Can Your Family Help Open Your Franchise?
This is a topic of mixed reviews: whether or not your family can or should be involved within your franchise. There are those who have already or plan to work with family members as a long-term goal. Many businesses are run with brothers, parents and children, and more, and continue to thrive this way. Then there are those who are completely against working with family members. For whatever reason(s), they prefer to keep personal and professional lives separate.
Of course, neither option is right, instead it’s a personal preference. But there can also be an in-between. Allowing your family to help open your business location, but then sticking to outside employees once opening up shop. Those who choose this route often call upon members for busy seasons (inventory, tax time, seasonal sales or holidays, and more). It’s an easy in-between that allows you to get as much done as possible with a quick turnaround time. And while it’s up to you whether you will or won’t pay family members for your time (monetarily or otherwise), this route is beneficial by not having to advertise for workers, interview, or vet their references. Or, in other words, it’s good work fast … at least, we hope your family holds a reliable work source. (If not, it’s a good thing you aren’t hiring them, right?)
What Can They Do?
When opening your location (or getting ready to) there are often menial or busy tasks that need to be done. Dusting, setting out inventory, hooking up TVs, stocking TP in the bathrooms, and so on. Sometimes you just need an extra set of hands to perform the basics. Others, you need a fresh pair of eyes to see what needs to be done and when.
Family is a great choice for these tasks as they can likely show up with little notice, will offer honest feedback, and can help on varied schedules.
Of course you can also call on your family members who have specialized skills, such as tech knowledge, plumbing knowhow, and so on. Be prepared to pay them for these professional services, but by employing them you can gain a source you trust … and without getting on a wait line.
Don’t overlook the emotional support that can come with asking family for help, either. You’re bound to be stressed before opening day (yes, this is normal and expected). During the tough days, look to your closest members to help talk you up and settle your nerves.
Why Family?
Your family cares about you and your success. They are the ones you can count on to put in late nights and early mornings as your franchise gears up for opening day. If you don’t wish to employ these members, having them help in the early days can also be a great way for them to gain insight to what you do. Ultimately, it’s something you can share and grow together with. Besides, you need someone to help put it all together, so why not call on those to whom you’re the closest?
Of course, it should always be a choice for them, too. Be sure to ask with plenty of advance and give a detailed outline of what needs done so there aren’t any unpleasant surprises after the fact.
When you’re opening your franchise (or even planning to open), your family can serve as a great resource of last minute and emergency help. Ideally, setup tasks won’t be last minute, but it’s better to be safe and have available help there just in case you need them, right?! Don’t forget family members as valuable support for your franchise location.
Stay tuned to our blog for additional franchising tips and tools!