part Intro email to new clients. - A focus on customer list growth (my business isn't growing if my list isn't growing. Thank you @Russell Brunson.). - Monthly salon growth goals & bonuses. Time to grow!