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Crafting your Franchise Future : Conversation with James Hilovsky
10 Plays4 days ago
In this episode of The Entrepreneur Speaks, we sit down with James Hilovsky, the visionary founder of Frandream, a platform dedicated to guiding aspiring entrepreneurs into the world of franchising. With years of experience in business growth, franchising strategies, and entrepreneurial development, James has helped countless individuals turn their dreams of business ownership into reality.
Together, we explore James’ entrepreneurial journey—from the spark that inspired Frandream to the challenges and opportunities within the franchising space. He shares practical advice on identifying the right franchise opportunities, overcoming common misconceptions, and building sustainable, profitable businesses. James also opens up about the setbacks he’s faced, how he overcame them, and the mindset shifts that have fueled his growth as an entrepreneur.
Whether you’re just starting your entrepreneurial journey or considering franchising as your next big step, this conversation is packed with actionable insights, inspiration, and encouragement to help you move forward with confidence.
Tune in and discover what it takes to succeed in franchising and beyond, through the story and lessons of James Hilovsky.
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Transcript
Is franchising the right fit for you?
00:00:04
Speaker
Because franchising, being a franchisee and in a franchise system isn't for everyone. So if you don't really have, if you don't really like to follow rules,
00:00:15
Speaker
or able to take a playbook and and and you know put the put the plays and in place of the of the business, then franchising might not be for you if you're going to go, well, if I sell it this way, I think that could be better.
00:00:31
Speaker
Now, there's there's ah in a franchise system, you can voice your opinion and maybe that's something of the franchisor will consider, but If it's every little thing, if you're trying to take the main thing that's the franchise and and turn it this way or that way, the franchising is going not going to be for you. It's a system that they're going to give you a great playbook.
00:00:52
Speaker
You follow it, your odds are you're going to be very successful. So really, it's you've you've got to be able to listen and follow the instructions.
Meet James Helowski and FranDream
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Speaker
Joining us today is James Helowski, the visionary behind Front Dream.
00:01:08
Speaker
a platform dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs navigate the world of franchising and turn their business dreams into reality. With a wealth of experience in business growth, franchising strategies, and entrepreneurial development, James has been instrumental in guiding individuals towards successful franchise ownership.
00:01:31
Speaker
In this episode, we will dive into his entrepreneurial journey Explore the opportunities and challenges in franchising and uncover key insights on building a sustainable and profitable business.
00:01:46
Speaker
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to expand your business through franchising, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways. So sit back, relax, and let's get inspired by the journey of James Herlovsky.
James's journey to FranDream
00:02:02
Speaker
Welcome to my show, James. Thank you so much for having me. Really appreciate it. All right. So let's start off by you telling us a bit about yourself and what led you to start FranDream.
00:02:14
Speaker
Yeah. So a little bit about myself. I'll just kind of tell you about myself and kind of the journey that led up to starting the FranDream, if that works. So I started working in corporate America in in the in the restaurant industry, put about 20 years into a corporate job,
00:02:32
Speaker
Ruch out regional director and operator. I'll climb the corporate ladder. And then i got a call from ah a company that said, hey, we're we're going to start this company where it's a restaurant. We're going to go from one store and and we're going just we're going to franchise ah our our department out and we want you to head the franchises.
00:02:51
Speaker
You know, help our franchisees and and, you know, help us with franchise development. So I started when we had one store and then we built that up over to 100 within about five years. So we went from one to 100.
00:03:04
Speaker
I supported franchisees openings. I supported with them anything they needed, basically the director of franchise operations. Then what happened was the largest franchise the franchisee of the of that company said, hey, come work for us. So We had 10 of the restaurants we had.
00:03:24
Speaker
We did another franchise, ice cream franchise. We started our own coffee shop and then we did our own cookie dough concept and went there and they were two NFL football players that I partnered with.
00:03:37
Speaker
And then um at that time, um Towards the end of when when we when we when we sold off, one of the brothers, he got hurt, couldn't fulfill the end of his contract, and the other brother retired.
00:03:49
Speaker
So then that's when they decided, hey, you know we want to sell out. They're going to go into the tequila business. I said, you know, I'm just not that passionate about that.
00:04:01
Speaker
I don't want to go into that. So that's what led me to start the Fran Dream. And why i picked helping people find the right franchise fit was I saw the people that worked with work and were friends with the brothers while they were you know big NFL football stars and just saw all the different business opportunities they didn't really make a lot of sense and just basically look like bad investments to where, but thank goodness, they saw that and and said no. But I always said, you know, there really needs to be, you know really would would help to have someone that has the knowledge of a franchise system and franchise business in the business world that can help show people what are the options out there in the franchise world.
