You know, several weeks ago our local weatherman here in Kansas City started talking about a major ice storm. When the local news came on they would open up with the scary music and the big graphics that filled the screen, "ICE STORM 2017". Of course, there were long lines at the grocery stores and bottled water supplies quickly dwindled. However, one report that really fascinated me was from a poor, exhausted individual at a local convenience store who had been to 7 stores, and still couldn't find any ice melt - everyone was sold out!
Well, you probably know where I am gong with this. The big storm never came. If the people who had gone out in a panic had done a little homework, they would've noticed that it was a one day event where the weathermen expected it to be back in the fifties in a couple of days. In other words, if you could survive for 24 hours, you were probably going to be just fine!
Unfortunately, franchising is a lot like this. We are constantly amazed by some of our competitors who claim things like, "We are growing at 500 percent! We have 16 markets that are sold out! We are the best children's salon franchise in America!" One recent competitor of ours making such claims just bought the concept from a previous Franchisor competitor only two years ago! Wow! If we would have known that we could have learned everything about our business in a couple of years, then you can bet that we would've franchised it along time ago (because we ran the concept for 12 years before we franchised it). You see, what they are really good at is selling franchises - not running the concept that they are selling.
So let me give you some advice: do your homework! Ask how long a franchisor has been running the concept, ask if they are currently running the concept, ask how many franchise locations have closed and for goodness sake's call the franchisees and see if they are getting the training and support they need. The moral to the story here? A lot of franchisors sound just like our local weatherman, and a whole lot of people went out and spent money on ice melt when they really shouldn't have!
Shear Madness Franchising franchises Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids salons. We have worked with franchise stores in providing franchisee support (in order to encourage continual growth), and have sometimes seen the unexpected happen! When it does, we help by identifying and helping with challenges that might arise for franchisees. Additionally, we work to present options that can help prevent these events as well. As many franchise owners may not have opened a business before, having someone who can advise them is a significant advantage of franchise ownership!
Are you interested in learning how YOU can join the Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids family and run your own successful small business? We are one of the fastest growing kids hair salon franchise systems in the industry today! If you would like to learn more about small business marketing, great marketing strategies, resources for small businesses, how to grow your small business, or how to become a successful owner of your own kids hair salon franchise business, please click below or call 1-888-98 GONE MAD
