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<h4>1851 Franchise: Tell us about the founding of Tippi Toes.</h4><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahnusedfg/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=tippi-toes-ceo-sarah-nuse-on-how-the-childrens-dance-franchise-became-a-leader-in-its-segment-2718498" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sarah Nuse</a>: I started teaching children’s dance classes in college as a way to make money after I was fired from a restaurant job. My mother was a dance instructor, so I knew what was involved, and I knew it could be some fun. At that time, I had no idea it would become a full-time job, let alone a franchise.The classes became extremely popular, and I was making great money. But after college, I felt the pressure to go out and find a so-called “real job”, which I did, but I hated it. So I started teaching dance classes again. Business kept growing, and eventually, I got to the point where I needed to bring on employees to keep up. That’s when I brought on my younger sister,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganlreilly-tippitoes?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=tippi-toes-ceo-sarah-nuse-on-how-the-childrens-dance-franchise-became-a-leader-in-its-segment-2718498" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Megan</a>, who is now our COO.The business just kept growing, and we were even featured on “Shark Tank,” which brought an exponential increase in interest in our brand. Eventually, we realized that franchising would be the best way to help Tippi Toes reach its full potential, so we learned everything there was to learn about franchising, launched our own franchise and started taking on our first franchise owners. Today, we have more than 30 units open in markets across the country, and we’re gearing up to cross the 50-unit mark by 2023.<h4>1851: What makes Tippi Toes stand out in the children’s entertainment and enrichment segment?</h4>Nuse: There are a number of things, including our instruction model, that provide a fun, safe and enriching environment for kids to grow and socialize. But our biggest point of differentiation is our proprietary music and characters, which are immensely popular even outside of our classes.In 2005, my husband Adam and I wrote a children’s book called “Pink Ballet Shoes,” which teaches children the importance of proper nutrition. Originally, that project had nothing to do with Tippi Toes. But as the book became increasingly popular, we had an opportunity to make a spin-off album of music, featuring characters from the book singing about nutrition. Like the book, that album became extremely popular with kids, so we kept making more albums.&nbsp;All those songs we created continue to rack up listens on Spotify, and Tippi Toes is the only program that can use those songs and characters in our classes, which gives us an incredible edge over our competitors.<h4>1851: Why should aspiring franchise owners invest in Tippi Toes?</h4>Nuse: First of all, we have one of the lowest start-up costs in our segment, which was a very deliberate decision to ensure that we could partner with the most talented and passionate franchisees, regardless of their financial liquidity. And because our classes are taught at pre-schools and other third-party locations, our franchise owners don’t have to pay for brick-and-mortar facilities, so the overhead is extremely low.Our model also has distinct lifestyle benefits. Our owners don’t need to work nights and weekends to run a successful business. You don’t have to dedicate your entire life to making this work. That has made us very popular with moms, for example, who want to run a business but are focused on their families as well.<h4>1851: Tell us about Tippi Toes’ “Shark Tank” appearance. How did that affect the brand’s growth?</h4>Nuse: We were big fans of “Shark Tank” during its first season. We watched all the small business owners and thought,&nbsp;these are our people. We didn’t even know that my husband had submitted us to be contestants, but when we got the call, we thought we could make it happen.We figured that even if we didn’t get a deal, the publicity could be great, as long as they didn’t tear us apart. But ultimately, we did get a deal from Mark Cuban. We accepted the deal on the show, but before it became official, we realized it was more of an acquisition than a partnership. That’s not something we were interested in, so we decided not to finalize the deal.&nbsp;Ultimately, though, the publicity was great. We started getting inquiries from both prospective customers and franchisees in markets where we hadn’t even stepped foot. It was very exciting and a huge moment for the growth of the brand.<h4>1851: What does the future look like for Tippi Toes?</h4>Nuse: We are at a fantastic place right now. We have incredible brand awareness all across the country and extremely lucrative whitespace available, so we are looking forward to a lot of growth. We are ramping up our development efforts, and I think in the next few years, Tippi Toes is going to become a household name. We anticipate crossing the 50-unit mark by 2023, and we’ll continue to grow from there.

