There Is No Plan B

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Welcome to Designed Pause, a space for women who are thinking about taking an intentional career break.
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I'm Deidra Green.
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Today's episode is adapted from a recent video where I reflect on what it really means to pause, not to escape your life, but to design what comes next.
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If you're in a season of transition, you're in the right place.
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Well, we all know there is a specific kind of professional who looks at a broken system and decides the answer is not to fix it from the inside, it's to build something better on the outside.
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My guest today is that kind of professional.
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Tarji Carter is the founder and CEO of The Franchise Player and the co-founder of The Franchise Game.
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She brings nearly 20 years of experience in franchise development, and she has dedicated that expertise to something that the franchise industry has historically underserved, helping professionals from underrepresented communities and untapped markets become franchise owners.
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Her mission is not small.
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She is working to bridge the wealth gap in America by turning passion into ownership with a goal of creating 500 new franchisees.
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She also left a corporate role to do it, which means she knows exactly what it costs to make that leap, and exactly what becomes possible on the other side.
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So Tarji, welcome to Designed Pause.
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I am so happy to have you here.
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Thank you for the invitation.
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And yes, you are absolutely right.
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A designed pause is exactly what this has been.
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Oh, I love that.
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I love that.
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So let's just get right into it.
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So what did your corporate look, uh, corporate life look like before you made the leap? What were you doing and how long had you been doing it? So I started my franchising career in 2008.
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Um, I started as a franchise sales manager for a company called Carvel Ice Cream, uh, that was headquartered in New York, um, and then was acquired by Focus Brands and relocated to Atlanta.
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And so I did that for about eight months, and before that I knew nothing about franchising.
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I just, it was a series of introductions, which is how I ended up where I was, and within eight months I was promoted to director of franchise sales for both Cinnabon and Carvel for the entire country.
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So, I jumped in with, uh, both feet and, uh, and been running with it ever since.
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So it was a great opportunity to learn something that I had, that I'd never heard of before, and it was a great challenge for myself.
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Um, and I learned so much about not just who I am as an individual, but how to manage relationships, how to manage adversity, how to have tough conversations.
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Learned so much throughout that process that has stuck with me to, to today.
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Um, and you know, I'm still learning, because every day is a different day and I learn something new, uh, with every interaction, every conversation.
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I love how you describe that, that it was just a series of introductions and you were in something new, and that ultimately became like a catapult- for you and you were promoted so quickly.
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That, that is just, it's beautiful when opportunity meets the type of ambition that you need when you're starting something new, so that's awesome.
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I love to hear, hear that.
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I love how that sounds, a series of introductions.
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So what, was there a moment when you knew that the corporate path was no longer the right one, or was it kind of like a slow build? You want the real answer? No, just kidding.
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Um.
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It was definitely a slow build, you know? Every brand I went to, again, a different experience.
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Um, some brands were a lot more advanced in the way that they saw, uh, franchise development, the way that they saw serving certain communities- Mm-hmm um, and also the way they s- they saw, um, recruitment, franchisee recruitment.
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Mm-hmm.
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And so every brand is different, um, in the way that they go about all of that.
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And so, um, with every brand that I worked with, I really learned, um, how to ask more questions- Mm-hmm um, and, and how to, to push back professionally when something just didn't feel right or sit right with me.
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And so it really helped me to establish kind of that base level of trust within myself that I have, that I didn't always have, right? Mm-hmm.
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Because I was in a lot of environments where I just didn't understand, like, how much- How much I could, how, how much I could push the envelope in terms of speaking up for myself.
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Um, there was always that tipping point, right? You don't, you wanna- Mm-hmm stand up for yourself, but you don't wanna come across as the angry person, right? Or- Yes someone who's combative or hard to work with or not a team player.
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I mean, I'm sure you've heard all the labels.
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Yes.
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And so being in those environments- it's, it's, it's, it's a balancing act.
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You wanna make sure that you're showing up, you're asking questions, you're in the room, but sometimes you can do that and then be met with a lot of resistance.
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And so- Yes it, I just got to the point where I felt like I learned enough to step out on my own.
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I had established enough of, enough great relationships with folks across different disciplines within franchising- Mm-hmm that I could step out and I could start to do something on my own.
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So I did that in 2017, um, and that was pre-pandemic.
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So I did that- Mm-hmm for a little while, and then, you know, just by the grace of God, I was interviewing for a role that I didn't even know I was going to need.
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And so, uh, it was probably, like, the week before the pandemic really hit, I was offered a position with Wingstop.
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Mm.
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And I didn't know I was gonna need the job Right.
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Exactly.
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It, it, it definitely came in at the perfect time when, you know, business, you know, consulting business, business and clients had just dried up.
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It was just- Mm-hmm there was something happening, there was a shift happening in the country and in the world I didn't know, but, um, it came at the perfect time.
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And so I, from 2017 to 2020, I was out on my own.
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I actually, um, kinda like you, you know, with what you shared, I stepped away in 2017 and I just took a week.
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I went to Barcelona by myself, and I just walked around Barcelona, ate my way through Barcelona, had a really- Yep great time.
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And then when I got back, I realized, you know what? I've been working since I was 13 years old.
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I'm taking the rest of the year off.
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Yep.
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Yeah.
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And so from July of 2017 until probably, like, November, December, I did nothing.
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I just, I recharged.
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I invested in myself.
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I read books.
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I exercised.
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I drank more water.
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I re- you know, I just did- Mm-hmm everything.
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I spent time with friends.
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I did all the things that I didn't have time to do or make time to do when I was really preoccupied with working in a corporate role.
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Yeah.
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And so- I absolutely...
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The way that you are describing the way that you took your pause is one of the ways that I talk about and the framework that I use.
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You can take a pause and you can just absolutely do nothing and completely just pour back into yourself.
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You can work on building something whi- during a pause because maybe you know what you wanna do, or you can do kind of a little bit of a combination of the two.
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But the point was that you took the time to make a conscious dec- decision and say, "I need this time."
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And so I don't think a lot of people, um, realize that they have that option available to them.
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I think we're always just so focused on getting to the next goal, getting to the next role, getting into the next thing, that we don't often take that time and kind of look inward and say, "Well, what else could I possibly do, be doing? Or am I on the right path as it is right now?" I didn't know.
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I had no idea.
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I just kind of listened to my body- Mm-hmm and my, my mental health, right? Mm-hmm.
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There were things that I just wasn't really in tune with when I was- Yeah on that hamster wheel.
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And so I, um, I took the time, but, you know, it was so crazy.
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Like, I would wake up every day like, "Oh, God.
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Did I miss a meeting? Did I sleep through my alarm?" Like- Mm-hmm.
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it was, it was...
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It took me, honestly, gosh- It probably took about a good year before- Yeah I stopped that, that I didn't have that anxiety anymore.
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Like- Yeah am I, am I letting somebody else down? Mm-hmm.
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Am I missing a timeline? Mm.
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Am I not doing something I'm supposed to be doing? And it took a while.
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Yeah.
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It really took a while to get used to s- to understanding that no, you're on your own.
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Mm-hmm.
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You don't have to set an alarm.
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You don't have to be at a, a meeting, a Zoom meeting or in a meeting at 9:00 on a Monday, right? There's- Mm-hmm.
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It, it took a while for that to happen, and I think, um, people think I'm crazy when I say it, but I mean, I think it's a, it's some PTS- PTSD- Yes involved in that, right? It is, 100%.
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I was just gonna say, w- I was just gonna say it's, it's 100% PTSD from, from being in that- Yeah that space And you don't realize it while you're in it.
