With the corporate office based in the Atlanta metro, Tax & Business expert Brian Joubert of L&B Tax Service Inc. clearly has a solid grasp on the power of duplicative success.
L&B stands for Lori (wife) and Brian. The business is currently in its 19th year with franchises in five states and three more locations scheduled for 2016. They have locations in Houston, New Orleans, Washington, D.C. and Baton Rouge, with Phoenix and Dallas projected for 2016.
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We spoke with Dale Elmore, Houston franchisee of L & B Tax Service Inc. on some key benefits and his experience.
“You can’t beat the financial and social freedom that it provides, essentially allowing you the opportunity to control your own future and create generational wealth. Secondly, a proven model is already in place for you to follow, allowing you to piggyback off of someone else’s success simply by being goal-focused and ambitious. As Brian always teaches that success leaves trails, you just have to follow. Lastly, it gives you credibility in the marketplace. When there are multiple locations, people tend to respect your business more.â€
The biggest lesson that Elmore has learned from having a franchise is learning EVERY aspect of running a business and understanding the importance of upholding the integrity of someone else’s brand. He didn’t realize of how hard Brian had to work to build L&B. This wasn’t an overnight success by any stretch of the imagination. Becoming a great steward of a company’s name, reputation, values, and customers is a marketplace demand that can never be taken lightly or casually.
We caught up with Joubert to share five foundation keys for someone who is considering the franchising business:
Passion To Be Successful: Becoming a business owner is an investment of time and money. You want to ensure that you REALLY enjoy going to work, in order to make the franchise a success. You have to be willing to share the dream and support the interests of the company, while being self-motivated.
Commitment To Excellence: Nothing can be achieved without it. No, it won’t be easy, but with the right guidance, coaching, training, processes, marketing, it will be worth it. Learn the culture of the franchise, and whether you’re “cut out for it.†For example, if the franchisee is uninterested in working nights and weekends, franchises that are open non-traditional hours probably aren’t a good choice for you.
Understanding The Importance Of Customer Service. There’s no way around it in business. Excellent customer service has to be a staple in a franchisee’s culture, no matter what the size of your business is. Practice on all types of customers, including potential, new and existing. If done right, it can generate positive word-of-mouth for your business, keep your customers satisfied and engaged, and most importantly, create NEW business streams through referrals.
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