| Franchise: Freedom or Fantasy? |  | Author: Mitchell York
Publisher: iUniverse
List Price: $23.95
Buy New: $23.71
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Rating:  reviews
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 128
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.7
ISBN: 1440148511
Dewey Decimal Number: 338
EAN: 9781440148514
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
"This book is a must-read for anyone who is considering owning a franchise. Business ownership is a life-changing event that must be carefully considered and this book is a great first step."
-Angie Shaw, The Entrepreneur's Source As the American economic landscape shifts, seasoned corporate executives are looking at independent business ownership as a way to secure and control their futures, and franchised businesses are growing in their appeal. But pouring a large amount of money into a franchise does not guarantee success. In this book, you'll find out: - How to determine if you can succeed as a franchise owner;
- What dangerous pitfalls to avoid as a buyer;
- The potential rewards of owning your own business;
- Whether or not the numbers make sense;
- Ways to raise money for your venture;
- And much more!
If you are tired of the corporate world and want to escape the rat race, then let Mitchell York, a successful franchisee and professional certified coach, guide you through the many steps involved in deciding whether or not to buy a franchise and how to do it right. As the former president of LendingTree Inc. and other major companies, he now owns a profitable and growing franchised business, and he's sharing his secrets for success in Franchise: Freedom or Fantasy?
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| Customer Reviews:
 Encouraging persuasion February 24, 2010
Reader Views (Austin, Texas)
Reviewed by Kathleen Dowdell for Reader Views (02/10)
This small but concise book is loaded with first-hand knowledge from author Mitchell York as he tells about his transition from being an executive to an entrepreneur. Early on he points out that entrepreneurship is "in my genes" substantiated by the fact that both his parents worked six, sometimes seven days a week, in a small deli they owned in Manhattan. Although the book targets people who want to or have given up a corporate career for a franchise, the information can be applied to anyone who wants to be their own boss.
This book is a great read for those who are fed up with working for a boss in corporate America and for those seeking start up advice in the early stages of franchising. In addition it's for all people who need to learn how to save more and spend less. Pages of great examples are cited on how to cut costs both in the business and at home. The chapter on "The Importance of Having a Stash" outlines all the areas in which you will need to save if you are starting a business but the advice is easily transferable to everyone struggling in today's economy.
The author swears that before you start any kind of business you need five years of cash saved. And even more important is to enlist the support of your family. A list of six critical skills you will need to be successful as an entrepreneur are a high risk tolerance, excellent salesmanship, independent and easy-going temperament, great negotiating ability, ability to get the best out of people, and displaying the right behaviors at the right time. There are self-reflection exercises that force you to evaluate your personality to see if you are really cut out to go it on your own as a franchise entrepreneur. You will have to do some deep soul searching in order to be certain this type of life is for you. This book will help you do just that.
I was impressed with the author's encouraging persuasion as he tries to explain all the hazards and rewards of franchising. He lets the reader view all sides of the realm of possibility if taking the plunge into franchising is for you. He concludes with additional websites, newsletters, associations, and consultants for more information as well as the offer to provide a one-on-one start up evaluation of your entrepreneur readiness. The answer to the question Franchise: Freedom or Fantasy? is easily disseminated in this book, "Franchise: Freedom or Fantasy?" by Mitchell York.
 Get smoothie kiosk, just add money and serve? Think again! November 7, 2009
Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA)
Mitchell York tells it like it is to the starry-eyed would-be buyers of franchise operations. Not to say that people don't get rich on franchises, and isn't it the American dream to own your own business? But the 500 page franchise manual may not have all the turnkey procedures for the novice business owner (case in point: the smoothie kiosk with no procedural information on transport of the kiosk from venue to venue. Or how to tie it down in the trailer. Or what size trailer to buy. A real-life story.)
The author talks about what kind of "DNA" it takes to run a business as an entrepreneur (for one thing, you'd better enjoy risk-taking. Suspender-and-belt wearers, stay home, well away from the fire and pointy things!)
He also discusses the hidden gotchas, the good, the bad, and the downright ugly of owning a franchise as well as some of the other skills you need to have.