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You're like, "Okay, this is just the thing that I'm supposed to do."
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Yes.
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And- Mm-hmm and it- And even when you're not in it, it takes time to shift that identity, and that's the part that I think when people talk about career breaks, if they talk about them at all, because I don't hear that conversation too much, people don't mention that part, that it takes time to kind of shed that identity and be like, "Okay," like, "this is a new thing.
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I'm doing something different now, and I don't have to have all these anxiety..."
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Like, I, I was hearing the team's ringtone in my sleep, you know? So, so I can completely- Yeah relate to having those moments.
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Mm.
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But one of the things that I would love for you to touch on is when you made that decision, what was, uh, what was the hardest part, um, about making it, about walking away from the stability, quote, unquote? Because everyone- Yeah says that or everyone is concerned with, "Well, how am I gonna make money? How am I gonna fund my, my career break? What, what is this gonna do to all those relationships and those things that you built?" So the relationships are, were really one of the most important parts, and I made sure that I was connected, right? Along the way I was making sure I had phone numbers and email addresses.
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Not just business email addresses, but personal email addresses as well, personal cell phone numbers, because I knew I was leaving.
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Mm.
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I just didn't know when.
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Mm-hmm.
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So I had been planning for a very long time because the vision that I had for the franchise player and the franchise game, it was one that I tried to take to almost every brand.
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Like, "Hey, let's, let's think about a different way of recruiting.
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Let's think about a different way of bringing, bringing business folks together.
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Let's think about a different way of just conducting business overall."
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And, um, and so every brand that I went to, you know, not that there was anything wrong with the brand, it just wasn't a priority for them.
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And so- Right.
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Mm-hmm so okay, I can continue to go from brand to brand and consistently, uh, cont- try to be this, you know, swimming upstream and, you know, always bumping my head against whatever it is, right? Mm-hmm.
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Or, and be angry about it.
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Mm-hmm.
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Or I could just step away, have, you know, confidence in what I know the world needs from me, stay in prayer, and listening to what I need to be doing.
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So I had to do that.
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But be- but while all that's going on- Mm-hmm I was preparing financially.
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So I played this little game with myself.
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So I knew, I, I had my budget.
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I knew what my bills were.
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I knew what they were every month.
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And so the night before direct deposit would hit I would transfer whatever was in my checking account into my savings.
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Mm-hmm.
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Every pay period, it became a game.
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I wanna make sure it's more than last time, and the last time- Yeah and the last time.
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And so it became this game for me, so I did that.
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Um, I also had some stock, so I made sure, you know, I knew what I needed to do with that.
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Um, and then I- Mm I actually, because I didn't know what was happening in the country, I, uh, cashed out- Mm-hmm at a good time.
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Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.
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Put that in the bank.
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Um, I...
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this is gonna sound crazy, but I made sure I took, did all my dentist appointments, my doctor's appointments, uh, renewed my Clear, my PSA pre-check, all the things.
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Yep.
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You, it doesn't sound crazy at all, because that is exactly what I did.
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Yeah.
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That is exactly what I did.
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Yeah.
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I- That's the thing.
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And I was like, you know what? Because once it's gone, it's gone, so let me make sure- Yep you know, mammograms and your- Yes physicals, all the things.
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Yes.
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'Cause we know- Yes COVID's expensive, right? So I was just really trying to make sure that I cut...
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I saved as much as I could.
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I cut whatever expenses I didn't need, right? Mm-hmm.
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So I really got down to the bare bones- Yeah of, of this whole thing.
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Like, okay, if I don't make another dollar for another- Yeah six months, I can still cover my bills.
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So I was planning probably- Yeah probably two years in advance.
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Mm-hmm.
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Yeah.
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Because if I went back to a corporate role, I wanted t- it to be on my own terms, not because I was desperate.
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Right.
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Exactly.
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Exactly.
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You are...
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I mean, I cannot believe we haven't had this discussion before, because- you are definitely speaking my language.
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Those are exactly the things that I did.
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And if you're always, if you're always getting ready, like, when it, the moment comes and- Yeah you can actually take that leap, you're like, "Okay, I'm ready for this."
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Like, "I'm ready for it."
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Yeah.
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So even if, you know, just to the woman who's out there listening right now, like, even if you don't think that you can take a career break right at this moment, like tomorrow you couldn't put your notice in, are you prepared for the moment when you feel like you wanna take that leap? Yeah.
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Like, what are you doing now? What are you putting in place? The, the, what you just described about your finances, I call it the financial reality inventory.
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It's like, what do you have at your disposal currently, and what can you do to make the most of that? So I love that you described it in such beautiful, simple terms- because that's what it is.
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That's what you have to do when you're deciding if you wanna make this leap.
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So as far as, like, the franchise, The Franchise Game or The Franchise Player, you...
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Did you know, um, was it fully formed or, like, was the, the, the business plan fully formed or was it still just a vision when you decided to, to make the leap? Like, how did you bring it from concept to reality in, in the time that you took the, the break? Yeah, so I didn't quite have the name for it just yet, but I knew all along because again, the things I wanted to implement in these, at these companies, it, they just, they just weren't received, right? Mm-hmm.
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And so I was like, okay, I know that this is gonna work and I know that is gonna work.
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So I would, you know, I just kinda kept a, a, a tab of everything and I had the outline for it.
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I knew exactly, um, why I wanted to create The Franchise Player and who I wanted to help and service and how I could serve as a bridge between those candidates and the brands, right? And it was a matter- Mm-hmm of just aligning with the brands who understood the bigger picture and had some shared values, right? Because, um, you know, a corporation and, and, and, and the leadership and their mission and their values, right, that all comes from the top but there are so many people within that organization, some are aligned with, you know, the top and some are like, "Listen, if I had the authority to do X, Y or Z, this is what I would do."
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And so, you know, finding out who those people were and just kinda staying attached to them so when I was able to build The Franchise Player, I reached back out like, "Hey, this is what I'm doing, you know- Mm-hmm would love to work with you and this is what I've built."
173
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Mm-hmm.
174
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And so it's just kind of grown from there.
175
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Even with The Franchise Game, that's the, you know, the franchise symposium and trade show that we do every year.
176
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We just came off of the fourth one last week.
177
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It was the best we've ever done.
178
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Oh.
179
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And so there were people in the room who had been watching how this thing was progressing year after year.
180
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One person even said- I, he, they bought their ticket really late, like, because they have FOMO.
181
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Because they saw a competitor was coming.
182
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Yes.
183
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I was like, "Oh, okay."
184
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So, you know, people are just kind of like sitting around on the sideline just waiting to see- Mm-hmm how this whole thing progresses.
185
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Um, and so, you know, and I get that, right? You know- Yeah you know, sometimes you don't wanna be the first one 'cause you don't wanna, you know, you just never know what to expect.
186
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Yeah.
187
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But the event was the best we've ever had.
188
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Um, we've been all over social media.
189
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Yeah.
190
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Especially all over LinkedIn.
191
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Everybody's posting, everybody's sharing about it because it's something that's so unique.
192
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Like, we've- Mm-hmm curated this room and this space for people who operate with integrity, who wanna do- Yeah business together.
193
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Yes.
194
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And that's what this is.
195
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And that, it doesn't matter where you come from, what you look like, what you believe in- Mm-hmm who you love.
196
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Mm-hmm.
197
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We're all there to conduct business and to do it in a, in a way that honors each other and in a way that helps one another grow.
198
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Yes.
199
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And that's what people got from it.
