Multi-Unit Franchisee Insight - Passion For Business & Balancing Life and Work

We talk to successful multi-unit operators constantly here at Franchise Update Media. These busy on-the-go people share great insight and wisdom with us through our profile stories in Multi-Unit Franchisee magazine. Here, from our archives, are some insightful responses from some of these franchisees.

What is it about your business that creates passion in you? Giving people the opportunity to better their lives, whether through employment opportunities or delicious and healthy food. **In what ways do you try to balance life and work?

** As best I can. I have a goal of traveling for pleasure once per quarter. I'm not there yet, but it's on my list for 2018.

I believe that traveling to a place I have never been feeds my spirit and reminds me of what is truly important in life. Next on my list: the Grand Canyon, Bhutan, and Sonoma County. Emily Harrington, multi-unit operator of Tropical Smoothie Café **What is it about your business that creates passion in you?

** People. I love seeing people on my team grow in their skills and talents. I love seeing them have that "ah-ha" moment and then rising to the next level of leadership ability.

I love making a difference in people's lives, whether it is my employees, my customers or through philanthropic opportunities. I appreciate the blessings in my own life and believe giving back is the most important thing I can do. **In what ways do you try to balance life and work?

** My day starts early (usually 5 a.m.) I start by sipping coffee in "my chair," reading a book, and quietly meditating on the day that lies ahead.

Each day brings joy but also challenges, and starting in the right frame of mind helps me to make sound decisions. When the work day is over (and on the weekends) I stay disciplined, focusing on my family and my personal goals. It's easy to get sucked into working 24/7, and I did that for many years.

I find that I am more productive when I keep boundaries between work and personal time. Tracy Bouwens, multi-unit operator of Scooter's Coffee What is it about your business that creates passion in you? Hard work and being successful in what I do.

Help people in our team to be successful and help my people grow with our company. I believe that it is easy to make a dollar, but you have to work twice as hard to maintain that dollar. I am passionate about building the right team to lead our organization and take care of them.

In what ways do you try to balance life and work? It is sometimes challenging to balance life and work, but I do take vacations annually with my family and do my best to disconnect from time to time.