You Can’t Make an Entrepreneur

‘You Can’t Make An Entrepreneur But, You Can Break One’! I was speaking to a friend of mine who has been involved with franchise sales for many years and a fellow ezine author, Arnaldo Vieira. Arnaldo has been a Master Franchisee and a Broker in North America and we were discussing what it takes to be a successful franchisee. What you first need to understand is that a true entrepreneur generally works outside the box, does not like to be controlled and would rather lead. They are also more of the risk taker. Most start up business owners would fall within the definition of a true entrepreneur.

A typical franchise business, a mortar and brick franchise, has a very tight system with many rules to ensure that a positive brand image grows and is not damaged. Imagine the true entrepreneur who is told he will be penalized for not opening on time or closing too soon or not having the toilets cleaned, the floors washed to the standard expected and the list goes on. Now, these are all important to ensure that all the franchisees within the system benefit from this high standard. However, only a certain type of franchise owner works well in this environment.

This personality needs to be instructed and told what to do. Sounds much like an employee, doesn’t it? The true entrepreneur in this environment will be broken. The same person who will succeed and, in fact, flourish with a system that allows them freedom will as Arnaldo stated; “…be broke”. They will lose their initial excitement and passion and in some cases fail. A true entrepreneur is born, not made. Hence, what Arnaldo stated is correct; “You can’t make an entrepreneur, but in the wrong franchise system, they can be broke”.

When researching to buy a franchise business for yourself ask yourself; how much control do I need and want and, how much freedom do I need and want?

A Franchise business is a great way to get into a business for yourself in an industry you have no experience in where you will be trained, supported and will not have to survive a learning curve most start ups go through to be successful in the long term. Just make sure you select the right one that fits your personality!