200
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And, and I'm, I'm so blessed that that's kind of the feedback we've been getting.
201
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And, and it just makes me feel really good because that was the intent all along.
202
00:18:24,409.02 --> 00:18:24,439.02
Mm-hmm.
203
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It was never to alienate anyone because that's not what we, what we stand for.
204
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Yes, 100%.
205
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I can speak from experience after attending a couple of your events.
206
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Every event is just better than the last one, and it is like, it is a true networking experience in the best sense of the word.
207
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Yeah.
208
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The people who are there are so warm.
209
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There's nobody who is, like, too good, like they can't talk to you.
210
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And the panels, you just have so, you get so much value from the panels.
211
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Like, people are talking and they're sharing their real experiences.
212
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They're not doing it from this 5,000 foot level and you're like, "I don't know what this person is- Yeah I, I'm not getting anything of."
213
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It's like those moments- Yeah where your pen is just, like, on fire because you're like, "Oh my gosh."
214
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And to see the trajectory that people have from where they started to where they are by the time they get to that stage that you've built, that you've created for them to share, is amazing.
215
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It's nothing short of absolutely inspiring.
216
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So I mean, I, I'm, that's- Wow my personal experience, so I know, you know, if they don't believe you, they can take it from me that it's an amazing space that you've built to get- Mm to get people connected.
217
00:19:49,899.015 --> 00:19:51,59.019
And I would say one thing.
218
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It really comes from the preparation, right? So- Mm-hmm before anybody hits the stage, uh, I have deep conversations with everyone, all of the panelists- Mm the moderators, the, the speakers, and they ask the same question, "Well, who's going to be in the room?" And I tell them, "It's gonna be a little bit of everyone," folks who probably learned what franchising was yesterday up to multi-unit, multi-brand operators, and everybody in between.
219
00:20:16,919.019 --> 00:20:25,299.02
So I want, I wanna make sure that we're speaking to the audience in a way that lands and that resonates, and we're not talking over anybody.
220
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And it doesn't mean that somebody just isn't educated.
221
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It's just that they're not aware of this aspect of financial- freedom, right? There, there's a lot- Right of language.
222
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There's a lot of, um, you know, uh, acronyms and, and things like that that, that for me and, and for someone like you and others who work and live in this space every day, it's just second nature.
223
00:20:48,159.02 --> 00:20:51,79.019
But there w- there are a lot of folks in the room that are new to this.
224
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And so I wanna m- I wa- always wanna make sure that whoever's on stage is speaking to everyone in the audience in a way that, um, that really resonates.
225
00:20:58,849.019 --> 00:21:02,539.019
And if there are questions, like sometimes you just don't even know what you don't know.
226
00:21:02,539.019 --> 00:21:10,279.021
Even when people are speaking, they're, there's using this jargon and this language that just misses, you know? Because that's what they- Right do every day.
227
00:21:10,399.02 --> 00:21:17,159.019
And, and sometimes we just have to get outside of that bubble and, and go back to where we were when we first started.
228
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Yeah.
229
00:21:18,489.02 --> 00:21:19,379.02
And so that's kind of what we do.
230
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And I also make sure that all of the speakers, um, have an opportunity to meet one another before they hit the stage.
231
00:21:26,519.019 --> 00:21:32,359.02
So- Yeah usually virtually, but, um, they get to know one another and there's like some communication.
232
00:21:32,359.02 --> 00:21:45,309.018
And even afterwards everybody stays in, in communication, so it's really a, a matter of people building, you know, the networking piece of course, right? But there's a lot of relationship building, um, that ha- Mm-hmm that happens in real time.
233
00:21:45,839.022 --> 00:21:46,439.016
Mm-hmm.
234
00:21:47,97.02 --> 00:22:10,87.02
So, um, besides coordinating the space for these conversations to happen, what does, what does the process look like in practice? So if I'm a person who is interested in franchising or, you know, how do I get, how do I get plugged in? How do I get connected to you and, and, and the resources? Yeah.
235
00:22:10,107.02 --> 00:22:13,257.02
So, um, there's, go to the website of course.
236
00:22:13,257.02 --> 00:22:23,307.02
There's a lot of information on the website, um, and you can learn, just kind of like tool around before you, before you start to have a conversation, right? To see- Mm-hmm if any of this makes sense.
237
00:22:23,307.02 --> 00:22:28,87.019
And if it doesn't, then just click on the contact button, fill out your- Mm-hmm contact information.
238
00:22:28,117.02 --> 00:22:30,87.018
The website is, uh, thefranchisegame...
239
00:22:30,157.018 --> 00:22:30,527.019
I'm sorry.
240
00:22:30,887.021 --> 00:22:31,617.017
Sorry, sorry, sorry.
241
00:22:32,137.017 --> 00:22:32,617.02
Scratch that.
242
00:22:34,727.017 --> 00:22:35,427.021
Thefranchiseplayer.com
243
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is the website.
244
00:22:36,307.019 --> 00:22:43,437.018
Uh, just go to contact, fill out your information, and then what I initially do is have a 15-minute consultation with everybody.
245
00:22:43,447.018 --> 00:22:44,347.019
It's complimentary.
246
00:22:44,727.017 --> 00:22:49,347.018
Um, and then we decide, you know, where you are, first of all if franchising is for you or not.
247
00:22:49,347.02 --> 00:22:49,487.02
Right.
248
00:22:49,857.018 --> 00:23:03,897.015
Where you are in that process, and then if we wanna work together, then we can move forward and set up a, a, a really, uh, in-depth discovery call to really dig into the meat of, of what next steps look like.
249
00:23:03,937.016 --> 00:23:13,897.021
And then, uh, that process is a matter of really deciding what the best industry is, narrowing it down to a few brands, and to getting to that one brand that you wanna move forward with.
250
00:23:14,587.018 --> 00:23:16,967.021
Um, and then we assist with the business plan.
251
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We assist with putting together the infrastructure.
252
00:23:19,757.016 --> 00:23:26,787.016
We introduce you to lenders, um, folks in construction, real estate, design, marketing, market planning.
253
00:23:26,787.016 --> 00:23:30,567.016
So we have resources in ev- within every one of those disciplines.
254
00:23:30,657.018 --> 00:23:40,567.018
And so these are folks that, again, I've had relationships with for almost 20 years in some cases, who understand what it is we do, how we do it, and why we do it.
255
00:23:40,877.019 --> 00:23:46,947.021
And so they are w- ready, willing, and able to assist anyone that comes through The Franchise Player program.
256
00:23:47,357.015 --> 00:23:47,767.015
Hmm.
257
00:23:48,57.019 --> 00:23:49,137.021
Okay, I love this.
258
00:23:49,137.021 --> 00:23:49,907.015
I love that there's...
259
00:23:50,257.016 --> 00:24:10,577.016
It kind of, you know, um, the fact that you give just that little c- consultation is so helpful, because so many people, um, stop themselves from starting something new or, uh, or just being c- by just not even being curious enough about it, and they don't wanna take the step without actually talking to a human being first.
260
00:24:10,577.016 --> 00:24:25,587.011
And I think in this day and age where there's so much technology and so much AI, just knowing that there's a person that I can just speak to to start this journey and just see where I'm at is, is gonna be really helpful for a lot of people.
261
00:24:26,155.02 --> 00:24:49,475.019
I wanna switch gears just a little bit and a- ask about the hard parts of building this, right? Because there's always, there's always hard parts, and I think a lot of the times we see these amazing highlight reels of what's happening, and I wanna get down to, you know, those moments where you're like, "Okay, I'm questioning my decision."
