The leap from corporate employment to business ownership is one of the most pivotal decisions a person can make. In addition to replacing a paycheck with business income, you are building something that aligns with who you are, how you lead, and the impact you want to make.
February’s article asked: “Is business ownership right for you?” and “Is franchising the right entry into business ownership?”
A franchise should be more than a good investment. It should be the right investment for you. Two questions determine this fit.
- What industry amplifies your strengths?
- What franchise brand aligns with your vision and values?
By answering these, you avoid the common pitfalls of business ownership: Misalignment, burnout, and financial frustration. Let’s break them down.
Question 3: What Industry Amplifies Your Strengths
Many people focus on finding a hot industry. But trends fade like TCBY yogurt in the Arizona desert. A franchise that fits your natural strengths will outlast any short-term market swings.
From Corporate Skills to Franchise Success
During my time as Chief of the Terrace Park Fire Department, I learned that calm decision-making in chaos made the difference between mitigation and disaster. That skill carried over when I led ImageFIRST Cincinnati for twenty years. The ability to navigate business uncertainties, like supply chain disruptions or last-minute customer needs, made operations smoother.
Your existing skills already give you a competitive edge in the right industry. The question is, which industries amplify what you do best.
The Tools to Identify Your Fit
Self-awareness is the foundation of a successful business decision. That is why I use tools like:
✅ The Zorakle Assessment which measures entrepreneurial strengths and matches them with compatible industries.
✅ The Confidential Questionnaire Defines values, leadership preferences, and ideal work-life balance.
Big question to ask the franchisor: What traits do successful franchise partners in your system share?
If that answer does not match your strengths, it is not the right franchise.
Question 4: What Franchise Brand Aligns With Your Vision and Values
Industry fit is part of the equation. The right franchise brand supports your long-term vision and values, and your financial goals.
Three Tactics to Define Your Vision
1️⃣ The Future Celebration Exercise
Fast forward three years. Your business is thriving. You are at a company event, reflecting on your success. Ask yourself:
- Who is in the room celebrating with you?
- Where are you celebrating?
- What milestones have you reached?
- What challenges have you and your team overcome in the journey?
- How has your business impacted your customers, employees, and community?
Write about the celebration in the past or present tense. The more details you add, the clearer your picture of success. If a franchise brand does not support this vision, it is the wrong fit.
🔹 Big question to ask a franchisee during validation calls: Does this franchise model support the lifestyle and success you envisioned when you started?
2️⃣ The Metaphor Exercise
Your business is more than numbers. It is an extension of your leadership style.
For Bella Vista Executive Advisors, my business metaphor is an executive jet service. My clients are not just buying a ticket. They are investing in a high-value, expertly guided experience. I am in the cockpit, navigating turbulence and keeping them on course.
Ask yourself:
- What does your business metaphor look like today: a tree, a wild animal, a landmark? Where are you now?
- What does success look like in three years? Where are you in the new picture?
🔹 Big question to ask yourself Does this franchise model allow me to operate the way I envision?
3️⃣ The Organizational Chart Exercise (Ivan Misner, BNI) Even if you start as a solopreneur, mapping out future roles clarifies what you will manage and what you will delegate.
Values Alignment Check
A strong franchise fit requires cultural alignment.
Ask yourself:
- Does this franchise reflect how I want to serve my community?
- Does the franchise leadership team inspire trust and transparency?
- Does the brand culture align with how I want to lead employees and serve customers?
🔹 Big question to ask the franchisor: What values drive decision-making at the corporate level?
How to Evaluate Franchise Fit
Once you define your strengths and vision, evaluating brands becomes clearer.
Business Model Fit
Does the franchise require hands-on daily involvement or allow for semi-absentee ownership? Does the model create the desired lifestyle for you and your family?
Support and Training
Does the franchisor provide the resources needed to execute your vision? Are franchisees satisfied with ongoing support?
Culture and Leadership
Does the leadership team’s vision align with your values? Are they engaged in franchisee success?
Validation Calls with Franchise Owners
Are existing franchisees achieving success in ways that match your vision?
🔹 Big question to ask a franchisee: If you could start over, would you still choose this franchise?
Your Next Step
No one builds a lasting business on guesswork. Success comes from clarity, an engaged network, strategy, and asking the right questions before making a decision.
That is where I come in.
Let’s uncover your strengths, clarify your vision, and find the franchise that fits both.
Your future and your legacy deserve more than wishful thinking. One conversation is the first step toward clarity.
Luke Frey: Franchise Leadership Expert and Author
Luke Frey is a seasoned franchise strategist with over two decades of experience in leadership and business development. His journey from the front lines as a fire chief to the helm of his own successful franchise has equipped him with unique insights into the challenges and triumphs of franchise ownership. As the author of Your Guide to 90-Day Success: The Franchisee’s Strategy for Early Wins, Luke empowers franchisees to achieve early wins and sustainable growth by shortening the steep learning curve of business ownership.
Passionate about helping others succeed, Luke offers actionable strategies that blend practical business acumen with a deep understanding of human dynamics. Through his work, he’s committed to shaping the future of franchising, one successful business at a time.