Joel Libava(This is a guest post from Bart Puett, the president of Maid Brigade, Inc.)
One out of every seven franchises in the United States is owned by a veteran, as found by a study conducted by the International Franchise Association (IFA).
And according to the IFA’s VetFran initiative, the franchise industry has committed to hiring and recruiting 80,000 veterans and military spouses as team members and franchise business owners through 2014.
But, why?
“Military veterans make ideal franchise business owners,” says Joel Lazarovitz, vice president of recruitment for Maid Brigade, Inc. & Maid Simple House Cleaning, the company’s new home-based cleaning franchise.
“They are among some of our best franchisees because they have the skills it takes to own and run a successful business – a mixture of leadership, hard work and dedication, and the ability to follow systems and procedures.”
Military Veterans Make Great Franchise Owners
Here are 3 reasons why military veterans make great franchise owners:
1. Strong leadership skills
Military veterans are used to operating in an extremely structured and team-oriented environment. They know how to give orders and delegate. Whether the franchise business requires managing a team of two or 200, veterans know how to lead , stay organized, and function under pressure.
2. Adept at following systems
Good franchisors lay out the steps for success in advance. The most successful franchisees are those that follow the guidelines set by the franchisor and that utilize all of the resources and support available to them. Veterans are skilled at taking orders and getting things done – their lives oftentimes depend on it.
“After my career in the military ended, I looked at franchising because it was a perfect fit for me,” says Tai Jeffries, owner of Maid Simple House Cleaning of Fort Wayne, Ind. “As a former airman/soldier, I am skilled at following instructions and completing tasks. By following my franchise procedures, I know I will be successful.”
3. Dedication and perseverance
Any business owner will tell you that no matter what type of product or service you sell, running a business is never easy. A commitment to the brand and a passion for success can make a huge difference in the overall prosperity of the franchise business. For veterans, hard work and commitment are a part of the job description. You’d be hard pressed to find a person more dedicated than a veteran who has sacrificed for his or her country. Determination, dedication, and performance are ingrained in their work ethic.
As thousands of men and women return home from war, it is important to acknowledge the skills they have acquired during their military careers – and that make them invaluable additions to the workforce as small business owners.
VetFran Franchise Owners Program
Alongside the IFA’s VetFran program that helps returning service members access franchise opportunities through training, financial assistance, and industry support, many franchisors value the business traits of veterans and offer pricing breaks, financing, and other incentives.
The biggest piece of advice for veterans considering franchising?
Do your homework. Conduct research. Talk to franchisors and franchisees. Make sure the franchise you choose matches your lifestyle and business goals. Not every franchise business is right for everyone.
( Bart Puett is president of Maid Brigade, Inc. – the only Green Clean Certified residential cleaning franchise. The company’s new franchise model – Maid Simple House Cleaning – offers franchise incentives for veterans and financing for qualified prospects.)
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