Janice Durant established New Trails Business Consultants, Inc. in Queensbury a year ago. With more than 20 years of experience in franchising, she founded the company to help individuals transition from corporate careers to business ownership. She is passionate about empowering people to control their futures through entrepreneurship. “They might have always had that dream of being their own boss and working for themselves, maybe developing a family-owned business,” says Durant, “and I help them to explore opportunities.”
Durant’s own entrepreneurial journey began with a Sandler Training franchise in Albany, which she co-owned with her sister, Lorraine Ferguson, for 11 years. The experience provided her with firsthand knowledge of the benefits of franchising, including a standardized methodology, marketing support, and a pre-existing brand. After selling the franchise, she worked at Sandler’s corporate headquarters, where she led the franchise department and assisted new owners in getting started.
Durant, however, yearned for the independence of being her own boss again. “I was raised in a family of entrepreneurs—generations of business owners, including father-and-son teams, brothers, and married couples, all collaborating.” She felt a strong inclination towards consulting, a career she discovered through attending franchise conventions.
For individuals seeking to become a franchise owner, Durant’s services are complimentary. The franchisors compensate her for bringing them qualified leads. She begins by understanding the prospective owner’s “why”—what motivates them to seek business ownership. She looks for individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit and a willingness to follow a proven process.
“Many times during the conversations, we may uncover that they are more well-suited for starting their own independent business,” explains Durant. “Or maybe they just need to stay in the corporate world. So together we explore, really uncover, what they’re looking to achieve in their life, and I just guide them down the right path.”
Durant continues, “To operate a franchise, you have to be a bit of a unique individual. You have to have that entrepreneurial spirit. You have to really have that ambition, that drive to own your own business, go out, do sales, make it successful, and engage in your community. However, at the same time, you must also be willing to follow someone else’s process.”
Joining a franchise offers a clear blueprint for business setup and operation, including a proven methodology, essential resources, and marketing backing. However, success hinges on strict adherence to their established methods.
To determine the right fit for a prospective owner, Durant conducts a four-part assessment. First, she evaluates the timing, considering personal circumstances such as raising young children, to ensure the commitment aligns with their lives. Next, she analyzes the territory to confirm that the market can support the franchise concept based on demographics. Third, they discuss financials, including the client’s comfort level with investing, credit scores, and
income replacement goals. Finally, and most importantly, they assess the fit. This emotional and cultural alignment is crucial as a franchise is a long-term partnership that requires a belief in the brand, its products, and its leadership.
Durant notes, “There are 4,000 franchises in the US – a pretty big pool to select from. And it can be overwhelming because they’re in 70 different industries. Many times when I talk to people about franchising, McDonald’s or Subway are the first to come to mind. But there is a wide variety of industries from home services to pet care, senior care, child care, entertainment, and event planning, among others.”
Durant’s expertise is not limited to helping prospective owners. She also assists existing businesses that are considering franchising their model. She conducts a Franchise Assessment Study to determine if a business is “franchise-able.” If the study shows the company is not ready, she provides a report with suggestions for improvement. If the business has strong potential, she offers a step-by-step process for franchising, which includes creating franchise disclosure documents, developing an operations manual, and providing support in legal, sales, and marketing areas.
Franchising is not about working for someone else; it’s about leading, growing, and scaling your own business. Contrary to popular belief, prior industry experience isn’t necessary; franchisors provide extensive training. The model also fosters a sense of community, with many owners describing their fellow franchisees as a professional family.
Durant is a strong advocate for franchising as a way to support local economies. She notes that franchise owners are often community members who hire local people, keeping business and money within the area. She aims to continue growing her business and becoming more involved in the local community, where she sees significant development opportunities.
Get more information on New Trails Business Consultants, Inc. at https://newtrailsbusiness.com.