The Early Days of My Franchise Journey - Gaining Momentum!

I just hit month three as a franchisee with Ideal Siding. If I’m being honest, the first two months were slower—and more humbling—than I expected.

Like many new owners, I came in thinking I’d quote projects based on a 15–20% net margin and start selling. But I missed one key piece of the franchisor’s playbook: early projects aren’t about profit—they’re about gaining experience and positive online reviews.

When you’re brand new, you don’t have Google reviews. You don’t have name recognition. If your pricing is on par with a competitor who does, you’ll lose the job every time. The strategy? Price to win early. Even if that means razor thin margins.

Sure enough, once we adjusted our pricing, we instantly won 2 full house James Hardie projects worth a combined revenue of $67k!

Talking with other franchisees, I’ve learned that year one is about getting your reps in and building credibility for most people. Year two? That’s when the margins really improve—once your name carries weight and your reviews speak for themselves.

Oh, we also already rank #2 in Chicago for some of the most relevant organic search terms. This is all thanks to Ideal Siding’s tremendous marketing team and years of SEO experience.

If you’re interested in learning more or saving thousands off of Ideal Siding, I’d love to chat with you. Send me a note at [email protected].

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Franchise Spotlight

• Founded: 2016

• Franchising since: 2023

• Category: Automotive – Mobile express lube & repair

• On‑site oil changes, diagnostics, light repairs, fleet maintenance

• 100% mobile—no storefront or lease costs

• Exclusive 50‑mile radius territories

• Pre‑existing national fleet accounts (Enterprise, Penske, govt)

  

• 24/7 hotline and tech support for diagnostics, including EV capabilities

• Very high profit margin potential

• Low entry fee with recurring work on nationwide brands

• Can be operated part‑time or absentee with manager

• Total Investment: $80.6K–$119.9K

• Strong margin and financial upside potential (see snapshot of item 19 earnings claim below)

Tim’s Take

I love that the business can be started for ~$100k or less as I think it significantly de-risks the investment for franchisees on a relative basis compared to investments in the $300k-$500k range. Their founder has told me multiple times that new franchisees will obtain recurring work from national accounts from day 1. Assuming this is true, that’s huge for franchisees and will allow them to cash flow significantly earlier than they might have otherwise. This would be an area I’d diligence pretty heavily.

I also like the fact that this should be a fairly recession-resistant business and is a convenient option for busy working professionals.

Click here to save up to $10k on this franchise!

Franchise Spotlight

• Founded: 1996 | Franchising since: 2007

• Named a Top Low-Cost Franchise by Franchise Business Review

• Senior home care is a $100B+ industry, growing ~3–6% annually, driven by aging Baby Boomers

• Services include non-medical in-home care, assisted living finder and referral services and skilled home health care

• Three-revenue stream model (“Continuum of Care”) = in-home non-medial care + in-home skilled services + referrals to assisted living facilities

• No medical or health care experience required

• Uses proprietary platforms like ABC University and CRM for caregiver scheduling, billing, compliance, and training.

• No equipment or inventory (other than basic office equipment, e.g., laptop or tablet)

• Continued support via Area Reps, webinars, marketing, licensing help, and CRM tools

• Initial investment: $81K–$146K; SBA Approved

  Click here to save up to $10k on this franchise!

Can You Finance Your Franchise Dreams?

Thinking about buying a franchise but unsure how to fund it? 🤔 

In this episode, we sit down with Jason Smith, VP of Business Development at Lendzee, to explore franchise funding options and how Lendzee helps entrepreneurs secure the right financing for their business goals.

Subscribe, listen, and decide: Is debt your biggest risk or your smartest move?

For further details, feel free to reach out to us directly at [email protected].

IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE AND BUSINESS DISCLOSURE

Investment Advisory Statement: Kickstart My Franchise serves as an educational resource provider and consultation service. We do not engage in direct franchise sales. Success in any business venture cannot be guaranteed, and all investment decisions should be based on thorough personal research and analysis. By working with Kickstart My Franchise, you acknowledge that it is possible to lose a significant portion or your entire investment.

Professional Guidance Requirements: Prior to any franchise investment, prospective owners must:

• Thoroughly examine the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)

• Seek counsel from qualified legal and financial advisors

• Independently verify all performance data

• Review Item 19 of the FDD for any earnings representations

Business Performance Notice: Operating outcomes, including financial returns and profitability, are the sole responsibility of the franchise owner and parent company. Past performance data and financial projections should not be interpreted as guarantees of future results.

Educational Resources Statement: Information provided, including investment figures and operational statistics, draws from publicly available sources. This content is purely informational and does not constitute a sales offer or purchase solicitation

Legal Framework: Any legal proceedings or disputes will be administered under Illinois state law, with exclusive jurisdiction in Cook County, Illinois.

Acknowledgment of Risk: By engaging our services, you recognize that Kickstart My Franchise bears no liability for decisions you make resulting from provided information. Franchise ownership carries inherent risks that require thorough understanding and consideration.

This document must be reviewed before proceeding with any franchise purchase consideration.