Why opening a franchise is smarter than starting your own small business

Cincinatti, OH -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/03/2011 -- Starting your own business can be tough in any business climate. Especially in these economic times, it can be hard to find the time and energy to create a new start-up. That is why opening a franchise can be a smarter investment. With franchising, you own your own business, but you also benefit from structure and support from a corporate office. Below are some of the top reasons why franchising is a great option for those seeking their own business venture.

Reason 1: Less Risky. Opening a franchise is a lot less risky than starting your own small business. The franchise already has a proven business model to follow that is supported by a record of success. All of the start-up work is established with added guidance and you can start a business with a more defined ramp up for your benefit.

Reason 2: Brand Recognition. You already have a brand that is proven to be recognized by consumers. You do not have to worry about building a reputation for a new business from scratch, because the franchisors have already done that for you and provide key tools in advertising, marketing and public relations to drive brand recognition faster. You can start a business with a company that already has many of the right tools in place, guidance and coaching to help you use the tools correctly, and multiple mechanisms to build the brand in your local market.

Reason 3: Advertising. The advertising and marketing tools and planning have already being done for your product or service. With a franchise, you may have local, regional and national advertising and marketing at your fingertips. In addition, since your business' marketing budget joins forces with other franchise locations, you get more bang for your buck.

Reason 4: Support, Support, Support. With a franchise, you buy into a structured support system that is there to help you open your own successful business. The corporate office wants you to succeed and they are there to support you in many different ways such as marketing, advertising, training, technology, purchasing programs, operational guidance, mentoring etc. They have created a successful business, so they have deep experience, expert advice and best practices for you to draw from in this new business venture.

Reason 5: Training. One great thing about a franchise is that you are trained on how to run a successful business specific to the model you purchased. If you were to start your own business, you may feel like you are in the dark about a lot of things, but with a franchise you are trained on how to be successful and that is gold.

These five reasons can make franchising a much more attractive business venture for entrepreneurs than starting from scratch. It is not for everyone, but franchising should definitely be considered in all scenarios. Do you have other reasons that you think should have been included? We would love to hear from you. Leave a comment or DM me on Twitter @JBevisFranchise.

About FirstLight HomeCare
FirstLight HomeCare creates a new standard in non-medical, in-home care customized for seniors, new mothers and those recovering from illness, injury or surgery. The demand for high-quality in-home care is at an all-time high, with more than 12 percent of Americans over 65 and wanting to remain independent for as long as possible. FirstLight HomeCare combines best practices of a dynamic senior leadership team with more than 110 years of collective senior care experience and innovative approaches to make this franchise an emerging market leader in a fast-growing industry. FirstLight HomeCare franchises have exclusive access to Foundation FirstSM, the best-in-class franchise support system bringing together 26 franchise essentials, unmatched in the industry. Prime territories are going quickly, for more information please visit www.firstlightfranchise.com. Follow CEO Jeff Bevis on Twitter @jbevisfranchise and read his blog TheIndependenceBlog.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

CEO of FirstLight Homecare, Jeff Bevis, gives tips about the franchise world

Cincinatti, OH -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/03/2011 -- Franchise opportunities are growing. While fast food and quick service restaurants dominate the franchise arena, 'Health and Wellness' is the second fastest growing sector. There are weight loss centers, supplement retail stores and home health/senior home care businesses with Franchisors such as FirstLight Home Care. This means the opportunities for business ownership are growing, especially for those that want to get into the booming healthcare industry. Whether you have just considered the idea of franchise ownership, or are beginning the process of investigating franchise systems, I would like to offer some advice to help you make the right choice when selecting a franchise. It is critical to insure you find the "right fit" for both your search criteria, as well as, the franchise owner criteria of the franchisor.

Tip 1: Be Inspired. You have to feed your passion. Your chance of success increases exponentially if you have a burning desire for the industry. That said don't be blinded by passion, make sure that you complete your due diligence. Don't buy a franchise because you think it looks attractive and you want to jump into healthcare, instead buy a franchise because you have thoroughly researched the market, the environmental factors and the product/service being offered. Is this something you can enjoy thinking about or managing every day?

