There’s an old saying that those seeking the pomp and grandeur of being a business owner will usually fail at the endeavor, while those who have a level head and realistic expectations will rise to greatness. That being said, what are the traits of a successful business owner, or in this case, a dynamite franchisee? Is it as simple as running the numbers and showing up every day?
Definitely not. To run a successful franchise location and build your portfolio, it pays to have a few key personality traits at the ready. Not everyone has these traits, but some are capable of learning them with a little patience and discipline. Read on to find out if you’ve got what it takes.
You Love Change
This is perhaps the biggest and most important trait one must have to be a successful franchisee. Change is everywhere, and it’s taking place every second of our existence. Those who embrace change set themselves up for success, while others who are afraid of it risk dooming themselves to failure. Embracing change means you’re flexible, versatile and ready to take on new challenges that defy the status quo. Efficient routines are great, but there’s always (literally) room for improvement, and a good franchisee will enjoy trying to tweak the business to be a little bit better, each day. This trait also allows franchisees to deal with unforeseen problems that might creep up unexpectedly. If you can’t handle the pressure of a thrown-off routine, this isn’t the business for you.
You Love People
Franchising is all about people – namely your patrons. It’s exciting to create a franchise location and welcome customers into your establishment so they can partake of what you have to offer, and the smiles on their faces (not to mention the 5-star reviews) make it all worthwhile. There’s something semi-tactile and tangible about putting yourself out there and having your customers react positively to it, and it’s a feeling money can’t buy. Therefore, if you’re not a people person, it’s going to be very hard to experience this emotion, much less allow it to spur you on to greater success. You’ll also have a lousy time dealing with your employees as well. Indeed, franchising is not a suitable endeavor for misanthropes and nihilists. On the contrary, making others happy should make you happy.
You Lead By Example
Once again, if your goal as a franchisee is to lord it over everyone, you’re approaching the entire concept wrong. Franchising is a learning experience. It should be as humbling as it is rewarding, and that means having a down to earth attitude is a vital component of the mix. Leading by example as a franchisee means rolling up your sleeves once in and a while and doing what’s necessary to show your team the way. If that means scrubbing the floors, wiping down the kitchen or getting behind the cash register, so be it. The best workers know that no job is too menial. As a franchisee, you set the standards, and watching your employees and managers follow your example is a feeling that will pay dividends for years to come.
You Don’t Chicken Out
Being a franchisee means having confidence in yourself and recognizing your own strengths. That doesn’t mean you need to be made of steel, however. Indeed, admitting you’re afraid of the unknown takes great courage, and that alone should spur your confidence. The beauty of franchising is the ability to have a dedicated franchisor ready to help you out with whatever you need. Remember, they’ve done most of the heavy lifting for you already, and they know the formula for success. The rest is up to you. With such a strong backing right from the start, how could you not feel empowered? Remember, nobody was born an expert at everything. The most successful franchise owners made mistakes, learned from them, and applied practical solutions that helped drive them to open up several other franchise locations and build their portfolio.
Never Show Panic
It’s Okay to feel panic once in a while. After all, we’re only human. You might encounter a situation you didn’t expect that caught you totally by surprise, and these wonderful little explosions tend to take on a variety of forms, from opening day blunders to a downed ticketing system. Scream all you want on the inside, but remain cool as a secret agent on the outside. Remember that your employees and your patrons are watching. There’s a solution to every problem, but sometimes you need to absorb a knock or two, take it on the chin, shrug and laugh it off. The next day will be better.
How many of these personality traits do you identify with? If you said “all of them,” then goodness knows why you’re still reading this article! Contact us today to discuss firing up your very own St. Louis franchise! We’re ready to work with you, every step of the way.
