November 2024

Toward the end of each year, we at Entrepreneur always wonder: What will be the hottest franchising trends in the year to come? To answer that question, we consider what’s trending in the world at large, what types of businesses we’re seeing launch new franchise programs, which types of existing franchises are experiencing growth, and more. All of those factors, along with our 40-plus years of experience covering the franchise industry, help us to come up with our annual list of the 10 categories we think have the most potential to thrive in the year ahead.

This year, we’ve chosen some food categories, as we always do — but specifically, we’ve zeroed in on categories that appeal to both franchisees and customers who are trying to keep costs down: Beverages, Chicken, and Desserts. Care is also a major theme in this year’s list, from Childcare to Senior Care, along with Mental Health and Autism Services. Pets also makes an appearance; it’s one of the longest-running categories on this list, consistently fueled by people’s love of (and willingness to spend on) furry friends. Rounding out this year’s list are Children’s Fitness, Home Improvement, and another frequently included category thanks to its resilient nature, Restoration.

The following pages contain information on more than 400 franchises within these trending categories, from established brands to brand-new ones. Inclusion on the list is not intended as a recommendation of any particular franchise. It’s always vital to do your own careful research before investing in an opportunity. Read the company’s legal documents, consult with an attorney and an accountant, and talk to existing and former franchisees to find out whether the brand is right for you.

Related: What You Really Need to Look for When Considering a Franchise

Beverages

Chicken

Childcare

Children’s Fitness

Desserts

Home Improvement

Mental Health & Autism Services

Pets

Restoration

Senior Care

Veterans make up around 6% of the U.S. population, but according to the International Franchise Association (IFA), they account for around 14% of all franchisees. Why are veterans so well-represented within the franchise industry? Because they’re a perfect fit for franchise ownership, thanks to their leadership skills, ability to follow established procedures, and familiarity with thinking on their feet and adapting to challenges. And many franchisors offer incentives such as franchise fee discounts that make it easier for veterans to start a business with them.

So which franchisors offer the best opportunities for veterans? Each year, we seek to find out by inviting brands to tell us what their veteran incentive is, how many of their units are veteran-owned, whether they hold any franchise giveaways for veterans, whether they have veterans on their leadership team, and more. We took all of those factors into account — along with each company’s 2024 Franchise 500 score, which is based on an analysis of 150-plus data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability — to come up with our final ranking of the top 150 franchises for veterans.

Keep in mind that our list is not intended as a recommendation of any particular company, but rather as a starting point for your own research. If you’re a veteran interested in franchise ownership, it’s important to do your homework before investing. Read the company’s legal documents carefully, consult with an attorney and an accountant, and talk to as many franchisees as you can to find out if the opportunity is right for you.

Related: 5 Business Lessons I Learned Working With Military Veterans

Meet a veteran franchisee…

Joan Follmann of Cruise Planners (No. 14)

Joan Follmann served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years, retiring in 2003 with the rank of Yeoman Senior Chief (YNCS) with the designation of Aviation Warfare Specialist (AW). Now she helps people plan their perfect vacations as a Cruise Planners franchisee.

Why did you choose to franchise with Cruise Planners?

My choice of Cruise Planners was deeply personal. My husband and I had been working with a Cruise Planners franchisee to book our own cruises, and the seamless experience we had with him built a strong trust in the brand. Quite simply, we never considered another company — it was Cruise Planners all the way.

How has your military experience helped you as a franchisee?

My role as a YNCS(AW) and Flag Writer in the Navy honed my organizational and multitasking abilities. Flag Writers are similar to civilian executive assistants. I was responsible for managing travel arrangements, appointments, and communications for admirals, all while anticipating challenges and setting priorities. These tasks translated perfectly into running a franchise, organizing complex itineraries, and maintaining clear communication with my clients.

What advice would you give to other veterans considering franchise ownership?

Look for a franchise like Cruise Planners that offers flexibility, support, and training. As veterans, we are already trained to follow procedures and protocols, making the transition smoother.

Jake Whitchurch of College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (No. 53)

Jake Whitchurch went from serving as an Airborne Infantryman with the U.S. Army, to working in corporate America, to now owning a College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving franchise in Detroit.