In the senior/home care business you need to be inspired by helping people and working with people everyday. If you are not a "people person," senior care is not the right selection. Once you know where your inspiration comes from, pay attention to the corporate culture of the Franchisor and make sure it is in sync with your ideals so that you will be able to thrive in that system. If you have passion for your business and for the system you work within, you will have a personal investment in addition to a financial investment. This combination positions you for success. Make sure you feel very strongly about the culture, the team and the approach and will continue to be inspired by your work for years to come.

Tip 2: Know Your Needs. You need to take inventory of the most precious resource – YOU! Undertake a brutally honest self-assessment to understand where you thrive, where you lack skills and in what areas of the business you are most comfortable or uncomfortable. With this in mind, clearly understand the levels of support the Franchisor provides. Some franchise systems have great operational support but rely on the owner for sales outreach, if this is the case, do you have the drive for sales? If you are a strong sales person, but don't have any business financial experience, you will want to buy a franchise with strong financial training and support. Be sure to check the details and the commitment level of the franchisor.

At FirstLight Home Care we require a two-person approach right from the start in order to allow one person to focus on networking/ community outreach and the other to focus on operations/caregiver recruiting. We understand that most people don't excel in both skill sets and from experience, we know networking/outreach and operational/recruiting skills are required for the highest success potential. We want our franchise owners best positioned to excel and this is one of the ways we help make that happen. It is important to be honest with yourself about what skills you bring to the table and where you will need support to succeed.

Tip 3: Have Personal Support. Embarking on a new business venture not only requires business acumen, you'll need a personal support system to provide encouragement, guidance and help you achieve your life goals. From a business perspective, you need Franchisor support, but what about your fears and insecurities? Do you have the emotional wherewithal to sustain a small business?

All new business endeavors are challenging, especially in the beginning. Owning a business will always come with a set of emotional and leadership challenges and you need a support system to continually face and meet those challenges. Your friends and family may be great sounding boards, but also consider who your mentor(s) can be. If you don't have a business mentor, start by having informal meetings with other business owners you know for the purpose of discussing business related issues. This is a great way to get expert advice, solve common challenges and alleviate fears. Having a personal support system is just as important as having a great Franchisor support system.

In summary, matching personal interest with the industry opportunity, honest self-assessment and a personal support network are crucial elements for anyone considering a franchise. Don't leave home without it.

About FirstLight HomeCare
FirstLight HomeCare creates a new standard in non-medical, in-home care customized for seniors, new mothers and those recovering from illness, injury or surgery. The demand for high-quality in-home care is at an all-time high, with more than 12 percent of Americans over 65 and wanting to remain independent for as long as possible. FirstLight HomeCare combines best practices of a dynamic senior leadership team with more than 110 years of collective senior care experience and innovative approaches to make this franchise an emerging market leader in a fast-growing industry. FirstLight HomeCare franchises have exclusive access to Foundation FirstSM, the best-in-class franchise support system bringing together 26 franchise essentials, unmatched in the industry. Prime territories are going quickly, for more information please visit www.firstlightfranchise.com. Follow CEO Jeff Bevis on Twitter @jbevisfranchise and read his blog TheIndependenceBlog.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

CEO of FirstLight Homecare, Jeff Bevis, discusses keys to success

Cincinatti, OH -- (SBWIRE) --10/03/2011 -- In these trying times, starting a new business can seem like a dream, however if you are smart and willing to take a risk, it can provide a strong potential for both success and personal satisfaction. I have been involved with a range of organizations, small to medium to Fortune 500 businesses in my career, and have learned a lot from these experiences.

During my years in business, I have learned that success can be achieved if you take the time to devote yourself fully to your new business. Below is a list of my top ten factors that can only enhance your chances of creating a successful small business venture.

1) Passion: This can be a huge factor in whether or not your business is going to take off. If you do not have a passion for what you are going to do, then you are not going to want to spend the amount of time needed to make your business successful.

2) Ambition: Creating a successful small business takes a certain type of individual. This person must have ambition.

3) Risk-Taker: You must be willing to take risks when starting a business otherwise you will never be able to hit the ground running.

4) Goals: Setting goals is an important part of the planning for your business. When you set goals, you set key expectations for yourself.

5) Smart Business Model: Along with setting goals comes creating a smart business plan and model that will allow your company to grow and succeed. Researching the flaws and strengths of successful business models in a number of industries is a great way to solidify ideas for your own pursuit.

