Personal service franchise opportunities give small businesspeople the security of an established business while letting them provide personal services that improve people's lives. Many franchisees are drawn to personal service franchise opportunities over business-to-business franchises because, with personal franchising, they can make a direct, noticeable impact on their customers' lives.

Many different types of personal service franchises fall under the umbrella of “personal service franchise opportunities”: personal business consultant opportunities, personal concierge services, personal fitness franchise opportunities, and the personal image consultant franchise, to name a few. The personal service franchise encompasses a large number of companies.

All you need to start a personal service franchise is a little expertise and a lot of desire to open a business. If that describes you, keep in mind that:

1. There are thousands of different personal service franchise opportunities available to you.
2. Most franchises require an initial payment, called the franchise fee, which will go toward the purchase of necessary franchise items.
3. Most franchisees also pay a monthly fee back to the franchisor. The amount of this payment and the terms of the fee varies.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Match your passion to a personal service franchise

The importance of passion in personal services cannot be overstated. You are going to be working with people every day, and, if you do not like what you are doing, your customers are going to know.

I recommend: Visit The International Franchise Association (IFA) or Franchise Solutions (which specializes in women-owned franchises) to find personal service franchise opportunities. These websites can help you find the personal service business that fits your interests.

Do your homework on service franchises and their products

The personal service business is just that--a business. Make sure that the franchisor you choose is in good financial standing. Check the Better Business Bureau for complaints or lawsuits against the company. Also, make sure the personal services offered by the franchise are going to be something you would be proud to offer.

I recommend: The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) has a list of accredited franchisees. The AAFD is very concerned with franchisee standards and will know which personal service franchise opportunities are more concerned with quality. Respected personal service franchises include Accessible Home Health Care, Gold's Gym and Merry Maids.

Understand the total investment for all personal service franchise opportunities

Remember that it costs money to start a personal service franchise. Before opening any service franchises, make sure you know how much you are going to have to invest upfront and over time.

I recommend: Try to gain some insight into the cost of the personal service franchise by visiting websites that provide detailed information about the process of opening a business within their franchise. Check out FranchiseExpo.com, which gives information on personal service franchises like Caring Transitions, Inches-A-Weigh and Merle Norman Cosmetics.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Do not settle. Too many service franchises exist for you to do something that you do not like or to work for a company that you do not trust.
• •  Take the time to examine all personal service franchise opportunities in the same category. They are going to offer different benefits and services and charge different amounts.
• •  Research each personal online franchise carefully. It is possible to make good money from them, but it may take years to see a profit.