These Franchises Can Help Dads Improve Their Work-Life Balance

Starting a business is not an easy undertaking. Even with the corporate support of a franchise system, launching operations is accompanied by long hours, a significant upfront cost and the owner’s full attention in the first several months.

That kind of commitment is often not synonymous with family-friendly.

But for some businessmen who are also fathers, the initial chaos of opening a franchise can prove to be valuable for the long-term flexibility it provides their families.

Dan Nicastro left his career in sales that required extensive travel soon after his now 1-year-old son was born. When investigating new career options, Nicastro found Mosquito Joe* and was sold on the concept.

“I wanted to take a risk and to start my own business, but also be able to be home every day,” Nicastro said. “Mosquito Joe allows me to be more involved in daily activities with my family.”

The brand prides itself on providing a fast start-up and low investment opportunity with limited staff needed. It also does not require a retail location build-out, allowing franchisees to work from home and operate on their own schedule using their Mosquito Joe service van as an “office.”

The seasonality of the business, which peaks over the summer months, is an additional perk of the business for Nicastro. This will be his first summer of operation serving the West suburbs of Cleveland and he looks forward to focusing even more on family when the weather and business cools down.

“We want to grow our family in the future,” Nicastro said. “And we know investing in Mosquito Joe is absolutely the best option for us.”

Another on-the-go franchise concept that has proven to be a great fit for those who hold titles of both “owner” and “dad” is GYMGUYZ. The mobile fitness brand brings premier health and wellness services to the comfort of a customer’s home, office, or other setting of choice.

Rafael Sanmiguel worked as a headhunter and in human resources before he found GYMGUYZ. He always had an interest in fitness, but thought the big box gym model was impersonal. The mobile concept that GYMGUYZ provided was a perfect fit for a family man like Sanmiguel.

“Running my business from the GYMGUYZ van will give me the opportunity to take care of things for my family as a stop along the way when they come up throughout the course of the day,” Sanmiguel said.

The business is scheduled to open in the upcoming months in Columbus, Ohio soon after Sanmiguel’s 17-year-old son graduates from high school.

Both of these mobile service brands exemplify that business ownership does not have to compromise an entrepreneur’s quality of life and allows them to maintain work-life balance.