What drew you to franchising?

I was working a corporate job and got moved into a role that I didn’t enjoy. I saw an ad asking veterans if they’d considered franchise ownership. I was intrigued by the idea of owning my own business, creating my own destiny, and helping others.

Why did you choose College Hunks?

Number one was the culture. This brand lives and breathes the values I’d always brought to my previous leadership roles — positivity, servant leadership, building leaders, and empowering employees.

How has your military experience helped you as a franchisee?

The day always starts calm and to plan. Then something can happen that changes the plan drastically, so the ability to make decisions on the fly based on the information we have and within the context of the mission without getting flustered is a tremendous skill to have.

What advice would you give to other veterans considering franchise ownership?

Do it! Take a risk on yourself. Find something that interests you, do your research, and make it happen.

Todd Pinkler of Voodoo Brewing Co. (No. 128)

After the events of September 11th, Todd Pinkler enlisted in the Marine Corps and served as a Reconnaissance Marine. Now he takes orders of a very different kind as owner of Voodoo Brewing Co. in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

What drew you to franchising?

A franchise has created its own policies and guidelines, much like the military. If you follow a franchise’s standard operating procedures, you have a great chance of being successful.

Why did you choose Voodoo Brewing Co.?

I stumbled upon Voodoo while preparing for retirement and was intrigued. I had several phone conversations with them and attended their approval day, where I was able to visit two different pubs and try the product. After that, my wife, a good friend, and I decided to take the leap.

How has your military experience helped you as a franchisee?

In the military, I realized that I do not have all the answers and that I must listen to those within my ranks who may have a better way to solve a problem. I’ve carried that same philosophy over to running my pub by listening to and implementing ideas from my employees.

What advice would you give to other veterans considering franchise ownership?

Figure out what interests and excites you and determine what your market needs (or doesn’t need).

Trae Caldwell of Metal Supermarkets (No. 130)

After 21 years in the Army National Guard, Trae Caldwell turned his sights to business ownership, choosing a Metal Supermarkets franchise.

What drew you to franchising?

I wanted to partner with an established brand that would help our business get started in the right direction. With franchising we had sales on day one!

Why did you choose Metal Supermarkets?

The business model made sense, and I already knew I enjoyed working with metal. I also saw the market gap for cut-to-size metal in my area. I was confident in their systems and support. Lastly, there is tremendous flexibility and autonomy in products and services you can offer through Metal Supermarkets. You get to create the “menu” — within reason, of course.

How has your military experience helped you as a franchisee?

The best experience the military gave me to prepare for entrepreneurship is effective and confident decision-making. Combining that with an unwavering commitment to “do the right thing” has been invaluable to developing our customer relationships.

What advice would you give to other veterans considering franchise ownership?

Ask a lot of questions of the franchisor, make sure you are comfortable with their process, and ensure you are confident in the business model and the products or services you will be offering.

Related: The 10 Hottest Trends in Franchising

LG has developed an industry-first stretchable screen that bends, twists, and stretches out like taffy, from 12 inches to 18 inches.

The screen is just a prototype, but it could have useful applications for wearables, cars, smartphones, and other industries in the future. For example, the flexible material could be used to make clothes and handbags.

LG showed off the screen on Friday at LG Science Park in Seoul, South Korea, to more than 100 onlookers. Its expansion rate of 50% is the highest in the industry, and it has a resolution of 100 pixels per inch. The screen gives full color.

^{LG screen. Credit: LG}

LG has been working on stretchy screens for years. In 2019, the company launched a TV with a screen that rolls away into the base when not in use. However, LG discontinued the 65-inch, $100,000 TV in May 2024 after slow sales.

In 2022, the company showed off a 12-inch display that could extend out to 14 inches. To create the screen, LG used a base silicon material like the one used for contact lenses. They layered micro-LEDs and circuits shaped like springs on top to create a screen capable of being twisted, stretched, and folded with no damage.

Related: Why the CEO of $2.5 Billion Smart Ring Startup Oura Says Apple Won’t Make Its Own Version

LG’s stretchable screens have already made an impact on the fashion industry. In September, the displays were seen on the runway at Seoul Fashion Week on the front of garments and bags designed by Youn-Hee Park and Chung-Chung Lee. The designers used the 12-inch screens that could stretch out to 14 inches.

