Most people wait until January to make their big career resolutions. But if becoming your own boss is on the list, why wait until the New Year to start working towards it?
A hundred days might sound like a tight turnaround for launching a business, but franchising can give you a head start. With an established business model, structured training and experienced people to turn to, those first few months can be spent building the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to get a new venture off the ground.
Of course, there is plenty to get right along the way. From asking the right questions before signing an agreement to learning the ropes and securing those first customers, Liam Hobbs, managing director at More Than Loft Ladders (MTLL), shares what the journey to franchise ownership can look like.
Do your homework before making the commitment
The excitement of starting a business can make it tempting to jump straight in. Before making any commitments, explore different sectors, understand the investment involved and consider whether the opportunity suits your skills, finances and long-term goals.
Speak to existing franchisees about their experiences, including the challenges they have faced. Look closely at startup costs, ongoing fees and working capital requirements, and scrutinise the financial projections.
Establish what happens between signing and opening, particularly how long training takes and whether your planned launch date is achievable.
Get trained and build your confidence
Once the paperwork is complete, it is time to roll up your sleeves. A comprehensive induction should prepare franchisees for the practical work involved in delivering their service, alongside the commercial responsibilities that come with running a business.
Hands-on learning is particularly valuable, giving new owners the opportunity to practise unfamiliar tasks and receive feedback before working with customers.
At MTLL, our eight-day Academy programme combines installation techniques with commercial skills, followed by a practical assessment. This approach was reflected in our 100% score for Training & Support in the 2026 WorkBuzz Franchise Satisfaction Benchmark Survey, 27% above the industry average.
Get everything ready for launch
As launch day approaches, attention turns to the essentials. Equipment, insurance, booking systems and payment processes all need organising, alongside a clear plan for managing customer enquiries.
Marketing deserves attention well before opening day too. Building local awareness through community connections, social media and publicity can help introduce a business to potential customers before trading begins.
Find out what launch assistance your franchisor provides, who covers the costs and how enquiries will be managed. In our network, we have seen how early investment in local PR and promotional activity can help new territories generate interest, but it is important to understand exactly what is included in any franchise package.
Put your preparation into practice
There is a real buzz that comes with landing your first customer or completing a job under your own business name. It is also when everything you have learned during training gets put to the test.
Pay attention to enquiry conversion, job costs, cash flow and customer feedback to understand what is working and where improvements might be needed. Check whether your franchisor offers hands-on assistance during those initial jobs, as having an experienced person to call on can make unfamiliar situations easier to navigate.
Beyond day 100: continue building your business
Getting a franchise off the ground is an achievement worth celebrating, but the first year brings fresh challenges around profitability, customer relationships, recruitment and growth. Regular business reviews, mentoring and opportunities to learn from other franchisees can help owners make informed decisions as their responsibilities develop.
At MTLL, our franchisees receive first-year business coaching, monthly performance reviews and regular Academy sessions. Having personally experienced the journey from franchisee to managing director, the value of that ongoing guidance has become increasingly clear for me.
For anyone hoping to become their own boss in the New Year, those first 100 days could mark the beginning of something exciting. Make the most of the expertise available, put what you have learned into practice and give your new venture the best possible start.
Key takeaways
- A hundred days can be enough time to go from first enquiry to launch day in franchising, provided the right steps are taken in the right order – due diligence, training, launch preparation and early trading all need dedicated time.
- Before signing any agreement, speak to existing franchisees about their real experiences, including the challenges they have faced, and establish exactly what happens between signing and opening, including how long training takes.
- MTLL’s eight-day Academy programme combines installation techniques with commercial skills, followed by a practical assessment – hands-on learning gives new owners the chance to practise unfamiliar tasks before they matter commercially.
- Marketing deserves attention well before opening day. Building local awareness through community connections should start in parallel with equipment, insurance, booking systems and payment preparation, not after the doors open.
- The first 100 days are the beginning, not the end. MTLL franchisees receive first-year business coaching, monthly performance reviews and regular Academy sessions to help them build on the early momentum of launch.
