“I think our biggest aha moment was when we were trying to figure out the right profile of candidates to join HOMEstretch. For us, it ultimately boiled down to the people themselves. Part of what we wanted to do at the outset was create a really dynamic culture where everybody believed in our mission of becoming the national leader in the home preparation space, and we got people in the door who truly wanted to create big businesses. I think that's what’s unique about HOMEstretch. It's a really good opportunity for somebody who wants to be an entrepreneur with the guardrails and the processes that we provide. Our business is a little bit different from some other opportunities. We're not asking our franchisees to spend a ton of money on marketing to kind of sit back and wait for the leads to come in. Our franchisees are going out to market, developing true relationships with real estate agents and referral sources, and building a moat around this business that will carry over for years. So getting the right people who wanted to roll up their sleeves and build a business that way and grow an empire was probably the biggest lesson we learned early. This really helped us hone in our candidate profile to get those types of people through the door.”

Franchising is a two-way street—not only do candidates choose a business, but franchisors also seek the right franchisees. This franchise isn’t for passive owners; it’s for driven entrepreneurs who align with its mission, actively build relationships, and take charge of growth. The vetting process ensures that franchisees fit the culture and long-term vision, not just the business model. We guide our clients to find opportunities that not only meet their income and lifestyle goals but also align with their values and work style.

We cover many current and relevant topics. A few include:

◈ An example of a successful partnership and why it works

◈ Focusing on solutions rather than the problems

◈ The difference in having a big marketing spend vs. community involvement to develop business

“It is so long. But it was sure worth it. It's similar to taking a personality test where you’re trying to figure out what will work. Initially, I thought I would have to do something in insurance. That's what I have a background in. And then you said something to the effect that my new business may not be something I’ve done before. So, I thought ‘ok go big or go home! Let's see what the test questions and assessments will come up with.’”

Many clients assume they should stay in their current industry when exploring business ownership, but that’s a common misconception. That’s why we use tools like our Entrepreneur Profile and take the time to build a business model with you. We dive deep into your goals, strengths, lifestyle preferences, and what you truly enjoy. Our matchmaking process is thorough—it takes time and commitment because investing in a business isn’t a decision to rush. The goal is to reach a clear yes or no. If it’s a no, it’s an informed decision. If it’s a yes, you can move forward with confidence, knowing you’ve done your due diligence.

We cover many current and relevant topics. A few include:

◈ The importance of being flexible when you’re coming out of corporate America and starting your own business

◈ How to properly plan for a transition from being an employee to becoming an entrepreneur

◈ Transferrable skill sets can lead to new and exciting opportunities

“Talk to other business owners in your area to learn about permitting and their experiences. Understand your local fire code requirements and ADA regulations, as these vary by state. If you're in a hurricane-prone area like I am, you may need extra insurance coverage. I also planned for at least six extra months of operating capital. Get involved in local groups like the Rotary Club or Chamber of Commerce to network with other business owners. Another valuable resource is the Small Business Development Center, which provides market research. They helped me understand the competition in areas like painting, blinds, and automotive services in Galveston. They have access to detailed sales data, giving great insight into the local market.”

Starting a new business, even with a franchise, comes with challenges. The more groundwork you lay, the better prepared you’ll be for success. While franchisors and fellow franchisees offer valuable support, it’s also essential to get involved in your local community.

Erich’s tips highlight the power of thorough research and community engagement. By networking with local business owners, understanding regulatory requirements, and utilizing resources like the Small Business Development Center, future entrepreneurs can gain market insights, reduce risk, and plan for success. These strategies emphasize a proactive, well-rounded approach to business ownership. Building a strong foundation through knowledge and networking is much more than just a good idea.

We cover many current and relevant topics. A few include:

◈ Mitigating risk by keeping your job IF you have flexibility

◈ Why exceptional training trumps the need for industry experience

◈ The importance of networking and community involvement when you’re opening a new business

“What I love to share is that high success in franchising only happens when you pick the right business. Do the self-introspection first. Do the modeling. Very few people have purchased a business before. They don't know all the different things they need to consider. We take them through 10 to 14 different criteria. We look at their skill sets and seek to understand the transferable skills they enjoy. What are the things they don't like to do? And then we look at multiple businesses. You shouldn't look at only one business, you should learn from several businesses simultaneously. The first step is creating a business model with the client’s criteria.

Think back to when you were dating, when you were looking for that life partner, did you not have ideal specifications? There are ‘must haves’ and ‘nice to haves’.

A franchise is a business marriage. You're signing on for five, ten years, or longer, so you want to make sure that the must-have criteria are there and a lot of the nice-to-have criteria are there - and what must not be there. This is where roles like what you do and what I do help. We shine the light in the dark corners of the room where the prospects aren't even thinking of looking. So, good, bad, or indifferent, they have to square off with it.”

Finding the right franchise or business requires a structured, thoughtful approach. Rather than impulsively choosing a familiar brand, candidates should reflect on their transferable skills, preferences, and non-negotiables to ensure a strong long-term fit. After all, a franchise is a "business marriage" that demands alignment for lasting success.

