Celebrating Independence:

Darian Richardson - Owner, RMC Franchise Connect - Cincinnati Franchise Consultant

A New Beginning for Those Who Serve and Protect

July is my favorite month of the year for a variety of reasons.  One reason is my birthday falls in July enough said. Another reason is it officially “feels” like summer and the barbecues, fireworks, and parades soon follow.  Lastly, the most important reason I love July is the 4th –the day that we celebrate America’s independence.   Independence is a value that we hold near and dear in this country, and an important way that you can establish your independence is pursuing entrepreneurship.

One of the fastest growing segments of entrepreneurs is our military veterans.  The end of their military service means a new beginning ahead. And for many of our veterans this new beginning opens the door for opportunities in business ownership.  In the July 2011 edition of Entrepreneur magazine it stated, “According to the SBA, about a quarter of the country’s 23.5 million veterans are interested in starting or buying their own business.”

My father, a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, told me first hand that veterans make great business owners. In the military, you are taught how to work effectively in a proven system.  It’s all about working as a cohesive unit.  There are existing processes in place to help you be successful-much like a franchise.  In the military, you recognize the importance of collaboration and shared success. When one person wins, everyone wins-you are as strong as your weakest link.  However, if one unit fails, then everyone is affected in some way-similar to a franchise. The same discipline and structure needed to be successful in the military, is what you will need to successfully run a business.

There are several franchises that grant special incentives and discounts to veterans. In fact, one franchise called Action Coach launched a free franchise program that will award $7.6 million in franchises to 100 eligible veterans from the U.S Armed Forces in select U.S. states.  For more details on this program, visit: www.actioncoachfranchise.com/franchisefortheforces.

Here are other franchises I personally work with that provide significant military discounts:

Sports Clips(www.rmcfranchiseconnect.com/Hairstyling/Sport-Clips),

Mr. Handyman(http://www.rmcfranchiseconnect.com/Repair%20&%20Restoration/Mr-Handyman)

Molly Maid (http://www.rmcfranchiseconnect.com/Maid%20Service%20&%20Cleaning/Molly-Maid)

There are a number of support services that provide veterans direction on how to start a franchise (Veterans’ Business Outreach Center) or secure funds (SBA’s Patriot Express Pilot Loan Initiatives). I am proud to be a part of an industry that provides support to veterans who express interestin entrepreneurship. It’s only appropriate that after protecting our American rights overseas and domestically, that we provide them with opportunities to achieve their American Dream of business ownership.

Golf Networking Night!

Join me and other business professionals from around Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky at “TGI Friday’s Golf Networking Nights” presented by BNI.