00:04:46
Speaker
So you've been engaging franchises.
The broader scope of franchising
00:04:49
Speaker
But what really inspired you to focus on franchising? What gap did you see in the market? Yeah, so what what really just did it was really helping people. And one ah one reason one thing I do did see that I really didn't realize in franchising, because I had always done the restaurants, but you most people really just think that Restaurants are the only franchise system. They think of McDonald's and and the big ones that that's all the franchise. And you what?
00:05:19
Speaker
Really, franchising and plumbing, electrician, wherever you go and down the street or you see a business, that's probably a franchise system. It in every different industry.
00:05:30
Speaker
And there's something for everyone to find the right fit. so so So tell us, James, um how did your previous experience shape your approach to entrepreneurship?
00:05:41
Speaker
Yeah, so it was really great of my experience because I had experience on both sides. One of ah being a you supporting franchisee, so being on the franchisor side of giving that support to a franchisee.
00:05:56
Speaker
And then when I moved over with the the brothers, it was being a franchisee and receiving that support. So being on both ends, and I think it really helps of, hey, you know for for doing this, it really helped to see This is what you look for in a franchisor that's giving you great support. As a franchisee, this is what you're going to need.
00:06:17
Speaker
And here's the struggle. So I think I'm really unique that I've been on both sides of the fence in this regard. Now, let's spend some time talking about your company, FranDream.
00:06:29
Speaker
So tell us a bit more about FranDream and how does it help entrepreneurs in the franchising space?
Finding the right franchise with FranDream
00:06:35
Speaker
Yeah, so what the FranDream does, we... We take people that are looking to own a franchise business.
00:06:42
Speaker
We show them the options that are out there. There's over 5,000 franchises or more out there. so So we've kind of narrowed it down to we really like these 500 franchises that we do.
00:06:53
Speaker
ah franchises that we do We will take ah you know someone's skill set, what they're looking for, if they want to own an operator model, if they want a passive model, you know and then what they did, what their skill set is, and what industry they like. So then we'll take that and we'll show them the options that we think would be a really great fit for that prospective franchisee.
00:07:16
Speaker
um So we've been talking about a particular weight. franchise, franchisee, franchisee, franchising. We've been using this word, but let's go bit down and understand what it really means. So when we talk about a franchise, what does that really mean? What is a franchise?
00:07:35
Speaker
Yeah, so a franchise is So the franchisor, that is the the creator of the franchise. So the franchisor, they're the ones that's going to help the franchisee with support.
00:07:47
Speaker
So you go you go to the franchisor, you buy into their system, and what you're paying for is their expertise. Because they've already done... probably 10 on their own and then they franchised it and there's 10 more franchisees or 100, depends on how fast the systems grow. So the franchisor is what you're really looking for when you're franchisee of what kind of knowledge do they have, what kind of support um am I gonna get and and yeah what does the system look like with the franchisees and in it?
00:08:20
Speaker
And as the franchisee, that's the person looking for a business that they can own and you'll get out into entrepreneurship, either out of corporate America or or the corporate world and and into you know into business and and becoming that entrepreneur and betting on themselves. So my guest, once again, is James Hilofsky.
00:08:42
Speaker
And James is sharing his entrepreneurial journey and sharing his insights and thoughts in the franchising
What makes a successful franchisee?
00:08:49
Speaker
world. Now, James, tell me, and what are some of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs generally face when they are business?
00:08:55
Speaker
the franchising world. So I really think that the biggest challenge is finding the right fit of what you know what is going to be a good fit for a franchisee.
00:09:07
Speaker
So finding that particular franchisor in that right industry that you like. But the biggest challenge, and this is what I tell everyone, and getting into a franchise system. Yes, the franchisor has the knowledge.
00:09:19
Speaker
and they can help you, you know but you're going to be the one responsible for taking that system and implementing it. So the biggest thing that I say is when you're talking with franchisors, do your homework, and that's kind of what we help during the process, we help you during this process, but it is what kind of support am I going to get from the franchisor?
00:09:42
Speaker
Are they gonna give me great opening support? And then what is the ongoing support? you know am Am I gonna get visits to my locations or territories?
00:09:52
Speaker
What's my marketing support gonna look like? What does my day-to-day look like? If I have a problem and I call call someone on the phone or email, am I gonna get a really ah quick response? Because most of the time you're when you when you're reaching out,
00:10:07
Speaker
You don't really have 24 hours. It's like, hey, I need help with this right now. So that is really how you drill down of what franchisor is going to give great support when you're franchisee.
