What you don’t know about being your own boss

Sure, being your own boss is great and comes with a lot of benefits. You get to call the shots, make major decisions and you don’t have anyone micro-managing you. Unfortunately, it’s not always perfect, however. There are a few downsides to being your own boss. But don’t worry. We’re here to help you feel prepared and understand some potential pitfalls. These will help keep you from being overwhelmed and overstressed.

If you want to operate a successful franchise, and perhaps even branch out into other franchise operations, it’s important to keep the following tips in mind.

It’s Okay to Say No
Just because you are your own boss, that doesn’t mean you can stretch yourself thin trying to make yourself instantly accessible to everyone. Remember, you have a successful business to run.

When someone says, “But hey, you set your own schedule, so why not take half the day off and we’ll grab a bite and hit the town?” you need to remind them that just because you’re the boss, that doesn’t mean you can just take off whenever you want. You have to put in just as many hard hours (if not more) than before. Remember to not lose sight of that!

Trust Your Instincts
Being a franchisee comes with a built-in support system, but you should still follow your instincts and trust your gut. Whether it be scouting new locations or hiring a new manager, give yourself a proper “gut check” to determine if you are making the right decision. Listen to your intuition, as it quite often will provide you with the correct answer. Remember, you have powerful insight, too!

Take a Break
Sure, you just told your friend you can’t take half the day off for a long lunch, but that doesn’t mean you should go and work yourself half to death. As a successful franchisee, it’s very likely you work long hours and take a few weekends off.

But you need to remember to take time for vacations and breaks too. If not, you risk burnout and exhaustion. You’re no good to your franchisor, your employees, or your bottom line if you are utterly drained and unable to make hard decisions because you’ve fried your brain. Make sure to unplug for a bit each weekend and take that yearly trip.

So, had you heard those tips before? Everyone talks about how great it is to be your own boss, and they’re right, but you’ve got to keep reality in mind. With proper care, your franchise is sure to succeed and expand in ways you might never have imagined. So get out there and go get ‘em!