It’s one of the most exciting, empowering, and yes, daunting decisions you’ll ever make. But if you’re thinking of leaving your job and becoming your own boss, I want to let you in on something I’ve learned from experience – you don’t have to do it alone.
That’s why franchising exists – to give people like you the tools, support and structure to build a successful business for yourself, but not by yourself. That’s a very well-used phrase in franchising, but it really is the truth!
I was 23 when I started franchising my own retail business. What began as a single shop in Edinburgh grew into a network of over 70 franchised outlets across six countries – including some as far-flung as the Caribbean and the Middle East. I didn’t come from money. I didn’t have a blueprint for success. What I had was belief, hard work, and eventually the knowledge that when you share what works with others, incredible things can happen.
That belief became the foundation of Platinum Wave Franchising, and to this day, it’s why I champion franchising not just as a growth strategy for brands, but as one of the smartest and safest ways for people to start a business of their own.
The reality is, most independent start-ups don’t make it past the five-year mark. That’s not because people aren’t capable, it’s because building a business from scratch is really hard. You’ve got to get the product right, build a brand, design systems, attract customers, make it all work… and that’s before you’ve even paid yourself.
Franchising flips that on its head. When you invest in a strong franchise, you’re buying into a proven business model, a recognisable brand and a support system designed to help you succeed from day one. You’ll get training, guidance, a network of fellow franchisees and a franchisor who’s invested in your success. That’s why banks are often far more willing to fund franchises than independent start-ups.
But Franchising isn’t a shortcut. You’ll still need to work hard. You’ll still need to take a leap. And you’ll need to find the franchise that’s the right fit for you and that you’re the right fit for.
So before you start Googling franchise opportunities, do something most people skip: reflect on what you want out of this next chapter.
- What are you passionate about?
- What do you not want to do anymore?
- Are you looking for flexibility, financial reward, or a change of pace?
- How much can you invest and how much do you need the business to return?
- Are you prepared to follow a proven system – you don’t buy a franchise to reinvent the wheel?
This kind of honesty is your best starting point because it what every ethical franchisor and bank manager will be asking you too!
Having helped some of the UK’s biggest and best-loved franchise brands build their networks, I can tell you this: good franchisors are selective. And rightly so. You want to be part of a network of seriously talented individuals, not just a collection of people who could fund the investment.
They’ll be looking for people who are:
- Capable of following a system
- Ready to work hard and be hands-on
- Willing to learn and improve
- Comfortable with sales and building relationships
- Financially prepared – not just for the upfront costs, but to sustain the business as it grows
- Genuinely aligned with the brand’s values and culture
That last one is big and I’ve seen it borne out many times – if the chemistry isn’t there, it will struggle to go the distance.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, book discovery calls. Attend franchise exhibitions. Speak to the franchisor. More importantly, speak to existing franchisees – the ones who’ve been in your shoes.
Don’t just ask if they’re happy. Ask how long it took to become profitable. Ask what challenges they’ve faced. Ask what kind of support they really get. Any good franchisor will encourage this, but don’t expect to be given carte blanche to disrupt everyone in the network for weeks with endless questions – they’ve all got businesses to run!
Franchising isn’t for everyone, but for the right person, with the right support, it can be life-changing. I’ve seen people leave corporate roles and rediscover the joy of a hard day’s work without the politics. I’ve seen parents build businesses that give them time with their kids that money just can’t buy. I’ve seen franchisees earning way more money doing, than what they earned doing the job they were so scared to leave.
So if you’re on the edge of change, know this: you don’t have to go it alone. Franchising could be the safest, smartest, most supported leap you’ll ever take. Just make sure you find your people!
This article comes courtesy of Platinum Wave, the multi award winning franchise consultancy firm accredited by the British Franchise Association.
