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Contact MVision - Marc Camras, PhD  | Office: 877.230.2827 | Fax: 760.230.2211 | Email: Mcamras@MVisionConsulting.Com
Entrepreneur/Executive Coaching & Franchise Consulting Group
***MVision Consulting is committed to protecting your privacy.  We will not sell or distribute your information to any other parties.***
Frequently Asked Questions

Q1:  Why use MVision Consulting and not go directly to the Franchisors?
A1:  Quite simply, working with an Entrepreneur Coach will save you time, money, and potential aggravation!  

We save you Time and Money!  You avoid wasting your resources pursuing less than optimal matches for you!  We help you by
sorting through thousands of Franchise options.  

Together we identify your criteria for owning a business and make sure your criteria and goals fit with the business you intend to own.  

You don’t waste your time with:
  • business brokers who have only a small book of business that would not be in their book if it was worth a lot,
  • mom and pop outfits 98% of whom have books and P7L statements that are fictional,
  • Franchisors who are only trying to sell you their brand so you miss a broader perspective.

Match your qualifications to appropriate franchise or non franchise business systems so you don’t have to.  There is no reason you
should talk to a Franchisor that is not right for you or you are not qualified for.  

Move you to the top of the list.  Franchisees field, on average 100+ requests per week.  We separate you from those who will waste the
Franchisor’s time by presenting your qualification to a Franchisor.

Introduce you to appropriate personnel at those Franchisors, whether you are purchasing an existing franchise or starting one from
scratch.

We provide you with Security and Knowledge:

Decision making requires fact and objective analysis.  We know what you need to consider so that you don’t throw your life savings down
the drain.  If buying a mom and pop business is right for you, we will make sure you understand what you are getting into.  If you are
buying a franchise or business opportunity, we make sure you ask yourself and the Franchisor the tough questions needed to make an
informed decision.  We provide education about franchising and the franchise industry, and offer valuable insight on franchises that you
would probably never find on your own.  We help with the information exchange process, acting as a buffer between you and the
Franchisor.

Unbiased research and knowledge so you can achieve your goals.  We apply our specialized franchise and business knowledge and
experience for your benefit.

Because you are outside of the franchise industry, these tasks can take months.

Franchisors only have their franchises in mind and can therefore only provide you with details on their particular franchise opportunity.  If
this is the only data you receive, you are likely missing out on some very valuable information.  I have a wider view of the market and can
offer a variety of franchises to provide you with the most options to choose from.

Franchisors can be very aggressive.

The role of the Franchisor with a prospective franchisee is that of a salesman.  In presenting the franchise opportunity Franchisors can
be very aggressive.  A forceful sales pitch is not what you need at this early stage – you need as much factual information as possible to
make your decision.  I will provide you with the pros & cons of the franchise opportunity and will take an unbiased approach to helping
you achieve your goals, never trying to “fit a square peg in a round hole”.

Franchisors are often overloaded with requests

Popular Franchisors receive hundreds of requests for information each week – far too many to process - and are therefore often
overloaded with requests.  While they don’t intend to be unresponsive, they are often ill-prepared to field every request and can have
very long response times.  I raise your visibility and credibility.  Allowing me to introduce you to franchises ensures that the franchisors
view you as pre-qualified.  You are moved to the front of the queue.

You are looking for the perfect franchise for you, while Franchisors are looking for ideal franchisees for their franchise.  Because of
these different motivations, working directly with the Franchisor may not be beneficial for you early on.  The last thing you want to do is
waste your life savings!!  

Q2. How will MVison Consulting find the best franchise for me?
A2:  Our goal is to find opportunities that will meet the specific needs and interests of our clients.  To do this effectively, we first have to
learn what their needs and interests are.  We ask a series of detailed questions.  Some of the questions include:  
    - What are your reasons for wanting a business of your own?
    - What hours do you like to work?
    - Where do you want your business to be located?
    - How do you feel about managing people?
    - What are you favorite business tasks?
    - Do you want your clients to be businesses or consumers?
    - Do you want blue collar (skilled or unskilled) or white collar employees?
    - How much capital do you have to start a business with?
    - Do you want to sell a product or service?
    - Will you have partners?
    - Do you want to build multiple units?
    - How soon do you want your business to open?
    - Will you be involved on a full-time or part-time basis?
These are just a few of the many issues we will discuss with clients over the course of our consultation process.  With this information we
can create a personalized profile and model for our clients to use to evaluate opportunities.  

