Franchising Mistakes Made Right: Why Trusting Proven Processes Made All The Difference

This article is written from Mack's perspective and I would love to share it with you!

Well, this is hard for me (Mack) to admit.

And, as I type this, I’m sure my wife Sharon is flashing her knowing smile.

Here’s the deal: Sharon is a way better leader than me when it comes to our franchise business.

As a man, especially as a former pastor charged with leading a flock of followers, that’s a bit hard to admit.

But I’m nothing if not practical.

And there’s such a key lesson here for anyone interested in owning and operating a franchise - especially if you’re doing it with your spouse or a family member.

Put the right people in the right seats if you want to be successful!

The Story Behind The Story

For Sharon and myself, leaving our careers as a teacher and preacher behind and opening our painting franchise together was a huge leap of faith.

And, take-charge type that I am, I decided I’d run the show.

In doing so, I made a critical mistake that far too many first-time franchise owners make - I ignored the proven processes and systems put in place by the company when it came to hiring, sales, operations and everything else.

One of the appeals, of course, about franchising is that there is a proven process already in place.

By the time a business gets to the point where it’s been franchised, all the kinks have been worked out, and every operational aspect is mapped out and measured based on previous experience.

Unless you think you’re smarter than the system or just too entrepreneurially-minded, like I was.

Long story short, our home service franchise business floundered out of the gate, leading to a lot of sleepless nights and worry.

Eventually the franchisor called me and said, “Mack, what’s going on with you guys? Are you following our process?”

“Uh, no,” I said.

“And how’s that working out?” he asked.

“Okay, I hear you,” said, all but crying like a baby. “I want to follow the process! I want to follow the process!”

“Good,” he said. “Now put Sharon in charge of the business. She needs to be the owner. Make this a woman-owned business, and let her run the show.”

I did, and things took off as a result.

The Right People in the Right Places

Here’s what I learned about successful franchise ownership: First, you MUST follow the proven processes and systems already in place.

Second, you should put your spouse in charge - especially if he or she is as research-focused, detail-oriented and operationally-obsessed as Sharon.

After swallowing my pride, I quickly pivoted into an area that took advantage of my people skills, passion and endless energy - sales and customer service.

Under the hood of our business, Sharon got things running smoothly, operating the franchise like a well-oiled machine, and I drove around town in my truck doing bids, checking in on our teams and chatting up customers.

As a result, our franchise finished 1st out of 140 in its first year, generating  over a  million in revenue, and we haven’t looked back since.

Ready To Explore Franchising? Let’s Talk!

These days, Sharon and I are on a mission as Franchise Consultants to help others go from “Start” to “Success” when it comes to franchise ownership.

If you’re curious about exploring franchising as a career pivot, investment vehicle or lucrative side hustle, let’s talk!

You can book a free, no obligation call with Mack here and/or a free call with Sharon here.

As Franchise Consultants, there’s no fee for our services.

Rather, our role is to serve as a trusted guide and educational resource, and we’re compensated by franchisors only if and when you decide to move forward with (and are approved for) franchise ownership.

Lastly, you can learn more about our story and how YOU can follow in our footsteps via the Franchise Together Podcast here: https://franchise-together.onpodium.co

We look forward to connecting with you soon!