Franchise Ownership Insights:
Expert Advice for Entrepreneurs
Welcome to the Franchise Journal. Buying a franchise is more than a transaction—it's a life-changing career decision. In these articles, franchise consultant Mike Martuza shares expert insights and actionable advice to help you cut through the noise. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls, ask the right questions, and build the confidence you need to invest in your future.
The Ambush Effect: How Well-Meaning Advice Can Derail Your Future
Everyone seems to be an expert in at least two things: raising your kids and running your life. Let’s add a third: owning your business. People love to give advice—often without being asked. It’s just human nature.
Most people offer their opinions with the best of intentions. But that doesn’t make their advice valid. I once spoke to a man who gave up on buying a food franchise because his cousin had failed running an independent restaurant. His cousin’s experience had nothing to do with his own opportunity—different model, different business, different situation. Still, that single opinion crushed his dream. He was ambushed, and he didn’t even know it. (Click on image to read more)
The Silent Reshaping of
White-Collar America
Inspired by Axios reporting by Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen
Artificial intelligence is no longer just a tool — it’s a disruptive force poised to reshape the white-collar workforce faster than anyone expected. In a recent Axios interview, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei warned that AI could eliminate up to 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs within 1–5 years, potentially driving U.S. unemployment to 10–20% (VandeHei & Allen, 2024).
This isn't science fiction — it’s coming from one of the world’s leading developers of the very technology that may upend the job market. And the reality is, most workers, business leaders, and policymakers still aren’t paying attention. (Click on image to read more)
Treat Your Employees Like Animals
Whenever I visit the New England Aquarium I always spend time watching the penguins. Penguin interaction leads me to think about workplace dynamics and, if people could learn anything about working together from the penguins.
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Bad Teamwork Will Give
Your Business The Blues
Many years ago my wife and attended a concert headlined by the legendary blues harmonica artist James Cotton. James had been performing for close to 70 years and whenever he left his Chicago base on a tour he was well known for having some of the best blues musicians accompanying him.
During the concert my wife mentioned to me how "tight" the band was; they did not take breaks between songs segueing from one number directly into the next. While most of the transitions were pre-determined I noticed that there was some improvisation occurring. If James Cotton felt like playing a certain song at that time the other band members were able to recognize what was occurring and react to the change seamlessly.
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Trader Joe's Has Raving
Fans—Does Your Business?
What is a Raving Fan?
It's a customer who not only uses your services regularly but also raves about your business to others. Inside the world of Trader Joe's long time shoppers will give newbies advice as to what products to try while they are in the store and will rave about the products and customer experience while they are out of the store. Trader Joe's has perfected growing their business by having existing customers become their primary source of advertising.
(Click on image to read more)