Moved to Franchise is the regular monthly column of Jon Sorber, Executive Vice President of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®.
I am one of the original two men along with my older brother, Brig Sorber. We started the business in the mid-1980s in Okemos, Michigan, to earn a little money during the summer months off from school, and today we find ourselves operating the largest franchised moving company in the world!
I often get asked about owning a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® franchise and what it’s like working in our industry, so I’ve prepared a self-assessment checklist for potential franchisees looking to get into a service-based business. Keep in mind, my experience is in a service-based moving franchise business, so this checklist may not apply to every franchise opportunity. However, I believe the same principles apply to any successful business venture and it always boils down to consistent effort and a desire to succeed.
Are you a fit for a service-based franchise? Let’s take a look:
□ Are you regularly labeled a self-starter? Do you possess a highly energetic approach to life and all it has to offer? Do you grab the bull by the horns? If you can set and complete goals to further your professional to-do list with ease then run, don’t walk, to our next question.
□ Do you have your ducks in a row? Do you have the ability to cut through the clutter? Do you pay attention to details (the devil is really in them, so this is a must)? Multi-tasking is very important when running your own business and it’s something to consider if you are contemplating a service-based franchise.
□ Do you consider yourself a people person interested in helping others? At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, we teach everyone to follow THE GRANDMA RULE®, which is a commitment to treating everyone as you would want your grandmother treated. However, this concept really applies to any successful service-based business. If you are kind, courteous, and demonstrate genuine interest in your customers’ needs, they will reciprocate with continued support of your business. We’re proud to say that 96% of our customers would refer business to their family and friends, which is a true testament to our approach.
□ Are you prepared to treat your employees like family? You are ultimately responsible for choosing who you decide to work with, so it’s up to you to manage them well. Are you willing to earn their respect by working just as hard as they do? Here’s what Tim Lightner, one of our franchise owners had to say, “Some of the best relationships I have ever had are in this TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® family. And that’s precisely how I feel about them. They are my family. And like any family, this one continues to grow and get better!”
□ Can you build relationships? This means inside and out of the company. We, like many franchisers, have several departments such as Operations, Franchise Development, Finance, Human Resources, and IT ready to support you once you decide to take the leap into this new franchise opportunity. Can you navigate meeting all of these people and connecting the dots for yourself and your customers on an ongoing basis? If you answered yes, you are on your way.
□ Do you hate to lose? If you have fire in your belly, the kind that drives you to positively motivate yourself and your employees to do their personal best each and every day, you would likely be a great franchise business owner.
□ Do you equate the word mentor with being your best self? Most successful franchisees in the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® system spend a lot of time and energy teaching/nurturing their staff to be self-starters and career-driven vs. just hourly workers. Our successful franchisees come from all walks of life, but share a competitive interest in being the best at everything they do. Essentially, we are motivated to build a legacy of leaders.
If you checked the “yes” box to a majority of the above points, then I believe you have what it takes to become a successful franchisee. Now is the time to start your own business. Jump in with both feet first — the water is fine!
It’s your move.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the largest franchised moving company in North America. It includes 224 locations and more than 1,400 trucks on the road. Each location is independently owned and operated, and sells boxes and packing supplies. For more information, visit www.twomenandatruck.com.
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