Franchise Operations

[sdstephens]

I'm not really offering or looking for a specific product review here but I'm not sure exactly which catagory to post this question in.

I'm interested in getting into the exterior low voltage design and installation business. Has anyone had any experiences with these new franchise operations that are popping up? Can they really teach people without previous experience how to do this business? Is there a better way to get started?

Your input will greatly appreciated.

[landscapelight]

My position in the industry is as a Landscape Lighting distributor. I have seen many people interested in getting into the industry as a contractor. The only advice I could suggest is to be sure it's something you really want to do. I have seen many cases where the focus (No pun intended) of a contractor has changed from installer to manufacturer. This simply does not work well and it changes ones outlook on the industry dramatically. I would never imagine myself as a distributor attempt to do some lighting installations, although I probably could do it, and maybe get a couple of sales I would lose focus on what my real intension for getting into the landscape lighting business was. No where in my companies business plan does it say that after two years I am going to stop being a distributor and begin to install lights. If it did I think my investors would question my business plan. So if you truly are interested in getting into the industry be sure to do you research, and know what field you want to build your business plan around. Installing, Manufacturing, or distributing... Personally we have enough manufacturers but we do need more installers and distributors.
To answer your question on the franchises, I feel that if you do enough research, you will see that there is no magic solution to installing landscape lighting, nore is there any award winning sales tools to make money. The only thing that will help you find sucess will be in your passion of the business. If you feel you are able to add value to your potential clients property, and you have the right skills as a sales person to always try new marketing ideas, and capitalize on the ones that work, you will have great sucess. Your local distributors may have some good suggestions for you on this or you can talk to some of the more expierenced individuals in the industry like Bill @ Nightscaping, www.nightscaping.com or Clay @ california landscape lighting www.callite.com or Nathan Ross @ www.Lite-scape.com Either of these three folks will offer you great information and share with you some wonderful ideas.

[sdstephens]

Thanks for the great advice. My main interest is in design and installation. I get pretty excited when I see what lighting can do for a home or business. I will be partnering with an interior designer who can do most of the marketing and designing, while I will assist with the designing and do most of the installing.

[sitelights]

In the near future I will be detailing one type of "franchise" that isn't really a franchise but rather a "deal" that may affect very many low voltage lighting designer/installers. Intrigued? Stay tuned.

The post "Franchise?...or not" now appears in the "Comments and Suggestions" forum.