00:10:21
Speaker
So that's a very key thing. So you've been at this for quite some time. Can you walk us through how your company, how your company supports individuals looking to start a franchise?
00:10:35
Speaker
So but like my company, when We started, it was, yeah when I first started doing this, it was you know back to when I worked with the brothers, it was like, hey, let's let's help people and let's get into that. So if somebody comes to me and goes, James, I have no idea what I want in a franchise. This one sounds really good.
00:10:57
Speaker
And then we go, okay, well, that investment level is amount of dollars. And they go, ooh, I was thinking more along the lines of 100,000, million dollars. So- so Then we kind of drill down of what's what's in the price range and budget.
00:11:12
Speaker
Are you looking for owner-operator model, passive model? Owner-operator means being in the day-to-day. Passive model means you can hire a manager to do the day today and you can manage the manager and maybe work 20 hours into the business. And and so it's it's that type. And then it's here's the industries that we're looking at. And then What I would do is show maybe five to 10 different options. And then that prospective franchisee would go, James, I'm really interested in these three franchises.
00:11:43
Speaker
And then what I would do then is introduce them to the franchisor. And the franchisor is going to tell them deep, in-depth of what they do, how they're going to support them.
00:11:53
Speaker
And then they're going to give them know an FDD to review of, here's the fees, what's going to cost. and And here's how we're going to support you. That's all in writing that you have to sign.
00:12:04
Speaker
So we help them how to read at FDD. And then we just kind of advise them while they're talking with the franchisor. And when i what I say really is when you're in that discovery process, it's a very important to talk to existing franchisees in the system because they know how, you know, they would know, would you do it again?
00:12:25
Speaker
How quick am I going to see a profit? and And what kind of support do I do? So that's how you're going to get the feel of what does the organization look like. And then it's all the way, you you you verify that with franchisees.
00:12:37
Speaker
And then it's up to discovery day of, hey, yes, I want to do this. Let me meet everybody that's in the team. And then it's up to signing day if if it's something you want to go go forward with. So That's just kind of walkthrough of what the Fran Dream does and and what our goal is just to educate.
00:12:55
Speaker
yeah We don't really sell anything. We just educate the prospective franchisee and help him or her make a great decision. Okay. So building on that question, so what are indeed the key factors that make a franchise successful? So really the key factors are, know,
00:13:12
Speaker
Are you gonna get great support? That's that's number one, because you're still gonna have to drive the business of a franchisee. So is that franchisor gonna give you really strong support? And you know also, one that's kind of overlooked is what is my relationship when I'm talking with the franchisor and learning more about this?
00:13:30
Speaker
Do I feel like they're gonna be a really good business partner? Because that's really what they are, a business partner. So did we get a really get along? Did we click? we Do we align personality-wise? And when I was talking with prospective franchisees or the franchisees in the system, do I align with them that this might be, because they're gonna be my teammates. So is this something that I think really could be a great fit? But I really think the biggest factor is What kind of support am I going to get?
00:14:01
Speaker
and And do I really mix and vibe with the personality traits of the people that are representing the franchise or in running it? Okay. so So in your experience, what what have you identified as some of the common misconceptions people have about?
00:14:17
Speaker
franchise Yeah, that's a great question because one, when I, you know, we really, the misconception is, hey, you know, it's all, but it's just restaurants and that can be further from the truth. The franchise systems in all different industries that are out there.
00:14:32
Speaker
Another one is, hey, you know, I'm going to join a franchise and I'm just going to put $10,000 in and and I'm just investing in it. A franchise isn't an investment opportunity. It's owning a business and running that particular business.
00:14:47
Speaker
you're You're going to own the business. You're going to own all the equipment in the business. You're going to be responsible for you're running that business. It's not like, hey, I just pay the franchisor this money and they run it. No, you're you're building your business. You're you're trying to trying to, you're following the system, but it's all about you and your business and to make it go. And the franchise there, franchisor is there for the support. So Those are some of the kind of common misconceptions.
00:15:18
Speaker
So what advice would you give someone who is considering buying a franchise for the first
Overcoming fear and betting on yourself
00:15:24
Speaker
time? Well, i would I would say this, because i think really the the the biggest problem when I'm talking with prospective franchisees to go into a business, I think the biggest problem is just that fear and the fear of,
00:15:38
Speaker
going out and leaving your you know your job to to go in and just have your own business. And I would just say that that is the biggest thing to overcome and you know bet on yourself.
