When I got into business I wanted to build a company, which helped people and provide a product and service that people loved and were willing to pay for; one I would not have to sell or convince anyone of. Something that people truly wanted to extend and enhance their pursuit of happiness. I found the perfect service that everyone wanted and where sales were not really needed at all. In addition I found a way to allow my team to reap the rewards of delivery of that service to the masses.
Franchising accomplishes all those goals for me. Franchising is the hardest business in the World. You have to be a coach, a psychologist, a lawyer, a strategic planner, a king, a marketer, a janitor, a grandfather, sounding board, and a mentor. The pressure is on and if you make a mistake there is no one to blame, it is all on you. People give you their life savings; real people who have real families, real needs and need to make money. If you underestimate your competition, miss a market opportunity, pick the wrong franchisees, you can destroy everything you've created. The stakes are high; but it is rewarding and challenging. Do I have any complaints, no? Would I do it again? HELL YES. For the right Team I will go to hell and back. And I may have to, judging by the incessant litigation and over regulation in our civilization today.
Ray Kroc was right to name his book "Grinding it Out" because that is exactly what its about. My hat goes off to those greats who came before me. Most people will never experience what they have, what I have, or have the perseverance to see it through. As I read their biographies, the similarities are so close to home it is scary. Most people give up right before they succeed. I can't because I am not allowed to quit, I promised myself that early on in my sports career as a long distance runner, later in fundraising for non-profits, in college again in business.
I remember once I rode a bicycle from OR to Mexico to raise money for Special Olympics. I did it in six days. I remember being so tired, so cold in the rain pushing my bike because I couldn't ride any farther until I made it to my goal for that day. Later in that ride I nearly froze shaking so bad I could not hold the bike straight, but again refused to quit. Refused to give up. I think I froze the inside of my throat that early morning after riding non-stop through the cold at 20 degrees plus the wind chill factor created by peddling at 30 mph, it still hurts to this day. I would not give up then or ever again. I kept remembering my favorite quote "Winners never quit and quitters never win." I later added to that quote "You can never lose if you never quit." This is similar to the saying; If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. It makes you proud of our past leaders with their famous quotes of "Perseverance," "Press On" and "Never, ever, ever, ever, ever give up."
Why did I start my franchise company? Because I saw something no one else saw. I see a market everyone else denies exists; went out to prove it exists. We helped others reach their dreams to own their own business. Without having to endure what I have. I already did it for them. Our team would not let down those willing to go the extra distance. We will help them find a way if they are serious and they want in, we will figure it out. And so our mantra became literally "to boldly go" and to never surrender. In this day and age those are the qualities you need if you wish to franchise and you probably need a million in start-up capital too. There is no easy way. Think on this.
"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs
![]() Google News Updated : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:05:30 GMT UN warns of Haiti flooding crisis - BBC News
BBC News - Several hundred thousand people need help in Haiti, which is suffering severe flooding after being hit by a series of tropical storms, the UN says. Attempts to Aid Desperate Haitians Hindered by Floodwaters Storms line up to slam western Atlantic, southeastern US Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:05:26 GMT Jesse Jackson hospitalized for stomach pains - Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune - By Jeremy Gorner | Chicago Tribune reporter Rev. Jesse Jackson was being treated Thursday in Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago after falling ill. Video: Rev. Jesse Jackson Hospitalized Jesse Jackson hospitalized after stomach pains Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:00:48 GMT House committee widens probe of Vytorin safety - International Herald Tribune
International Herald Tribune - AP TRENTON, NJ: A House committee investigating the safety and effectiveness of the popular cholesterol drug Vytorin and one of its components is turning up the heat on the drug's makers. Many Questions About Vytorin Drug Scare Shenanigans Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:32:18 GMT Stocks: A Terrible Thursday - BusinessWeek
BusinessWeek - Major US indexes each tumbled nearly 3% as worries intensified over the health of the economy. All eyes are on Friday's jobs report Market players were probably wondering Thursday why they bothered to come back from their summer vacations. Stocks Are Broadly Lower Tracking Falls on Wall Street Stocks slide on economic worries Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 05:53:27 GMT Kilpatrick's rise and fall - Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press - BY BILL McGRAW • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • September 5, 2008 Kwame Kilpatrick entered the mayor's office with extraordinary gifts -- charisma, savvy, flair, pedigree, connections, ambition and chutzpah -- everything a 31-year-old needed to make a ... Video: A Timeline of Detroit Mayor's Text Scandal Detroit’s Mayor Will Leave Office and Go to Jail Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:27:50 GMT Arthritis Drugs Linked to Risks From Infection - New York Times
New York Times - By AP WASHINGTON (AP) - The Food and Drug Administration ordered stronger warnings Thursday on four medications widely used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other serious illnesses, saying they can raise the risk of possibly fatal fungal infections. Deaths Heighten Arthritis Drugs Warning Nation Digest 4 arthritis drugs get tougher warnings Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 01:38:34 GMT Tropical Storm Hanna aiming for Massachusetts - Boston Globe
Boston Globe - By Andrew Ryan and Martin Finucane, Globe Staff Tropical Storm Hanna is expected to churn up the Atlantic coast and lash Massachusetts this weekend with winds gusting up to 50 mph near the coast and up to four inches of rain. Video: Hanna Nears US, but Stronger Ike Looms Area departments gearing up for Hanna's arrival Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 04:23:14 GMT Increase Website Traffic |
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