262
00:24:49,725.019 --> 00:24:55,15.019
And not just the moment that you questioned the decision, but what got you through it? Hmm.
263
00:24:55,825.019 --> 00:24:56,935.02
Great questions.
264
00:24:57,135.019 --> 00:24:57,675.019
Um.
265
00:24:58,985.021 --> 00:25:27,869.02
You know, the hardest part for me is, is and has been You know, not a lot of folks that I am in life with know what franchising is and understand that world, so there's r- not really anybody in my immediate circle that I can bounce things off of, right? They- Yeah I, I, I can talk to them, and again, I just talked about, like, using language and jargon, but sometimes there's a need for that, especially when you're trying to build something.
266
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And so- Right you know, they say you're, you're crazy until people really understand what's going on.
267
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Sometimes you can just be ahead of your time.
268
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And so, you know, I've been talking about franchising for almost 20 years now.
269
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My family came to Dallas this weekend and saw what I have been building all this time, and they're like, "Oh, I get it now."
270
00:25:50,529.019 --> 00:25:51,219.02
Now they get it.
271
00:25:51,219.02 --> 00:25:51,849.018
Yeah.
272
00:25:51,849.018 --> 00:25:51,909.02
Yeah.
273
00:25:51,909.02 --> 00:25:54,899.02
So all of that to say, it's very lonely.
274
00:25:55,139.02 --> 00:25:55,929.019
Mm-hmm.
275
00:25:56,139.02 --> 00:26:09,629.017
It can be extremely lonely when you're- Mm-hmm on this path of, of understanding that you're in this place of, um, rebuilding, refurbishing- Yeah your life.
276
00:26:10,149.022 --> 00:26:11,79.015
Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.
277
00:26:11,79.015 --> 00:26:14,369.022
And then also, you know, other people are like, "Well, just go, just get a job."
278
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Like, "Why are you...
279
00:26:16,269.017 --> 00:26:18,409.016
What? Duh, just get a job."
280
00:26:18,919.019 --> 00:26:29,919.02
But when you're not built like that or you've- Yeah done it for so long and you've reached a point where that just isn't, um, it, it just doesn't fit anymore- Yeah it takes a while.
281
00:26:29,919.02 --> 00:26:33,709.02
It takes somebody else experiencing that before they can relate to you.
282
00:26:33,709.02 --> 00:26:36,379.019
Kinda like when you lose a parent, right? Yeah.
283
00:26:36,469.014 --> 00:26:43,779.022
You have people around you who love you, but they don't understand what it's like to lose a parent until they- Right lose theirs, right? So it's really- Exactly kinda the same thing.
284
00:26:44,49.022 --> 00:26:45,479.022
Mm-hmm, yeah.
285
00:26:45,479.022 --> 00:26:56,799.017
One thing I think has been great for me is, as I'm talking to people who are kinda like mid-career and they're interested in franchising and they don't know much about it, they wanna dip their toe in, but they're not really sure.
286
00:26:57,329.015 --> 00:27:03,679.019
Everybody seems to think that when, when you, when you talk about franchising, you're only talking about either Chick-fil-A or McDonald's.
287
00:27:04,329.015 --> 00:27:04,739.015
Right.
288
00:27:05,69.015 --> 00:27:07,89.015
And you need a million dollars, right? Yes.
289
00:27:07,199.018 --> 00:27:07,229.018
Yep.
290
00:27:07,849.019 --> 00:27:23,104.016
When I am able to have conversations to let them know that there are probably over 300 different categories to choose from, the economic output of franchising is over $90 billion, with a B, right? Wow, mm-hmm.
291
00:27:23,104.016 --> 00:27:24,49.019
So $90 billion.
292
00:27:24,49.024 --> 00:27:29,689.011
There's over 800,000 different franchise units in the country.
293
00:27:30,149.015 --> 00:27:35,375.02
So when you think about all of that- No one person did it all by themselves.
294
00:27:35,905.02 --> 00:27:36,135.02
Right.
295
00:27:36,175.02 --> 00:27:37,645.02
And you don't have to either, right? Mm-hmm.
296
00:27:37,655.02 --> 00:27:51,185.021
This is something that you can bring in your girlfriends, your sorors, your fraternity brothers, cousins, you name it, even coworkers that are just as tired of the place as you are, right? Right.
297
00:27:51,185.021 --> 00:27:51,435.019
Right.
298
00:27:51,435.019 --> 00:27:53,5.019
But they have to be like-minded.
299
00:27:53,25.019 --> 00:27:55,255.02
So people say, "You know, I'm not, I don't do partnerships."
300
00:27:55,575.02 --> 00:27:59,805.019
Well, you have to really research and do your due diligence on who you're bringing into the fold.
301
00:28:00,335.02 --> 00:28:00,855.02
Right.
302
00:28:00,855.02 --> 00:28:01,575.02
Mm-hmm.
303
00:28:01,575.02 --> 00:28:05,125.02
So the key, the key to that is you don't have to do it alone.
304
00:28:05,325.02 --> 00:28:14,345.02
If you're looking at a brand, for example, maybe they need 100,000, they, maybe they need you to show $100,000 liquid cash and a net worth of $400,000, right? Mm-hmm.
305
00:28:14,345.02 --> 00:28:20,745.019
They just wanna see that you have the financial wherewithal to get into this business situation.
306
00:28:21,575.02 --> 00:28:21,715.02
Right.
307
00:28:21,885.02 --> 00:28:28,205.017
Now, if there's four of you and you each have $25,000 liquid, now you've met that requirement.
308
00:28:28,215.019 --> 00:28:28,245.019
Right.
309
00:28:28,845.02 --> 00:28:35,185.018
So now you're not only taking or spreading out the risk, you're also spreading out the responsibility.
310
00:28:35,415.02 --> 00:28:36,135.017
So that's- Right.
311
00:28:36,195.019 --> 00:28:36,975.019
Absolutely.
312
00:28:36,985.016 --> 00:28:40,715.019
Mm-hmm you wanna go to Turks and Caicos, you know, for a month.
313
00:28:41,721.02 --> 00:28:44,891.02
There's three other people that are there to help take care of that business.
314
00:28:45,131.02 --> 00:28:45,631.02
Right.
315
00:28:45,981.02 --> 00:28:46,561.02
Right.
316
00:28:46,711.02 --> 00:28:46,941.02
Right.
317
00:28:46,941.02 --> 00:28:51,911.02
You can recharge, you can do what you need to do for yourself, and now you guys rotate it and you own it collectively.
318
00:28:52,81.02 --> 00:29:01,711.019
So if you decide you wanna own more, you can do that collectively, or now that you have one under your belt, you can spin off and maybe form other partnerships or do it on your own.
319
00:29:02,341.019 --> 00:29:08,391.019
But starting small and starting with a group of folks is a great way to get into franchising without risking it all.
320
00:29:09,11.019 --> 00:29:10,751.019
Yes, absolutely.
321
00:29:10,851.019 --> 00:29:12,131.019
Yeah, I love that.
322
00:29:12,141.02 --> 00:29:17,581.02
I love that idea of working together and, and being in community.
323
00:29:17,871.018 --> 00:29:21,951.02
Obviously making sure, like you said, that you're, you're with like-minded people.
324
00:29:21,961.018 --> 00:29:32,121.018
But, you know, I don't think a lot of people consider that as an option as well, um, coming into, you know, when it comes to starting your own business.