00:15:50
Speaker
You're probably making the company you're working for right now a lot of money. and and and you're making that company money, and that company is telling you when you have to be in the office, how you know if you could take vacation, and and and you you don't really have control of your life, they kind of control you.
00:16:09
Speaker
You bet on yourself, you have your business, then you now have the freedom of deciding and when you're when you can, you won't won't work, or what events you're gonna be able to attend.
00:16:20
Speaker
So really, it's bet on yourself. Get not only that financial freedom, but get that personal freedom and and the and the control of your life back. um Do you think there are specific skills or qualities that are essential for a successful franchisee?
00:16:37
Speaker
I do. i think really the the biggest thing is, you know, because franchising, being a franchisee and in a franchise system isn't for everyone. So if you don't really have, if you don't really like to follow rules or are able to, take a playbook and and and you know put the put the plays and in place of of the business, then franchising might not be for you if you're going to go, well, if I sell it this way, i think that could be better.
00:17:08
Speaker
Now, there's there's ah in a franchise system, you can voice your opinion and maybe that's something the franchisor will consider, but If it's every little thing, if you're trying to take the main thing that's the franchise and and turn it this way or that way, the franchising not going to be for you. It's a system that they're going to give you a great playbook.
00:17:29
Speaker
You follow it, your odds are you're going to be very successful. So really, it's you've you've got to be able to listen and follow the follow the instructions that the franchisor gives you. Okay. Now let's spend some time talking up about your entrepreneurial journey and how you've come so far in business.
Navigating challenges in franchising
00:17:47
Speaker
Were there some bigger obstacles that you faced when you were starting Front Dream and how did you overcome these obstacles? Yeah, so when ah when I started the frame during the biggest obstacle was, I'd been in the industry, so I knew all about the industry, but it was about putting, how am I gonna structure the business in place? And and how was i how was it gonna how was I gonna and you know do that? And i so I think that probably was the biggest one, but really that being able to fall back on the experience that I had
00:18:22
Speaker
of just being in the restaurant business and you know just kind of planning the business. you Make a plan and work your plan. So that was really kind of one of the things that really kind of helped me out in the in the obstacle. And then obviously,
00:18:37
Speaker
Again, we kind of, you know, you bring up that word of, you know, fear again and betting on yourself. Anytime you're trying something new, there's going to be fear of maybe I'm not going to get this right or that right. But it's taking that step, taking that leap of faith.
00:18:52
Speaker
And then just when you make mistakes, analyze why did I make that mistake and what can I do better and learn from it? So those those those were different um obstacles that and we did overcome and just, you know, made systems better in and helped out.
00:19:08
Speaker
So you've been on this journey for quite some time. And what are some of the lessons you've picked up on this journey? You one of the lessons I did pick up is you're going to meet all aspects of people along your your journey and really just talk with them, get advice, because I don't feel there's any bad advice.
00:19:27
Speaker
You could take the advice and apply it or take the advice and go, OK, well, that was interesting to learn about, but it's probably not for me to do in that situation. So It really is just talking and learning more from people that that can give you maybe a ah nugget that you didn't have ah that you can you can apply into your business and and um take those obstacles and just you make your business successful.
00:19:55
Speaker
And again, that whole thing of, Fear. fear fears that just It really is a four-letter word that can hold you back and and just believe in yourself that what you have, you can persevere and that you can push forward.
00:20:08
Speaker
So how has your mindset evolved from when you first started as an entrepreneur until now? So really, it's it's just that confidence that, hey, you did this before and just falling back on that experience of,
00:20:21
Speaker
You you've been there before, you can do this. you the um every All the time, there's highs and lows in any business. It's just when you get into that low rut, just to, you just know, hey, don't give up, getp keep going.
00:20:34
Speaker
you You know you're doing the right thing, it's gonna help. Now, if you're in a franchise system, you have the franchisor to go, hey, this is where I'm at, I'm struggling. I need, you know, I really need some attention and one-to-one help.
00:20:47
Speaker
and they And they'll give that to you. So really, i just just when you're on the bottom, just know that you're not always going to be on the bottom, that if you continue to work hard, follow the systems and and follow the systems even in your business, if it's not a franchise business,
00:21:03
Speaker
Just follow the follow the systems and just yo just work yourself out of the low parts. because and and the And the thing is, never give up. Just keep striving to to get better because you know even even if you do something better the one day, then the next day you can build on that. And and that'll just help help climb yeah your business out of out of where you need to get to where you need to get to. Okay. So, Jim, tell me, and what's the best piece of entrepreneur advice you've ever received? Well, that's, ah you know, really, the we keep coming back to this. It's bet on yourself.