The book is not long, but it is written with anecdotes from real life that are enjoyable to read and with the message loud and clear. Think. Ask. Evaluate. Ask again. This is a good start on your road to owning your own Pita Palace, Hoecake Hut or Juice Joint. Fun read, good advice.
How do you move a 900 Pound Slushie Machine? November 5, 2009
Bobbie - "Andromeda's Grandma" (United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
In this book Mitchell York not only details his own experience as a Franchise Owner, but since his second (non-franchise)business is that of business coach, he details all of the questions you need to ask yourself before considering purchasing a franchise.
In the early chapters, he focuses on reasons why people think they want to buy - and why they make the mistake of jumping in before they are ready. In chapter two, he had me laughing as he detailed the stages of "Accumulated Boss Fatigue" - the reasons why many of us choose to leave our jobs.
Besides the questions about readiness to invest, Mitchell also covers the financial, physical, and emotional issues that you need to address before making this investment. He details things as simple as "taking a physical" to ensure that you don't have major health problems, and spends time telling you how to save up the money you need to ensure that your financial commitment will have more of a chance to succeed.
Mr. York offered this as a PDF file so that I could review his book.
As someone who has worked a "microbusiness" as a freelance writer, a small business owner (non-franchised hobby store), and someone who has seen multiple businesses in our local community fail, I couldn't help but accept his offer. I would have loved to have had the book when my husband and I made our decision to open a business.
As you will read in this book, you need a lot of planning and time in order for your business to succeed. If you like taking vacation and having weekends off - owning your own business probably isn't your best choice. Beyond the working hours there are the constant reams of business paperwork and decisions to make.
With the economy, my husband and I are in the process of closing our store. However, since we had already considered well before we started the business, we are "closing well" and will recoup our original investment. At no time have we gone into debt, because we did look at all of the options before we started.
For those considering purchasing a franchise OR going into business for yourself, this book is a small investment that could save you a lot of money later. I can highly recommend it - simply from my own personal experience!
OH, and to answer my title question "How do you move a 900 pound Slushie Machine?" Mitchell York details that after telling you all the ways to NOT move one - and while it was devastating to him and his wife at the time, it serves as a real-life example of things that can go wrong!
Timely, Relevant Guide August 25, 2009
Michael Gooch (Texas, USA)
As the current corporate director of human resources for a fortune 500 company, I can relate to all of the various corporate mindsets and cultures that are mentioned in the book. At times, I can certainly see how someone would like to just walk out the door chasing a dream. This is where this excellent book comes into play.
Before anyone decides to jump off the company dock, they should read this book. The author, a person with a corporate background and a successful franchise does not try to sell the franchise experience. Rather (and quite well) he warns against the pitfalls. I particularly liked the picture he paints when talking about "running away from your job" versus "running toward your dream".
I took all of the quizzes and assessments and found I would make a terrible business owner. I kinda already knew this but this book's exercises solidified it for me.
While reading the six critical skills you need to succeed, I realized that the majority of these were also critical skills for first line managers. The very best of the lot, exhibited the skills set forth in this book and those skills are the reason they are head and shoulders above everyone around them. The mediocre follow the corporate culture of blind obedience while dismissing negotiating and salesmanship among others.
Great book for anyone giving even the most remote consideration of entering into the franchise business.
I hope you find this review helpful.
Michael L. Gooch, SPHR
I'm Anti-Franchise and Pro August 18, 2009
Michael T. Hanley, CPA (Smithtown, NY United States)
As someone who is strongly anti-franchise, it was difficult for me to pick up this book. But, when I heard that Mitchell York was the author, it became very easy to pickup and finish!
After reading this book, my anti-franchise sentiments had not wavered. However, I can say that a clear, complete, and fair assessment of the pros & cons of purchasing a franchise was presented. Anyone considering the purchase of a franchise will be well-equipped to make their decision after reading this book.
Michael T. Hanley, CPA is the Managing Partner of the Smithtown, NY CPA Firm, Merl & Hanley, LLP and the author of Effective Tax Planning for the MicroBusiness
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