325
00:29:32,121.018 --> 00:29:58,801.018
Like, how can I, how can I spread the responsibility around and then also we can kinda lift each other up together in community? I, I'm thinking like even if you, your, you know, your family members or like you said, your group of girlfriends or what have you, like that's, I mean, that's a way to get started because maybe you don't have enough to do it by yourself, but you partner with two or three people and now we're all rising together.
326
00:29:59,261.021 --> 00:30:01,781.02
Um, um- And you're not having to do all the things on your own.
327
00:30:01,781.02 --> 00:30:03,271.019
I, I'm sorry- Right I didn't mean to cut you off.
328
00:30:03,281.018 --> 00:30:04,301.017
No, no, go ahead.
329
00:30:04,381.016 --> 00:30:06,831.018
But you're not having to do everything on your own.
330
00:30:06,841.015 --> 00:30:09,451.017
They give you a playbook, right? Mm-hmm.
331
00:30:09,451.017 --> 00:30:16,701.015
So you have this playbook, and then- Mm-hmm you have this entire team of folks behind you to help guide you along- Yeah the path of success.
332
00:30:16,711.018 --> 00:30:30,641.015
Now, if you follow what's in the playbook and you are in communication with your team, if you're- Yeah having some struggles that you're communicative about that, like you have to take control of your part of this journey.
333
00:30:30,971.02 --> 00:30:34,91.018
But in a- Mm-hmm franchise, you're not starting from scratch.
334
00:30:34,521.015 --> 00:30:34,701.021
Mm-hmm.
335
00:30:34,711.018 --> 00:30:36,971.019
You're making an investment into something.
336
00:30:36,971.02 --> 00:30:40,671.02
Some people are like, "You know, why would I join a franchise? I have to pay franchise fees."
337
00:30:40,671.02 --> 00:30:51,791.021
Well, when you make an e- send an email or make a phone call, there's somebody on the other end- Right that's able to answer and receive, and to help you with- Right whatever challenge you might be facing.
338
00:30:51,791.021 --> 00:31:01,391.02
Now, overall it is your business, but you're in it- Right collectively, and if everyone's playing their part- You, you could have a great situation on your hands.
339
00:31:01,651.02 --> 00:31:02,211.02
Yes.
340
00:31:02,531.02 --> 00:31:18,281.02
The way I like to describe franchising for people who don't necessarily fully understand what it is or don't understand the benefits of it, it's like, okay, we're gonna give you the ingredients and we're gonna give you the recipe, but you have to do the work to make the cake.
341
00:31:18,511.02 --> 00:31:21,921.019
But the ingredient- Okay like, we went grocery shopping for you.
342
00:31:22,381.019 --> 00:31:22,841.019
Right.
343
00:31:22,841.019 --> 00:31:23,806.0195
Here's the ingredients.
344
00:31:23,806.0195 --> 00:31:24,127.6863333
Exactly.
345
00:31:24,127.6863333 --> 00:31:24,771.02
Here's everything.
346
00:31:24,771.02 --> 00:31:26,676.019
Here's the recipe.
347
00:31:26,676.019 --> 00:31:26,901.019
Yeah.
348
00:31:26,901.019 --> 00:31:29,331.02
But you have to do the work to make the cake.
349
00:31:29,371.019 --> 00:31:48,241.018
And so I'm like, you know, when I put it like that, especially when I used to go into, uh, different fra- uh, franchise organizations and you're training the associates and explaining to them, you know, they're, they're like, "I, I would just work here," like, "I don't know what the franchise is," like, that was the best way to get them to understand, like, "Oh, okay," like, "I get it now.
350
00:31:48,241.018 --> 00:31:51,461.018
I understand, you know, that I'm a part of something bigger."
351
00:31:51,741.018 --> 00:31:53,321.02
So, um, yeah.
352
00:31:53,321.02 --> 00:31:53,481.02
I love that.
353
00:31:53,931.02 --> 00:31:54,351.02
Yeah.
354
00:31:54,371.019 --> 00:31:56,881.02
That is, that's the way- Yeah that's the way that I explain it.
355
00:31:56,881.02 --> 00:32:04,661.018
But I wanna go back to one of the things that you said about, um, entrepreneurship and building something, and it can feel, feel incredibly lonely.
356
00:32:04,661.02 --> 00:32:20,741.015
And the only reason why I wanna go back and touch on it is because I've had, um, I think you're my fifth or sixth guest on the podcast, and every one has said some type of version of, "It can be incredibly lonely."
357
00:32:21,131.021 --> 00:32:39,361.016
And I, you know, it's like after you've built the thing and you see so many people come together or you see, you know, all of this, uh, all of the wonderful accolades now after the fact, I mean, those pieces, um, people don't expect.
358
00:32:39,371.019 --> 00:32:41,201.017
Like, they don't see the behind the scenes.
359
00:32:41,201.021 --> 00:32:48,741.021
They don't know what you had to go through to get to that point- Yeah to have the event, to have the people.
360
00:32:48,751.016 --> 00:33:14,311.02
So, you know, in those moments, how did you just keep pushing through? Was it just you knew that you had the mission that you wanted to complete, or did you find a coach? Did you find a friend? Did you find a partner? You know, how did you kind of resolve that? It's still lonely, to be honest with you, if I'm being very candid.
361
00:33:14,681.02 --> 00:33:14,871.02
Mm-hmm.
362
00:33:14,901.02 --> 00:33:18,531.02
Um, so with the f- so I have two separate businesses.
363
00:33:18,531.02 --> 00:33:20,931.02
The one is The Franchise Player and the other is The Franchise Game.
364
00:33:20,931.02 --> 00:33:26,571.019
So I own The Franchise Player 100%, and then The Franchise Game I have two business partners.
365
00:33:26,601.02 --> 00:33:27,191.02
Hmm.
366
00:33:27,201.02 --> 00:33:31,251.02
So one of the partners I met when I was in franchising at Wingstop.
367
00:33:32,1.02 --> 00:33:39,441.02
So he was in marketing, it was COVID, everybody's on the screen like the Brady Bunch, you know, the, all the squares were up there.
368
00:33:39,611.02 --> 00:33:39,991.02
Yeah.
369
00:33:40,221.019 --> 00:33:46,151.018
And we just happened to recognize each other, so we had an off- off- off- offline conversation.
370
00:33:46,571.019 --> 00:33:52,261.02
And, you know, I was telling him about, you know, my vision for this Franchise Game, and we didn't have the, the name for it.
371
00:33:52,261.02 --> 00:33:52,671.018
Mm-hmm.
372
00:33:52,671.018 --> 00:33:55,411.02
He came up with the ga- with the name, The Franchise Game.
373
00:33:56,11.018 --> 00:33:56,401.018
Yeah.
374
00:33:56,401.018 --> 00:34:03,951.02
And so he was off doing some other things, and we would still keep in touch about how we wanna make this thing happen.
375
00:34:03,951.02 --> 00:34:09,421.02
And then he had a contact who was really, like, the missing link to all of this.
376
00:34:09,421.02 --> 00:34:14,871.019
Like, I handle the franchising piece, the relationships, the, uh- Mm-hmm the agenda, all that kind of stuff.
377
00:34:15,381.021 --> 00:34:22,251.018
And then, um, he would be in charge of marketing, and then this third person who he brought into the fold.
378
00:34:22,531.022 --> 00:34:27,181.016
And it feels like I don't even know what we'd do with- without any of us, right? 'Cause we all play- Yeah such different roles.
379
00:34:27,571.015 --> 00:34:31,761.02
Came in and was, like, the missing link, so did a little bit of everything.
380
00:34:31,771.02 --> 00:34:33,381.02
More, like, on the promotions side.
