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PRESS RELEASE

Date: 29th September 2016

Title: Five Reasons Why Purchasing a Franchise is a Good Business Move

By: Chris Buitron, Chief Marketing Office of Council member, Senior Helpers

From sandwich shops to travel agencies and even hair salons, more and more
franchise businesses are opening every day, and theyre here to stay. According to
the International Franchise Association, franchise small businesses will once again
grow at rates that exceed non-franchise business growth this year. So whats the
allure? Its nice to buy into an already-successful business model, but beyond that there
are many benefits to starting a franchise business. With National Franchise
Appreciation Day being celebrated tomorrow, I thought Id shed some light on a few
reasons why you should consider opening a franchise:

1. Follow Your Passion

One of the greatest advantages of purchasing a franchise is that you can pick an
industry that youre passionate about. Whether its your longtime kickboxing
hobby that inspires you to open a kickboxing center or an affinity for helping
aging seniors after watching a parent deal with the issues that come with the
golden oldies, opening your own franchise allows you the power to choose what
you want. Now is the time to be selfish and picky, after all, its your business!
Picking an industry you feel passionate about will set you up for long-term
success since the work will feel more stimulating and rewarding. If you love what
you do, youll never work a day in your life!

2. Be a Part of a Team While Building Your Own

Investing in a franchise allows you the opportunity to be a part of a team and
have support that will help you along the way. Most franchise models will walk
you through the franchise system, guiding you through site selection to
construction, training and even ongoing marketing and sales support. Theres a
sense of relief knowing that the franchise invests in you and cares about your
success just as much as you do.
3. Challenge Yourself
Im not going to lie; starting a franchise is hard work. You have to make the
commitment to want to succeed and you cant cut corners. For example, an
unexpected challenge weve seen with some of the franchisees who open
a Senior Helpers facility is hiring good quality staff. This proves to be more
challenging than anticipated, since theyre working in an industry in the business
of helping others. If possible, talk to other franchise owners in different industries
beforehand to see what challenges they may have faced and any advice they
can offer. There may be some unexpected road blocks along the way, but as
long as you have the right attitude and put in the effort, you will succeed.

4. Flexible Hours and Schedule

Creating a work/life balance is talked about so often because it is hard work! Its
easy to get caught up spending countless hours at work while missing valuable
moments with family and friends. The Wall Street Journal reported that the
median age of franchise owners is 45 54, so the majority of them have already
settled down and have children by the time they open a franchise. Did you know
the word franchise is of Anglo-French derivationfrom franc, meaning free?
Depending on the industry, becoming a franchise owner can give you the
opportunity to build your own hours and free up your schedule to fit in personal
matters, such as school events or childcare needs.

5. More Likely to Succeed

According to About.com, some studies show that franchises have a success rate
of approximately 90 percent as compared to only about 15 percent for
businesses that are started from the ground up. By picking a good franchisor,
you know that they have already faced the major hurdles and established a solid
foundation. Working with a well-known brand that has proven success is like
purchasing a bookshelf with set-up instructions. You know that if you follow the
instructions, youll end up with a sturdy bookshelf. Now imagine building that
bookshelf with no instructions. You can probably figure it out but it may not be as
sturdy or it can easily collapse over time, just like a startup.

As you evaluate the decision to start a franchise business, always remember that
you have control over your personal and professional life. Take into
consideration your passions, corporate needs, and work/life balance in order to
find a franchisor that works for you. Once you have done your research and
picked a match for you, youre halfway there on starting a great new endeavor!
This press release was distributed by the International Trade Council.
International Trade Council Member news does not necessarily represent the views of the
Trade Council nor the Council's employees. For more information on the International Trade
council please visit http://www.tradecouncil.org or drop by on Twitter at
http:/www.twitter.com/inttradecouncil