"Go into business for yourself, but not by yourself."

People who know me know that I've been around the franchise industry my entire life. I grew up working at a franchise company from a young age and have been involved in several franchise brands as a franchisor and a franchisee, sometimes both in the same brand.

As you sit in your designated workspace, thoughts may often drift away from the task at hand. 

From time to time, I have people looking to buy franchises asking me, Johnny Franchise, for advice. Well, I am not really a “Matchmaker.” I do like to give people ideas and perspectives to try and help. Here are the top five questions or bits of advice that I provide to these people when they find me.

Nothing can prepare you for the joys of fatherhood. Everything changes the day you set eyes on your newborn, and a new path — full of love and responsibility — immediately emerges. 

You must now serve as a caregiver and mentor to a child whom you will help guide into adulthood. It's daunting. It's terrifying. And it's the greatest thing you will ever do.

Have you been thinking about starting your own business or opening your favorite franchise? Most of us have at least dreamed about it at some point, and those who take it seriously have planned beyond that point and devised a business plan.

But even if you've gotten that far, the next steps can be overwhelming — especially at the beginning. Knowing when to move forward and begin your journey into business ownership is always difficult.

The good news? This year is shaping up to be one of the best years to start a business. 

Keep reading to learn why.

Why is now the perfect time for franchising?

During the month of February, we celebrate Black History Month.

All of us are well aware of the significant contributions made to our society by the likes of Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King, Jr., to name a few.

But are you also familiar with the names of Reginald Lewis, the richest African-American man in the 1800s; Charles Clinton Spaulding, president of North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company; Alonzo Herndon, founder of Atlanta Life and Atlanta's first Black millionaire; or Madam C.J. Walker, the first American woman to become a millionaire based on her hair care products formulated for African American hair?

“Take one for the team.”

“Offense sells tickets, defense wins championships.”

There sure are a lot of football cliches used in the workplace! As football season nears its exciting end in both college and the pros – and a new, opportunity-filled year kicks off for small business owners – this is a great time to take a look at a few of the similarities between franchise business ownership and America’s favorite sport.

“Next year is going to be even better than this year.”

This might normally sound like a worn-out cliché, but after the year we've just had, hopefully most people can agree with the optimism!

There’s a good chance you’re looking forward to putting 2020 behind you. January 1st is always a great opportunity to reflect on the past year and plan for the future, which is especially welcome this year. Here are some new year’s resolutions that will be particularly relevant for small business entrepreneurs this upcoming year.