It’s not uncommon in a franchise business to have husband and wife partners, as well as other family members involved in the business. For some people, that would be an immediate recipe for disaster. For others, the idea of working with family is a comforting thought, a way of building something together, a legacy to pass on.
In our Budget Blinds® family of franchisees, we have many husband and wife teams, and family and friend units working successfully together. We believe in the strength of families and friends working together and are living proof that it’s a formula for success. Budget Blinds was started 20 years ago by five friends, two of them brothers, and together they have built a thriving company, Home Franchise Concepts (HFC), the parent company to Budget Blinds and Tailored Living®, two franchise brands that excel at helping new franchise business owners build their own businesses.
We repeatedly hear how new franchisees are drawn to Budget Blinds because “it feels like a family,” with genuine caring and support. Family businesses thrive within the Budget Blinds franchise system, helping to make Budget Blinds the #1 window coverings franchise in North America, with nearly 1,000 franchised territories.
Family Franchises that Rock
We asked a few of our franchisees who run their business as a “family affair” how it’s working, and we got thumbs up from long-established locations as well as new franchise owners. A family-run business can be lucrative, fun and rewarding in many ways.
Dave and Maryellen Ogburn, Budget Blinds serving Sparks, Reno and Las Vegas, NV, 20-year franchise owners of two territories:
– “We actually have three generations that are working in the Budget Blinds franchise, my oldest grandson [is one of our installers] and my son and his wife have a franchise in Las Vegas. My wife and I will be retiring soon and…it gives you a certain amount of pride [to] know that your legacy’s going on through your children, your children’s children. Last year we did about $2.8 million in sales. This year we’re shooting for $3.6 million. Having my family in the business with me means a lot…to go to work every day and to know that the people you love and trust are there, and they always have your back.” –Dave
Jim and Elaine Trotter, Budget Blinds serving Tampa, FL, six-year franchise owners of three territories:
– “What we envisioned for ourselves was the ability to work together. Jim and I have been married for 30 years. We get along wonderfully and this has only enriched our relationship, and brought us even closer together. We felt that this would be a business that meshed our skill sets together and this has proven to be true. We work as a team, and we feel that our company sees that. It’s given us freedom… Jim doesn’t have to travel anymore. We really enjoy working with people that you want to work with on a daily basis.” –Elaine
Joshua and Angela Haddon, Budget Blinds serving West Raleigh, NC, three-year franchise owner:
– “We used to work (at) corporate America and had to work all the time so we had to have childcare. Now [with] this business I am primarily out in the field all day and she helps off-hours so she can stay home with our children. We don’t miss anything at school or any of their sport events, so we really love that. The most rewarding part to having a Budget Blinds franchise is the flexibility I get to have with my family. We’ve always worked for other people; we’ve always been employees. But now we create jobs [and] that’s something that’s really exciting to me.” –Joshua
Terry and Keith Matz, Budget Blinds serving Southern Pines, NC, new franchise owners, October, 2014:
– “I saw [the Budget Blinds] Undercover Boss*…and as I watched, I realized how much this company is about family and taking care of yourselves and building the best business you can…putting the priorities of family first. It’s given us a chance to spend more time as a family. Both of our boys are involved, so it’s been kind of nice. They’re helping with the marketing…passing out flyers on weekends. And our oldest, he’s involved doing installs. It’s growing a family business…everybody in our entire family’s involved.” –Terry
(Both have military backgrounds, Terry is retired, Keith is still active, so she is taking the reins on starting the business.)
Susan and Del Cannon, Budget Blinds serving Southwest Lubbock, TX, ten-year franchise owners:
– “My husband and I were looking for an opportunity; we were looking for financial security and stability. We’d both been hopeless entrepreneurs, trying to do everything ourselves, but by buying a franchise, especially one like Budget Blinds with a vision and a plan, it helped put the kids through college and did even more. We had, as a personal goal, to reach the Million Dollar Club [and we did]. “ –Sue
Working Side by Side
Building any business is a challenge, and building a business with family can add an extra layer of complexity. These testimonies touch on several points that are important for success when working with family or friends in business partnership. Shared goals, joint decision making, defined roles that play to strengths and “all-in” commitment help to ensure harmony in the work place…and in the home.
Here are some additional considerations if you are thinking about going into business with family or friends so you don’t end up sacrificing relationship for the sake of business:
- Don’t bank on a short-time acquaintance, it’s important to really know the person and feel secure in trusting them.
- Are your decision-making processes compatible? If one is analytical and one plays hunches, conflict may arise.
- Are work styles and ethics compatible? If one views a work week as six days and the other as three days, you’ll be constantly butting heads.
- Can you be transparent with this person in any communication without argument or hurt feelings? If everyday interaction is a challenge, business dealings will not be any different.
- Do you respect each other’s opinions even in disagreement, and can you live with compromise without resentment?
- Can you honestly evaluate work performance without extreme criticism or excuses? This includes micro-managing (which drives people crazy) or absence of appropriate training (which drives people crazy).
- Keep business and personal separate, a job issue should not carry over into your personal relationship, and vice versa.
- Spend some time apart. 24/7 togetherness can become too much of a good thing, even with those you love.
The Budget Blinds franchise opportunity may be the perfect fit for you and your family. Check us out by calling 800-420-5374 today or go to www.budget-blinds-franchise.com.
To learn about our program to assist U.S. military veterans with becoming franchise business owners, check out the Million Dollar Franchise Event.
*To view the complete episode of Undercover Boss with CEO Chad Hallock, click here.