We then match our clients with 3-6 opportunities that have characteristics consistent with the ones they’re looking for.   
Sorting through the over 4,000 franchise opportunities can be a long, confusing, and costly process.  Many people spend months sorting
through companies without ever finding an opportunity that has what they really want in a business.  We can help!  We’ve done a lot of
the homework for you. We have pre-screened hundreds of companies from all areas of business.  They must meet the exacting
standards we have set to be included in our inventory.  We do all of this so we can offer the franchise opportunity that will be the “perfect
fit” for you.

Q3:  Will I spend more money to buy a business if I work with MVision Consulting rather than go directly to the franchisor?
A3:  No.  You will pay the published price for any business just as if you had gone directly to the seller.

Q4:  What types of businesses does MVision Consulting represent?
A4:  We represent a cross-section of hundreds of different businesses: retail, mobile, home office, full and part time, small-to-large
investment, nationally known, and start-ups.

Q5:  How does MVision Consulting choose the businesses it represents?
A5:  We are careful to represent only the highest quality businesses and we carefully research any business before adding it to our
listings.  

Q6:  Should I buy an existing business or a new business?
A6:  Buying a business from a friend or family member is a great idea because you know what you are getting into.  Buying a business
from a stranger has its pitfalls.  Things to consider when buying a business from a stranger:
       A typical Business Broker has 14-17 businesses in their book.  Ask yourself:  If it is a great business, why hasn’t someone
    already bought it?  Does the criteria for the business owner match my criteria?  If I buy a business that doesn’t match my criteria,
    how long will I stay in it?
       Is the business a mom and pop or is it a franchise?  If it is a mom and pop, it is often over priced and you have very little chance
    that the financial materials you receive are accurate.  With a franchise resale, the purchase price is often set within an industry
    range, and the financial materials you receive are accurate.
       What kind of relationship did the previous owner have with his clients/customers?  You inherit all the problems, mistakes, and
    liabilities of the previous owner.

Q7:  Why Should I Buy a Franchise?
A7:  While there are many reasons, the most important is that franchising increases your odds for success.  The Franchisor is there to
provide support with all the different functions of the business. They have seen the issues that can arise in their business and know how
to deal with any problems effectively. Prior to your opening, they provide extensive initial training and support so you’re well prepared to
handle whatever occurs. They also provide advertising and marketing support to help build your business faster so that your ramp up
time is half of what it would be if you had started the business on your own. The most significant benefit to franchising is the reduced
level of risk. This comes from the franchise system’s model and proven method of doing business.  Additionally, landlords love franchises
because of their very stable track record, proven systems, and effective business models. You are in business for yourself, but never by
yourself.  A quality Franchisor cares about your success because they only make money if you do!        
       Franchised businesses account for nearly 50% of all retail sales in the United States.
       The International Franchise Association has reported that franchising is responsible for over 850,000 businesses, 18 million
    jobs, 14 percent of the private sector employment, over $500 billion in payroll, and over 839 billion in revenue!
       From January, 2000 to December, 2004 the index that tracks the performance of the top 50 Franchisors increased 34.5%
    compared to a drop of 20.1% in the S&P 500 over the same period.
       A 1999 study by The United States Chamber of Commerce found that 86% of franchises opened within the last five years were
    still under the same ownership and 97% were still open for business.  The same study also showed that while 90% of franchises
    were open after 10 years, only 15% of non-franchise businesses were still open after 10 years.
       A U.S. Department of Commerce study conducted from 1971 to 1997 showed that during that time less than 5% of franchise
    businesses were closed each year.
       A U.S. Small Business Administration study conducted from 1978 to 1998 found that 62% of non-franchised businesses closed
    within the first 6 years of their existence due to failure, bankruptcy, etc.
       1 out of every 12 businesses is a franchised business.
       A new franchised business is opened every 8 minutes of every business day.
    In 2000, the median gross annual income, before taxes, of franchisees was in the $75,000 to $124,000 range, with over 30% of
    franchisees earning over $150,000 per year.

