The Key to Finding Fulfillment in Your Work

I recently read that franchising will outpace the broader U.S. economy this year. After attending the annual conference for the Franchise Brokers Association (FBA) in Orlando last week, I understand why.

For three action-packed days, I talked one-on-one with representatives of over 100 different franchise brands, listened to inspiring talks from industry leaders, heard first-hand stories from franchise owners who are building impressive businesses in their local communities, and networked with countless individuals who were incredibly successful in the corporate world and who are now leaving a legacy for their families through franchising.

Needless to say, I left the event feeling motivated to help more people take back control of their time and income through franchise ownership.

As I reflect on this year's conference, three things stand out to me.

1. Everyone is talking about AI.

All of the franchisors I talked to are acutely aware of the impact that AI is having on business, and they're positioning their brands to capitalize on the benefits that AI brings to the table while insulating their franchisees from the technology's negative effects.

I had the opportunity to interview Jess Love, the founder and CEO of HomeSmiles, a company that provides property maintenance services, and he said something that made me take pause. We were talking about how home services businesses provide a level of AI-resistance for franchisees because humans are needed to wield a wrench and perform physical labor. Robots are still a ways off from being able to service water heaters, clean gutters, and pressure wash roofs.

That makes sense.

But then he said that on the corporate side of HomeSmiles, they never hire someone without first asking whether AI could do the job instead.

Wow. That's sobering.

It's one thing to read the headlines and subconsciously know that AI is resulting in mass layoffs; it's another thing to hear a CEO flat-out say that AI is taking a lot of white collar jobs.

That's why the trades are such an attractive landing spot for aspiring business owners. There's no doubt that we live in a brave new world where it's better to be a franchisee of a home services brand leading the teams that actually do the AI-resistant work than trying to join the corporate team as an employee.

2. There are a lot of really interesting franchise concepts carving out space in diverse niches.

My job as a franchise consultant is to help match candidates with right-fit business concepts... and there are a lot out there! I was blown away by the breadth of industries represented at the conference, and the unique business concepts that some of the brands specialize in.

Consider a home services brand that is able to generate 7-figure top-line revenue for its franchisees by only doing drywall repair. Or a fundraising concept that puts on fun events for schools and generates $50,000 per event on average, resulting in way more benefit to the schools than old-school Scholastic book fairs. Or the "sexiest business you've never heard of," which sells and installs hydraulic hoses. Yes, you read that right!

As I walked around the exhibit hall surrounded by everything from ninja gyms to meal delivery services for seniors, I realized that there truly is a great franchise business for everyone. It's just a matter of fitting the right person with the right concept.

3. Fulfillment in your work comes when you're operating in your God-given strengths.

The closing talk of the conference gave me a new perspective on “fit.”

I spend a lot of time thinking about how to match my clients with right-fit opportunities. But sometimes, candidates don't really even know what they're looking for and have a hard time putting a finger on what they'd enjoy doing.

The closing speaker reminded us that our truest self was our childhood self, when we were carefree and operating without fear or expectation. As we grow up, life gets a hold of us and pulls us in unexpected directions. We start living to make other people happy. We stop taking risks and seek comfort and security. We settle into a career where we do what we know, and maybe we're even good at it, and it puts food on the table, but we're not operating as our truest self or using our natural, God-given abilities. In short, we lose sight of our dreams.

Think back on your childhood. What were you like as a kid?

Was it your heart to take care of people?

Did kids come to you for advice or help with their homework?

Were you always thinking of clever ways to make money?

Were you empathetic? Creative? Athletic? Inclined to use your hands and build things?

Now ask yourself: Is what you’re doing today in alignment with that true self? Are you operating in your strengths and doing the types of things that came so naturally to you as a kid?

If not, there's no time like the present to make a change. We’re not promised tomorrow.

Or, as George Eliot famously said, "It's never too late to be what you might have been."