“We have been able to design future fashion concepts with new materials that have never existed before,” Park stated in a press release.

^{One garment with a 12-to-14-inch stretchable screen embedded on the front. Credit: LG}

Related: Samsung’s Newest Galaxy Gadget Aims ‘To See How Productive You Can Be’

LG competitors are also working on flexible screens. In August, Samsung publicly showcased a prototype of a stretchable display for the first time. The microLED screen can stretch up to 125% of its starting size and has a resolution of 120 pixels per inch.

Samsung placed the screen on a smartphone and demonstrated how it could move to show the topography of a map. The screen could rise to show the presence of a mountain, for example.

Video content seems to be everywhere, and it’s hard to find a business that doesn’t use video in its daily operations in some way. Whether it’s for internal processes, social media marketing or a company’s website, video has become an essential part of how businesses communicate with their customers.

Yet, not every company can hire professional editors to handle this part of the job. But no worries; in a world where AI technology is advancing so fast, you don’t have to do so much manual video editing any more.

At my video editing company, we’ve discovered some great AI-driven solutions that your team can use to make their videos look professional. But what exactly does it mean to “make videos look professional,” and what tools can you use for that?

1. Cleaning up audio

Many businesses record video podcasts or interviews for their marketing purposes. One of the biggest challenges they face with these “talking videos” is managing the sound. Filler words like “um,” “ah,” pauses, or inconsistent speech patterns of the speakers can make the editing process extremely time-consuming. Different people talk at different speeds, and sometimes you’ll need to cut things out to make the content more engaging and smooth.

If you’re looking to make your videos more polished like that, focus on the sound. A great tool that can help with this is Adobe Podcast.

It automatically cleans up audio, removes those filler words and awkward pauses, and helps deliver clear, concise sound, especially for videos where people are talking a lot. With this tool, your social media managers or any other team members working with video can quickly improve its quality without advanced editing skills.

Related: 4 Pro Tips for Optimal Online Presentations

2. Reducing background noise

Another popular format that comes with its set of challenges is field interviews — conversations with people in the street. It’s a dynamic and engaging way to gather authentic insights, but there’s one common issue that can make your video feel more amateur.

That issue is background noise. Even the best microphones can sometimes fail, letting in unwanted sounds from the environment. In some cases, your microphone might stop working altogether, leaving you with audio full of background noise.

Waves can help clean up this noise and improve your audio quality. Simply upload your video to the platform, and let the AI work its magic. It removes unwanted background noise, leaving you with clear audio that makes your videos much more professional and enjoyable to watch.

Related: 8 Budget-Friendly AI Tools to Boost Your Marketing

3. Enhancing video quality

When it comes to the video itself, one of the most common frustrations is discovering the quality isn’t what you hoped for, especially after uploading it to the computer. This is often true for user-generated content or other footage shot by an amateur. You might find that some pixels are missing or certain sections appear blurry. Things get even worse when you upload the video to social media, as these platforms tend to compress the files, further reducing the quality.

To address this problem and improve the overall video quality, you can turn to video upscaling programs like Topaz Video AI. This tool analyzes your clips, predicts and reconstructs missing pixels to create a better resolution. By using Topaz Video AI, you can significantly improve the quality of your videos, making them more visually appealing and suitable for sharing on social media platforms.

4. Editing videos in multiple languages

You might also need AI when recording conferences your team organizes or conducting interviews with international colleagues. Often, such content is challenging to edit just because you don’t understand the language. As a result, these clips can end up as lengthy, 2-hour video speeches that don’t receive many views.

However, you don’t need to hire a translator; there’s a tool you can use to edit videos with international speakers, even if you don’t understand the language.

Subtitles Pro generates voice-to-text scripts in 35 different languages and translates them into English. With this tool, your team can understand what’s going on in the videos and know where to cut them correctly.

To sum up

Using AI tools can make a real difference in improving the quality of your videos and making them available to wider audiences. Besides, these tools will allow you to create professional-looking content without needing extensive resources, no matter if you’re making social media clips, conducting interviews, or recording video podcasts.