Tippi Toes CEO Sarah Nuse on How The Children’s Dance Franchise Became a Leader In Its Segment

1851 Franchise

What started as a college side-hustle has grown into a thriving franchise brand with plans to cross the 50-unit mark by 2023.

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Name:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelyn-fagan">Katelyn Fagan</a> Role: Marketing Director Brand:&nbsp;<a href="https://bricksandminifigs.com/franchise-opportunities/">Bricks &amp; Minifigs (BAM) Franchising</a>Katelyn Fagan discovered franchising immediately after earning her MBA, joining Zerorez Carpet Cleaning as its marketing director. Having run her own business, coached other entrepreneurs and even worked for ServiceMaster Clean as a young adult, she found deep fulfillment in helping franchise owners succeed.Today, at Bricks &amp; Minifigs, the LEGO franchise opportunity, she applies that same passion — balancing data-driven strategy with empathy for franchisees — to help operators grow, become more profitable and make meaningful local impact.<h2>Q&amp;A With Katelyn Fagan, Marketing Director, BAM Franchising</h2>1851 Franchise: How did you find your way to franchising and franchise marketing?Katelyn Fagan: After my MBA, I landed a job at Zerorez Carpet Cleaning, an international franchisor, as the marketing director. I was drawn to the position because I loved the idea of supporting small businesses. As a small business owner myself — and someone who had worked with small business owners through coaching and courses — I loved that I could continue helping others find success running a business.As a young adult, I even worked for ServiceMaster Clean as a cleaner!1851: What makes franchise marketing uniquely challenging (and rewarding) compared to corporate-only marketing?Fagan: The hard part is that you can’t do the marketing on behalf of the franchisees. You can’t force them to follow your beautifully designed and thoughtfully developed marketing plans. They don’t have to follow best practices.They’re also often hesitant to spend money on marketing — especially anything that isn’t directly attributable to dollars earned. So they sometimes negate brand-awareness campaigns that help grow their user base.But it is so rewarding seeing franchisees become profitable, seeing them enjoy their business and knowing the greater impact they’re having in their communities.1851: What is the single most powerful lever a marketing team can pull to directly impact franchisees’ profitability at the unit level?Fagan: I’m not sure I know the answer yet — there are always so many factors that go into profitability. The easiest answer is always raising prices, but that’s not always the right decision or even feasible.I would probably lean into targeted lifecycle marketing — getting existing customers to shop again and spend more.1851: What is an untapped marketing opportunity you see for franchise brands?Fagan: Content and blogs. While not an immediate or high-conversion tool, if done right, blogs can drive thousands of extra impressions of your brand and your services every single month, month after month.It’s free advertising once it’s live on your website, and it can be repurposed across socials and emails.1851: What’s your boldest franchise marketing take?Fagan: I love the grand impact of franchising. Franchises have a larger impact, serving more people in more places and making a difference in individual lives every day.Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisors grow their franchises with confidence? Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.1851growthclub.com">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and see what we can do for you.

Fagan brings a unique blend of academic insight, small business experience and on-the-ground franchise marketing leadership to the fast-growing LEGO-themed resale franchise opportunity.

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Katelyn Fagan — Marketing Director, Bricks & Minifigs Franchising

