1851

When investing in a franchise for the first time, the&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/what-to-expect-in-your-first-year-of-franchising-10546">initial year</a> can be a major eye-opener, and many entrepreneurs may find they weren’t prepared for some of the challenges that can come with owning a business. To offset some of these surprises, 1851 spoke with two first-time franchisees to learn about some lessons they learned during their first year in business, how they found the right franchise fit and their future plans.&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/homecleanheroes">Home Clean Heroes*</a> franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-houck?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=winning-at-franchising-first-time-franchisees-give-advice-2718545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">David Houck</a> originally joined the residential cleaning brand in June 2021 after a decade in the banking industry.&nbsp;“My entry into franchising might not have been the traditional way — I actually got laid off for the fourth time in 10 years last February,” said Houck. “I was a career banker, and after that experience, my wife convinced me to start a business and build something that was on my own. I wanted to be in business for myself, but didn’t want to be by myself, so franchising was the right fit.”When it comes to finding the right concept, Houck says his approach was very analytical, and he recommends first-time candidates create a list of what&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/what-are-the-best-franchises-for-a-first-time-franchisee-2715112">qualities they need in the business</a> before diving into their research. “I created an Excel spreadsheet and divided all attributes into three categories: must-have, important and not-so-important. I had probably ten must-have characteristics of the business, including strong onboarding training, ongoing support, support in every aspect of the marketing. I just kept going down the list, and Home Clean Heroes checked every box.”&nbsp;Now, a year into ownership, Houck says his biggest advice for first-time franchisees is to come into the experience with mental fortitude and a commitment to the system.&nbsp;“In the first year, you’re not going to make money — no business is going to be successful overnight,” he said. “I started last June and will hopefully break even in May or June of this year. It is mentally taxing, and stress can wear on you, so you need to ensure you will have the confidence and fortitude to keep your head down and follow the system. You hear that a lot — just follow the system — but until you are really living it, it is hard to see how essential it is.”And Houck says with the right attitude (<a href="https://1851franchise.com/whats-a-good-franchise-for-a-first-time-business-owner-2717169">and the right concept</a>), all that hard work will certainly be worth it in the end. “I’m having the absolute best time in my career right now,” he said. “I am building something of my own, and I can see we are really doing something good for our customers and our team members. That is very rewarding.”<a href="https://1-800-junkpro.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=winning-at-franchising-first-time-franchisees-give-advice-2718545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">1-800-JUNKPRO</a> franchisee Chad Zaniewski spent 18 years working in the corporate world for a Fortune 500 company before diving into business management, first as an operator of a corporate-owned location. “I had experience running someone else’s business, and that drove me to franchising as a way to start my own business,” he said. “As I researched my options, I found that my skill set would lend itself better to a system that was already in place. I can execute on a proven system, I just need someone to help me set up all the little things. The thing I would tell people considering franchising is to remember that you always pay for education, you are either going to pay up front with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-open-a-franchise-2716258">royalties and ongoing costs</a>, or pay on the back end through making mistakes. I wanted to expedite that education.”When it comes to finding the right concept, Zaniewski says everyone’s entry point into a franchise is going to be different, but the key is understanding that it requires a lot of thought and&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-do-you-do-due-diligence-on-a-franchise-2716448">due diligence</a>. “This is a bold decision, and starting a business requires a lot of sacrifice,” he said. “Making that jump from a secured paycheck into a world of being self-employed is a big step. Do your research so you can make that bold decision safely. From there, it is really a leap of faith.”One piece of advice Zaniewski has for first-time franchisee candidates considering a brand is to have an open mind. “A lot of people may want to go with an established brand, but they shouldn’t be afraid of a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/10-emerging-franchises-primed-for-growth-in-2021-2714615">smaller system</a>,” he said. “Smaller companies come with several advantages, such as stronger relationships with the leadership team and the people behind the brand. I have a direct line to the CEO, and who better to give me business advice? After my experience, I would actually probably be a little reluctant to join a larger system.”After a year of ownership, Zaniewski shares similar insights to Houck, noting that a franchise isn’t going to make money immediately, and first-time owners need to be prepared financially to deal with that.&nbsp;“My advice is to start preparing yourself for the franchise system prior to getting involved in it,” Zaniewski said. “With every business, you will need some level of management experience, sales knowledge and negotiation skills. Develop those skills early — you don’t need to be in a leadership position to start learning about running a business. If you start preparing today, you can be better prepared to start franchising in the future.”&nbsp; &nbsp;

