Get Your High Stakes Career Pivot into Franchising Right
Consulting That Mitigates Risk and Drives Success for Prospective Franchisees
The Solution: Zee Advisor, not a Salesperson
Independent Guidance
I work for you, not the franchisors. My advice is always in your best interest because I don’t take commissions or any other form of compensation from franchisors. Your success is my priority.
Real World Experience
I’ve been where you are - transitioning from a career to business ownership through franchising. I've learned the hard lessons and experienced the ups and downs. I know how to avoid the common pitfalls.
Tailored Support
Whether you’re just beginning to explore franchising or ready to dive into due diligence for a specific brand, I’m here to guide you every step of the way.
Strategic, Disciplined Approach
I’ve developed a thoughtful, disciplined approach to help you preserve and grow your wealth through franchising. I'll help you establish your search criteria and hold you accountable along the way, ensuring you don't get distracted by shiny objects.
Informed Decision Making
Franchising has risks, just like any business venture. But if you know where the land mines are hidden you can safely navigate your search, invest in a solid brand, and realize your financial and lifestyle goals through franchise ownership.
Clarity, Focus and Empowerment
Start your franchise search with clear criteria and maintain your course. Engage franchisors and other industry stakeholders on your own terms. You are bringing capital and local operations to the deal. Own your seat at the table.
How it Works
It's critical that prospective franchisees take a methodical and patient approach to finding the right franchise. A typical Zee Advisor client engagement lasts up to six months and includes support on all aspects of the franchise search. You'll still be working directly with franchisors and, perhaps, a franchise broker, but I'll be supporting you every step of the way. Here are the key stages:
1. Discovery & Assessment
- Get Acquainted: Understand your background, financial and lifestyle goals, and risk tolerance.
- Personalized Assessment: Identify what kind of franchise might fit your skills and financial profile—or if franchising makes sense at all.
2. Education & Market Overview
- Industry Overview: Brief you on how franchising really works, the players, the risks, and common myths.
- Search Process: Learn how to engage franchisors and third-party sellers on your terms.
3. Search & Due Diligence
- FDD & Financials: Teach you how to evaluate a Franchise Disclosure Document and prepare a pro forma.
- Validation Calls: Coach you on what to ask franchisors, and existing and former franchisees. Learn how to assess their responses.
4. Decision & Negotiation
- Risk Analysis: Help you weigh pros & cons and evaluate sensitivity cases.
- Contract Review: You'll work with a qualified franchise attorney to negotiate (where possible) and protect your downside exposure.
Once you understand the franchising landscape and fundamentals of the search process and due diligence, you'll be well positioned to find a quality brand that fits your lifestyle and financial goals.
My Story
After a 33-year corporate career I decided to invest in a franchise business. I didn't know all of the ins and outs of franchising, so I worked with a franchise consultant.
My wife and I ultimately invested in an emerging brand that had only been franchising for two years. We thought the business model was "proven", but later discovered it wasn't. As a result, we lost a million dollars. And we weren't alone. Dozens of other families invested in the same brand and lost their hard-earned savings. Combined, tens of millions of dollars just evaporated.
After the dust settled, I went back and re-constructed how I should have done my search. I learned everything I wish I'd known in the beginning - the things my franchise consultant should have told me - about franchisors, third-party sellers, risk, due diligence, and biased incentives.
Now I'm using my million-dollar franchising "MBA" to help others avoid similar outcomes. I'm not a matchmaker. My mission is to arm prospective franchisees with the knowledge and tools they need to engage franchisors and third-party sellers on their own terms so they can conduct a successful search.
There are many great brands and franchise brokers in the industry, but there are also some unscrupulous actors, and it can be difficult for those coming from outside the franchising world to tell the difference.
For me, it's all about helping prospective franchisees make informed choices so they can preserve and grow their wealth.