With the economy still suffering (regardless of what people say), it’s still very difficult for most people (myself included) to find a job. If you are lucky enough to find one chances are there are dozens of people fighting for the same position. Many of which are more qualified then you or overly qualified for the position. Talk about a “dog eat dog” world.
As you know, “necessity is the mother of invention“. Sometimes you just need to go out and create something on your own if it doesn’t already exist or is not readily available to you. That same could apply to a job. If you can’t get hired then why not create your own employment?
One option is to start your own home business. As a former home business owner (7 years!) I can tell you that it’s easier said then done. Sometimes it’s easily to buy into an “out of the box” sort of business where all the research has been done for you. Sometimes this is also known as a “turn key” or a franchise.
Here is an interesting article about women and franchising.
Working moms often struggle with the balance between career and parenthood. One business trend for moms that continues to see growth in 2011 is franchising, according to Entrepreneur.com. The franchise industry often allows for flexible schedules, allowing moms to work while still attending their children’s soccer games or school luncheons. And within the franchise industry, a child care franchise lets moms have work, flexibility and the peace of mind that her children are in a suitable, caring child care environment.
At Kiddie Academy, we hear that story all the time from our franchisees and franchise prospects. Women have children and begin their search for child care: a process that can be intimidating, intense and emotional. What they find is not always what they envisioned and sometimes they become discouraged. This is the point where enterprising moms might look to open a child care franchise. Another common experience is moms who are burnt out from climbing the corporate ladder and begin looking for a career that offers them a better quality of life, including more time with family and friends.
Franchising options like Kiddie Academy allow moms to be with their children and be business owners at the same time. Contact Kiddie Academy to hear how other mothers entered the child care franchising business and how owning a Kiddie Academy has provided them with more family time and flexibility than the corporate world they left behind.
Angie Monreal knows all about starting her own franchise. Check out what she has to say.
Angie and Rafael Monreal opened their Kiddie Academy franchise, which is located at 18600 NW 87 Avenue, Miami, Florida, in September 2007, at ages 30 and 36.
Although they are still relatively new to the area, the couple is showing parents that the innovative curriculum, hands-on approach, and commitment to each child, the hallmarks of the Kiddie Academy system, make their academy unlike any other child care provider in the area.
Background: Angie and Rafael Monreal wanted to open their own business and spent a year researching various franchises and other types of businesses. They were still unsure what concept would be the best fit until fate intervened. While employed in the financial sector, Angie began searching for a child care center for her children to attend, but was dismayed by what she found. Not wanting to leave her children at an establishment not up to her standards, Angie used her business know-how and determination to open her own Kiddie Academy franchise, the first child care provider in the area that met her standards. Kiddie Academy appealed to the Monreals as business owners, as well as parents. Local residents see that enthusiasm from the moment they walk through the door of the Monreal’s academy.
Goals: The Monreals are currently working with their staff and clients to streamline their operation and discover how best to provide the families in the Miami area with the best child care possible. Once the Monreals get their first Miami academy established, they would like to further assist local parents by expanding into a second location. The Monreals also hope to begin contributing to a variety of charities in the area within the coming months.
Challenges: As a new business in the area, the Monreals find the biggest challenge has been getting the word out to attract new families to their location. As more people see how good they are, their enrollment numbers continue to climb.
Results: Since opening, the Monreals have seen a steady increase in enrollment based on referrals from currently enrolled families – a sure sign that their existing customers believe in the concept as much as the Monreals do. At the end of each day, when children are lined up outside her office door refusing to leave without a hug goodbye, Angie knows that becoming a Kiddie Academy franchisee was the right decision.
If you think owning your own franchise might be something you would like to explore you can certainly find many options available to you (Google some opportunities). If working with children and filling a need in your community sounds like something you would enjoy check out the Kiddie Academy Franchise website.
To find a Kiddie Academy near you visit www.KiddieAcademy.com.
Kimberly
*This is a sponsored post in partnership with Kiddie Academy. However all opinions expressed are entirely my own and not influenced in any way.