Reasons to Make a Mid-Career Change to Franchising

One interesting thing I’ve always believed is that even though our experiences are unique.  Different parents, cultures, education, career path, in general, the human experience is the same.  I often think that my corporate career path and subsequent change to business ownership is virtually the same with most of our clients, and probably you as well.

The vast majority of our clients are doing well in the corporate world and their personal lives as well. In other words, most are exploring and changing from a position of strength in most cases, and not just looking for a job.  Even with the nice salary and C level or VP level jobs, they tend to be missing some important things in their business life:  Control, fulfillment, and the self-satisfaction of working for themselves.

The common threads usually are horrible bosses, companies whose goals don’t align with theirs, autonomy, and the opportunity to build wealth on their own terms.  The fact is that most feel that their current career path is just not sustainable.  They want something different. They wind up in this position, because in spite of all the unique experiences we have,  career paths are typically somewhat predictable.

The Lifespan of a Career

Careers begin with a motivation to learn, grow, and express our knowledge, competence, talents, skills, and abilities. We work long hours, play the political game, and take on challenges to achieve and climb the corporate ladder, each rung metaphorically proof of our burgeoning talents. We are focused on increasing our income and wealth.  

With time, achievement, and a higher net worth, our mindset and priorities evolve, and we pursue greater meaning and happiness in their lives. As we strive to self-actualize, changes in our values, motivations, and drivers transform us and often lead to dissatisfaction with our careers. 

The “career ladder” connotes a linear progression, the inertial force of which is hard to exit, making it feel like a Sisyphean hell. It is natural, common, and wholly rational to question whether your career path at 22 is still right for you today.

Here’s why. Mid-career change might make sense.

There are predictable catalysts for mid-career franchise exploration. From career dissatisfaction to losing out on a promotion or being laid off, the drivers are both internal and external. Regardless of the catalyst, inflection points represent a shift in perspective and motivation, and are predictably inevitable. Even so, most people are not well prepared for this shift. Personally, I was ill prepared for my mid-career change.

For me, the inflection point came when I turned 60.  Both my father and my grandfather passed away in their early 70’s.  I was laying on the couch the day after my 60^th birthday, and it popped into my head.  72 was only 12 years away! What was I going to do with my next 12 years?  I am in good health, and have no plans to stop working any time soon.  I was profoundly unhappy professionally, and my values were not aligned with my organization. Professional discontent and recognition of the finite nature of life were my catalysts for change. I swore never to do anything that did not make me happy again.  

I literally leaped off the couch and the corporate ladder and embraced the unlimited opportunities that the franchising industry presented. For me, it was a time of personal understanding, exploration, and tremendous energy and power. I permitted myself, for the first time in my career, to pursue entrepreneurial options on a full-time basis. I committed to never working for anyone ever again!

Leaving a Career

Reassessing what work, and indeed life, means is invigorating and challenging. If you are leaving a career, you are likely mourning the past as you explore the future. It is natural to grieve what you are leaving behind, since that path served you well previously. 

During exploration the world is full of possibilities, as broadly as it was when you began your career. You now have several important advantages that you did not when you launched your career. 

First, you probably have more significant resources, financial and otherwise, than when you started off. This allows for more options. Second, the breadth, depth, and quality of your experience are much deeper. You managed people, ran projects, and achieved challenging goals. You honed your communication, management, operations, and sales skills. You likely have a much more refined level of emotional intelligence and can manage the realities of work more effectively. In short, you possess a profoundly stronger skillset than earlier in your career.  

Perhaps, most importantly, you know yourself much better. You know your strengths and weaknesses. You can be honest about your abilities, skills, or interests. Career transitioning, from a place of experience means you are coming at it from a place of power. Concepts like independence, autonomy, flexibility, and happiness – probably not considered earlier in your career – rise to the fore.  

You are a much more complete version of yourself now than when you began your career. 

I wish for you the same success that franchising has brought to me!

If you are thinking about or are interested in pursuing a career change and want to become an entrepreneur, please feel free to reach out to us and schedule a free consultation!  We work with over 500 franchise companies, and have the resources and experience to help you make the transition.

Visit our webpage:

www.thefreanchisecounselor.com

Or schedule an appointment with us today:

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