Starting as a marketing manager with a casual dining chain and ending her career as a marketing executive for a national medspa organization, Jenny is a franchise consultant and owner of FranNet of Greater Tampa Bay; servicing 7 counties in and around the Tampa area.
Jenny worked in corporate marketing for almost 15 years before joining FranNet. She has a thorough grasp of the franchise industry, since both of her previous companies were franchise businesses. Jenny and her family presently reside in Pinellas County’s northwestern corner. She is a proud graduate of the University of South Florida (Go Bulls!). She is a rare Florida native.
Below are highlights of the interview:
Why did you change careers?
I was your typical corporate burnout. Working long hours, traveling, and growing resentment towards the company and those that I had to work for was not a good combination. I decided I needed to switch gears and find something that I could do that allowed me the flexibility to own what my day looked like. Initially, I thought about starting my own marketing consulting company, but quickly decided that would not be a lifestyle I would enjoy either. So I started researching franchise business opportunities. I liked that they provided a system and support with a pathway on how to operate the business. After researching various options, I realized I needed help figuring it out, so I started working with a franchise consultant. She opened my eyes to what opportunities were out there that made sense for me and my goals. It just so happened that she was retiring and FranNet is a franchise, so I bought her franchise. Now, I help people just like me who are lost in the search for franchise opportunities that make sense for them.
Which are the major consulting services of the company and how do they help customers to get success? What value-added services does the company provide?
As a franchise consultant, I work with people who are interested in owning a business to identify what franchise opportunities make sense for them. The first step is to have them complete an assessment that digs in to what drives them. Then, I sit down and really assess what they want their lifestyle to look like, what they want their professional life to look like, and what they are looking for financially. What do they want in a business and what do they want to avoid? Understanding these things then allows me to introduce them to franchise opportunities that could be a good fit. I also work with them to be a sounding board as they are doing the research into each franchise opportunity. I want to make sure that if they do make a decision to move forward with a franchise, they have done their due diligence.
What is the happiest part of your daily routine?
I love that I am helping people just like me figure out what their options are. Starting a franchise may not be for everyone, and I’m happy to help people find out if it is or is not for them. And if it is, what do the opportunities look like.
What is the significance of innovative ideas in the company?
Anyone can research franchises online, but the tools that I use and the assessment that I have my clients take take the research process to a different level. It’s not really all that innovative, just strategic. Plus, I have been in their shoes before, so I can really relate to the emotions they are going through.
What has made you successful? What do you value?
I value the relationships that I create with my clients. I do not want them to waste their time if it is not in the cards for them. I also value the relationships I build with the franchisors. The more I know about what makes the franchise organization tick, the more I know whether they are a fit for any of my clients. I also do not want to waste their time.
What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position in the franchisee space for the first time?
The franchise world is vast yet tight. Learn from those around you. What mistakes have they made that you can avoid.
What is your vision for the future of how franchise consultants play a role in the franchise world?
I believe that franchise consultants will continue to be a valued resource to both franchisors and franchisee candidates. Franchisors are looking for great candidates to help them grow their business so by working with and educating franchise consultants on what that great candidate looks like, the better candidates they will get. However, not all franchise consultants are created equal so it is important to make sure that the franchise consultant that you are working with has the best interest of their client in mind at all times.
Website: www.frannet.com
