From Corporate Cubicle to Franchise Freedom: Why It is Important to Have a Guide

Franchise Match Podcast with Franchise Owners EP 106

The real story behind two professionals who made the jump—and what they learned along the way

The 3 AM Question That Changes Everything

Picture this: It’s 3 AM, and you’re staring at the ceiling again. Your mind is racing with the same questions that have been keeping you awake for months. ‘What if I could be my own boss?’ ‘What if there’s more to life than this corporate grind?’ ‘What if I’m missing out on something bigger?

‘ These questions are not just fleeting thoughts, but persistent concerns that have been gnawing at you, making you question your current career path.

But here’s the good news: there is a way to turn these restless nights into a path towards a more fulfilling career. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 4.4 million Americans quit their jobs each month in 2023, many seeking more control over their careers and lives. But here’s the challenge: wanting change and knowing how to make it happen safely are two very different things.

That’s exactly where Amanda Ebbert and Kathryn Johnson found themselves. Two successful corporate professionals who felt the pull toward something more meaningful, more flexible, and more their own. Their journey from corporate employees to franchise owners reveals the roadmap that thousands of others are now following, showing that you’re not alone in this struggle.

The Corporate Trap: Why Smart People Feel Stuck

Amanda and Kathryn weren’t unhappy with their jobs—they were successful. But like many professionals, they felt trapped by the very success they’d worked so hard to achieve. The steady paycheck, the predictable schedule, the clear path up the corporate ladder—it all felt safe but somehow empty. The lack of autonomy, the rigid structure, and the feeling of being a small cog in a large machine were some of the aspects that made them feel trapped.

“It’s a scary transition for sure,” Kathryn admits, reflecting on their decision to leave the corporate world. This fear isn’t uncommon. A study by the Kauffman Foundation found that 73% of potential entrepreneurs cite fear of failure as their most significant barrier to starting a business.

But here’s what most people don’t realize: the biggest risk isn’t in starting a business—it’s in staying stuck in a job that doesn’t fulfill you while your dreams slowly fade away.

The Problem with Going It Alone

When most people think about starting a business, they imagine either building something from scratch or buying an existing business. Both paths can be risky. The Small Business Administration reports that only about 50% of new businesses survive their first five years, and only 33% reach their tenth year.

Why do so many businesses fail? The top reasons include:

• Lack of market research
• Insufficient capital
• Poor business planning
• There is no proven system to follow
• Missing mentorship and support

This is where Amanda and Kathryn made a wise choice that changed everything. Instead of going it alone, they chose franchising—but more importantly, they decided to work with a Career Ownership Coach™ who could guide them through the process, providing the support they needed.

The Franchise Advantage: Why It’s Not Just About Buying a Business

Franchising offers something that starting from scratch simply can’t: a proven system. 

But Amanda and Kathryn discovered something even more valuable than the franchise system itself: the power of having the right guide through the process.

Enter the Career Ownership Coach®: Your Trusted Guide to Freedom

Here’s where Amanda and Kathryn’s story takes a crucial turn. They didn’t just jump into franchising blindly. They worked with a Career Ownership Coach™—a professional who specializes in helping people transition from employment to business ownership. A Career Ownership Coach™ is not just a consultant, but a mentor, a guide, and a partner in your journey to franchise ownership. They provide personalized advice, help you identify the right opportunities, and support you through the entire process.

“The coach assisted in evaluating potential franchises objectively and helping synthesize our goals and values into actionable insights,” they shared. This wasn’t just about finding any franchise—it was about finding the right franchise for their specific situation, values, and goals.

What Makes a Career Ownership Coach™ Different?

A Career Ownership Coach isn’t trying to sell you a specific franchise. They’re not representing a single brand or promoting a particular solution. Instead, they serve as your advocate, helping you:

• Discover Your True Motivations: What’s driving your desire for change? Is it money, time, freedom, or something deeper?
• Assess Your Risk Tolerance: How much uncertainty can you handle? What financial safety nets do you need?
• Match You with the Right Opportunity: With over 3,000 franchise concepts available, how do you find the one that fits your skills, interests, and lifestyle?
• Navigate the Process: From funding options to legal documents, there are dozens of decisions to be made.

The Power of Saying “No”: How Franchise Match Changes the Game

One of the most valuable lessons Amanda and Kathryn learned was this: “Get used to saying no.” They spent months evaluating various franchise opportunities and attending numerous pitch meetings. But instead of being overwhelmed by choices, they learned to identify what they didn’t want, which helped clarify what they did want.

