Top Franchise Brokers: Laura Blackmore, Blackmore Franchise Consulting/FranServe

Franchise consultant Laura Blackmore knows how the dream of business ownership can quickly go south. She’s seen it happen. To herself.

Blackmore, who had worked as a CFO in the publishing industry, faced a big salary cut when the economy tanked after 9/11. Armed with major executive experience, she decided to buy a business to run herself.

Big mistake, she said.

“I bought a business for all the wrong reasons,” Blackmore said. “For income and all that kind of stuff. I was so used to buying and selling businesses for corporations. And it's very different when you're doing it yourself versus a company. That was rough.”

After that, she was pulled back into the corporate world for a while, and she had an epiphany. She really did need to be her own boss. “I’m really not the best employee,” she laughed.

Blackmore’s challenge was finding the right fit. And funnily enough, she found it as an independent franchise consultant with FranServe, helping others avoid her initial mistake by helping people find their dream business. “That feels much more natural for me.”

What does she have that helps people find an opportunity that matches their personality, goals and aspirations? “It just really comes down to listening to people and just being yourself,” she said. “You can’t have an agenda.”

Another factor in finding a good fit: research. “The due diligence is critical,” Blackmore said. She helps clients make sure the franchise they invest in is a good fit financially and culturally, and that they have the key skills, experience and resources needed to succeed.

Because even after a franchisee has all the right ingredients, success takes time, she said. “Success doesn’t happen overnight.”