Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Kuban.
Leslie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My 21-year career in franchising has been a fantastic adventure and the credit goes to my father for paving the way! Like many of my company’s clients today, Dad was succeeding and climbing the corporate ladder at 3M but yearned to be his own boss and enjoy more lifestyle independence, business success and personal fulfillment. Buying a franchise opportunity and moving our family to Atlanta from St. Paul was how he transitioned his career and our family’s livelihood from being an employee to being an entrepreneur.
For over thirty years, our family was involved with several franchise brands in tutoring, photo finishing, and business services. I worked in some of these businesses when I was a Walton High School student in Marietta and became a managing partner of a Mail Boxes Etc. franchise shortly after graduation from Vanderbilt University.
The MBE experience was terrific. Frankly, had I tried to open a business like that at 22 years old, I probably would have really struggled and even failed. But because I had the support of Dad and a strong franchisor behind me, training me and helping me at every turn, I was successful and quickly developed solid business skills in marketing, sales, customer service, small business financials and employee leadership.
In my FranNet business today, I’m seeing a swell of multi-generational clients (seasoned corporate professionals teaming with their young adult’s children to buy a franchise opportunity), which I LOVE because I can add a lot of value to that situation, being an example of success in family-owned franchises.
In 1999, I pivoted and became a franchise consultant and FranNet franchise owner. While MBE was a terrific chapter, franchise consulting is my true home. FranNet is the North American leader in franchise consulting with over 50 franchise offices and 30 years of helping thousands of individuals and families successfully chose a franchise that meets their needs and goals.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
A big challenge I continue to face is the dominant perception that “franchise opportunities” automatically mean “fast food businesses.” Not so!! There is also a huge universe of excellent options in senior care, kids education/enrichment, pet services/products, business-to-business, health & wellness, home services and beauty just to name a few. I co-authored a book called More than Just French Fries to help dispel this prevalent myth!
Another constant challenge is addressing the common misperceptions that a person has to have prior industry experience to have a shot at being successful and that it’s going to cost millions of dollars. The truth is the majority of franchises (over 75%) prefer franchisees with zero experience in their industry; they would rather train and mentor with a clean slate in their proven systems and methods. And there are hundreds of successful franchise brands with very low investment requirements under $100,000.
On a personal note, working with a family member can be very rewarding but also really challenging. In my case, it’s a parent-child dynamic where both of us are A-type personalities. We trust each other implicitly but there have been many power struggles. The times we’ve argued have been less than professional and that can impact other family members.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the FranNet story. Tell us more about the business.
FranNet is the E-Harmony of choosing a well-matched franchise opportunity. Our clients usually have never owned a business before. They would love to be their own boss and enjoy better work-life balance, financial success and career satisfaction. But they need help figuring out what type of business they could successfully own and how to get started and make it happen with minimal risk.
Franchising can be the perfect option for the newbie entrepreneur because the historically proven business model and refined business systems substantially increase the opportunity for success. But there are over 4,000 franchises to choose from and trying to sift through it all is overwhelming. At FranNet we simplify and streamline the franchise opportunity buying process via our 4-step system:
1) Define what you want and need in a business.
2) Clarify your skills, interests, and budget.
3) Identify the best franchises that match your unique mix of criteria.
4) Provide research tools, resources and expertise to choose wisely.
I am extremely proud to have played a part in the entrepreneurial journeys of over 400 individuals and families over my franchise consulting career. Attending our clients’ grand opening parties and anniversary celebrations is great fun! FranNet is indeed unique in the franchise consulting industry in that we focus on serving new entrepreneurs in our local communities. Our competition is mostly remote, virtually based possessing a vague understanding of their clients’ markets.
Plus I have personally owned franchises for 21 years and know what it’s like to be responsible for payroll, pay franchise fees and work alongside family in a small business environment; I regularly draw on this experience in my consulting work. The franchise consulting industry has grown exponentially in the last 10 years, mostly with individuals who have no personal experience in franchising or business ownership. If a person is in the market to work with a franchise consultant, my suggestion is to ask questions about his/her relevant history and knowledge of their market.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I have a great life and a great business and I feel I have been dealt a very good hand that no doubt contributed to that. My home life as a child was relatively stable. Growing up with parents of an entrepreneurial mindset definitely influenced me in a positive way that has made taking risks and being confident in myself natural traits.
And the success of our family businesses enabled me to benefit from a great education. And regardless of our problems, we are all incredibly lucky to be living in the USA, especially women. I love the phrase “fortune rewards the brave” and I believe there’s a lot to be said for being prepared to take advantage of opportunity when it presents itself and being willing to step into the unknown. In that way, we contribute to creating our own luck and I’ve helped myself in that way too.
Contact Info:
- Website: AtlantaFranchiseExperts.com
- Phone:770-579-3726
- Email:lkuban@frannet.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/franchise_life/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lesliefrannet/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lesliekuban
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliekuban/
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