Winning at Franchising: First-Time Franchisees Give Advice

1851 Franchise

1851 Franchise spoke with franchisees to hear more about their stories, how they found the right concept for them and their advice for other entrepreneurs. 

winning-at-franchising-first-time-franchisees-give-advice

Atomic Wings

Milwaukee Business Journal: Atomic Wings Plans To Bring the Heat to Southeast Wisconsin

milwaukee-business-journal-atomic-wings-plans-to-bring-the-heat-to-southeast-wisconsin

Melting Pot

Melting Pot Showcases Fondue Fun and Franchise Opportunity on FOX & Friends

melting-pot-showcases-fondue-fun-and-franchise-opportunity-on-fox-friends

Right at Home

Leading In-Home Care Franchise Looks to Expand in Fort Wayne, Indiana

leading-in-home-care-franchise-looks-to-expand-in-fort-wayne-indiana

Why Melting Pot Is a Next-Level Upgrade for Existing Restaurant Operators

why-melting-pot-is-a-next-level-upgrade-for-existing-restaurant-operators

Sola Salons

Sola Salons: A Prime Multi-Unit Opportunity for Driven Entrepreneurs

sola-salons-a-prime-multi-unit-opportunity-for-driven-entrepreneurs

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

Login

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

PopUp Bagels Launches National Franchise Expansion with New CEO Tory Bartlett Leading the Charge

popup-bagels-launches-national-franchise-expansion-with-new-ceo-tory-bartlett-leading-the-charge

CPK Franchising - California Pizza Kitchen - 1851 Franchise

California Pizza Kitchen Is Now Franchising in the U.S.

cpk-franchising-california-pizza-kitchen-united-states

California Voters Reject $18 Minimum Wage Increase

california-voters-reject-18-minimum-wage-increase

McDonald’s Commits $100 Million to Aid Franchisees and Rebuild Trust After E. Coli Outbreak

mcdonalds-commits-100-million-to-aid-franchisees-and-rebuild-trust-after-e-coli-outbreak

Blackstone Acquires Majority Stake in Jersey Mike's, Signaling Ambitious Growth Plans - 1851

Blackstone Acquires Majority Stake in Jersey Mike's, Signaling Ambitious Growth Plans

blackstone-acquires-majority-stake-in-jersey-mikes-signaling-ambitious-growth-plans

How to Choose the Right Franchise for Your Family - 1851 Franchise

How to Choose the Right Franchise for Your Family 

choosing-the-right-franchise-for-your-family

How to Get Your Kids Involved in Your Franchise Business - 1851 Franchise

How To Get Your Kids Involved in Your Franchise Business

how-to-get-your-kids-involved-in-your-franchise-business

Top Five Ice Cream Franchises to Invest in for 2024

top-ice-cream-franchises

Exploring the Pros and Cons of Running a Family Franchise

exploring-the-pros-and-cons-of-running-a-family-franchise

U.S. Navy Reservist Brings Pigtails & Crewcuts to Clarksville, Filling a Community Need

us-navy-reservist-brings-pigtails-crewcuts-to-clarksville-filling-a-community-need

The Crucial Role of Social Media in Franchise Success

the-crucial-role-of-social-media-in-franchising

Winning at Franchising: First-Time Franchisees Give Advice

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS