More women should open up franchises, expert says

Posted on October 28, 2010 by Stacey Fousse

Franchising is one of the most lucrative business opportunities in the United States today. With a built-in business model, people from coast to coast have taken advantage of a variety of different branded options. But according to one industry insider, there is a group that is underrepresented - women.

Writing for Small Business Trends, Joel Libava says that women should become more involved in the world of franchising based on skills that many of them have. According to a report from the International Franchising Association, women make up only 25 percent of franchisees in the country. Libava says women he's encountered have what it takes to be successful and that more should get involved.

"Most of the women I've worked with don't let their egos get in the way of their goals (like men sometimes do)," writes Libava. "I've found that once they've gotten comfortable with me and my consulting style and techniques, they follow my directions – they just do it. They share the facts that they've gathered in my weekly follow-up calls, and then I suggest the next steps they should be taking."

No matter what the franchise, a woman's touch can be just what a business needs to be successful. While the industry has been dominated by men for decades, there's no telling how many women will pursue these franchising opportunities in the future.