Starting a business from scratch or a franchise?

What service would you be providing?

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Any OTers have suggestions or experience. I would be starting a service business going home to home and operating out a work truck. Startup costs will be cheaper without franchise but there will be more of a learning. Franchise will require an investment of $20k more but is a somewhat recognized national brand.

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The only reason you should have a home to home service franchise is if their name is nationally recognized and will give your customers a level of trust/comfort they would not normally have with a local startup.

Example: Jani-King is a very good franchise to purchase because the barrier for many businesses and private parties in hiring housekeeper/custodia; services is they fear theft will occur. Jani-King being a national name and holding a good reputation mitigates those concerns

Advertise Adverise Advertise, don't skimp on advertising. If your business is something older people will use even Yellow Book does wanders. It gets bashed in today's internet times, but I still bring in more a month for it then I pay. Obviously get a website, put listing on free advertising websites. Radio does good but you need patience with it.

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Startup costs will be cheaper without franchise but there will be more of a learning

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higher an editor for your ad

Can you just start off as a llc before you start franchising shite?

Padnuh's home to home trucking.

I think everyone pointed out some great points. I would shy away from the franchise if it is a business you already know/are capable of learning quickly. Like everyone said -- advertisements are your friend. Everyone in the world knows coca-cola and McDonalds, but they still spend a huge chunk of change on advertising, remember that.

If you are going to build the brand yourself, find a good name, and include in EVERY advertisement you post that you are licensed and bonded in your respective field. You want to build your brand around trust since you will be at people's homes. Run background checks on all employees that will be direct labor employees, or hell, run it on all employees, but make sure to screen direct labor as much as you can. You will live and die by your businesses image, so make sure to create the best one you can from the very beginning. You could run ads about trust -- "why trust any other *insert field of work here* business, when you can choose us? We are licensed, bonded, and insured and will offer a full guarantee on work performed" Something along those lines.

Best of luck.

Before you do anything, start an LLC or corporation and do all business under that name.

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Read the book "The E Myth" before you start.

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I agree.

The book does a fantastic job of showing you that business can be done right. But there are few how's in it.

Michael Gerber's audio programs are good too in case you want more good advice.

Sadly, while many franchises are good at telling you what needs to be done, most are short in the best way to do something with good instructions.

Systems. Complete systems. Turnkey. That's what separates great franchises. From how to handle angry customers, how to open up the shop every morning to how you find and what exactly to say to potential clients.

There should be total systems to make the business work, if you're buying a franchise with potential or just buying a job. That's the difference.