Don’t let fear stop you from reaching your goals!
Why do people go through the whole process of looking for and finding a great franchise opportunity and then back out at the last minute? The answer is fear — and it is the one factor most likely to prevent a potential franchise buyer from moving ahead.
Buying a franchise is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make, so feeling fear is not only normal, it’s appropriate. The only issue is when you allow fear to stop you from doing something that could positively change your life.
Who feels fear? Everyone. Fear keeps us from making dangerous decisions like jumping out of moving cars — but it can also stop us from taking positive risks, like starting a business.
Fear becomes manageable when you feel informed. That’s why some people go skydiving or bungee jumping — they’ve gathered the facts and are ready to stretch their comfort zone.
According to Susan Jeffers, author of Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, when fear or anxiety shows up in the decision-making process, ask yourself:
If it’s #2, list your questions and get them answered. If it’s #1, it’s time to address those internal fears.
JA, a consultant who became a franchisee herself, says: “I managed to get through the research and purchase process with minimal anxiety — but as we approached our opening, I started waking up at night wondering if I’d done the right thing.”
She shares that fear is expected at every stage of the franchise process — and especially around money. Many candidates have spent 20–30 years in corporate jobs and are comfortable, even if they’re dissatisfied. Franchising represents the unknown.
Her advice? Ask the franchisor any questions you have. If the answers satisfy you, acknowledge the fear — and move forward.
JS, who has owned several franchise concepts, recommends two strategies:
“Fear is real,” JS says, “but if you do your homework and are ready to work hard, fear turns into excitement.”
MS, an experienced franchise buyer, shares this clever tip: “I named the little green man on my shoulder ‘Louie.’ He questions everything — but I remind myself I don’t have to listen to him.”
He adds, “Many people deal with fear by making no decision at all. But that avoidance may cost them the change they really want.”
Ask yourself: Am I prepared to make the right decision, even if my ‘Louie’ tells me to delay?
Remember — decision-making isn’t foolproof. There’s no way to eliminate all risk. At some point, even with your questions answered and research done, you’ll need to take a leap of faith.
Franchising offers benefits that would take independent business owners years to build — brand recognition, proven systems, and support. Choosing a franchise is already a step toward minimizing risk.
If you’ve done your research and found the right fit but still feel stuck, the doubt may not be about the business — it may be about your confidence in yourself.
