I tend to avoid the relatively new trend of LinkedIn “collaborative articles” where you’re asked to chime in as an expert to answer a question. These AI-generated questions tend to attract AI-generated answers, and, in my opinion, are ruining the genuine connections that made LinkedIn interesting. By Jack Monson
What are the biggest challenges for opening a new business in 2025? Many say the hurdles include real estate and borrowing money. I had the privilege of moderating a webinar last month with three professionals whose expertise is helping new small-business owners get their doors open faster. By Jack Monson
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays. That sounds ridiculous right now but guess what… the holidays will be here before you can blink. By starting your business’s holiday preparations now, you will have the best chance to thrive during the busiest time of the year. By Jack Monson
Summer is the time to strengthen sales and deepen customer relationships. There are unique opportunities for franchises / small businesses to connect with customers, drive traffic and increase sales. If we think creatively, plan ahead and take certain steps, we can make the most of the season’s opportunities. By Jack Monson
Want to move your business forward this year? This may be the year to look backward. Nostalgia marketing is tapping into powerful emotions and sentiments that customers associate with positive experiences from their own past. By Jack Monson
What do I love the most about the franchising space? The community and events! Other industries where I’ve spent time had some level of sharing and learning at a limited number of conferences. But franchising excels at setting aside competitive issues and working together to grow the model and many valued events. By Jack Monson
The amount of business communications and messages coming at us has increased exponentially thanks to many AI tools. We are all seeing more emails, texts, DMs, meeting requests and awkward pitches than we did just a year ago. By Jack Monson
At this fall’s Franchise Leadership and Development Conference in Atlanta, Ty Brewster of LocateAI got to town a bit earlier than the rest of us. Ty and our friend Kater Danford of Northeast Color, activated “Operation Sugarbomb.” They spent a day dropping off baked goods at various franchise companies and locations. What were they selling? Actually…nothing. By Jack Monson
The government does not want you to own a house or own a car. It doesn’t even want you to travel too much. But it especially does not want you to own a business. Want proof? Anything federal, state or local governments want to discourage is highly taxed and regulated. By Jack Monson
Building your own successful business is demanding and challenging. It’s easy to get off-track and unmotivated. But as an entrepreneur, staying motivated throughout the journey is critical! By Jack Monson