A lot of really great and very successful businesses have started out home based, whether out of a garage or at the kitchen table. And with the advancements in technology, today a business can be operated just about anywhere! In fact you can even franchise a home based business and there are many advantages in doing so. Let’s explore franchising a home based business now.
Franchising a Home Based Business
Home based businesses are abundant. After all, who doesn’t want to “go to work out of their home?” As a home based business, when your level of success reaches a point where expansion is needed, then at that point it makes sense to move into a small office, warehouse or industrial space. This is very common. The fact that your business is home based DOES NOT preclude it from franchising (learn about other types of businesses that can be franchised)! In fact, having a home based franchise business model can be more attractive and more advantageous for prospective franchisees. Think about it: a home based franchise business means lower start-up costs for franchisees to step into business ownership. Little overhead is attractive to anyone starting their own business.
There are tons of different types of businesses that can either be started from home or can be operated from home forever. Some examples you may be familiar with are: non-medical senior care services, vending machine service businesses, real estate services, after school learning programs, cleaning service businesses and handyman services, just to name a few. Even mobile pet grooming is a great example of a home based business. Home based businesses are more common than you may think.
Keeping Things Flexible
A very attractive feature when you franchise a home based business is flexibility. Perhaps your business gives your franchisee the option of starting their business part-time. Maybe that is what you did when you started your business so why not afford that same luxury to your franchisees. Jumping into a business is scary especially for first time entrepreneurs, so giving them the flexibility to start out part-time and move into full-time is comforting for some and does not seem as risky. This could be a very compelling point that differentiates your franchise business from others, so long as you qualify franchise applicants well to ascertain work ethic which has to do with pre-screening franchise applicants (read how we help when it comes to teaching you how to qualify applicants). The flexibility of working part-time in the business is advantageous so let’s add to that a low barrier to entry (low start-up costs as mentioned above).
Since your business can be started home based this would mean that a franchisee’s total investment to get your business up and running is very low compared to a “brick and mortar business” (check out this article that discusses how to figure out the cost of a franchise). No money will need to be spent on real estate and very likely that no money will need to be spent on leasehold improvements to convert space into work areas. The fact that franchisees will not be handcuffed to a lease right away is also a plus for a home based franchise business. It is also very likely that little inventory will need to be purchased and it may be very possible for a franchisee to use their existing technology items (such as computers, laptops, printers, modems, routers, etc.) eliminating the expense.
Flexibility centered on time and costs are important factors that anyone looking to start a business would evaluate. The fact that you have a business model that has been proven to work and are in a position to share all your secrets (methods, techniques, best practices, etc.) makes it a no brainer for someone who is already passionate about your industry to jump on board and join the system and purchase a franchise (other reasons why people purchase franchises). This is where we step into the picture working with you to put together a very attractive, affordable and comprehensive franchise program for you roll out (see a list of the steps we take to franchise your business).
So when you are thinking about franchising your business don’t let being a home based business deter you! Remember being a home based is NOT an obstacle. In fact, it is to your advantage! To learn more about how you can franchise a home based business call us directly at 1-877-615-5177 or simply send us your contact information.
