Specialty Franchisees: The Ups and the Downs

Our life experiences help guide the daily choices we make. So when it comes to business ownership, where you’ve been, and who you are, affect your identity as a franchisee. The good comes along with the bad – just like anything presented to you in life. And there are unforeseen perks and challenges that can arise in the day-to-day management of a franchise brand as an entrepreneur spearheads the growth of a successful business. To learn a bit more about what it takes, the editors of 1851 thought it would be interesting to speak with a diverse group of entrepreneurs that are making their dreams reality in the different aspects of specialty franchising. We include a young multi-unit franchisee, a professional athlete and a U.S. armed forces veteran to better understand what has helped each to shape their perspective about creating a prosperous future through franchising. Proving Yourself Capable – No Matter Your Age Jared Avchen, a 25-year-old with the rights to develop Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries across about 50 units across Florida, discusses negativity seen from his elders who would be under him in the system. "Being a young entrepreneur in this type of franchise development role, I find myself consistently working with very established business men and women. In order for them to take me seriously, it is essential that I always maintain a very professional approach to business and let my actions and work ethic speak for itself," he said. The Advantage of Understanding Teamwork K’Zell “Zelly” Wesson, a professional basketball player who has played 14 seasons in Europe and a current Workout Anytime franchisee in Stockbridge, Ga., sees benefits to understanding teamwork. “A business is comprised of a group of team members all working together for success. Everyone in the organization has a role to play. If everyone buys in and works hard for the organization, there will be success,” he said. Military Experience is Only an Asset – With No Downside in Sight Jim Kuegle, an army veteran and owner of a Fish Window Cleaning in San Rafael, CA does not see one negative aspect from being a veteran and points to positives from a veteran discount to personal behavioral traits that have shaped his business ethic. “Discipline, working with a vast variety of people from all types of social-economic backgrounds, understanding what it takes to achieve missions and goals, and knowing how to train people to build them into a team to get the job done has proved how my military training was really important as a business owner,” he said.