On May 1, I had the great honor of joining host Mitch Schlimer on his Atlanta-based radio show, “Let’s Talk Business” to discuss my journey into entrepreneurship and how that, eventually, led me to where I am today: the franchising industry. Franchising is not for the “lighthearted,” so Mitch and I touched on some key [...]
The Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO), in partnership with American Express OPEN, the small business division of American Express, today released the fifth ranking of the 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/led companies in North America and I am thrilled to share that, for the second consecutive year, BrightStar Care took the top spot. The Top 50 generated [...]
BrightStar Care was recently featured in an article in Crain’s Chicago Business, highlighting the growth of our business in the homecare sector. One of the things highlighted is how we are evolving the brand into assisted living and other areas, all to better serve our clients and their families. When I consult business owners and [...]
Franchising links your expertise and investments as the franchisor with the capital and personal oversight of a franchisee to replicate your model in a new geographical market. A big part of your franchise development strategy should take into consideration the benefits for prospective franchisees. In and of itself, franchising can be one of the least [...]
I had the opportunity to participate in a panel entitled, “Engaging in Franchise Lending: Growing Bank Loans in 2012 Using a Proven Concept,” at CBA LIVE, the annual Consumer Bankers Association (CBA) conference. Joined by International Franchise Association (IFA) President and CEO Steve Caldeira and FRANdata President and CEO Darrell Johnson, I was honored to [...]
I am a true believer that it takes a certain kind of person to be a business owner because it is not for the faint of heart. Starting a business can be both one of the most risky and one of the most rewarding endeavors you go through. When my husband JD and I started [...]
There are many factors in making sure a business is franchise worthy and I go through all the things that should be analyzed step-by-step in my book, “Grow Smart, Risk Less,” Two primary elements must be established: There must be a demand for the services or the products that the business is selling, and Demand [...]
In the February 2012 issue of Franchising World, I touch on some key management principles that helped me to lay a solid foundation for managing the day-to-day so I could keep my eye on the our strategy for growth. As you begin planning on growth from 10 franchisees to 50 franchisees and beyond, more time [...]
One of the things you’ve heard me talk at lengths about are the amazing mentors I’ve been lucky to have supporting me throughout my journey as a franchisor. Being a student of the franchise model, it has been a true blessing to have such trusted resources whom I could turn to. In writing “Grow Smart, [...]
Inc.com author Geri Stengel recently wrote a feature about the disparity among male and female entrepreneurs in obtaining capital to get started, citing a key Department of Commerce survey of women-owned companies across the U.S. in which women-owned firms started life with only 64% of the capital of male-owned firms. The report also indicates women [...]
