Franchise: Freedom or Fantasy? How to Know if a Franchise is Right for You After Your Corporate Career

Mitchell York
iUniverse (2009)
ISBN 9781440148491
Reviewed by Kathleen Dowdell for Reader Views (02/10)

 

This small but concise book is loaded with first-hand knowledge from author Mitchell York as he tells about his transition from being an executive to an entrepreneur. Early on he points out that entrepreneurship is “in my genes” substantiated by the fact that both his parents worked six, sometimes seven days a week, in a small deli they owned in Manhattan. Although the book targets people who want to or have given up a corporate career for a franchise, the information can be applied to anyone who wants to be their own boss.

This book is a great read for those who are fed up with working for a boss in corporate America and for those seeking start up advice in the early stages of franchising. In addition it’s for all people who need to learn how to save more and spend less. Pages of great examples are cited on how to cut costs both in the business and at home. The chapter on “The Importance of Having a Stash” outlines all the areas in which you will need to save if you are starting a business but the advice is easily transferable to everyone struggling in today’s economy. 

The author swears that before you start any kind of business you need five years of cash saved. And even more important is to enlist the support of your family. A list of six critical skills you will need to be successful as an entrepreneur are a high risk tolerance, excellent salesmanship, independent and easy-going temperament, great negotiating ability, ability to get the best out of people, and displaying the right behaviors at the right time. There are self-reflection exercises that force you to evaluate your personality to see if you are really cut out to go it on your own as a franchise entrepreneur. You will have to do some deep soul searching in order to be certain this type of life is for you. This book will help you do just that.

I was impressed with the author’s encouraging persuasion as he tries to explain all the hazards and rewards of franchising. He lets the reader view all sides of the realm of possibility if taking the plunge into franchising is for you. He concludes with additional websites, newsletters, associations, and consultants for more information as well as the offer to provide a one-on-one start up evaluation of your entrepreneur readiness. The answer to the question Franchise: Freedom or Fantasy? is easily disseminated in this book, “Franchise: Freedom or Fantasy?” by Mitchell York.

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