There are a lot of people who love the idea of owning a home-improvement business but don’t love the idea of doing the work themselves. Luckily, there’s a franchise business model that’s suited perfectly: the Executive Model. By Alesia Visconti
Hi Alesia,
I have always liked to putter around the house, so I like the idea of owning a business that services homeowners as well. But I am 56 years old and don’t see myself up on a ladder or pushing a lawnmower every day. How can I own a franchise that is in the home-service space – like a painting, roofing, or lawn-care service – but not be physically involved?
– Gary with a bad knee
There are a lot of people who love the idea of owning a home-improvement business but don’t love the idea of doing the work themselves. Luckily, there’s a franchise business model that’s suited perfectly: the Executive Model. By Alesia Visconti
Hi Gary (and your bad knee!),
First, 56 is the new 40! But I understand your point, and your question is more common than you might think. There are a lot of people who love the idea of owning a home-improvement business but don’t love the idea of doing the work themselves. Luckily, there’s a franchise business model that’s suited perfectly for you: the Executive Model. As the owner, you work full time but focus your time managing those who execute the tasks. You work ON the business, not necessarily IN the business. During training, you’ll be taught what’s involved in completing the physical requirements of your team, but as the franchise owner, you’ll be more involved in building the business versus doing labor. Building relationships in the community for awareness about your brand and business is the perfect example. You’re not doing the physical work; you are doing marketing to create knowledge of your neighborhood business. Other tasks that build a brand include marketing campaigns to increase sales, maintaining P&L and having an overall understanding of your business’s unit economics. You’ll communicate with the franchisor to ensure growth and standards are all on track. An Executive Model allows you to create a team that executes the business services needed while you drive revenue and grow your business. It’s also sometimes called a gingham business because it involves a white-collar owner within a blue-collar business. This is quite popular, and it sounds like the perfect fit for you!
– Alesia Visconti
Alesia Visconti, CFC, is the CEO/Publisher of Franchise Dictionary Magazine and the CEO of FranServe Inc., the world’s largest franchise consulting and expansion organization. She has 20 years of experience as a C-level executive, driving organizational development and taking companies to the next level. An author, professional speaker, and entrepreneur, her motto in life is “Work hard, play hard, help others, repeat.” A self-proclaimed nerd, Alesia loves all things “superhero.”