In the Modern Gig Economy Why Not Make Your Gig a Franchise?

The data is conclusive, the results are in and the gig economy is growing at a remarkable pace. Large and small businesses alike are outsourcing roles and responsibilities that were once corporate staples to freelancers looking for a gig. This ranges from IT support, marketing, personal assistants and more. Meanwhile,  workers in droves sick of the corporate structure are branching out into self employment by picking up these very gigs. For some it is a side income, but for others they have been able to make an entire living picking up these freelance jobs. The risk of not being able to find enough work is certainly there and many of the corporate benefits such as healthcare, paid time off and more are missing. However, the call to be the captain of one’s own destiny is too compelling for some. If you find yourself in a similar boat looking to branch out beyond your own horizon, perhaps it’s time to consider an alternative gig. This is a self-employed venture that comes with much of the same structure and support one might expect from a corporate structure, but with all the benefits of being master of your own destiny. Considering a gig this year? Why not step into the structured world of franchising and chart your own path into a future without precedent.

The Best of Both Worlds

There is a certainly duality to franchising that will make your head spin if let it. As a franchisee you are indeed your own boss. That being you said you represent a brand who will have a say over many things you do from how you cut the onion to what you wear to work. As an entrepreneur, your success will ride on your shoulders and your shoulders alone. That being said, you have an entire brand that is heavily invested in your success. They will lay out the formula and you need but follow it with gusto.

Many freelancers who flee the corporate world are often met with a rude awakening as to just how much they relied on the structure offered by their organization. From the time they start work in the morning to mitigating the distractions in the workplace, jobs can serve a basic function to keep workers on task. However, when you step into the world of freelancing in the gig economy it becomes the wild west out there where anything goes. It is entirely incumbent upon the freelancer to self-police and discipline themselves for productivity.

What if it didn’t have to be the wild west? What if you had a location to attend, employees to manage and a certain customer driven level of productivity to meet each day? If you consider franchising your gig, then in many cases you get the best of both worlds. You get to be your own boss within the structure of an organization. You could fall asleep at noon in your pajamas as you browse for freelance jobs. Or perhaps you show up to work to lead and inspire your employees as you always did. Except this time, they truly are your employees. You can flee the corporate world without fleeing the structure and familiarity it provides.

Your Gig Can Literally Be Anything

Another challenge to freelancing in the gig economy is that your gig is in many cases limited by your individual skill set. If you are talented at writing then you become a freelance writer. If you write code for computer programs then you are now a coder. It’s not an entirely bad set up as our skills should often dictate our work. We wouldn’t recommend quitting your corporate job to become a freelance musician if you can’t carry a tune or keep a beat. However, franchising is not limited in this nature as with a little skill and industrious spirit your gig can be anything that has even been franchised.

Whether you fancy yourself a baker, cook, businessperson or salesperson there is a gig/franchise for you. Even better, you can pick multiple industries in which to dabble. If you love wine then consider a spirits and wine store. If you love to cook consider one of the countless franchises that offer food. Your primary role as the franchisee is to oversee the success of the business based on the already proven formulas of success. You can literally have never eaten a piece of fried chicken in your life and then open up a series of KFC restaurants if you like.

This flexibility also allows you to choose a franchise in demand in your current market. Whereas we are unsure what the demand for a freelance saxophone player in Memphis, TN might be there is tons of market data on franchises. Your gig doesn’t have to be a guess. With well thought out reasoned and market driven data, you can choose the gig that your local economy demands.

So What’s Holding You Back?

If you currently find yourself stuck in corporate America it would be wise to take a look around and take stock. Are vital positions somehow disappearing and yet, the task is completed as usual. Perhaps what once took an entire team to complete now only requires one employee who spends a lot of time on the phone. The gig economy is growing and it is showing no sign of slowing down. It’s an economy in demand by both the employer looking to streamline cost and the employee seeking more individual freedom. Where demand and demand meet, you be certain this is a trend that will continue.

For most, the only thing holding them back is the insecurity of it all. How can you take out a mortgage when you don’t even have freelance jobs lined up for next month? What happens if you get sick and can’t work for a few weeks? Corporate America offers these types of reassurances, but so can franchising. Next month, America will still want to eat pizza so your established Domino’s franchise is a reliable source of income. Moreover, America will still want to eat their pizza if you are in bed with the flu. Just as long as you were not the one who prepared or delivered it.

Franchising offers the flexibility and freedom associated with the gig economy along with the structure and support of the established franchise. It really can be the best of both worlds. So if the gig economy appeals to you, but you are a little timid