Partnering with an expert provides personalized guidance to uncover commonly overlooked factors in the decision-making process. By addressing these critical considerations, we empower candidates to make informed choices and set the foundation for long-term success.

We cover many current and relevant topics. A few include:

◈ The importance of finding the “right” franchise

◈ What sets top performers apart in franchising

◈ A few things you shouldn’t do to be successful

“Every moment of my life, from being a practicing lawyer to coming here and working in a gas station where I was breaking down boxes, cleaning and stocking the shelves, I was never bummed out. I knew this was a learning opportunity for me. I learned about the community and building customer relationships. I also learned the details of working hard. Every moment presented to you in your life - get something out of it. Your many experiences will add up to help you become who you want to be and get to where you want to be. ”

Attitude is key. Andy’s growth mindset shows that every experience, no matter how small, builds valuable skills. Aspiring business owners should embrace their journey, knowing that each step and skill learned contributes to long-term success.

We cover many current and relevant topics. A few include:

◈ Impacting your community through a business

◈ Investing in your people and building teams

◈ Recognizing opportunities

“During that time, we didn't just build out Massage Envy. The free cash flow allowed us to make other real estate and private equity investments. I firmly believe that a business is a vehicle to help you generate other income-producing assets. Some people aim to simply replace working for the man by running their own business. I get that. The reality is you can do so much more when you build a business, and by diversifying and getting other income-producing assets with it as well.”

Investing in the right business is about more than replacing a job - it’s an opportunity to build wealth and diversify your finances. Entrepreneurship holds transformative potential, turning a single venture into a lasting foundation for true financial independence.

We cover many current and relevant topics. A few include:

◈ Creating a list of specific financial goals

◈ There is always some level of fear when venturing into a new franchise endeavor

◈ Being a leader people want to work for

“After 25 years of working for some pretty big global corporations, you’re working for a business, but they're more like institutions than they are businesses. It sometimes feels like you're dealing with a lot of conceptual aspects of how this giant machine operates, and you're pretty far away from seeing the value it creates for individual consumers.

In the case of a small business like this, it's all about the business and the value it creates for its customers. An example is when we recently installed a ramp for an elderly couple. The husband was blind and he couldn't get out on his front stoop. We installed a small platform and a ramp with rails on it. Now he can carefully go out and know that he always has something to hold onto. He feels safe getting out of his house.

We frequently have people tell us that once we install a ramp, they can now do essential things like seeing their doctor - important tasks they've had to limit in their lives. We’ve now made those opportunities accessible to them again.”

Many of our clients aspire to make an impact through their new business - serving their community and creating positive change. The way each person defines "impact" is unique, reflecting their personal values and goals. Our role is to understand what you're looking to achieve and to present you with options that align with your vision.

This isn’t about scrolling through businesses that seem interesting or match your experience; it’s about finding the perfect fit. For example, Dave’s journey to small business ownership was a complete transformation from his corporate career. Finding the right opportunity often involves exploring, comparing, and refining your choices.

When you work with us, you’ll gain insights about yourself, and we’ll use those insights to guide the process. Together, we’ll discover the right path forward.

We cover many current and relevant topics. A few include:

◈ Understanding your franchise agreement

◈ Making an impact through your business

◈ How to scale your business

“You mentioned the SCORE Methodology. Can you give us a brief overview of what that is?

Back to the notion of a symphony. Every family we work with is different. We work with a lot of entrepreneurial families and all of those businesses run a little bit differently on their cashflow schedules, variability, all of these things. S is for understanding their story, what they do, how their life works, and who the key players are in their family; things we need to be mindful of. C gets into cash and cash flow. When we look at studies from the Small Business Administration and other resources, they all say the same thing. About 80% of businesses fail because of a lack of cash flow. You really want to know where your cash and cash flow is. It's the very first thing we ask before we get into any of O for opportunity, which are the investments, R is for real return, what does that net of tax cashflow look like? We’re doing a lot of that planning right now.

And then E is for avoiding easy money mistakes. They come in a lot of different forms. We spend a lot of time reading first. It's almost like studying a musical score back when I was running the music department, studying the score, understanding how it worked, and what the really important things were. It’s the same thing with families and businesses. We want to read all of the documents that our prospective clients give us and understand who they are and how we need to make that money align or be harmonious with what's happening in their lives. This is what we spent a lot of time doing.”

The SCORE Methodology offers a methodical yet personalized approach to business planning, blending practicality with an almost artistic touch. The symphony metaphor, emphasizing harmony between a business's financial strategy and the owner's life, provides a unique perspective. It underscores the need to tailor financial plans to individual circumstances while addressing the leading cause of business failure - poor cash flow management. This balance of structured analysis and personalized alignment presents a fresh and effective approach to building and sustaining a successful business.

We cover many current and relevant topics. A few include:

◈ Preparing for business ownership - knowing and understanding your cash flow

◈ Disruption = opportunity

◈ The right and wrong time to ask a bank for money

*Registered representative of and securities offered through Bethel Fisher & Company Financial Services, Inc. (BFCFS). Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through BFC Planning, Fiscal Harmony, GS Wealth Management are not affiliated with BFCFS and BFC Planning.