A Rewarding Second Act
Written by: Jocelyn Chavez, Franchise Solutions
Like many people, Valerie Neely found herself a victim of downsizing when her position with the Brookfield, Wisconsin Convention and Visitors Bureau was eliminated in October 2009. Although it’s been less than six months since she was laid off, Neely can already put a positive spin on the event, “My job being eliminated was a wonderful thing that happened to me…It was probably the best gift I ever received, other than my children and grandchildren,” she said.
“I spent nearly my entire life working for other people. I always wanted to own my own business, but I never pursued it because I didn’t want to give up a weekly paycheck,” Neely explained. “Once my job was eliminated I said to myself, ‘Now’s the time to own my own franchise,’ because the paycheck that I’d been depending on was gone.”
Franchise Solutions Plants the Seed
A Google search for ‘franchise opportunities’ led to Neely discovering Franchise Solutions. “I found Franchise Solutions to be easy to read, navigate, and work with. I’m not high tech, so I needed something that was very easy to understand,” she said. “My requests for additional information on Franchise Solutions were delivered to the companies I inquired to in a timely manner.” Franchise Solutions’ business directory features opportunities at all investment levels and the sites’ Franchise Finder tool allows prospective franchisees to search for franchises and businesses for sale based on their desired investment level.
Although Neely initially visited FranchiseSolutions.com to perform research and do some ‘shopping’, she ultimately found the franchise that she would purchase on the site, “I was originally interested in retail concepts, however once I researched the publication franchise opportunities on Franchise Solutions and studied franchise fees, I realized owning a publishing franchise was much more affordable,” she said of her decision to become a franchise owner. “It all started with visiting Franchise Solutions, it planted the seed.”
Neely’s Brookfield/Elm Grove, WI weekly newspaper publication franchise officially opened January 1, 2010 and the February 15th issue was the first issue that she published.
Reaping the Benefits of Franchise Ownership
Franchising is a good choice for individuals who are considering business ownership because extensive training and support is typically provided. “It’s been a very smooth transition because of all of the support I’ve been receiving from the franchisor,” Neely said. “I attended training, so before my first issue came out I was fully trained…They also assigned me a mentor who has been extremely helpful. And the corporate office has such a professional, experienced support staff. It’s been incredibly wonderful; I absolutely recommend franchise ownership and Franchise Solutions to other aspiring franchise owners.”
“I feel like I’ve always been such a hard worker, but this is the first time I’m reaping all of the benefits and getting all of the gratification,” Neely observed.”I’m so glad I decided to become a…franchise owner, I wish I had done it 20 years ago.”