Elon Musk still wants “hardcore” workers, and it’s not just at X.

Landing a job at Tesla, where Musk is CEO, can be a difficult feat. The process takes months and can include “at least nine interviews,” a former recruiter told Business Insider.

Related: The Ex-Twitter Director Who Went ‘Hardcore’ for Elon Musk and Slept on the Floor of X’s Office Is Now Working at Meta

“The whole system is set up to find the fanatics,” a current Tesla worker with knowledge of the company’s hiring process told Business Insider. “They could get better pay somewhere else, but we want the people who are die-hard Tesla.”

As of June 2024, the company employs around 120,000 workers, per CNBC.

How much does Tesla pay?

The tough hiring process is also reflected in the company’s pay structure, which offers lower base salaries but larger stock grants than its competitors in the automotive and tech industries, according to the report.

Business Insider secured access to Tesla’s internal pay database (as of December 2021) and reviewed the salary data of nearly 100,000 employees.

The outlet used this information, public filings, and additional interviews with former Tesla workers to uncover the company’s pay structure.

Here’s a look at a handful of roles.

Click here for the full report.

Analyst

• Median base pay: $93,000
• Max base pay: $120,000
• Median stock grants: $20,000
• Max stock grants: $80,000
• Percentage with a stock grant: 88%

Associate QA Engineer

• Median base pay: $85,000
• Max base pay: $108,000
• Median stock grants: $30,000
• Max stock grants: $40,000
• Percentage with a stock grant: 68%

Senior Hardware Engineer

• Median base pay: $151,215
• Max base pay: $180,000
• Median stock grants: $55,000
• Max stock grants: $450,000
• Percentage with a stock grant: 67%

Related: Google Engineers Rake in Big Bucks with Base Salaries Up to $718,000, According to a New Report

Senior Manager Accounting

• Median base pay: $173,000
• Max base pay: $210,000
• Median stock grants: $65,000
• Max stock grants: $500,000
• Percentage with a stock grant: 100%

Senior Technical Program Manager

• Median base pay: $139,500
• Max base pay: $180,000
• Median stock grants: $45,375
• Max stock grants: $450,000
• Percentage with a stock grant: 86%

While some strategists say to “buy high, sell higher” on Nvidia stock, Terry Smith is staying away from Nvidia altogether.

Smith has been called Britain’s Warren Buffett; he manages the £22.8 billion ($29.33 billion) Fundsmith Equity Fund.

He has chosen not to invest in Nvidia, the world’s largest company with a market cap of over $3.5 trillion at the time of writing because he says consumers haven’t shown that they’re willing to pay for AI.

“I’m not confident that we know what the future of AI is because there are almost no applications people are paying for,” Smith told Bloomberg last week. “Will they be willing to pay on a sufficient scale and a sufficient price to justify this? Because if not, the suppliers of the chips are going to have a problem.”

Related: Nvidia’s Immense Market Power Is Worrying Investors — Here’s Why

A recent survey shows that people are unwilling to pay extra for AI processors and other hardware: 84% of over 22,000 PC users surveyed in May by TechPowerUp said that they would not pay more for hardware with AI features.

Yet another data point shows that users are willing to pay for AI products in some cases. Over 11 million people are opting to pay for ChatGPT; an August report estimates that OpenAI makes an estimated $3.4 billion in annual revenue from ChatGPT subscriptions.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has stated that he personally pays for ChatGPT and uses it as a personal tutor.

^{Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images}

Smith’s decision to not invest in Nvidia has caused his fund to miss out on Nvidia’s high returns. The Fundsmith Equity Fund saw a 9.3% return between January 1 and June 30; it underperformed compared to the MSCI World Index, which made 12.7% over the same six-month period.

Smith said that it was “difficult” to reach the MSCI World Index return without owning Nvidia, but defended his stance to stay away from the stock: “We do not own any Nvidia as we have yet to convince ourselves that its outlook is as predictable as we seek,” he wrote at the time.

Fundsmith Equity has a stake in other tech stocks, including Apple, Meta, and Microsoft.

Related: Nvidia Was Once 30 Days Away From Going Out of Business. Here’s Why It Just Overtook Apple to Become the World’s Biggest Company.