This is where Franchise Match becomes invaluable. Rather than being bombarded with every possible franchise opportunity, Franchise Match uses a systematic approach to narrow down the field to franchises that truly align with your goals, values, and circumstances.

The Franchise Match Process: Your Roadmap to Success

Step 1: Deep Discovery

Before showing you a single franchise opportunity, Franchise Match helps you understand yourself. What are your core values? What does success look like for you? What are your deal-breakers?

Step 2: Structured Exploration

Instead of random franchise presentations, you’ll engage in a systematic exploration process. Each conversation builds on the last, helping you make informed decisions.

Step 3: Ongoing Support

Like Amanda and Kathryn, you’ll have support that continues beyond the initial decision. This isn’t a one-and-done service—it’s a partnership for your success.

The Financial Reality: Making Smart Money Decisions

One of the biggest concerns people have about franchising is the financial aspect. Amanda and Kathryn faced this head-on, exploring multiple funding options, including small business loans, personal savings, and 401(k) rollovers.

They ultimately chose a Rollover for Business Startups (ROBS), which allowed them to use their retirement funds without penalties or immediate tax consequences. This decision minimized their debt while providing the necessary capital.

The Unexpected Benefits: What Amanda and Kathryn Discovered

As Amanda and Kathryn built their franchise, they discovered benefits they hadn’t expected:

• Networking Became Natural: Kathryn, who describes herself as an introvert, found that networking became one of the most enjoyable aspects of her work. “It turned out to be an enjoyable aspect of her work, enabling her to build connections within the community.”
• Skills Transfer to Personal Life: The knowledge they gained about senior living services became invaluable as they started making decisions for their aging family members.
• True Schedule Flexibility: Unlike corporate jobs with rigid schedules, franchise ownership gave them the freedom to set their own hours and priorities.

Amanda and Kathryn are honest about the challenges. The first year of franchise ownership is demanding. Other franchisees had warned them about the slow initial ramp-up and the need for persistent effort in networking and community outreach.

But here’s the key difference: they weren’t facing these challenges alone. Their franchise provided ongoing mentorship, and their Career Ownership Coach® remained available for guidance. This support system made all the difference between struggling through difficulties and learning from them.

Your Next Steps: How to Begin Your Journey

If you’re reading this and thinking, “This sounds like me,” here’s what Amanda and Kathryn recommend:

• Be Honest About Your Motivations: Don’t start this journey unless you’re clear about why you want to make the change.
• Trust the Process: Don’t rush into decisions based on pressure or appealing pitches. Take the time to explore thoroughly.
• Embrace Learning: Be open to networking and learning from others who have walked this path.
• Plan Financially: Consider all funding options and create a realistic financial plan that accounts for income fluctuations.
• Don’t Go It Alone: Work with professionals who can guide you through the process.

The Franchise Match Difference: Your Trusted Guide

Franchise Match is your advocate, your guide, and your partner in this journey. Our Career Ownership Coach process has helped thousands of professionals make successful transitions from corporate employment to franchise ownership.

We understand that this decision isn’t just about business—it’s about your life, your family, and your future. That’s why we take the time to truly understand your situation before presenting any opportunities.

Amanda and Kathryn’s story isn’t unique—it’s becoming more common every day. Professionals across the country are discovering that franchise ownership offers a path to the freedom and control they’ve been seeking.

The question isn’t whether you can make this transition successfully; it’s whether you can make it successfully. The question is whether you’ll take the first step.

Your 3 AM thoughts are telling you something important. It’s time to listen.

Ready to explore your options? Contact Franchise Match today to speak with a Career Ownership Coach™ who can help you discover whether franchise ownership is right for you because the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.

 

Find Out More About Your Career Revolution:

Our mission is to help individuals explore self-sufficiency as an alternative career.

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Dedication:

We dedicate this book to the tens of thousands of clients who have allowed us to guide then through their Journey of Discovery – courageous people who have made their dreams come true by taking the path less traveled. You inspire us every day. May you, the reader, also achieve your dreams and may this book empower you and assist you in your journey.

—The Entrepreneur’s Source Career Ownership Coaches

We help them define their Income, Lifestyle, Wealth, and Equity goals and provide education on the best ways to achieve them. We don’t sell franchises – we help people achieve their dreams of self-sufficiency through business ownership. The approach is different, the experience is different. And it works.

 

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