Three PMI Franchisees Reflect on What It’s Like to Be a Women in the Property Management Industry

Property Management Inc. (PMI), the nation’s fastest-growing property management franchise, gives Franchisees from all backgrounds the opportunity to take control of their future by owning their own business.

With the backing of a major franchisor like PMI, Franchisees can be assured they will have all the support they need to take the leap into entrepreneurship. Je’Mere Smith, for example, was working in luxury interior design in New York when she decided that she wanted to shift her career and own her own business. While exploring her next move, Smith ended up at a franchise expo in New Jersey. After partnering with a franchise business coach, she was introduced to PMI. 

Smith realized that PMI was a great fit for her, especially coming from a corporate background.  “I also didn't want a brick and mortar business, so this checked off a lot of boxes,” she notes. “And once I met everyone, it felt familiar and very comfortable.”

Meanwhile, Shannon Cornell had been in property management for most of her career and eventually decided to become her own broker and own her own company. She reached out to a friend of hers who partnered his business with PMI and hasn’t looked back since. 

“We started our business together in January, and in April we decided to transition over to PMI,” she says. “I have loved every second of it. I have since bought a second company that I partnered with PMI for, as well.” 

For Patti Robertson and her husband, PMI was introduced to them during a conference. Having owned an independent property management brokerage at the time, while also franchising with HomeVestors and Great Clips*, the couple had an aha-moment. “The lightbulb went off and we realized that if we really wanted to grow our business, we really needed to roll it into a franchise,” she says.  

In honor of Women’s History Month, Smith, Cornell, and Robertson reflected on what it means to be a woman in franchising.

Perspective on Being a Woman in Property Management

The experience of being a woman in the industry differs from person to person, but there are several things that stand out. 

“I will definitely say, it's always a shock when I come in and a vendor sees that I'm the owner,” says Smith. “It feels good to say that I am the owner of my business. When I do meet vendors, other partners and other women in business, people are always congratulating me. This is not an easy task. Sometimes, you do have sleepless nights. But it’s very rewarding to see all the hard work pay off.” 

For Robertson, she noted that she doesn’t think about it being a male versus female situation, but that she uses her strengths to her advantage. “My husband and I have always operated as equal partners, and gender doesn't play a role in what we do,” she says. “ Rather, we try to compartmentalize our roles based on our skills and what we like to do.”

All three noted how the environment of PMI has made the experience all the more enjoyable. “For as long as I’ve been a part of PMI, I have felt like our franchise as a whole is like a family,” says Cornell. “Steve [Hart] is the CEO and President of the company, but I know I could pick up my phone right now and call him, even though I'm one of 400-plus Franchisees, and he would pick up my phone call.”

The Advantages and Challenges

For women in any industry, there are unique advantages and challenges that come along with the job. 

“There are a lot of organizations that you can use for networking with women owned businesses and I tend to join any of them that I can be a part of,” says Smith. “I sign up for classes that are more targeted towards how we handle making decisions in our business and certain things that may apply differently for us as women. I do also have the 100% support from my husband, who's also my best friend and partner.” 

When it comes to challenges, Cornell noted that women may not always be able to be as sympathetic and empathetic as they would like in this industry. 

“Being in property management, sometimes you have to put those feelings on the shelf,” she says. “You have to stay in the business world, and you can't always use your woman's empathy.”

Advice for Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs

For other women looking to get into franchising, the women noted how important it is to do your research. 

“Take as many classes as you possibly can to know how to run your business,” advises Cornell. “In property management, you're learning all the time and just be open to being able to learn something new every day.”

Smith noted that it can be helpful to talk to other business owners to find out what the job consists of. “There’s a lot of responsibility that comes with managing your own business,” she says. “It is important to know if you have the proper systems in place.”

Robertson added that franchising is a great way to get into entrepreneurship. “I don’t want to do business any other way besides inside a franchise model,” she says. “I love that, with the support of a franchisor, we can focus on growing our business, rather than creating our business.” 

The startup costs for a Property Management Inc. franchise range from $53,225 to $190,050. The franchise fee ranges from $45,000 to $190,050. To learn more about franchising with Property Management Inc, visit propertymanagementincfranchise.com.