About episode 218 Mellisa Pang interviews Debra Cohen, Franchise Development Team Lead, Real Property Management
Debra's Bio:
Before I joined Real Property Management, I was what people call a "mompreneur". After the birth of my first daughter, I left a successful career as VP of a global aviation magazine for a less glamorous pursuit - motherhood. Over the next six months, I developed a business plan and launched Home Remedies® a Homeowner Referral Network (HRN) that pre-screened and referred local home improvement contractors. My business capitalized on my passion for home improvements and real estate and afforded me the opportunity to stay at home and raise my family while having a successful career. After my first year in business, other entrepreneurs took notice of my success and were interested in starting a business like mine. I decided to document all of the "how-to's" in a comprehensive business manual and marketed it along with Business Packages worldwide to other prospective entrepreneurs looking for a viable home-based business. Before I sold my business in 2010, I helped launch more than 1000 businesses globally and my company grossed more than $4M in sales I graduated cum laude in 1989 from Union College in Schenectady, NY with a BS in Psychology and Spanish. My husband, Charles and I live in NY on Long Island and have two daughters, Emily (28) and Sophie (25).
Melissa noted: What fascinates me is that you went from entrepreneur to franchisor, essentially entering the franchising space. And a lot of times when we’re talking to candidates or talking to clients, they’re looking at options. And one of the options is a startup. One of the options is franchising. What you said was you know what you were good at, you know what you liked to do. And you outsourced and found other people and experts to take on the other parts of the business you weren’t good at. And then you love helping people. And I think that all translates beautifully into the franchising model. However, this is a whole new world. Many candidates are being introduced to franchising for the first time and putting up a lot to invest. They’re investing time, energy and resources, including money. There’s some risk involved. We don’t want to forget about the fear they may feel. From your perspective, from solopreneur to franchisor, what is what attracted you to franchising?
According to Debra: Eventually, I decided to sell my home improvement company and potentially retire. But I got bored very quickly and found Neighborly. And they encapsulated everything I had loved about my career … working with entrepreneurs, helping them launch businesses, home improvements, and real estate, and it’s just putting it all together. But the bow on the package was that I wasn’t doing everything alone. In franchising, you’ve got teams of people who handle marketing, technology, and coaching and in my own company, I was doing all of that alone. So now I’m part of a team who supports me in doing what I love. And I’ve been with Real Property Management for three years recently promoted to team lead. I run the Franchise Development Division and absolutely love what I do.
Franchise Friday, where you can watch or listen as we explore franchising, entrepreneurship, and small business ownership, speaking with the franchise industry thought leaders and subject matter experts that shape the Future Of Franchising. #FranchiseFriday – For more about our podcast, visit our website: https://futureoffranchising.com/ Produced by Franchise Source Brands International and The Entrepreneur’s Source.
