Why Veterans and Franchises are the Perfect Fit
Franchisors across the country are noticing that interest from veterans looking for a post-military career is increasing. As it is, veterans already account for a large percentage of US franchise owners. VetFran reports that 14% of franchise owners are veterans, but they only account for 7% of the U.S. population. So why is franchise ownership such a popular post-military career choice? Why does it suit military retirees so well? The answer lies in the unique combination of entrepreneurial enterprise and reliable stability that franchise ownership offers.
At the Clean Air Lawn Care headquarters, we’ve noticed that veterans tend to make some of the best small business owners. And we’re not alone — franchisors across the country see entrepreneurial veterans as a huge asset. Let’s look at the top reasons why military retirees and franchises are such a great fit.
A Post-Military Career You Can Enjoy
It’s a big challenge to find a fulfilling career after retiring from the military. Your years of service were full of purpose, meaning and even sacrifice. How can you follow that up with an equally meaningful job as a civilian? Finding a fulfilling career after you retire from the military can be a pretty daunting task. No one wants to end up in a stale, uninspiring job, but avoiding a stagnant career is even more important for veterans. Finding a career you can enjoy, believe in and make a good living with is crucial to your well being after military retirement.
Owning a franchise looks to be a great way to earn a living after your military career comes to an end, but how can you be sure that it’s also a fulfilling career that you can enjoy? This is where choosing the right franchise comes into play. Owning whatever franchise happens to pop up in the franchise portal or online ads isn’t going to lead to a fulfilling career. Finding the right franchise takes some due diligence, but with almost 750,000 franchise options out there, you’re sure to find the right fit.
750,000 franchise options? That’s a huge number! Fortunately, you don’t have to sift through all of those to see what’s right for you. If you are passionate about renewable energy, the rise of the “green” industry, sustainability, healthy communities, healthy kids and healthy pets, then Clean Air Lawn Care just might be the right fit. We offer a truly green franchise that owners can be proud of. Plus, there are some major benefits to owning a green franchise; you can read about them here. Or, of course, if you always wanted to run a restaurant, a restaurant franchise would be perfect for you. There’s a lot of options, but you can narrow the choices down simply by thinking about what motivates you and gets you excited.
Not sure? You can always give us a call to discuss the Clean Air Lawn Care business model and mission to see if it’s the right fit for you. We take the time to walk you through the franchise process and get to know if we’d be a good fit for you — no hard feelings or pressure if it’s not. Business ownership is a huge life choice, so finding the right fit is important.
Ease the Transition from Military Career to Civilian Career
The transition from a military career to a civilian career can be made easier by becoming a franchise owner. Most franchises offer a straight-forward business model and provide business support that’s crucial to the success of the business. Clean Air Lawn Care, for instance, provides general business support that includes, but is not limited to, billing, marketing and human resources (payroll and benefits).
The established branding and reputation of a franchise is yet another beneficial aspect of owning a franchise. Thanks to a long-running reputation in other cities or territories, franchise owners are able to start their business without dealing with the confusing and difficult task of “branding.” They get the benefit of a well-established brand identity with increased consumer awareness and trust. Many private business owners will tell you that building a trusted identity, or brand, is a challenge that can take years. Franchise owners start their business with a trusted brand on day one.
But, when it all comes down to it, the veterans themselves are the main reason why franchise ownership is a great way to transition into a civilian career. From effectively leading employees to finding creative ways to grow their business, veterans tend to have what it takes to be a great franchise and business owner. That’s because owning a franchise requires similar skills and characteristics as a military career. Veterans tend to be dedicated, reliable, motivated and skilled leaders — exactly what it takes to be a successful business owner. They also tend to do well with the extensive training and learning that starting a new franchise entails. And any successful business owner will tell you that without quality people, a good business model and brand identity don’t mean much.
Be Your Own Boss
Striking the right work-life balance is a big factor when considering a post-military career. Your years of service likely entailed quite a bit of time away from home. So, you’re probably ready to see your family more and have some flexibility in your day-to-day life. Franchise ownership often offers an opportunity to strike that balance. As the business owner and “boss,” you set your own hours, goals and business plans. That flexibility is often a big benefit to military retirees. You’ll also be the one in charge of making important decisions and leading a team of employees. This responsibility is no small task, but it also doesn’t seem to scare off veterans, who have dealt with challenging situations year after year during their time in the military.
When it comes down to it, becoming a franchise owner gives you the opportunity to own a business that you can be proud of. Owning a franchise can be a lucrative and fulfilling post-military career for many veterans. If you’re curious about what it takes to become a franchise owner, schedule a call to get in touch! We’d be happy to talk it over with you.
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