Young Ones to Watch: Nick Powills

Chief Brand Strategist of No Limit Agency and Publisher of 1851 Franchise continues to be a disruptive force in franchising

By LAUREN MOORMAN1851 Franchise Contributor

SPONSOREDUpdated 3:15PM • 03/02/16

This piece comes from a slightly different angle than some of the others, as I’ve known Nick for ten years. I started my career sharing an office with Nick at a PR agency and stayed close friends. Before I joined the team in 2014, I had a front row seat to the success of No Limit Agency*. In fact, I hired No Limit for two different large-scale PR campaigns while in a previous role. While he is largely the same person, Nick has changed from an energetic earring-wearing, 24-year old prankster into an energetic successful business owner, father and prankster.

What do you love about franchising?

I love franchising because it gives people who may not have the means or creativity the ability to be in business for themselves. Traditionally those with the most money seem to win in business. Franchisors don’t need to have all the money in the world – a franchisor with a great idea can expand through the help of investors, which ultimately turn into franchisees.

I love the level of risk that comes with the potential for reward – and how scary it is to be in business and decide to buy a franchise.

What is the top challenge facing young people in franchising?

Momentum. The “good old boy's club” likes to hold court and it isn’t about who has the best idea, knowledge or potential; it’s about politics. For young people, it’s tough to sit on the sidelines until you get the opportunity and even when you do, there are no guarantees you’ll get to stay in the game. It seems like age overrules knowledge.

What is your ultimate goal?

To be the greatest mid-sized agency that ever existed [Ed. Note: We’re well on our way.]

What do you wish people knew about franchising?

I wish everyone realized how tough franchising is. It’s not easy to become a franchisor and keep the brand growing. It’s not just opening the doors and watching franchisees come in. I wish franchisors knew the true cost of getting a new franchisee. It’s essentially selling someone a new life path, and all the responsibility lies on them. Franchisors try to simplify the sales process and development as a whole from an investment standpoint and it falls lower on the totem pole than it should.

To connect with Nick Powills on LinkedIn, click here.

*This brand is a paid partner of 1851 Franchise. For more information on paid partnerships please click here.