381
00:34:33,391.015 --> 00:34:35,481.022
Really c- a connector, if you will.
382
00:34:35,491.021 --> 00:34:35,511.021
Yeah.
383
00:34:35,761.018 --> 00:34:37,21.021
And that's exactly what he is.
384
00:34:37,311.021 --> 00:34:39,391.022
And so the three of us started doing that.
385
00:34:39,391.022 --> 00:34:42,871.017
So when it comes to the game, like, I have partners in that.
386
00:34:42,881.021 --> 00:34:44,741.018
Like, I can bounce things off of them.
387
00:34:44,751.018 --> 00:34:44,771.018
Yeah.
388
00:34:45,741.021 --> 00:34:49,411.018
Um, you know, one worked in franchising but on the marketing side.
389
00:34:49,421.022 --> 00:34:53,481.02
The other one is in promotions and, and things like that, in event planning.
390
00:34:54,111.016 --> 00:34:56,771.017
So I can bounce things off of them when it comes to that.
391
00:34:56,771.02 --> 00:35:00,191.014
But when it comes to the consultancy- Mm-hmm there's really not a lot.
392
00:35:00,191.018 --> 00:35:03,591.02
And so what I say is, um, you know, this is...
393
00:35:04,701.02 --> 00:35:06,961.019
I'm about to, I'm about to go to church on you for just a second.
394
00:35:07,441.018 --> 00:35:07,961.018
I love it.
395
00:35:08,501.016 --> 00:35:12,781.017
But, um, I never knew anything about franchising as a child.
396
00:35:12,791.017 --> 00:35:12,821.021
Mm-hmm.
397
00:35:13,421.014 --> 00:35:19,291.021
Brands didn't come into my community and say, "Hey, did you know you could own one of these?" They didn't come to our schools.
398
00:35:19,301.019 --> 00:35:20,961.01
They didn't come to our afterschool program.
399
00:35:21,351.022 --> 00:35:22,591.013
I knew nothing about it.
400
00:35:23,631.021 --> 00:35:28,401.016
My dad was very much a, a very astute businessman, and he, if he knew about it, he would've told me.
401
00:35:28,921.014 --> 00:35:28,941.014
Yeah.
402
00:35:28,951.013 --> 00:35:30,911.022
So I'm assuming he didn't know either.
403
00:35:31,371.011 --> 00:35:31,861.022
Mm-hmm.
404
00:35:31,871.011 --> 00:35:39,655.02
So to be in franchising and never knew, ha- have never known anything about it- That's nothing but God.
405
00:35:40,115.02 --> 00:35:46,55.02
And so- Mm-hmm for me, I know that this is purpose-driven work that I'm doing.
406
00:35:46,635.02 --> 00:35:46,865.02
Yes.
407
00:35:46,865.02 --> 00:35:49,875.02
This information does not reach the community that I'm from.
408
00:35:50,465.02 --> 00:35:50,815.02
Yeah.
409
00:35:50,815.02 --> 00:35:59,345.019
And so what good would it be for me to have learned everything and not give it to those that probably need it the most? Yeah.
410
00:35:59,375.019 --> 00:36:05,575.019
So that's really what keeps me going is- Yeah like, there is no plan B.
411
00:36:06,175.02 --> 00:36:06,655.02
Yeah.
412
00:36:06,855.02 --> 00:36:06,975.019
Mm-hmm.
413
00:36:06,985.019 --> 00:36:08,195.019
There's no plan B for me.
414
00:36:08,205.019 --> 00:36:08,225.019
Mm-hmm.
415
00:36:08,235.019 --> 00:36:11,845.019
Like, this is, it's what I think about when I wake up in the morning.
416
00:36:11,855.02 --> 00:36:14,275.02
It's what I think about when I go to bed at night.
417
00:36:15,345.018 --> 00:36:16,425.017
There's nothing else.
418
00:36:16,515.02 --> 00:36:21,65.02
And so- Yeah I know that's not me, 'cause I wanna do- Yeah other things.
419
00:36:21,105.02 --> 00:36:21,505.02
I wanna Right.
420
00:36:21,505.02 --> 00:36:29,725.018
You know? But, and I do the things that I want to do outside of this, but this is it.
421
00:36:29,895.017 --> 00:36:43,725.017
And so- Yeah even when it gets lonely, the reminder that God has trusted me with this- Yeah and has given me all of the resources that I need to make this happen.
422
00:36:44,285.021 --> 00:36:44,785.021
Yeah.
423
00:36:45,215.021 --> 00:36:46,315.018
That's the kick in the butt.
424
00:36:46,345.018 --> 00:36:47,135.02
Like, okay.
425
00:36:47,205.019 --> 00:36:47,655.019
Yep.
426
00:36:47,795.015 --> 00:36:48,445.022
Mm-hmm.
427
00:36:48,445.022 --> 00:36:48,755.022
Yeah.
428
00:36:48,755.022 --> 00:36:49,245.022
Yeah.
429
00:36:49,335.016 --> 00:36:50,775.021
No, no more pity party.
430
00:36:51,65.019 --> 00:36:52,235.015
It's time to- Right get back to work.
431
00:36:52,245.02 --> 00:36:57,345.021
So that's, I wish I had another answer for you, but that's- No, that's perfect.
432
00:36:57,385.019 --> 00:37:00,575.016
I wouldn't, I would not, I wouldn't have it any other way.
433
00:37:00,605.02 --> 00:37:01,735.016
I wouldn't have it any other way.
434
00:37:01,755.022 --> 00:37:03,45.017
That was a great answer.
435
00:37:03,45.017 --> 00:37:03,455.015
Thank you.
436
00:37:03,465.021 --> 00:37:15,455.018
And how, if you had to venture to guess, since you started on this journey, how many lives would you say you have changed by introducing them to franchising? Oh, my gosh.
437
00:37:20,427.02 --> 00:37:22,167.02
Conservatively, I'm gonna say hundreds.
438
00:37:22,167.02 --> 00:37:22,602.02
Wow.
439
00:37:22,602.02 --> 00:37:23,907.02
We'll say hundreds.
440
00:37:23,907.02 --> 00:37:24,347.02
Yeah.
441
00:37:24,587.02 --> 00:37:25,57.02
Wow.
442
00:37:25,267.02 --> 00:37:32,387.02
So we're doing this for, you know, for almost 20 years now, since 2008, and the m- many, many people I've talked to...
443
00:37:32,987.02 --> 00:37:52,687.018
So I think what, what has happened, h- what has helped me throughout my career is even when I worked for brands and I was, and I would talk to somebody who I knew wasn't ready, I knew I could not bring them into this 'cause they had, they had none of what it took to really make it to the finish line, I didn't just send them a decline letter or not call them back.
444
00:37:52,727.018 --> 00:38:02,507.019
I talked to everyone- Yep to let them know, "Okay, you're not there yet- Mm-hmm and you might be a far way away right now.
445
00:38:02,527.018 --> 00:38:14,57.02
However, if you do these two or three things-" You might be able to put yourself in a position to get approved in short-term, long-term, whatever it was, right? Yeah.
446
00:38:14,57.02 --> 00:38:16,187.02
Depending on where they, where they were starting from.
447
00:38:16,597.02 --> 00:38:17,7.02
Right.
448
00:38:17,17.02 --> 00:38:23,297.019
So I, you know, I saw a lot of myself in the folks that I talked to- Mm-hmm who just didn't know.
449
00:38:23,867.019 --> 00:38:27,727.02
They- Right they just didn't have access to the information on how this whole thing works.
