In case you missed it, my residential cleaning company MaidThis has been franchising for the last few years. The journey from remote local business to franchise has been full of twists and turns and ups and downs but I’m happy to report that it’s going better than I could have ever expected.
I love connecting with my franchisees and was stoked to sit down with Chris Rodriguez, who has been running MaidThis Miami since May. Hearing his story reminded me a lot of my own — he was disillusioned with his 9-5 gig and wanted to provide his family with a better life.
This desire for financial freedom led Chris to take the plunge into entrepreneurship, and he learned some lessons along the way that I want to share here.
A Leap of Faith into Franchising
For Chris, the motivation to explore a side hustle was driven by the desire for more financial independence. He had been working in the healthcare industry for 13 years, and while he was comfortable, he craved the freedom to do more with his earnings, to take his daughter to Disney, to travel, and to invest in new experiences.
He began to ask himself: how can I get there? He realized that he had to break free from the constraints of his traditional job (even though it was WFH!) so that he could create better opportunities for himself and his family.
As he considered his options, he had some very important decisions to make. He thought about starting a business from scratch but ultimately chose the path of franchising. One of the key reasons behind this choice was his need for a blueprint, a proven system, and a supportive community. All of which we happen to provide at MaidThis!
Chris admitted that he had hesitations when he first looked into it. He didn’t know much of anything about the cleaning industry or franchise fees. After further research and a bit of soul-searching, he realized that paying that fee was like making an investment into his future success. It provided access to mentorship and guidance from those who had walked the same path.
Challenges, Unexpected Realities, and Growth
After Chris completed our eight-week training program, he was off to the races. Or was he?
Running a business always comes with challenges, and Chris was no exception. Dealing with a high volume of calls and managing different client expectations presented unexpected complexities. That said, he understood that these challenges were an integral part of the business.
Chris's commitment to providing excellent customer service helped him navigate these challenges. He learned that customer satisfaction and good communication were key to maintaining a positive reputation and ensuring client loyalty.
When he reflects on his journey, he realizes that he has grown in more ways than one. He had gained confidence as a business owner, networking skills he never thought he'd possess, and the ability to navigate the world of entrepreneurship with grace.
What stood out most for Chris was the personal growth he experienced. He began attending networking events, passing out business cards, and engaging in lively conversations about his business — things he never imagined himself doing before. Today, he is more confident, capable, and independent than ever before. The perfect example for his daughter if I’ve ever heard one.
I think we can all draw inspiration from Chris’ story. Taking that leap of faith led him to unexpected personal growth, newfound confidence, and financial freedom. And, perhaps best of all, he can go to Disney with his daughter whenever he wants.
Photo by Grant Ritchie on Unsplash
This article was written by Neel from MaidThis Franchise, a remote-local franchise opportunity for people looking to escape the rate race and reach financial freedom. Learn more here.