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How much can franchisees make? It’s a question many prospective owners ask before investing in a franchise. While earnings tend to be driven by variables such as industry, location and general management skills, a proper understanding of the key factors driving profitability can help franchise owners develop expectations that are realistic.&nbsp;Multi-unit franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mangesh-patel-9368569/">Mangesh Patel</a>, who’s readying the launch of six&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beefobradysfranchise.com/">Beef ‘O’ Brady’s</a> restaurant locations in the Macon, Georgia area, shares insights from his franchising experience.<h2>Understanding Franchise Income</h2>Keeping operational costs in check can have a major impact on overall earnings. Taking a proactive approach to expenses such as food and labor, as well as payroll and scheduling, can help align actual franchise income with general expectations for the business.“I just had a meeting with a couple of people, and they said, ‘You talked about a 25% profit margin, but I’m only doing 12%.’ So, I looked at the figures they sent me,” Patel said. “Their&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/calculate-restaurant-franchise-profit-2730476">restaurant</a> food cost was running at 37%, which should be around 30%. The national average is about 32%. If I do things correctly, my average food cost needs to be at or below 30%. And payroll should run around 18%. But many people run 25 to 28%.”So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unraveling-franchise-earnings-how-much-can-you-really-make-2723935">how much can franchisees make</a>? Here are five areas to consider.<h2>Practical Tips for Prospective Franchisees</h2><ol><li>Control Costs From Day One:&nbsp;It’s important to monitor payroll, food and supply costs closely. Overstaffing and inefficiencies can quickly reduce profits.</li><li>Plan For The Opening Surge:&nbsp;Traffic within the first few months of opening is likely to be higher. It’s important to adjust staffing and inventory accordingly, and pay close attention to how those levels change as time goes on.</li><li>Invest In Training:&nbsp;Properly trained workers can help reduce waste and improve overall service, which has a direct effect on net income.</li><li>Understand Your Market:&nbsp;Each market is unique and revenue potential will vary depending upon location, demographics and competition.</li><li>Track Metrics Regularly:&nbsp;Food cost percentages, labor ratios and weekly sales data act as key indicators operations may need to be adjusted.</li></ol><h2>What Profitability Really Comes Down To</h2>Patel notes that if franchise owners manage labor and costs properly, it’s not impossible to achieve strong cash flow even in the first year, bucking some franchising trends.So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-can-you-make-as-a-franchise-owner-2724761">how much can franchisees make</a>? While results tend to vary, careful planning, disciplined operations and a proactive approach to assessing initial costs are essential. But by grasping and guiding the elements that drive franchise profitability, franchise owners can maximize overall business earnings, scaling a business that’s sustainable financially over the long term.Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.

How much can franchisees make? This guide explains what drives franchise earnings and how to manage costs, with expert tips from multi-unit owner Mangesh Patel on maximizing your franchise income.

How Much Can Franchisees Make? A Guide for Prospective Franchise Owners

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Is franchising better than starting a business from scratch? For many&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/a-beginners-guide-to-franchising-how-the-model-works-2724686">prospective entrepreneurs</a> weighing the idea of ownership, the answer to that question can be both yes and no. Franchising offers a proven system and built-in support. Starting from scratch allows greater flexibility and control. And a proper understanding of the trade-offs can help potential owners decide which path is most aligned with their business goals.According to&nbsp;<a href="https://drymedicfranchise.com/">DRYmedic Restoration</a> franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-carlson-29b0a930/">Keith Carlson</a>, the appeal of franchising often starts with structure. “The yes is that you have an automatic blueprint,” he said. “You’re in. You don’t have to think of everything. You don’t have to come up with your business plan or your marketing plan.”As Carloson noted, franchisors generally provide detailed guidance on everything from licensing and certifications to business structure. “All of those things are done. Or they’re in a list or part of a large checklist,” he said. “From that perspective, it’s simpler on the back end.”<h2>Franchising Vs. Starting From Scratch: Key Considerations</h2>So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/buying-a-franchise-vs-starting-from-scratch-2725815">is franchising better than starting a business from scratch</a>? Here are five areas to consider:1. Built-In Systems Vs. Total Control Franchising provides a tested playbook. But it comes with rules. “If you’re in a franchise, every time you want to do something that’s outside their playbook, you have to ask permission,” Carlson reminds. Independent owners, on the other hand, can pivot freely but must build systems from the ground up (which takes time and resources).2. Fees and Royalties Franchise fees and royalties are part of the deal. It’s important to both understand and plan for them accordingly.3. Experience and Support One of franchising’s biggest advantages is access to experienced operators. Carlson recalled his first job after signing his initial work order: “I was nervous. But I had somebody on the phone within 10 minutes saying, ‘You’ve got to do this, this and that,’” he said. “It was so easy to get through that first job because there was no guesswork.”4. Following The System (With Local Flexibility) While local nuances aren’t always captured in a national system, the strength of a proven system remains a franchising hallmark.5. Long-Term Upside Starting a business from scratch can be more lucrative. “But it depends on the level of effort you want to put in,” Carlson reminds potential zees.<h2>The Bottom Line</h2>So, is franchising better than starting a business from scratch?&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchising-and-the-american-dream-2730380">Franchising</a> can reduce risk, shorten the learning curve and provide critical support (especially early). Independent startups can offer more autonomy and, potentially, greater long-term rewards. Therefore, an honest assessment of tolerance for structure, fees and self-direction can help those considering entrepreneurship to properly assess the ownership situation best aligned with one’s goals for success in the business opportunity.Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.

