Coronavirus and Franchising: Motivational Speaker Austin Hatch

The coronavirus continues to have dire effects on businesses across the country, and the franchise industry is no exception. Franchisors across segments are strategizing new ways to support their franchisees, keep customers satisfied, help local communities and come out stronger on the other side of this crisis. 

To that end, 1851 Franchise publisher Nick Powills and Charles Internicola, founder and partner of the Internicola Law* Firm, are covering the coronavirus and its impact on the franchising industry through a webinar series titled “Coronavirus and Franchising: Mindset + Strategy to Recover and Grow.”

In today’s afternoon webinar, Powills and Internicola spoke with Austin Hatch, former University of Michigan basketball player, survivor of two plane crashes and motivational speaker about the mindset required to effectively respond to the crisis.

Here are some of the key insights from their discussion.

Mindset is a Decision

For business owners and individuals who are struggling right now, Hatch’s story is an incredible beacon of hope and an example of how emotional and physical perseverance can overcome unthinkable tragedy. The former Michigan Wolverines player has been through more trauma than most people will see in their lifetimes. He survived two separate plane crashes, which claimed the lives of both of his parents and two siblings. After waking up from a coma after the second crash, Hatch refused to give up and went on to graduate from the University of Michigan, marry his dream girl and start a job in the Domino’s corporate office. Now, the 25-year-old has embarked on a public speaking career.

We can’t control what happens in our lives, we can only control how we respond. There is no substitute for perseverance, and if we attack our issues and adversity with the right mindset, we can survive.

It is important to remember that everyone is dealing with a battle of their own. While the details of each situation may be different, we should all face obstacles with the same mindset. Our struggles don’t define us, they are an opportunity to overcome setbacks and turn negatives into positives. 

Strategies for Survival

There is no playbook for dealing with this unprecedented crisis. Right now, business owners across the world are writing the playbook in real time and setting the example of how to survive something like this. 

In business, there are always competitors. During times like this, it is important to compete against ourselves in order to keep pushing our limits, overcoming obstacles and adapting to new problems. 

Whether in restaurants, business or sports, our teammates are more important than anything. Lean on those relationships during these times and remember that a rising tide lifts all boats. 

This crisis can be used as an opportunity to slow down and reflect on what is important to us in order to make important shifts in our mindset and actions. 

Keeping the machine running is important, but no business owners want to simply stay afloat. There is no reason not to adopt a mindset of success — make the decision to do everything you can as a business owner to attack challenges head on.

Starting Over

We don’t have to allow external circumstances to define our future. Since everyone in the world is dealing with this crisis in real time, the right mentality presents a true advantage for business owners and individuals alike. 

Once business owners make it through to the other side of this crisis, they will have created an unprecedented blueprint for overcoming future struggles. For those who approach this crisis the right way, it will provide the tools and best practices needed to succeed down the road.

It is important to be thankful for the journey. While there will always be difficult days, if we learn to overcome adversity with the right mentality, it will help us achieve things we never thought possible.

Find a way to turn a negative into a positive. How we approach one thing is our lives is how we approach everything.