If you’re like me, you’ve probably spent a good portion of your life tethered to the corporate world. You’ve got the steady paycheck, the benefits, the structured schedule—sounds secure, right? But at some point, you might find yourself craving more. It’s not just about the money or the title anymore; it’s about freedom, ownership, and that undeniable itch to build something for yourself. That’s exactly where David Greenberg found himself after two decades of climbing the corporate ladder at Ford Motor Company.
David made the bold leap from corporate executive to multi-unit franchise owner, and in our recent podcast episode, he shared some profound insights about making that transition. Today, I want to walk you through two key points from our discussion that can help you in your entrepreneurial journey.
1. The Corporate-to-Franchise Jump: Finding the Right Path
David’s story is the classic corporate-to-entrepreneur narrative. After 20 years at Ford, moving his family 18 times in two decades, David reached a tipping point. He found himself facing ageism and didn’t want to become the “expensive older guy” in the corporate world, a fate many of us might fear. His decision to move into franchising wasn’t impulsive; it was strategic. He used the skills he’d honed—P&L management, team-building, and leadership—and applied them in a completely new context.
“I was 51 when I made the leap because I didn’t want to become that expensive older guy who could be replaced by someone younger and cheaper,” David said during our conversation.
He didn’t start from scratch, though. Instead, he tapped into the world of franchising, where there’s already a blueprint for success. This was the route that allowed him to leverage his strengths and avoid the zero-to-hero grind that many entrepreneurs face when starting from scratch.
Key Takeaways from Our Discussion:
- Self-assessment is critical: Before you make any moves, take a hard look at your skills, your finances, and your support system.
- Franchising provides a proven system: You’re not reinventing the wheel. You’re plugging into something that’s already working. This reduces risk and uncertainty.
- Personal support is essential: David couldn’t stress this enough—talk to your spouse or partner. You can’t make this leap in a vacuum. His wife was his sounding board and, in his words, “the brake to his gas.”
2. Why Franchising Works: Follow the Playbook
When we think of entrepreneurship, we often imagine a lone wolf carving their own path. But that’s not always the case, nor is it always the most successful approach. For many, franchising is the perfect middle ground between the structure of corporate life and the freedom of owning your own business.
David explained that the success of a franchise often hinges on how well the owner can follow the playbook provided by the franchisor. Franchising doesn’t require you to invent a new product or service; it requires you to execute a system that’s already proven to work.
“People who fail in franchising are often undercapitalized, can’t follow the playbook, or don’t invest in the business,” he mentioned.
It sounds simple, but many entrepreneurs get tripped up by their own need to innovate. The key is to balance your entrepreneurial spirit with the structure that franchising provides. It’s not about reinventing the wheel but making sure the wheel runs smoothly.
What I Learned from His Experience:
- Franchising is not a hands-off investment: Even with a proven system, you’ll need to roll up your sleeves and get to work, especially in the early stages.
- Consistency is key: Whether it’s customer service, cleanliness, or staffing, consistency will make or break your business.
- You’re not alone: You have support from the franchisor and other franchisees who want you to succeed. Use these resources.
3. Reflections from the Interview
Talking to David opened my eyes to some things I hadn’t fully considered about franchising—and entrepreneurship in general. There’s a lot more to it than just deciding you want to be your own boss. It requires a deep understanding of your strengths and weaknesses, a willingness to stick to a proven system, and the humility to know when you need help.
One of the best things I heard during our chat was David’s approach to risk. He doesn’t see fear as something to avoid; instead, he sees it as a motivator to take action.
“The fear in corporate life is different. It’s the fear of things you can’t control. But as an entrepreneur, the fear is yours to manage. You can take action to change it.”
That resonated with me, and I’m sure it will resonate with many of you.
Here’s What I’m Taking Away:
- Take action to combat fear: Fear doesn’t disappear; you just become more equipped to handle it.
- Franchise ownership is about execution, not innovation: Stick to the playbook and execute with excellence.
- Be ready to invest in people: From staff to customers, relationships are everything in this business.
- Time management is crucial: David has built his business to the point where he works 28 hours a week, all while managing multiple franchises. Structure your time, and don’t let the business run you.
- Be selective about your time investments: David only works with people who are ready to invest their time and energy. If someone can’t carve out the time for a 15-minute consultation, they’re not ready to be a business owner.
Final Thoughts
David’s journey from corporate to franchise owner is one that many people dream of but few actually pursue. What stood out to me the most was his emphasis on preparation and self-awareness. It’s not just about wanting to be an entrepreneur; it’s about being ready for what that actually means. If you’re considering a move from corporate life into business ownership, you should be prepared to do the work and follow a proven path.
If there’s one thing I’d like you to take away from this article, it’s that franchising can offer a balance between structure and freedom. You won’t be completely on your own, but you will still have the autonomy to run the business your way.
CONNECT WITH DAVID GREENBERG:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-greenberg-entrepreneur/
Website: https://empoweredfranchisee.com/