450
00:38:27,817.019 --> 00:38:33,717.02
And so- Yeah I could've easily just thrown them away with a decline letter, "Hey, boop, you don't, you don't meet the requirements.
451
00:38:34,27.019 --> 00:38:34,517.02
Good luck."
452
00:38:35,167.02 --> 00:38:35,627.02
Right.
453
00:38:35,627.02 --> 00:38:36,297.019
I didn't do that.
454
00:38:36,297.019 --> 00:38:44,407.02
And, and I still don't do that because- Mm-hmm when someone has a dream or someone has hope, like, the last thing I wanna do is to crush that.
455
00:38:44,697.02 --> 00:38:45,17.02
Yeah.
456
00:38:45,27.02 --> 00:38:45,113.686
Mm-hmm.
457
00:38:45,113.686 --> 00:38:53,287.02
So if I can say one or two things that might still keep them inspired and give them- Mm-hmm a sense of direction, then I'm always going to do that.
458
00:38:53,707.021 --> 00:38:54,407.021
Yes.
459
00:38:54,687.02 --> 00:38:56,857.021
And sometimes people just need the steps.
460
00:38:56,857.021 --> 00:39:17,727.017
It's like, "Okay, well, I did, I don't know, like, how can I get there if I don't know what I need to do?" It's like, "Okay, so I can't start my franchise tomorrow, but what, how do I get prepared for it," you know? So I love that, that you're, you know- Yeah giving people the time and treating them like human beings and saying, "Okay," and being real with them, right? Yeah.
461
00:39:17,737.016 --> 00:39:22,337.019
Because it's like, "Look, if you try to do something right now, you'll be in a bad position.
462
00:39:22,347.016 --> 00:39:25,497.016
So let me tell you what to do to get yourself prepared."
463
00:39:25,707.017 --> 00:39:30,197.021
You know what I mean? So- I have, uh- Mm-hmm one multi-unit, multi-brand franchisee, we're friends now.
464
00:39:30,427.018 --> 00:39:30,787.016
Mm-hmm.
465
00:39:30,787.016 --> 00:39:37,47.019
And he tells, he loves to tell the story how we had a conversation, and I said to him, "You ain't got no money."
466
00:39:39,307.015 --> 00:39:43,247.017
And I said it to him just like that because we had developed a rapport, and I felt comfortable.
467
00:39:43,247.017 --> 00:39:43,427.017
Yes.
468
00:39:43,427.017 --> 00:39:45,407.017
And so he loves telling that story.
469
00:39:45,787.019 --> 00:39:56,787.018
But, you know, we had the, we had the conversation, but I- Yeah started out like, "Okay, we're gonna have a real conversation, okay? And I want you to know this comes from a place of love 'cause I wanna see you succeed."
470
00:39:56,797.021 --> 00:39:56,827.021
Yep.
471
00:39:57,47.021 --> 00:39:59,317.021
"But you ain't got no money, and so..."
472
00:40:00,47.021 --> 00:40:00,427.021
Yes.
473
00:40:00,527.017 --> 00:40:16,237.011
He laugh about it today, but now he's a multi-unit, multi-brand operator who I call whenever I have a need for someone that has that level of experience, someone that might be looking for a, a, an operating partner or something like that, like, he's one of the first- Yeah people I call.
474
00:40:16,597.016 --> 00:40:23,47.012
And so just because you're not there yet doesn't mean you can't get there with the right, you know, guidance and, and strategy.
475
00:40:23,57.023 --> 00:40:23,87.023
Right.
476
00:40:23,247.01 --> 00:40:23,977.02
That's really all it takes.
477
00:40:23,977.02 --> 00:40:25,317.02
It's not rocket science.
478
00:40:25,977.02 --> 00:40:26,527.02
Right.
479
00:40:26,997.02 --> 00:40:28,767.013
Oh, my gosh, I love this conversation.
480
00:40:28,767.015 --> 00:40:29,127.016
All right.
481
00:40:29,127.016 --> 00:40:43,977.019
We're running out of time, so I have two more questions for you- All right so that we can tie this up in a beautiful bow, 'cause it really has been a great conversation, and I think a lot of people are probably googling now, uh, some things that maybe they didn't know before.
482
00:40:44,227.021 --> 00:40:54,373.02
But what did you, what do you know now that you wish you had known before you made the leap? Hmm, before I made the leap.
483
00:40:55,83.02 --> 00:40:56,163.02
That's a great question.
484
00:40:57,153.02 --> 00:41:01,273.019
Um, I wish I had more confidence in myself.
485
00:41:01,733.02 --> 00:41:02,113.02
Mm.
486
00:41:02,123.02 --> 00:41:08,863.02
Right? I had spent so many years allowing others to tell me who I am.
487
00:41:10,813.02 --> 00:41:11,333.02
Wow.
488
00:41:11,343.019 --> 00:41:22,653.02
To tell me that basically you are not ready for whatever it is, right? There's always someone that's gonna tell you you're not ready, you don't have enough- Yeah all of the things.
489
00:41:22,713.02 --> 00:41:27,673.019
And I just wish I stood up for myself more, right? Yeah.
490
00:41:27,683.019 --> 00:41:27,883.02
Mm-hmm.
491
00:41:27,883.02 --> 00:41:32,573.021
And, and, and voiced my opinion or asked more questions, but also believed in myself more.
492
00:41:33,73.018 --> 00:41:39,53.017
Um- Yeah I would go into new positions feeling like everybody that was there before me knew more than I did.
493
00:41:39,63.02 --> 00:41:39,83.02
Yeah.
494
00:41:39,493.02 --> 00:41:45,943.02
And now that I'm on the other side of that, I know that's not the case.
495
00:41:46,313.02 --> 00:41:47,3.02
Mm-hmm.
496
00:41:47,3.02 --> 00:41:48,623.018
And it was not the case back then.
497
00:41:48,883.02 --> 00:41:50,153.02
So, yeah.
498
00:41:50,453.02 --> 00:41:53,463.017
That's- Yeah that's one big one- Mm-hmm is really...
499
00:41:53,473.02 --> 00:41:57,503.017
And it's, and it sounds really, like, you know, hokey, but, like, really sitting with yourself.
500
00:41:57,653.02 --> 00:41:57,673.02
No.
501
00:41:57,773.015 --> 00:42:01,233.021
What are my strengths? What are my weaknesses? Being realistic with yourself.
502
00:42:01,603.017 --> 00:42:02,3.017
Yeah.
503
00:42:02,113.019 --> 00:42:05,583.019
Um, who am I? What do I- Yeah stand for? Yeah.
504
00:42:05,583.019 --> 00:42:06,3.017
You know? Mm-hmm.
505
00:42:06,3.019 --> 00:42:10,403.017
And if something doesn't feel right and you're in a position where you're like, "You know what? That person said that.
506
00:42:10,603.017 --> 00:42:17,943.018
Doesn't sit well with me," right? I wish I had the courage back then to pull them to the side and say, "Hey, what did you mean-" Yeah by that?" Yeah.
507
00:42:18,343.015 --> 00:42:23,363.014
Or, you know, "What make you, made you feel like that was appropriate to say to me?" Right.
508
00:42:23,423.017 --> 00:42:24,13.02
Those sorts of things.
509
00:42:24,43.02 --> 00:42:24,323.016
Mm-hmm.
510
00:42:24,803.014 --> 00:42:25,73.016
Mm-hmm.
511
00:42:25,73.018 --> 00:42:27,743.017
And not be worried about being the angry person.
