Editor’s Note: This article was kindly shared with us by Michael Moorhouse, president of Mosquito Shield. America’s trusted provider of effective residential mosquito and tick control services, Mosquito Shield is part of the Five Star Franchising platform of home service brands and was ranked the #1 franchise in pest control and a top home-based and mobile franchise by Entrepreneur in 2023.
Freedom and flexibility distinguish the franchise industry from other business sectors. Many franchise owners are initially attracted to the field because it offers proven paths to financial independence while also allowing them to set their own schedules. The unique built-in benefits of franchising ensure entrepreneurs can maintain a rewarding work-life balance and enjoy their success without spending all of their time at the office.
Home-based franchise opportunities amplify those advantages. A home-based franchise streamlines operations and encourages efficiencies that can turbocharge your return on investment and dramatically accelerate business growth. By eliminating the costs of real estate and start-up staffing, home-based franchise businesses tend to have a lower cost of entry and are quicker and easier to get up and running. They also typically offer lower overhead once operations have launched.
4 Top Tips to Thrive With Your Home-Based Franchise
Despite these market advantages, it is up to the owners of home-based franchise businesses to maximize their potential. Launching a home-based franchise does not guarantee success.
With that in mind, here are some important principles and best practices to consider before investing in a home-based franchise.
#1: Set a Schedule That Works for You
As the owner of a home-based franchise business, you can develop a work schedule that best suits you and your needs. If you prefer an early start, plan to check email and tend to administrative tasks first thing, freeing the rest of the workday for sales calls and service. If you would rather start later and dive right into customer interactions, you can save email and other management tasks until the afternoon or evening.
Either way, remember that a flexible schedule should enhance efficiency. It should help you reach your goals. Plan ahead so you are working in ways that help you be more productive. You want to be alert and engaged when tackling important tasks that demand high-level critical thinking. Save routine administration for the beginning or end of your day.
#2: Maintain Boundaries
Do not expect to run a fast-growing business from the couch or kitchen table. Set aside dedicated office space to block out distractions and invest in furniture and equipment that keep you comfortable and on task. Discuss your work hours and priorities with friends and family so they will respect the boundaries you set.
As important as it is to be able to focus on business while you are working, it is just as important to leave the home office behind. Too often, home-based entrepreneurs find their business gradually seeping into all aspects of their lives. Working all the time may seem like a shortcut to success, but it frequently results in burnout and lowered productivity. Working from home can start to resemble living at the office. Stepping away to recharge is essential to sustainable business growth.
#3: Remain Flexible
A regular schedule based on your energy levels and expectations provides an important framework for remaining efficient and productive without external supervision. But
continually monitoring your performance and adapting your schedule is equally important. If you notice your focus or energy shifting as the seasons change or as your business grows, experiment with different distributions of your workload until you find what works best.
When you start work and when you finish for the day depends on what works for you. Do not let the schedule you set for yourself become restrictive or inhibit your productivity.
#4: Stay Professional
Just because you set your schedule and take a flexible approach to operations does not mean it is appropriate to take video calls in your pajamas. Remember that you are a professional representing your brand to the world. Casual dress is fine, but you can still present yourself cleanly and crisply to customers and partners. Be as responsive, respectful, and available as you would expect employees to be.
Why Choose a Home-Based Franchise?
Interest in home-based franchises has steadily increased in recent years, in large part because of the convenience and flexibility of the franchise model. As demand rises, home-based business models are becoming more attractive to franchisors. The same factors that appeal to franchise owners – convenience, flexibility, low cost of entry and ongoing operations, and ease of opening – are advantages for franchisors, too.
Ultimately, it is easier and faster to get new home-based opportunity locations up and running. The sooner a new location is generating revenue, the sooner the franchisor is earning royalties. And the faster it is to get new locations open, the easier it is to grow.
A home-based franchise can be an incredible opportunity for many people. Success in a home-based business is not as simple as some potential owners expect, however. As in any business undertaking, building and sustaining a successful home-based franchise requires planning, focus, and attention. But home-based businesses also offer unique flexibility – and unique opportunities to achieve your goals.
Find the Right Home-Based Franchise Opportunity for YOU
Are you excited by the idea of running a business from the comfort of your own home, setting your own schedule, and building a second revenue stream in a way that is attainable and sustainable?
If so, we are here to help. FranCoach is a national search firm dedicated to working with individuals who are interested in owning a franchise. We have partnered with over 600 of the top franchisors in the country, spanning nearly 70 industries.
When we work with clients, our number one goal is to help them find the absolute best franchise for them to own. If you are looking to start a business, build a lasting legacy, make an impact in your community, and be your own boss, franchise ownership might just be the ideal path for you.
Reach out to us to learn more about potentially becoming a franchise owner. There is never any fee for our service, so why not take the first step today toward your better tomorrow?
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