While Smith may have his reasons for not investing in Nvidia, the company remains one of the world’s most sought-after AI chip suppliers, with anywhere from 70% to 95% of the AI chip market. Huang spoke recently about the “insane demand” the company faced when it came to its latest Blackwell AI chip.

“Everybody wants to have the most, and everybody wants to be first,” he stated last month.

Nvidia is one of the “Magnificent Seven,” a group of tech stocks that also includes, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Google, and Tesla.

Nvidia is not only a part of the Magnificent Seven, but many members of the group are also clients: Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and Google are responsible for more than 40% of Nvidia’s revenue.

Related: How Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Transformed a Graphics Card Company Into an AI Giant: ‘One of the Most Remarkable Business Pivots in History’

Post-Covid, the debate over remote versus in-office work has intensified. The allure of working from home is undeniable: no commute, casual attire and more flexibility around scheduling and task management. But I’m convinced that, for many organizations, there is no substitute for in-person work. It’s not about nostalgia, tradition or resistance to change. It’s about retaining elements that make for success in business such as mentorship, career progression, collaboration and speed of action.

This isn’t a blanket argument. Some businesses thrive under remote or hybrid work models. But for others — where real-time collaboration, spontaneous problem-solving and face-to-face interactions are critical — the advantages of “work from work” are hard to deny. For my part, I don’t think my career would have progressed as rapidly before I started Dynasty — nor would Dynasty have seen the success it has as an all-remote enterprise.

Related: In Defense of the Office

Mentorship thrives in the office, not online

One advantage of in-office work is the enhancement of mentorship. After all, mentorship is an organic, dynamic and ongoing process that, at least in its most impactful form, can’t be overly structured. E-meetings can be a great stop-gap, but such strictly scheduled get-togethers can’t foster the spontaneous interactions that drive in-person workplace learning.

In an office, new hires can see how experienced colleagues handle challenges in the moment, allowing them to witness how problems are tackled on the spot. This is a far richer learning experience than most people can derive from formal feedback. It’s the unscheduled moments — a thought shared by the coffee machine, an impromptu chat between meetings — that shape professional growth. You can’t schedule a passing comment, and comments like that can change how you think about a client issue and unlock a strategy you hadn’t considered.

Remote work tends to flatten these opportunities. Virtual meetings have clear agendas, and while they may be efficient, they lack the spontaneity that mentorship requires. In-person work allows junior employees to absorb not just technical knowledge but also the unspoken elements of workplace culture — how to navigate office politics, build relationships and handle pressure. These are critical for long-term career success, but they’re hard to impart through a screen.

Being seen is a boon to career advancement

Visibility is crucial for career growth, and the office provides an environment where contributions can be recognized more readily. In a remote setting, it’s easy for work to go unnoticed, even with regular check-ins. Video calls don’t offer the same opportunities to showcase initiative or tackle an impromptu project. It’s easier to stay in the foreground when you’re in the same room as your manager, actively participating in discussions or lending a hand when a colleague needs help.

Presence in the office helps employees build informal networks, which can be just as important for career progression as formal interactions. The person you chat with over lunch might become a key advocate when a promotion opportunity arises. When you’re present, you’re naturally in front of decision-makers more often, giving you more chances to make positive impressions. This exposure to leadership and the ability to connect with colleagues across departments creates pathways to new roles or responsibilities that might otherwise go unnoticed in a remote work setting.

In contrast, remote employees may struggle to maintain the same level of engagement or visibility. Despite their best efforts, the lack of physical proximity can lead to missed opportunities. Out of sight, out of mind — a saying that, unfortunately, often holds true in career advancement.

Related: How Has Remote Work Impacted Our Relationships With Other Employees? The Findings of This Study Will Surprise You.

The irreplaceable synergies of working together in person

Tools like Slack and Zoom have made remote collaboration easier, but they are no substitute for working side-by-side with your team in the same room. The energy generated by face-to-face collaboration fosters creativity, problem-solving and innovation in ways that digital platforms can’t replicate.

