1851

In the not too distant past, women who owned and operated their own business were notably harder to come by than their male counterparts. However, as society has progressed, more and more women have been forging their own paths and transforming what it looks like—and who it looks like—to be a business owner. In fact, according to 2017 data collected by the <a href="https://www.nawbo.org/resources/women-business-owner-statistics?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=these-women-are-grabbing-the-franchise-industry-by-the-horns-and-showing-it-whos-boss-2712230" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">National Association of Women Business Owners</a>, more than 11.6 million firms are owned by women across the U.S. employing nearly nine million people.&nbsp;One industry in particular that has historically been male-dominated? Franchising.According to a report commissioned by the <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/edteixeira/2018/06/29/why-women-in-franchising-gets-the-thumbs-up/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=these-women-are-grabbing-the-franchise-industry-by-the-horns-and-showing-it-whos-boss-2712230#596baf412e01" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">International Franchise Association in 2017, 30.6% of franchise businesses are women-owned</a>, up from 20.5% over the five years previous. This data proves to be good news for women all over the world who have ever thought about getting into business ownership without having to start from scratch, the precise luxury franchising provides.&nbsp;1851 Franchise caught up with a few women franchisees who are grabbing the industry by its horns and showing it who’s boss: Amy Kuniyoshi, <a href="https://pensacola.poolscouts.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=these-women-are-grabbing-the-franchise-industry-by-the-horns-and-showing-it-whos-boss-2712230" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">owner of Pool Scouts* of Pensacola, Florida</a>; Tiffiny Consoli, <a href="https://triangle.poolscouts.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=these-women-are-grabbing-the-franchise-industry-by-the-horns-and-showing-it-whos-boss-2712230" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">owner of Pool Scouts of the Triangle, North Carolina</a>;&nbsp; and Lauren Harris, <a href="https://mosquitohunters.com/corpus-christi-tx/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=these-women-are-grabbing-the-franchise-industry-by-the-horns-and-showing-it-whos-boss-2712230" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">a Mosquito Hunters* franchisee in Corpus Christi, Texas</a>. The three entrepreneurs provided some insight into what it’s like to be a woman in such a male-dominated industry like franchising.&nbsp;When asked her opinion on why women are increasingly entering the franchising industry, Kuniyoshi put it simply: “The glass ceiling is more and more prevalent these days—women are tired of living by a man’s rules. Women are increasingly getting into franchising because they want to make a mark on this world, do things for themselves and write their own stories.”&nbsp;Harris agreed, also noting the increasing pressure of the glass ceiling. “The glass ceiling in the corporate world has slowly gotten higher and higher, so business ownership, especially for women, just makes sense,” she said. “Women are increasingly seeing the value in ownership and want to do it for themselves.”Consoli echoed similar sentiments on the value of business ownership. “Women are more inspired today to be leaders and they see the value in business ownership,” she said. “Franchising, in particular, offers women the opportunity to start a business instantly and experience success quickly by following the structure and plan provided. Franchising requires ambition, dedication and the ability to lead—all characteristics of today’s business-minded women.”&nbsp;So, just how are these franchisees navigating the waters of being a woman in an industry that skews male? Kuniyoshi, Harris and Consoli all boil it down to one thing: Being themselves.&nbsp;“It’s key to being able to build confident and trusting relationships with the men you work with,” Consoli said. “This is done by being yourself and taking ownership of everything you do. Women have the ability to bring a softer side to what can sometimes be an intense and stressful industry, which is definitely an advantage. However, women also need to know how to be tough if and when the situation calls for it.”Kuniyoshi’s take on establishing herself as a leader in her role was complementary.&nbsp;“Navigating the waters as a woman in a male-dominated industry calls for being a flower in a field of weeds,” she said. “Ensure you are giving each and every customer your 100%. Answer the phone with a smile on your face, have meaningful conversations with your customers and potential customers, know them by name. Going above and beyond will ensure you stand out—no matter your gender.”&nbsp;Success as a franchisee can be defined in many ways—and to these women, success isn’t represented in dollar signs alone.&nbsp;“Yes, success as a business owner means profit. But for women in this industry, it also means opportunity,” Harris said. “Each and every woman who illustrates success makes it just a little bit easier for the next one to be successful. Proving to other women that you can be successful in a male-dominated industry, shows them that they, too, can be successful.”As far as advice for other women thinking about going into business ownership is concerned, Consoli was emphatic: “Believe in yourself, stay true to your vision and lead by example!”

These Women Are Grabbing the Franchise Industry By The Horns and Showing It Who’s Boss

1851 Franchise

Until somewhat recently, franchising was an industry saturated with men. Now, more and more women are pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams in the field—and brands should take notice.

these-women-are-grabbing-the-franchise-industry-by-the-horns-and-showing-it-whos-boss

Woodhouse Spas

Photo of exterior of Woodhouse Spa location

How Woodhouse Spas Leverages Learning Management Systems

woodhouse-spa-franchise-training-lms

Image Studios

image of studios salon suites stylists business owners

Finding Freedom: Why Beauty and Wellness Professionals Build Their Dream Careers With IMAGE Studios

benefits-image-studios-salon-suites

IMAGE Studios Offers a Scalable, Real Estate-Focused Franchise Opportunity in an Industry Projected to More Than Double Within a Decade

image-studios-franchise-opportunity

ServiceMaster Restore

ServiceMaster Restore - Disaster Response - 1851 Franchise

When Disaster Strikes, ServiceMaster Restore Moves

servicemaster-restore-disaster-response-carmen-coleman

Children's Lighthouse

How Children’s Lighthouse Stands Out Among Other Children’s Education, Childcare, and Daycare Franchises

how-childrens-lighthouse-stands-out-among-other-childrens-education-childcare-and-daycare-franchises

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 Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Design with American and Federal Reserve flags against light blue background

Federal Reserve Expected To Cut Rates by Quarter Point, a Move That Could Boost Franchise Growth

fed-rate-cut-boosts-franchise-growth

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

graphic image of an 1851 franchisee spotlight brayden and johnny steven of teriyaki madness

Father-and-Daughter Team Bring Teriyaki Madness to Wichita, Kansas, With Big Expansion Plans

johnny-brayden-steven-teriyaki-madness-wichita

photo-of-laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

23-Year-Old Entrepreneur Brings Soon to Be Famous Chicken™ to Southern Oregon With 3-Unit Layne’s Chicken Fingers Franchise Signing

laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

These Women Are Grabbing the Franchise Industry By The Horns and Showing It Who’s Boss

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS