The Entrepreneur Authority team attended the annual International Franchise Association Convention last week and learned a lot about what is going on right now in the franchise marketplace.

We will share it all with you tomorrow – Thursday, Feb. 23 — via a free live webinar at 1:30 p.m. CT.

During this one-hour complimentary webinar, you will hear about:

• The pros and cons of investing in a franchise…and the common pitfalls to avoid;
• The legal considerations of owning a franchise...and how to protect your interests;
• The hottest industries and franchise opportunities…as well as the industries that are trending downward;
• The realities of financing your business in today’s lending climate…and some options that may surprise you;
• The best process for selecting the RIGHT business…and what NOT to do!

You’ll also have a chance to ask questions and have them answered by our team of franchise business ownership experts.

The webinar is free, but you need to pre-register.  You can register online at:

http://www.eAuth.com/upcoming-e-learning

You may also register by calling 866-246-2884. 

The Entrepreneur Authority team is in Orlando today at the annual International Franchise Association Convention.  We are learning a lot about what is going on right now in the franchise marketplace and want to share it with you as soon as possible – which is why we have scheduled a live webinar for next Thursday, Feb. 23 at 1:30 p.m. CT.

During this one-hour free webinar, you will hear about:

• The pros and cons of investing in a franchise…and the common pitfalls to avoid;
• The legal considerations of owning a franchise…and how to protect your interests;
• The hottest industries and franchise opportunities…as well as the industries that are trending downward;
• The realities of financing your business in today’s lending climate…and some options that may surprise you;
• The best process for selecting the RIGHT business…and what NOT to do!

During our live one-hour webinar, you will have the opportunity to ask questions and have them answered by our team of franchise business ownership experts.

The webinar is free, but you need to pre-register.  You can register online at:

http://www.eAuth.com/upcoming-e-learning

You may also register by calling 972-731-6766. 

We look forward to sharing with you these valuable insights into owning your own business!

For many veterans, transitioning from the military to civilian life can be difficult.

Needless to say, for the thousands of veterans that have made the transition over the past few years, most have found the success they were looking for.

But what is it that makes veterans so compatible to franchising?

More and more franchises are putting in a serious effort to recruit veterans, because of how much a natural fit franchising is for them.

Here are 5 Ways Franchises Operate Just Like the Military:

1. Structure. In the military, there is a clear chain of command and rank – and the same goes for franchising. As a franchisee, you’re head of your franchise’s operations, and are responsible for the execution of successful tasks, team leadership, and strategic direction. However, you’re able to take training, support, and guidance from the franchisor – a sort of central command center – to help optimize your success.

2. Systems and Processes. Veterans are highly adept at closely following systems and processes to help them achieve their missions. In the military, missions are broken down into objectives that need to be meticulously adhered to in order to attain a successful operation. The same is true in franchising, where franchisees aim to replicate the tried-and-true formulas that made all the other franchisees so successful.

3. Goal-Oriented Missions. Each day, a franchisee has one thing in mind: how to best optimize their franchise to achieve maximum success. With specific goals in mind – from sales and profit, to team performance and customer service – franchisees can track performance indicators as they strive to achieve all goals.

4. Problem Solving Under Pressure. Nobody knows stress under pressure like the brave men and women that serve our country; they put their lives, and their comrades’ lives, on the line for our freedom. While franchising takes place in a civilian area, the pressure is still high – and veterans thrive at finding quick, efficient, and effective solutions to problems under pressure.

5. Close Comrades. It’s no secret that the bonds shared between military comrades is a special one. In franchising, that same close-knit camaraderie exists, where franchisees lean on one another for support as they strive towards the same goal.

To learn more about entrepreneurship through franchising, attend our free monthly webinar, Franchise Ownership as a More Stable Career Path. The webinar is free, but you need to pre-register, which you can do online by clicking on the linked seminar title.

You may also register by calling 866-246-2884.

Confidence in entrepreneurship is key to success, but the most successful entrepreneurs know there’s always more to learn.

That’s why so many successful entrepreneurs and business owners seek new knowledge and wisdom, and rely on mentors to support them throughout their learning processes.

Here are 5 Reasons Every Entrepreneur Needs a Mentor:

1. You don’t know everything. As much as we all may want to think we know everything, sometimes we don’t. Or, we could, but it would be an inefficient use of time to spend figuring it out. That’s where a mentor’s guidance can really help you optimize your time.

2. You want to know everything. Entrepreneurs should be hungry for knowledge, and rightly so: knowledge is power. Being able to pick the brain of an established and successful mentor can help you quickly develop your knowledge, and gain a competitive advantage over the competition.

3. Camaraderie. Owning a business can sometimes be a lonely pursuit, especially in the beginning. Being able to spend time or talk to someone who’s been there – even if it isn’t about business, but another common interest – can really help keep you remain focused and reassured on your entrepreneurial journey.

4. It will make you think. Having a mentor who challenges you and asks tough question will ultimately help your business. Respect their experience and critical thinking, and use what you learn to optimize your business processes.

5. Because failure happens. To everyone. You’re going to have successes and failures as an entrepreneur, and a mentor will give you a helping hand of support when you need it (or a kick in the pants to get you in the right direction).

To learn more about entrepreneurship through franchising, attend our free monthly webinar, Franchise Ownership as a More Stable Career Path. The webinar is free, but you need to pre-register, which you can do online by clicking on the linked seminar title.

You may also register by calling 866-246-2884.

There is no Am I ready for this? question to ask yourself in the military.

Missions are completed under strict orders, and as combatants you must follow each objective carefully and meticulously in order to be successful.

In the line of duty, it often takes unfathomable courage, teamwork, belief, and fearlessness. For this, your country is forever in your debt.

Being ready for a franchising mission takes self-reflection, time

As you leave the military and become an honourable veteran, many veterans will wonder what’s the next mission in life – Where do I take my life after serving my country for so many years?

Many veterans succeed as entrepreneurs, especially in franchising, because of their outstanding attention-to-detail, process-following, problem solving, and leadership skills.

Simply put, there are rules and systems to be followed, similar to those found in the military.

While it’s important to take some time to reflect, take into account that franchising is perhaps the closest replication to the military – meaning a transition into a new civilian will be easier, as countless other veterans in franchising have proven.

Vets should understand the costs, expectations, and journey

Although the start-up franchising costs aren’t cheap – often in the five-figure or above range – many franchisors offer franchise-fee discounts and other incentives to veterans. That’s because veterans excel at owning and operating franchises, and deserve to be rewarded for the value they bring.

However, this new career path won’t necessarily be an easy mission.

Rewarding? Yes, absolutely. Challenging? Almost certainly. 

Invest yourself in the beginning, for the long haul

Especially in the beginning stages of owning a franchise, new franchisees will need to ensure they hire the right staff, establish a strong team-focused business culture, and optimize daily efficiencies to ensure profits are maximized.

And while hours as a business owner can be flexible, owning a business means that the majority of the work will likely need to be done by you, unless you’ve hired a management to oversee operations.

But the successful end result is liberating – knowing you became an entrepreneur.

And for many veterans, this is a mission that changes their lives forever.

To learn more about entrepreneurship through franchising, attend our free monthly webinar, Franchise Ownership as a More Stable Career Path. The webinar is free, but you need to pre-register, which you can do online by clicking on the linked seminar title.

You may also register by calling 866-246-2884.