In the office, discussions are more fluid and dynamic. An idea that starts as a quick conversation by a colleague’s desk can quickly turn into a full-blown brainstorming session. These moments are hard to plan, but they’re essential to any successful business. In virtual meetings, the structure often stifles this kind of creativity. The focus on efficiency and the limitations of time slots mean that discussions rarely veer off into the sometimes chaotic, but often fruitful, exchanges that occur in person.

Physical proximity fosters stronger team cohesion. Employees can build relationships naturally, simply by spending time together. These connections deepen trust and create a shared sense of purpose, making teams more effective. When people feel more connected, they collaborate better, and the end result is a more innovative and successful organization.

The strategic advantage of on-the-spot feedback

In a fast-paced environment, speed matters. The ability to make quick decisions can make the difference between seizing and missing an opportunity. With all or most key players in the same space, information flows more freely, and decisions can be made on the spot without the delays and lack of spontaneity inherent to remote communication.

When you’re in the office, you can always walk over to a colleague’s desk and get feedback on an idea immediately instead of waiting for an email reply or struggling to find time on someone’s calendar. Everyone knows that phone tag and fragmented communication tools slow things down. “Work from work” helps avoid these bottlenecks and fosters efficiency.

Remote work can also make teams more “siloed” because employees tend to interact most with their direct colleagues. This can limit cross-departmental communication, reducing overall business awareness and collaboration. In-office work helps to break down these silos, allowing employees to build relationships and collaborate across teams, which is essential to innovation and agility.

In-office work builds a company’s culture

The debate over remote versus in-office work isn’t going away, and it shouldn’t. Remote work has proven its value, particularly when it comes to offering flexibility and accommodating individual needs. But for companies focused on growth, development and long-term success, there’s still immense value in maintaining a shared workspace.

Related: Want Employees Back in the Office? What Leaders Are (Still!) Getting Wrong About This Ask

The office isn’t just a space. It’s a culture. It’s where mentorship happens, where careers are built and where teams come together to solve problems, innovate and make decisions that drive success. For this reason, it’s especially important that business leaders be clear on remote versus in-person work policies. Ambiguity or inconsistency across departments can create confusion and frustration.

As we move forward, businesses need to consider whether remote work, for all its benefits, can replicate the unique opportunities that arise when people work together face to face. For many, there’s still no substitute for the richness that comes from working in the same space.

Usually, franchises think of video as just a tool for ads or social media clips. But video can go much deeper — it can drive franchise development, support franchisees on the ground, and keep your brand consistent across locations. Here are four video types that most franchises overlook, and skipping them might mean missing out on some serious growth opportunities.

Related: Considering franchise ownership? Get started now to find your personalized list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget.

Franchise development videos

When you’re recruiting new franchisees, another polished pitch just isn’t going to cut it. What prospects really want to see are real success stories. That’s where franchise development videos shine — by focusing on actual transformation.

Think about it: 92% of consumers prefer brands that make their ads feel like stories. Imagine a video where a franchisee shares their journey from feeling unsure to building a successful business, all with your brand’s support. Seeing real people on screen makes it relatable. Potential franchisees can picture themselves in these stories, and that makes them more likely to trust and join your brand. Missing out on this type of video? You could be missing a big chance to make an emotional connection with future franchisees.

Related: Want to Become a Franchisee? Run Through This Checklist First.

Customer testimonials

Customer testimonials are gold for trust-building, but many franchises aren’t taking full advantage of them. Most franchisees don’t have easy access to a library of these testimonials, which means they’re losing out on a powerful tool to build credibility in their markets.

Here’s the reality: 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as a friend’s recommendation (BrightLocal). Imagine if every franchisee could share testimonials from real customers in their area. That’s a game-changer. New customers would be way more likely to choose your brand after seeing locals rave about it.

Without these videos, franchisees miss out on a simple but effective way to boost credibility, keep brand messaging consistent, and increase sales.

Related: Find Out Which Brands Have Ranked on the Franchise 500 for Longest, Earning a Spot In our New ‘Hall of Fame’

Training videos

One of the biggest challenges in franchising is keeping the brand experience consistent across all locations. Since each franchisee runs things independently, a standardized training process is a game-changer—and training videos make it happen.

