Franchising is a great way to become your own boss while being supported by a large company.

 

When you own a franchise, it can be a path to independence. It’s a new, bold career change where you can serve as both boss and owner, but  where you also need to “dig in” and understand how every aspect of your business will operate, from “soup to nuts.”

You also have peace of mind from knowing you’re not alone, and the franchise’s corporate culture will support and guide you along the away. The key is finding the right opportunity for your unique situation, interests and experience.

According to Forbes.com, the dream is that if you buy the right franchise and run it well, then you can be your own boss and make a fortune. The reality, of course, is a little more complicated, and depends on what franchise you buy, how much you pay for it and where you set up shop. Plus, according to Forbes, the best franchisors will support you with strong brands, innovative products and creative marketing.

Here’s some career advice from five experienced, Hispanic entrepreneurs. Read on to learn what attracted them to this rewarding field.

 

European Wax Center’s Kreutzberg: Customer Experience Is Key

Los Angeles, CA native Yvette Beaulieu Kreutzberg has a decade of franchise development and ownership experience.

“My early interest in franchise investment was rooted in an expectation that someone else had already worked out the kinks in a business,” she says. “They had validated the viability of a market, and optimized the operational efficiencies that underpin a strong business.”

A graduate of Whittier College, she was a minority shareholder of a manufacturing company of portable displays, and serial entrepreneur in franchise development in the health and wellness markets in her 30-year career. In addition, she’s been recognized as a top female executive in Minneapolis, MN and winner of the Latin Business Award in Los Angeles.

Today she’s an area developer for European Wax Center (EWC) after initially being a EWC customer. That led her to invest in the California regions of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Napa, Marin and Sonoma.

She was attracted to EWC’s belief that a business should feature both a service and related retail offering. “So much retail is moving over to online fulfillment, so featuring services and proprietary products also gives our customers reason to become long-time guests,” she explains.

“Waxing is a narrow field, but EWC’s focus on the results of that waxing - to reveal beautiful skin - creates a broader business model. I wanted a business investment that would withstand the broader dynamics of an expanding and contracting economy. Regardless of the economy, people get waxed.”

As a franchise owner, her first job is to be a strong ambassador and steward of the brand. “My second primary responsibility is to our guests. We’re in the service business, with hospitality toward our guests being at the core of our business.”

Her third responsibility is overseeing her employees. “I focus on recruiting and retaining talent that subscribe to EWC’s principle of maintaining a performance-based culture. I want everyone on our team to feel a sense of purpose, enrichment and belonging.”

In seven years, she and her husband, Kipp Kreutzberg, who serves as her business partner, have built a business in which they oversee and support 51 regional businesses in the aforementioned California regions.

“We operate four franchise operations. As a leader I’m energized by the prospect of coming to work each day to help develop the professional capabilities of our associates. Seeing individuals develop into strong, confident, capable businesspeople is extremely gratifying!” she shares.

See ewc-ewc-ewc.force.com/franchise for EWC franchise opportunities. Connect on Facebook and Twitter.