Young Ones to Watch: Galen Welsch of Jibu

1. What was it that drew you into franchising?

Local ownership! Franchising is about equipping folks to have their own businesses. It's understanding of human relationships and motivations is unique compared to any other business models I have learned about. 

2. What do you see as the biggest change that is going to impact the franchise industry going forward?

International emerging markets will play an increasingly prominent role in how franchising works. In step with this change, social franchising will become less of an outlier concept and more the norm.

3. How did you get in the role you’re in now? 

I joined the Peace Corps after graduating college. The beliefs I gained there, along with my father's passion to do something, inspired us to co-found Jibu together 5 years ago.

4. What advice would you give to other young up-and-comers? 

Jibu operates with the belief that every challenge is a gift and an opportunity. Of course not EVERY challenge is a gift, but this is an attitude that we believe fosters innovation and a problem-solving mentality. It means being in the driver seat and being an agent of change, rather than a passive victim of the environment around us.

5. What advice would you give to your younger self? 

I've had to learn how to have to have the courage to be an optimist and to be action-biased. So the advice I would have given myself much earlier on would be: have the courage to create. I would have accomplished more if I had been less of a "critic" and more of an action-biased optimist earlier on.

6. What are some things you like to do in your spare time?

I keep a start up ideas book so that as I see inefficiencies or gaps wherever I go, I have a way of therapeutically building a solution. If I ever find myself at the end of my journey with Jibu, I imagine that I will choose my favorite idea and make that the next focus.