Budget for Hibernation
Whether they own multiple businesses or depend on Screenmobile as their sole income source, all franchisees must prepare for winter, when nobody thinks about screens. Spring, summer and fall bring in steady business, but given the nearly $60,000 in start-up costs, it's important to be preemptive for colder weather.
Even California resident Lori Rech, who owns a Screenmobile franchise in Auburn, budgets each year for a slow winter. "You work very hard during the warmer months, but the winter is a time to unwind," she says.
Some franchisees attract income during the winter by establishing relationships with non-homeowners who require year-round services, including larger builders, rental properties and property management companies, says Walker.
Rech, who purchased her franchise from another franchisee, has also learned from her predecessor's mistakes. He lived on the outskirts of the territory, she said, which meant a one-and-a-half-hour drive to business contacts. The Rechs moved out of their home in the Sierra foothills early during their ownership because shipping companies wouldn't deliver supplies via narrow, unpaved roads.
Rech cautions all franchisees to be aware of competitor pricing and quality and keep an eye on retailers such as
Sears(SHLD Quote - Cramer on SHLD - Stock Picks).
About 7% of franchises are mobile, according to a 2006 survey conducted by FRANdata, an Arlington, Va.-based franchise research firm.
Suzanne Barlyn
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