Q8:  What is the step by step process?
A8:  After you contact us, the steps will include:
Step 1 – Assess your current situation
There is no time like the present to see what options you have.  Let’s talk about why you are looking and what businesses you are
thinking about.
Step 2 - First Appointment
We will contact you to setup an appointment to discuss your goals in finding the right franchise for you.  This will take about an hour and
can be accomplished over the phone.  Understanding your particular goals, interests, and needs will allow us to find the best opportunity
for you.  We will set a follow up an appointment to present you with opportunities that fit your requirements.
Step 3 – Research
We take the information provided by you, research available franchises and match them with your stated goals and needs. There are
over 2500 franchises and our goal is to identify the best 3-6 franchises that match your requirements.
Step 4 – Presentation
We present you with the opportunities that we have identified in our research.  This meeting should accomplish two goals. First, if any of
the opportunities are of interest to you, then we will arrange an introduction directly to the representative of the franchise.  This will
require that you complete and submit a confidential questionnaire to be supplied to the Franchisor.  The Franchisor wants to know that
you are financially qualified to purchase their franchise, that your timeframe to buy is within reasonable limits, and that your partners or
family are in complete agreement with you buying a business.  This does not obligate you in any way.  It simply shows the Franchisor that
if and when you find the right opportunity, then you are capable of buying it.
This step will allow us to clarify your goals and needs identified in Step 2.  If your criteria changes as you learn more, we will go back
through Steps 3 & 4.  Identifying the right business for you can take refining, so the more we know the better we are able to serve you. It
is important to remember that we are presenting you opportunities, but you must make the decision that is best for you and your family.  
Therefore, refining the criteria for the best opportunity for you is an ongoing process.
Step 5 - Introduction to Franchisor
We will introduce you to the Franchisors you are interested in exploring.  The Franchisor will send materials to help you become
acquainted with their franchise.  These materials include the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), and marketing materials.
Step 6 - Review of the FDD
We will discuss the items that are contained in an FDD; in particular items that require your close attention.  You should then review the
FDD in complete detail, writing down any questions or concerns for discussion with the Franchisor.  The FDD will also contain a list of
franchisees and contact information.
Step 7 - Call Franchisees
We will discuss how to make these calls, what needs to be asked, and how to interpret the information that is given.  Obviously, the
Franchisor is going to give you a list of franchisees that are successful and have positive things to say about the franchise.  The reason
for calling these references is that you want to ask them why and how they became successful.  Then you need to determine if you can
do the same things that they did to become successful.  You should also try and contact franchisees that are less successful to find out
what they have or have not done.
Step 8 - Consultation with Attorney and Accountant
You should always consult with an attorney and an accountant before making a decision.  It is important to insure that both people have
a good background in franchising.  If they don't, then the process may cost you more than it should while they do their research.  We will
provide you with legal assistance and help you find an accountant in your area.
Step 9 - Attend a Discovery Day
Most franchisers have a Discovery Day, where they will invite you to their location.  You will not only get crucial information for your
decision, but will get to meet the staff that will be providing your initial training and continuing support.
Step 10 - Decision Time
You have taken all of the steps to the door, and now you must open it.  Decision time.  Congratulations you have decided to buy a
business.  You have become a “Frantrepreneur”, a cross between a traditional entrepreneur and a modern franchise owner---a  person
that possesses the desire to be a business owner, but does not want to recreate the wheel.

Q9:  Is financial assistance available
A9:  Financing can be a major hurdle for any potential franchisee. Start-up costs can vary from 20K to 500K including working capital.
We will work with you to insure your financial situation is compatible with the requirements of a franchise and direct you to lending
sources that can help you fund your business.

Q10:  How long does it take to get started in business
A10:  The time it takes to have your business up and running depends almost entirely on you. The process of finding a business and
doing your due diligence takes 3-12 weeks on average.  The time to get trained and open your business can take anywhere from 2-12
months depending on the kind of business you own (retail, mobile, or home based).  

Q11:  Do I need specific industry experience to successfully own a franchise?
A11:  No, in fact most companies are looking for people with no experience in their industry. This is because they want their business
operator to focus on running the business and not performing the labor their concepts require. Franchisors need people who can be
effective in areas such as motivating employees, generating sales, and running the day-to-day operations as efficiently as possible. The
franchisee role is typically one of management rather than labor.

Q12:  Do I have what it takes to own my own business?
A12: Find out your Entrepreneurial Quotient here.
MVision Consulting
Scroll Down for the Anwers to the FAQs:
Q1: Why use MVision Consulting and not go directly to the Franchisors?
Q2: How will MVision Consulting find the best franchise for me?
Q3: Will I spend more money to buy a business if I work with MVision Consulting
rather than go directly to the Franchisor?
Q4: What types of businesses does MVision Consulting represent?
Q5: How does MVision Consulting choose the businesses it represents?
Q6: Should I buy an existing business or a new business?
Q7: Why Should I Buy a franchise?
Q8: What is the step by step process?
Q9: Is financial assistance available?
Q10: How long does it take to get started in business?
Q11: Do I need specific industry experience to successfully own a franchise?
Moving forward requires change...