Training videos create a unified way to onboard and educate teams. Instead of each franchisee scrambling to come up with their own methods, a shared video library sets the standard for everything from operations to brand values.

Skipping these? You’re leaving franchisees to figure things out on their own, which leads to inconsistent customer experiences. With these videos, you save time, reduce training costs, and build a team that’s in sync on brand standards—resulting in better customer experiences and a stronger brand overall.

Related: Learn the Secrets of Running 20+ Businesses as a Side Hustle — Finding and Nurturing Your ‘STIC People’

Meet the team videos

Consumers today crave authenticity. They want to feel connected to the people behind a brand. In fact, people are 2.4 times more likely to view user-generated content as authentic compared to brand-created content (Stackla). Meet the Team videos introduce the real people in your business, helping to humanize the brand.

For franchisees, it builds a sense of community. They get to “meet” the leadership team and support staff, which creates a more personal connection. And for customers, knowing who’s behind the brand builds trust, making them more likely to choose your business over a faceless competitor.

Without this personal touch, franchisees and customers might see the brand as just another corporate machine. Meet the Team videos help your brand come across as approachable and relatable—qualities that help you build loyal relationships over time.

Related: See The Entrepreneur 2024 Top Franchise Supplier List

Why video matters for franchise growth

Video doesn’t just grab attention — it drives action. It’s a huge boost for franchise brands aiming to attract new franchisees and local customers. Using the right types of videos makes your brand memorable, relatable, and trusted across every location.

Brands that embrace video aren’t just “marketing” — they’re connecting with people. From storytelling that attracts franchisees, to testimonials that build local trust, to training videos that ensure consistency, video can fuel growth across the board. Don’t miss out on these opportunities. Start creating story-driven content that connects, converts, and helps your entire franchise network grow.

Related: Don’t Have Time to Start a Business? This Doctor, Lawyer and Now Part-Time Franchisee Would Disagree.

Mastering your mindset can change not just your business, but your life — I see it every day as a personal brand confidante and through the transformative experiences of my clients. Entrepreneurship isn’t merely about launching a business; it’s a long-term journey filled with challenges, resilience and, often, failure. But it’s these challenges that shape us.

Every entrepreneurial journey starts with your mindset. Ask yourself: How do you handle setbacks? Do you see opportunities where others only see barriers? Your grit, resilience and perseverance will determine your success. In my experience as a multiple exit entrepreneur, I’ve thrived despite setbacks because I’ve always viewed adversity as an opportunity to grow. And remember, building an entrepreneurial mindset means being willing to constantly learn and improve beyond your college education.

So, let’s focus on actionable insights for developing that entrepreneurial mindset that can elevate your sales game and make playing the long game possible.

Related: 5 Entrepreneurial Mindsets That Drive Success

1. Invest time into continuous learning

Continuous learning is more than just self-improvement, it’s the key to entrepreneurial success. According to the World Economic Forum, the half-life of skills is about five years, meaning the knowledge you’ve acquired needs to be constantly refreshed. Are you keeping up with industry trends, expanding your skills and staying curious? Think of this process as sharpening your entrepreneurial tools; each lesson learned equips you to tackle future challenges.

I recently advised a tech startup founder who saw the digital landscape changing quickly, too quick even for his young team to keep up. Rather than feeling overwhelmed, he set aside time every week to read targeted industry reports and reach out and connect with other ‘targeted’ industry leaders. Over a five-month period, this approach not only kept him ahead of trends but also helped him pivot his business model successfully, including attracting keen investors.

2. Embrace resilience and optimism

The entrepreneurial path isn’t paved with constant wins — far from it. There will be tough days, weeks or even months. But what separates successful entrepreneurs is their response to adversity. A study from the University of Cambridge found that entrepreneurs who maintain a positive yet grounded outlook in challenging times are more likely to persevere and achieve long-term success.

It’s not the setbacks that define you; it’s how you react to them. Every stumble is a stepping stone, and every failure is a lesson. As a personal brand expert, I’ve seen clients overcome challenges simply because they reframed setbacks as learning experiences. And let’s not forget: Resilience breeds respect and respect builds trust.