6) Focused Strategy: Having a strategy also means knowing what you want to do with your business and where you want to take it. Setting a focused strategy specific to your companies needs is essential.

7) A Research Driven Marketing Plan: In order for your business to succeed you need clients and customers. So, start from the beginning. Know your target market and set up a marketing plan to gain their attention and set yourself apart with your services.

8) High Standards for Client Satisfaction: Once you gain customers, you want to keep them. So setting a high standard for your employees to keep customer satisfaction up is also necessary.

9) High Standards for Employee Satisfaction: You also want to keep your employees happy in your new business. High employee turnover is very costly and gives off negative vibes around the work place. Make your business somewhere your employees want to be and not some place they have to be. Set yourself apart as being the "employer of choice" in your market.

10) Stay Up to Date: Keeping up with the changing times is essential. You must keep your business up to date or you risk falling behind.

These keys to success are not automatic, but they are great to keep in mind when running a small business and can make a BIG difference in your progress. What other small business tips do you have? I would love to hear about them, share with me on TheIndpendenceBlog.com.

About FirstLight HomeCare
FirstLight HomeCare creates a new standard in non-medical, in-home care customized for seniors, new mothers and those recovering from illness, injury or surgery. The demand for high-quality in-home care is at an all-time high, with more than 12 percent of Americans over 65 and wanting to remain independent for as long as possible. FirstLight HomeCare combines best practices of a dynamic senior leadership team with more than 110 years of collective senior care experience and innovative approaches to make this franchise an emerging market leader in a fast-growing industry. FirstLight HomeCare franchises have exclusive access to Foundation FirstSM, the best-in-class franchise support system bringing together 26 franchise essentials, unmatched in the industry. Prime territories are going quickly, for more information please visit http:/www.firstlightfranchise.com. Follow CEO Jeff Bevis on Twitter @jbevisfranchise and read his blog TheIndependenceBlog.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Jeff Bevis, CEO of FirstLight Homecare, discusses what he has learned in the franchise business

Cincinatti, OH -- (SBWIRE) --10/03/2011 -- A successful franchise system is founded on key principles, integrity, great execution and a lot of hard work to build and support an operating system for the benefit of the franchise owners. As we've built FirstLight HomeCare, there have been four core components to our foundation:

1) We believe in people. Enabling prospective entrepreneurs to explore our business, get to know them very well and confirm a path for mutual success. Our selection and qualification process is pretty rigid, but it only serves to reinforce our belief of "extraordinary people….exceptional care". We firmly believe, know and see this is true in the people on our team as caregivers, team members, business owners and our provider partners.

2) Absolute focus on service quality and delivery of our services to every client, every family in every community every day. We have a strong, proven basis for our services. We are helping a whole range of clients and their families with the very highest level of service in the industry. We are passionate about service metrics, measuring our performance with every client and continually finding ways to provide a "wow experience" when any one has contact with FirstLight HomeCare;

3) We pride ourselves on maintaining sound business practices with high integrity and ethical standards in every aspect of our business. Our reputation is golden to us—in every community, in every state all across the country—and we strive to insure our reputation and our brand stand for service leadership. We strive to simply "do the right thing" in all scenarios to deliver a great service experience to our clients and make a difference in peoples' lives.

4) We are students of our industry, of service excellence and of success. We monitor all aspects of the non-medical home care industry, as well as, other related industries as healthcare delivery is evolving. Healthcare, and even more specifically senior care, are industries in rapid change right now due to many factors. To be the service leader, continual and increasing knowledge must be sought to stay abreast of changes and opportunities to insure our highest achievement of present—-and future—success.

About FirstLight HomeCare
FirstLight HomeCare creates a new standard in non-medical, in-home care customized for seniors, new mothers and those recovering from illness, injury or surgery. The demand for high-quality in-home care is at an all-time high, with more than 12 percent of Americans over 65 and wanting to remain independent for as long as possible. FirstLight HomeCare combines best practices of a dynamic senior leadership team with more than 110 years of collective senior care experience and innovative approaches to make this franchise an emerging market leader in a fast-growing industry. FirstLight HomeCare franchises have exclusive access to Foundation FirstSM, the best-in-class franchise support system bringing together 26 franchise essentials, unmatched in the industry. Prime territories are going quickly.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm