Maid Brigade is a leading domestic cleaning service franchise. Domestic cleaning services have weathered the recession surprisingly well. Many families have shifted to two incomes and outsourced housecleaning. The following press release was issued by Maid Brigade.
"Financing a business is a common cause of worry, but not with Maid Brigade. We offer financing through FranFund!
Maid Brigade partnered with FranFund to help take care of our franchisees' financing needs and alleviate any worry in that area. FranFund understands the unique requirements of franchise capitalization and devises the optimal financial solution using personal equity, commercial lending and private equity. FranFund assists with conventional loans, SBA Loans, retirement account conversions, 401k loans and cash value life insurance loans.
FranFund has a proven history and is known for developing solutions that ensure long term success. That's why we partnered with them - to make the process as painless for our franchisees as possible.
They take care of the financing side, and we take care of the business side. Have your prospects call us today to learn more about this benefit and the many others associated with Maid Brigade."
Ed Wills
WFA Franchise Consultants
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Green Money
The secret to making money is to catch a fad and ride it like the crest of a wave. By fad, I’m not talking about hula hoops. I’m talking about major shifts in the way Americans live and do business. Imagine if you had gotten in on the oil industry in the 1930’s or the computer industry in the 1980’s. The key is to see the next one coming. Well, the next fad is no secret. I have seen the future and it’s green. Everywhere you turn people are reducing their carbon footprint, cutting back their energy consumption and using environmentally friendly products and services. So how do you capitalize on this fad? Here are a few companies you can align with to ride the wave.
SkyShades
Environmentally friendly high tension fabric materials that reduce construction costs and produce green electricity through incorporated solar panels. (Click here for more information.)
The Cleaning Authority
Everyone needs a cleaning service. Couples with two incomes don’t have time to clean the house. Seniors are ready to have someone else do the housework. Small businesses need sharp looking offices. And everyone wants a green company that uses environmentally friendly products to perform the service. To protect the earth and your family, The Cleaning Authority uses Green Seal Certified® chemicals, and HEPA vacuums and microfiber dusting cloths—preferred by the US Dept. of Health and Human Services that reduce impact on the environment and your health. (Click here for more information.)
NaturalLawn of America
NaturaLawnâ of America continues to be the only nationwide natural, organic based lawn care franchise providing a safer and healthier alternative to traditional chemical lawn care services for residential, commercial and government properties. As the original innovator of organic-based/biological products and services to the United States, they have become the recognized leader in the industry. Their exclusive and proprietary line of organic-based products addresses the increasing concern to protect and preserve our environment. The ever-growing concern about our environment provides the local franchisee a unique and powerful marketing difference within the lawn care industry. (Click here for more information.)
EcoSafe
Ecosafe Products was developed to fill the need for an environmentally compatible cleaner that is both safe and effective-- Cleaners that are totally based on renewable, naturally occurring resources. Cleaners that are not dependent on limited resources such as petroleum. Ecosafe is a commercial distributorship of a new generation of cleaning products, based solely on environmentally friendly cleaning agents derived from Naturally Occurring, Renewable Resources, which are rapidly biodegradable. (Click here for more information.)
Mosquito Squad
You wouldn’t expect to find a pesticide company in a list of green companies, but Mosquito Squad uses effectively rids property of pests using a natural organic compound derived from chrysanthemums that is environmentally friendly and biodegradable. They treat the outside of the property where the pests are, not the inside where the people live. This creates a barrier around your property without adding toxicity to your living space. Several nationally known environmentalists rank among their many satisfied customers. (Click here for more information.)
Aussie Pet Mobile
Pet care is one of the most reliable businesses in the United States. Even in hard times, Americans take care of their pets. Pet services grew 5% last year in spite of the recession. Most pet grooming companies use harsh chemicals laden with petro-based perfumes to wash and groom your pet. Aussie Pet Mobile is committed to a green pet care policy that uses only environmentally friendly pet care products. (Click here for more information.)
Ed Wills
WFA Franchise Consultants
SkyShades
Environmentally friendly high tension fabric materials that reduce construction costs and produce green electricity through incorporated solar panels. (Click here for more information.)
The Cleaning Authority
Everyone needs a cleaning service. Couples with two incomes don’t have time to clean the house. Seniors are ready to have someone else do the housework. Small businesses need sharp looking offices. And everyone wants a green company that uses environmentally friendly products to perform the service. To protect the earth and your family, The Cleaning Authority uses Green Seal Certified® chemicals, and HEPA vacuums and microfiber dusting cloths—preferred by the US Dept. of Health and Human Services that reduce impact on the environment and your health. (Click here for more information.)
NaturalLawn of America
NaturaLawnâ of America continues to be the only nationwide natural, organic based lawn care franchise providing a safer and healthier alternative to traditional chemical lawn care services for residential, commercial and government properties. As the original innovator of organic-based/biological products and services to the United States, they have become the recognized leader in the industry. Their exclusive and proprietary line of organic-based products addresses the increasing concern to protect and preserve our environment. The ever-growing concern about our environment provides the local franchisee a unique and powerful marketing difference within the lawn care industry. (Click here for more information.)
EcoSafe
Ecosafe Products was developed to fill the need for an environmentally compatible cleaner that is both safe and effective-- Cleaners that are totally based on renewable, naturally occurring resources. Cleaners that are not dependent on limited resources such as petroleum. Ecosafe is a commercial distributorship of a new generation of cleaning products, based solely on environmentally friendly cleaning agents derived from Naturally Occurring, Renewable Resources, which are rapidly biodegradable. (Click here for more information.)
Mosquito Squad
You wouldn’t expect to find a pesticide company in a list of green companies, but Mosquito Squad uses effectively rids property of pests using a natural organic compound derived from chrysanthemums that is environmentally friendly and biodegradable. They treat the outside of the property where the pests are, not the inside where the people live. This creates a barrier around your property without adding toxicity to your living space. Several nationally known environmentalists rank among their many satisfied customers. (Click here for more information.)
Aussie Pet Mobile
Pet care is one of the most reliable businesses in the United States. Even in hard times, Americans take care of their pets. Pet services grew 5% last year in spite of the recession. Most pet grooming companies use harsh chemicals laden with petro-based perfumes to wash and groom your pet. Aussie Pet Mobile is committed to a green pet care policy that uses only environmentally friendly pet care products. (Click here for more information.)
Ed Wills
WFA Franchise Consultants
Friday, July 17, 2009
Choosing a Franchise Part 2 - Core Values cont.
Each of us is shaped by our system of core values, but we seldom think of them. They work like our immune system. When we are healthy, we never think about our immune system. But when we engage in behavior that damages our immune system not getting the right nutrients or missing sleep, it breaks down, and we get sick. Too often we take medications that remove some of the symptoms of being sick. We would do better to strengthen the immune system so we can be truly healthy again. In the same way, our core values work to keep us happy. But when we live our lives in such a way that conflicts with our core values, we become dissatisfied and restless. Too often we treat our dissatisfaction with distractions like entertainment or daydreaming. We would do better to rearrange our lives in such a way that our daily activities support our core values instead of conflict with them. But first, you must identify exactly what are your core values.
Core Values Exercise
Take three pieces of paper. Write on the top of the first piece of paper, “Special Times”. Write on the top of the second piece of paper, “Why Special Times are Special”. Write on the top of the third piece of paper, “Core Values”.
Think of a time in your life when you were the happiest. Where were you? What were you doing? What made that time so enjoyable or even magical? Were you alone? Were you with others? If so, who were you with? How did they add or detract from the experience? What were your feelings? Did you want the time to last forever? Is there anything you can do now to make that feeling come back? Describe that special time on the piece of paper entitled “Special Times”.
Continue to write down 2 or 3 times or experiences that were especially meaningful to you. Answer the above questions about each experience. Only list times or experiences that were very special to you. Don’t superimpose someone else’s values on your memories. Perhaps the birth of your first child was a very special moment to you. Or maybe you were just exhausted and glad it was over. There is no right or wrong here, and no one is going to read it but you, so be completely honest.
Now go back and read through each experience carefully. Ask yourself, “What made those experiences so important to me?” “Why did they have such an impact?” Look for common threads. What do all these experiences have in common? Were those common elements what made the special times so special? Write the reasons why those experiences made you happy on the sheet entitled, “Why Special Times are Special”.
Now, read over the reasons you listed on the second sheet. What values stand out? For example, all of your special times might involve being with your family. What made those times special was sharing moments with people you love. A core value would likely be Family. Perhaps your special times were catching your first fish, winning an athletic event, graduating from college and getting a big promotion. The reasons those times were special were fulfilling your goal and being recognized by people you respect. Your core value might be Pride of Accomplishment.
Here are some possible core values.
Creativity
Integrity
Pride of Accomplishment
Perseverance
Family
Spirituality
Community
Recognition
Philanthropy
Generosity
Make Money Doing What You Love Most
The exciting part of knowing your core values is to envision a way to make money through their commercial application. Perhaps family is one of your core values. You should look at businesses that you can operate from your home, where you will not only be close to your family, but also be able to involve them in some aspects of your business. If your values include spirituality, a health related business could incorporate a spiritual dimension. If recognition or philanthropy are included in your list, a business that is built on community involvement might be just the ticket. Whatever your core values are, design a business that will incorporate those values on a day-to-day basis. If your core values drive your business, life will be more fulfilling, and success will come much easier. People always do best what they love to do the most.
Ed Wills
WFA Franchise Consultants
Core Values Exercise
Take three pieces of paper. Write on the top of the first piece of paper, “Special Times”. Write on the top of the second piece of paper, “Why Special Times are Special”. Write on the top of the third piece of paper, “Core Values”.
Think of a time in your life when you were the happiest. Where were you? What were you doing? What made that time so enjoyable or even magical? Were you alone? Were you with others? If so, who were you with? How did they add or detract from the experience? What were your feelings? Did you want the time to last forever? Is there anything you can do now to make that feeling come back? Describe that special time on the piece of paper entitled “Special Times”.
Continue to write down 2 or 3 times or experiences that were especially meaningful to you. Answer the above questions about each experience. Only list times or experiences that were very special to you. Don’t superimpose someone else’s values on your memories. Perhaps the birth of your first child was a very special moment to you. Or maybe you were just exhausted and glad it was over. There is no right or wrong here, and no one is going to read it but you, so be completely honest.
Now go back and read through each experience carefully. Ask yourself, “What made those experiences so important to me?” “Why did they have such an impact?” Look for common threads. What do all these experiences have in common? Were those common elements what made the special times so special? Write the reasons why those experiences made you happy on the sheet entitled, “Why Special Times are Special”.
Now, read over the reasons you listed on the second sheet. What values stand out? For example, all of your special times might involve being with your family. What made those times special was sharing moments with people you love. A core value would likely be Family. Perhaps your special times were catching your first fish, winning an athletic event, graduating from college and getting a big promotion. The reasons those times were special were fulfilling your goal and being recognized by people you respect. Your core value might be Pride of Accomplishment.
Here are some possible core values.
Creativity
Integrity
Pride of Accomplishment
Perseverance
Family
Spirituality
Community
Recognition
Philanthropy
Generosity
Make Money Doing What You Love Most
The exciting part of knowing your core values is to envision a way to make money through their commercial application. Perhaps family is one of your core values. You should look at businesses that you can operate from your home, where you will not only be close to your family, but also be able to involve them in some aspects of your business. If your values include spirituality, a health related business could incorporate a spiritual dimension. If recognition or philanthropy are included in your list, a business that is built on community involvement might be just the ticket. Whatever your core values are, design a business that will incorporate those values on a day-to-day basis. If your core values drive your business, life will be more fulfilling, and success will come much easier. People always do best what they love to do the most.
Ed Wills
WFA Franchise Consultants
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Choosing a Franchise Part 1 - Core Values
You want to buy a franchise, but which one? There are over 4,000 different franchises in the United States. Why is one of the hardest decisions to make in life deciding what you want? There are lots of reasons to be undecided.
• You are afraid of what you might miss out on if you choose one option over another.
• You are trying to make the decision that others will find most acceptable.
• All choices involve an element of the unknown, and that scares you.
• You are still collecting information and analyzing your choices.
All of the above reasons have one thing in common – fear. People are afraid of missing out, afraid of being embarrassed, or afraid of making a mistake.
Or, perhaps, you tell me that you have no problem at all deciding what you want. You know exactly what you want. Of course, what you want today is different from what you wanted last week, which was different from what you wanted last month, which was different from what you wanted last year. If that is you, then your issue is not making a decision, but making decisions too quickly without thorough thought and commitment. Your decisions aren’t really decisions at all. You are just sampling.
First, let me make everyone comfortable. None of the above behaviors are wrong. They are just expressions of our personality. Our personalities engender both positive behaviors and negative behaviors, better expressed as supportive and non-supportive behaviors.
A key way to reduce the stress of making the decision is to choose the business model that supports your core values. What are your core values? Have you ever stopped to think about it? Are you a people person? Is money your only objective? Do you like to serve others? Do you want to be the boss? Knowing yourself can make the decision much easier. I’ll talk more about this in my next blog.
Ed Wills
WFA Franchise Consultants
• You are afraid of what you might miss out on if you choose one option over another.
• You are trying to make the decision that others will find most acceptable.
• All choices involve an element of the unknown, and that scares you.
• You are still collecting information and analyzing your choices.
All of the above reasons have one thing in common – fear. People are afraid of missing out, afraid of being embarrassed, or afraid of making a mistake.
Or, perhaps, you tell me that you have no problem at all deciding what you want. You know exactly what you want. Of course, what you want today is different from what you wanted last week, which was different from what you wanted last month, which was different from what you wanted last year. If that is you, then your issue is not making a decision, but making decisions too quickly without thorough thought and commitment. Your decisions aren’t really decisions at all. You are just sampling.
First, let me make everyone comfortable. None of the above behaviors are wrong. They are just expressions of our personality. Our personalities engender both positive behaviors and negative behaviors, better expressed as supportive and non-supportive behaviors.
A key way to reduce the stress of making the decision is to choose the business model that supports your core values. What are your core values? Have you ever stopped to think about it? Are you a people person? Is money your only objective? Do you like to serve others? Do you want to be the boss? Knowing yourself can make the decision much easier. I’ll talk more about this in my next blog.
Ed Wills
WFA Franchise Consultants
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