00:21:41
Speaker
beth Don't be fear. Do it. i think most people, when you talk to an entrepreneur <unk>s probably that's come from the corporate side or in a job, I think they all would say, gosh, I wish I would have done this earlier.
00:21:55
Speaker
know, I don't see anybody who says, man, I wish I never would have started my own business. That's you know Even if you start your own business and fail and you start another one, that's just the start of your journey. And maybe you were meant to fail at that business because the next business you try will will grow and and you learn from those mistakes. So it really is just keep that going and just overcome you'll you that fear obstacle and and just strive to get better every day.
The rewarding journey of FranDream
00:22:24
Speaker
So we're just about wrapping up. pin up But looking back on your journey, what do you think has been the most rewarding part of your entrepreneurial journey? I think really the entrepreneur journey is for me personally, getting into the Fran dream and and helping put people into businesses to where they might've thought it was ever possible to do.
00:22:47
Speaker
have people that I placed in there and their whole goal is I wanna create generational wealth for my family. When if they were working a job, that might not have been possible to where they have the business. So it is that that journey of possibly gen generational wealth or just the fact of, hey, I have time now where I could go watch my kids' sports, I could go watch them you know in school.
00:23:12
Speaker
So not only the the you know the business and wealth aspect of it, but the aspect of having that time. And I think any entrepreneur would tell you, you know, if I was making X at my job and I'm making at my business and it's the same, I'm much happier now running my business because at least I have track of my time.
00:23:34
Speaker
and And I'm doing it for me. And I know there's no ceiling I can take my business where there's a ceiling when you're when you're not in the entrepreneur world.
00:23:46
Speaker
So if you could give advice to your younger self when you were just starting, what would that advice be? We could become an entrepreneur sooner. You should have done that sooner. had left the And left the business world. That that definitely would be a in it. And also, you know when you're younger, you tend to think you have all the answers, that your way is the best way.
00:24:09
Speaker
And just know that, you know. take the advice of seasoned entrepreneurs, seniors see senior business men and women that, you know just take that advice and and just soak it all in and just try to get better and just know that you can work on yourself and grow even in in your earlier days of if you would take that advice. So before we sign off, what's next for you as an entrepreneur?
Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
00:24:36
Speaker
Yeah, so it's just basically... helping to grow the Fran dream. And really every candidate that I have when they sign for up for a franchise business, that is, you know, that's what's next of helping another person that has been able to, you know, get out of the business world, corporate world, and get into business on their own.
00:24:57
Speaker
And then just to watch their journey of them opening up their franchise business um to making it grow and going, James, you know, I might want another territory in this franchise or help me find another franchise because this one's going so well.
00:25:12
Speaker
I want to do another different industry. So all that is very rewarding. And um that keeps my motivation for going because that helps grow my business and it just helps grow my network. So that that's a that is so much thanks.
00:25:28
Speaker
So before we sign off, what would be your final art thoughts words of encouragement for aspiring entrepreneurs listening to us today? Yeah, I would really say, again, bet on yourself. And I would say, don't let fear control you.
00:25:44
Speaker
But I also would say, when the chips are down and it's it's looking bleak, that you you are you chose this path for a reason. And that, you know, just keep striving, keep working hard and get the advice of other.
00:25:59
Speaker
If it's not a franchise business, get the advice of other business men and women of, hey, what are you that's maybe in a like business or like industry? What did you do when this happened?
00:26:10
Speaker
And you know just just get all the business advice that you can and and you you will just never give up on yourself and keep going. Never give up on yourself and keep going.
00:26:22
Speaker
And these are the final words from my guest, James Hilofsky, on this episode of the Entrepreneur Speaks podcast. James, thank you so much for sharing your rich experience with us today on the Entrepreneur Speaks podcast.
00:26:35
Speaker
We wish you the very best. Thank you so much. Really appreciate you having me. So this has been another exciting episode of the Entrepreneur Speaks podcast. I'll come your way next time with another inspiring and exciting episode.
00:26:50
Speaker
I remain your host, Kofi Animedu. As always, do take good care of yourself and let's continue to keep hope alive. Cheers. please be sure to subscribe to the entrepreneur speaks podcast on all your favorite podcast channels and if you have any questions or feedback feel free to reach out to us on social media or in the comments section below
00:27:18
Speaker
Dreams light up the sky tonight. Builders of tomorrow shining bright. From every land they find their beat.
00:27:28
Speaker
Yeah, it's the entrepreneur speaks.