Top 5 mistakes to avoid when starting a franchise

Yes, franchising is considered as the safest growth opportunity. However, just like any other profession, it also comes with its own downsides that most aspiring entrepreneurs fail to pay attention to. If you wish to become a successful entrepreneur, you must get yourself familiar with the biggest blunders that most entrepreneurs make, says Jim LaGanke, President of Stewart’s All American.

Before you step ahead to buy a franchise, you must stay abreast with the current market and learn from the mistakes that most beginner entrepreneurs have made.

To help you avoid those mistakes, Jim LaGanke explains some of them below.

Not getting the right financing
- Starting a franchise and getting the right financing isn’t as simple process as it looks. This is where most budding entrepreneurs fail. Those who start the process of getting funds late may face unfavorable terms.

For example, if you’re buying a franchise from a newer concept, a bank will require at least 30 percent down payment. And you may use your savings for this requirement. But there is an alternative way to solve this: There are some companies who can help you combine an SBA loan with a Rollover for Business Startups, where you can invest 401K without paying taxes. Hence, you must learn about the benefits of programs including ROBS - Rollover for Business Startups and SBA loans.

Failing to have a backup plan for capital - One of the common occurrences when people start a franchise is that they quickly run out of money or find it difficult to even reach a break even point. This happens because they fail to understand the overhead costs associated with running a franchise. And, they failed to have a backup plan for capital. Hence, Jim LaGanke advises to have a source of capital, so that you always have a backup capital if something goes wrong.

Buying a franchise on the basis of your passion - Although investing in a business you’re passionate about is a great idea, the most important thing you should consider is the expected profitability of the business. Make sure you’re not buying a particular product or service just because you love it. Therefore, when you buy a franchise keep in mind the objective of your business, the viability of the concept, and the expected income.

The bottom line

Whether the franchise has been in the business for years or is new in the market, you shouldn’t overlook the risks associated with starting and running a franchise. Are you planning to buy a franchise? If so, make sure you avoid the above common mistakes that most franchise buyers make.

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