Is franchising better than starting a business from scratch?

Is franchising better than starting a business from scratch? Franchising offers a proven system and support. Starting from scratch provides flexibility and control. Here’s how to assess the tradeoffs.

Is Franchising Better than Starting a Business from Scratch? A Guide

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When evaluating a franchise opportunity, there’s an important early step: how do I research franchise complaints? Understanding the issues both current and former franchise owners have experienced can help prospective franchisees make better-informed decisions that increase the likelihood of selecting a brand aligned with their business goals.Franchise consultant&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/franchise-guru/">Lisa Welko</a> of&nbsp;<a href="https://integrityfranchisegroup.com/">Integrity Franchise Group</a> emphasizes the importance of validating information through direct research. “The most important thing about researching any franchise is the opportunity to validate with franchise owners personally,” Welko said. “Use the reviews to formulate your questions and opinions. And then validate those findings with actual owners in the system.”<h2>Start With The Basics: Public Records And Online Tools</h2>How do I research franchise complaints?&nbsp;It starts with sources that are accessible and objective.<ul><li>Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD):&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/understanding-item-3-of-the-franchise-disclosure-document-litigation-history-2703061">FDD Item 3</a>, litigation history, lists pending litigation or past legal issues involving franchisees that can be potential&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/red-flags-to-look-out-for-when-doing-franchise-research-2723769#stories">red flags</a>. &nbsp;</li><li>State Regulatory Agencies: Many states publish franchise or business complaints (including the Attorney General’s office). &nbsp;</li><li>Online Reviews and Forums: While helpful for providing additional context, they should not be used as the only source of research. “Just like anything on the internet, we need to remember ‘Buyer Beware,’” said Welko. “Online reviews can be a helpful tool. But we need to remember that it’s one tool in the arsenal. So, don’t let one bad review torpedo your research.”</li></ul><h2>Speak Directly With Franchise Owners</h2>Nothing replaces firsthand insights. Contacting current – and former – franchise owners to ask about their experience with franchisor support, operations and growth potential is a critical part of the validation process. It’s essential to pay attention to recurring themes in their feedback, both positive and negative, to identify potential risks (or opportunities) correctly.&nbsp;<h2>Practical Takeaways For Evaluating Franchise Complaints</h2><ol><li>Verify Patterns, Not One-Offs – A single complaint may be an isolated incident. Look for repeated issues that may indicate systemic challenges. &nbsp;</li><li>Check The Age Of Complaints – Older complaints may reflect resolved issues or changes in leadership (while recent complaints can indicate ongoing issues). &nbsp;</li><li>Ask Specific Questions – When speaking with franchisees, ask about areas like training, corporate support and general operational challenges. &nbsp;</li><li>Evaluate The Brand’s Response – How a franchisor addresses complaints can reveal the level of transparency, responsiveness and commitment provided to franchise owners. &nbsp;</li><li>Integrate Findings Within Decision-Making – Use complaint research as part of a larger due diligence process (along with financials, market analysis and personal goals).</li></ol><h2>The Takeaway</h2>So, how do I research franchise complaints?&nbsp;Doing so is essential. Utilizing a combination of public records, online insights and&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/what-is-the-value-of-franchisee-validation-in-the-franchise-sales-process-2703208">direct validation with franchisees</a> (past and present), potential franchise owners can better evaluate both risk and opportunity. By following a structured approach, actionable insights that build confidence in the franchise decision-making process can be identified.Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.

How do I research franchise complaints? In this guide with expert tips, learn how to uncover patterns, validate insights with franchisees and make informed franchise investment decisions.

Tippi Toes CEO Sarah Nuse on How The Children’s Dance Franchise Became a Leader In Its Segment

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