3. Redefine failure

Let’s be honest: No one likes to fail. Why? Because we’ve been conditioned to believe it’s bad, even catastrophic. However, in entrepreneurship, failure is a necessary part of growth. According to a report by CB Insights, around 42% of startups fail due to a lack of market need — yet, it’s often these failures that guide entrepreneurs toward more sustainable opportunities. It’s not about avoiding failure; it’s about embracing it as an opportunity to iterate, learn and evolve. Without failure, no business would have grown, and that includes mine.

Remember Thomas Edison’s words: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Let that mindset fuel your journey. Failure, when seen as “feed-forward,” is one of the best teachers.

Related: Want to Be a Successful Entrepreneur? Fail.

4. Flourish in the power of your network

While entrepreneurship often feels like an individual journey, your network can be your lifeline. Did you know that, according to LinkedIn, 80% of professionals consider networking to be crucial to career success? Surround yourself with a strong community of like-minded individuals who can provide support, share insights and even open doors for joint ventures or partnerships, just as we did with our client. A solid network is more than just business cards — it’s the drive and fuel that propel your entrepreneurial journey.

Sales: The heartbeat of business success

Let’s pivot to sales — a topic that can make even the most seasoned entrepreneur uneasy. For many, sales evoke mixed feelings: excitement, fear or even dread. But whether you love it or hate it, the reality is clear: Sales are the lifeblood of your business.

However, sales isn’t merely about making money. It’s about “enrollment,” building connections, understanding your audience and offering solutions that add real value to their lives. Research by Harvard Business Review suggests that successful salespeople spend up to 40% of their time prospecting and engaging, rather than closing. This focus on building relationships and trust drives repeat business and builds brand loyalty over time.

Sales is an intricate dance between art and science. The art lies in the psychology of persuasion, storytelling and empathy. The science is in the data understanding customer behavior, tracking trends and refining your approach based on results. Combining the two is the key to sales mastery. Your aim should be to be solution-focused, build “real” relationships and not simply make the sale, for the sale’s sake.

One often overlooked concept in sales is having “skin in the game.” Simply put, it means having a personal stake in the outcome. When you have something to gain or lose — be it reputation, financial investment or time — it drives you to go above and beyond. As Warren Buffett once said, “Having skin in the game is the ultimate yardstick for performance.”

For entrepreneurs, this is even more applicable. Your brand, your reputation, your very business rely on your ability to sell. This personal investment compels you to work harder, listen more intently and provide exceptional service. And let’s not forget, this type of commitment is contagious — your customers sense it and respond with greater loyalty.

Having skin in the game also means holding yourself accountable. In my company, our culture is, “Our promise is our word … Guaranteed.” It’s about integrity — being transparent with customers, setting the right expectations and delivering on the trust invested in you. Customers who trust you will not only return but refer you to others. And this referral-based trust is priceless — it’s what turns customers into loyal advocates.

But with great risk comes great reward. The pressure to succeed can be intense, but those willing to take calculated risks are the ones who reap the benefits. As Richard Branson put it, “Opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming. But the key is to be ready when they come by having your skin in the game.”

Related: Resilience Is One of the Most Essential Entrepreneurial Traits. Practicing This Can Help You Build It.

Taking the next steps

Entrepreneurship and sales are intertwined, both require a mindset that’s resilient, optimistic and willing to embrace failure as a learning tool. Surround yourself with the right network, learn from the success models around you and be honest about your strengths and weaknesses, as a business and also as a person.

Remember, sales aren’t about pushing a product; it’s about providing solutions and building lasting relationships. The more “skin in the game” you have, the more you’ll invest in going the extra mile, acting with integrity and creating true impact.

So, as you continue your journey, bear in mind that success is more about first, how you think, and second, what you do. Cultivate a growth mindset, embrace every learning opportunity and most importantly, keep your focus on providing genuine value. The rewards await those who are willing to risk and invest in themselves and that’s the essence of the entrepreneurial spirit today and the future.

For business owners, protecting your company’s bottom line means staying one step ahead of cyber threats. The average cyber attack costs small and medium businesses up to $25,000, but the situation isn’t as dire as it sounds. With the right IT skills on your team, you can protect against these costly threats and create a resilient, efficient operation.

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Prepare for real cyber threats

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