By Maggie Harlow
Women may face challenges in certain business industries, but I believe being a woman is an advantage in many. In the signage industry, for example, when I started over two decades ago, there weren’t many women franchise owners. It became an advantage for me at the time because I was more memorable as a woman owner. Today, three of Louisville’s four very successful Signarama shops are owned by women, and I’m proud to say I’m one of the three women.
We’re a bit ahead of the national trend. Women now represent 30 percent of all franchise owners in the United States, according to the International Franchise Organization, as reported by the franchise research website franzy.com, which finds that woman-owned franchises have grown by 38 percent in the last decade. Progress like this will be celebrated on Tuesday, Oct. 14, the fourth annual Women in Franchising National Appreciation Day. The observance was created by United Franchise GroupTM (UFG) to recognize women across the country who hold various roles within the industry, including owners, employees and those behind the scenes.
Women have work to do before we can call victory, though; we should be closer to 50 percent. But we have absolutely moved forward, and I’m confident we’ll get there. Since becoming a franchise owner in 2003, I’ve seen an explosion of women in leadership and excellence. More women have found a seat at the table than ever before.
Our progress has been aided by our ability to adapt our leadership style to whatever setting we’re in. The franchise world has many different systems and cultures, and women’s leadership comes in every imaginable style. I think the advantage women bring to any team is a more holistic approach to challenges and setbacks — and determination to inspire change where needed.
Having women in franchising leadership positions or in franchising in general has doubled the number of possible customers for any given franchise. Give women space, and they will draw more women into that space.
And once there, we’ll help each other succeed. When I was first starting out, there were some strong, powerful women leaders among our brand’s franchisees. One was the most successful owner in the entire system, who was always willing to share her ideas and have her voice heard. Another franchisee made herself available to lend an ear and coach me along as I was learning as a new owner.
There are countless reasons that women go into franchise ownership: ambition, interest in learning a new industry, expanding an existing business, taking the leap out of corporate America, building a family business legacy and so many more. I believe the collaborative nature of franchising is particularly enticing to women, as it was for me. While I am captain of my Signarama ship, I have an entire fleet of other Signarama ship owners that are on my team!
I started working in franchising with Signarama after 15 years in the automotive industry. I was well prepared to own my own business, and I wasn’t expected to remain in the automotive space but had the freedom to choose from many sectors to find the perfect fit. With franchising, I found the work schedule I wanted, the types of customers and teammates I wanted and a chance to use my creative and sales skills. While my start-up year was extremely challenging, there was a giant smile on my face the entire time. My worst day in franchise ownership still beats my best day working for someone else.
As our American culture continues to shift into a more representative direction, I encourage women to continue building their confidence and developing a successful mindset. Continue to speak up in rooms, particularly to the benefit of other women. Continue to ask for what you want and take responsibility for your own success. Leave organizations that don’t “see” you; keep faith that there are places for you to thrive. The limits you may face now are more subtle than the 1970s, when banks wouldn’t lend money to us without a male cosigner, but they are there — so watch closely for opportunities to illuminate closed minded types and show them the way through your own personal excellence in what you do.
Women thrive in environments where other women are fully participating and leading in their own way. For me, Women in Franchising National Appreciation Day is all about how our teams thrive when we engage every team member in building the business.
I’ll end with one of my favorite quotes: “It’s not a glass ceiling so much as it is a thick layer of men.” (Laura Liswood, Secretary General, Council of Women World Leaders)
So, keep digging.
Maggie Harlow is CEO of Signarama Downtown Louisville, Kentucky, part of the United Franchise Group™ family of affiliated brands and consultants. Maggie has built an outstanding team, dedicated to quality and service for over 20 years, providing high quality signage and graphics products of all kinds from lighted signage to banners. She is an award-winning franchisee and has received many recognitions for outstanding leadership, service above self, and excellence in her community.