512
00:42:28,163.015 --> 00:42:28,833.015
Mm-hmm.
513
00:42:28,833.015 --> 00:42:28,853.015
Yeah.
514
00:42:28,853.015 --> 00:42:39,113.016
Because whether I was or wasn't, you know, the label was kind of probably- Oh, yeah off the room to begin with, right? So- Mm-hmm standing up for myself, believing in myself more, I think, um, not think.
515
00:42:39,143.018 --> 00:42:41,763.015
I, I wish I had, uh, had done that more.
516
00:42:42,323.018 --> 00:42:42,643.018
Mm.
517
00:42:42,753.019 --> 00:42:43,353.015
I love that.
518
00:42:43,353.017 --> 00:42:45,813.019
That's definitely something that someone can take away.
519
00:42:46,243.017 --> 00:43:07,303.018
But for the woman who is, is sitting now listening to this conversation at whatever time she might be listening to it, um, and maybe she's wondering, "Is there something else?" or, "Am I really ready?" what do you, what do you want her to hear? Wow.
520
00:43:07,563.016 --> 00:43:08,343.016
So there's two things.
521
00:43:08,343.016 --> 00:43:18,401.02
Like, when it comes to franchising, we'll get to that a little bit later, but personally, um- Think a, again, think about what drives you.
522
00:43:18,401.02 --> 00:43:20,571.02
What are you passionate about, right? Mm-hmm.
523
00:43:20,591.02 --> 00:43:29,751.019
If you can find a way to monetize that, or, and/or you can solve a problem- Mm-hmm and monetize that.
524
00:43:30,331.019 --> 00:43:30,851.02
Mm-hmm.
525
00:43:30,851.02 --> 00:43:31,921.02
We all have a gift.
526
00:43:31,971.02 --> 00:43:33,901.02
We're all talented in some way.
527
00:43:33,911.02 --> 00:43:40,621.019
It's a matter of sitting still long enough with ourselves to really unpack that.
528
00:43:41,61.02 --> 00:43:51,631.018
And if you're not afraid to sit with yourself and your thoughts, and now there are gonna be some things that come up that you probably have had in the recesses of your mind maybe for years or decades.
529
00:43:51,841.02 --> 00:43:52,441.018
Mm-hmm.
530
00:43:52,521.021 --> 00:43:59,691.019
But it takes sitting with yourself to really start- Mm-hmm at what I consider to be ground zero.
531
00:43:59,761.019 --> 00:44:05,681.02
And if you're willing to do that, 'cause that's really tough, and I, and we are- Mm-hmm all capable of doing tough things.
532
00:44:05,921.018 --> 00:44:16,171.018
If you're willing to do that, I think that would really help to, um, create a foundation to build what you, with the life you really want from there.
533
00:44:16,171.018 --> 00:44:16,561.018
Yeah.
534
00:44:17,81.018 --> 00:44:17,631.018
Yeah.
535
00:44:17,941.019 --> 00:44:18,211.019
Yeah.
536
00:44:18,211.019 --> 00:44:18,221.019
Absolutely.
537
00:44:18,221.019 --> 00:44:22,271.018
The second thing in terms of, like, you know, whether or not, you know, how to, how to move forward.
538
00:44:22,561.018 --> 00:44:31,381.019
I know right now we're on, you know, we live in a world of social media, and everyone's saying- Mm-hmm you know, you need to get, invest in the stock market and you need to invest in real estate.
539
00:44:32,311.018 --> 00:44:44,671.022
Uh, with franchising you can, you can have it all, right? So you can buy- Yeah the dirt, you can build the building and own the business, and then if the p- the business is, if the company is publicly traded, now you can invest in the stock.
540
00:44:45,361.021 --> 00:44:53,711.014
So think about it that way versus just being something that you're doing that creates one additional revenue stream.
541
00:44:54,121.015 --> 00:45:01,111.015
It could create a whole new, uh, way of life for not just you, but your family and generations to come.
542
00:45:02,199.02 --> 00:45:02,629.02
Wow.
543
00:45:03,319.02 --> 00:45:04,529.02
Yeah, that's amazing.
544
00:45:04,529.02 --> 00:45:17,349.02
I, I mean, I really, really feel like there is someone who's sitting out there listening that is now, this is a way, another pathway for them that maybe they hadn't even considered.
545
00:45:17,579.02 --> 00:45:24,759.019
Because I think franchising can also be for that person who is like, "Listen, I know I could build something.
546
00:45:24,759.02 --> 00:45:26,19.019
I know I can run a business.
547
00:45:26,29.019 --> 00:45:29,59.018
I just don't know what that thing is yet."
548
00:45:29,399.02 --> 00:45:49,919.02
And if you're, if you get into franchising and you have everything kind of there and you're learning all of these things at the same time, it could be the perfect answer for someone who might not know exactly what the what is, but they know who they are, and they know they wanna be in business, and they know they wanna be an owner.
549
00:45:50,309.019 --> 00:46:04,759.018
Um, so I feel like this conversation has really unlocked a lot of, um, a lot of ideas for me, for people who might be listening right now, and this is really exactly what this show exists for.
550
00:46:04,939.02 --> 00:46:07,449.019
It's the real version of what it takes.
551
00:46:07,449.019 --> 00:46:18,619.015
And so if anyone is out there listening who felt something shift during this episode, I really want you to pay attention to that, because that feeling that you're having is information for you.
552
00:46:18,979.018 --> 00:46:33,289.019
Tarji's work through The Franchise Player is for the professional who is ready to move from earning to, to owning, and if that path is for you and it's something that you wanna explore, I'm gonna have all her links in the description.
553
00:46:33,569.022 --> 00:46:45,399.016
And if today's conversation has you thinking more seriously about your own next chapter, what it would look like, what it would cost, what it would require, the Design Pause Decision Kit is where that work begins.
554
00:46:45,409.018 --> 00:46:52,409.016
It walks you through exactly what kind of pause makes sense for your life right now, and that link is in the description also.
555
00:46:52,809.019 --> 00:46:56,839.017
So I wanna say thank you so much, Tarji, for being here with us.
556
00:46:56,859.015 --> 00:47:05,775.02
If there's any last parting words that you wanna leave us with, I will give you the floor I just wanna say thank you for having me.
557
00:47:05,835.02 --> 00:47:20,425.019
Um, I'm very proud of you for stepping away and really, uh, following your, your gut and following your dream of, of doing this and helping other women to realize what that pause needs, should and could look like for them.
558
00:47:20,425.02 --> 00:47:22,255.019
So thank you for having me.
559
00:47:22,255.02 --> 00:47:31,545.02
I hope that, um, whatever I've shared today reaches at least one person to, to really consider, you know, you have everything that you need inside of you.
560
00:47:31,545.02 --> 00:47:35,845.018
It's just a matter of believing in yourself and then finding a pathway that works for you.
561
00:47:36,665.019 --> 00:47:37,815.02
Ah, thank you so much.
562
00:47:37,815.021 --> 00:47:39,325.018
I appreciate that so much.
563
00:47:39,655.021 --> 00:47:41,285.019
I am Deidra Green.
564
00:47:41,295.02 --> 00:47:43,65.019
This is Designed Pause.
565
00:47:43,355.018 --> 00:47:47,75.02
Tarji, thank you, and I will see you in the next one.
566
00:47:48,713.0128847 --> 00:47:54,383.0128847
If this episode resonated, you can explore more reflections on the design paused YouTube channel.
567
00:47:54,863.0128847 --> 00:47:59,573.0128847
Take what you need, leave what you don't, and I'll meet you in the next pause.