Franchise Update Magazine Issue I, 2016 | Page 15

Female Founders are lost.” Rogers: Create, design, write, share ideas, and get feedback. What are 3 key words to describe yourself? Hartnett: Intentional, passionate, curious. Rogers: Quiet (not shy), curious, logical (sounds boring doesn’t it?). LESSONS/ADVICE What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned so far? Hartnett: Believe in yourself and surround yourself with positive and talented people. Rogers: Synchronized swimming is good, working together for a shared vision. If you could do one thing differently, what would it be? Hartnett: Be kinder to myself. Rogers: Take more vacations. What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given? Hartnett: You can never go back, you can only go forward. Rogers: Post-it Notes messages. magazine_1/2_page_temp.indd 1 fu1_abraka(10-13).indd 13 Many tasks can be overwhelming. Use a Post-it Note that you see first thing in the morning to remind yourself to tackle just a piece of the task that day. It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you do just a little each day! determined the barriers to market entry? Do you know what franchise owners will face in terms of competition? Is it really a product or service that is in demand? Are you adequately capitalized? If yes, to these questions, then GO FOR IT! What advice would you give to other women considering starting their own franchise brand? Hartnett: Being a franchisor is a great responsibility and very hard work. Ensure that you have a proven system, a financially solid and “franchisable” model to offer your owners. Franchise owners who join your system will not only invest in your brand financially, but also from a very personal place—they will also invest with their hopes and dreams of business ownership. Rogers: Do the work to make sure you have a solid business opportunity to offer. Does your business model work? Will it work in other locations? Does it make a reasonable income for franchise owners within a reasonable time? Is it easy to implement? Have you WHAT’S NEXT What would you like to achieve in the next 5 years? Hartnett: Help Abrakadoodle continue to expand worldwide through new opportunities and collaborations! Rogers: Retirement. I presently speak about franchising at the Mason School of Business of the College of William and Mary for both grad and undergrad students, each semester. I would like to do more of that. What’s coming up that you’re excited about? Hartnett: New growth opportunities for Abrakadoodle! Rogers: Abrakadoodle has some very exciting opportunities for collaboration and growth in the works! I am excited to see how they evolve! n 2/2/16 10:56 AM Franchiseupdate I S S U E I , 2016  13 2/7/16 2:55 PM