Neighborly News

When thinking about opening a small business, it’s easy to put the cart before the horse and get excited by brainstorming the perfect location or catchy name and slogan. But before all that, it’s important to bring your feet back down to earth and take a good hard look at determining what kind of business you want to open, and more importantly, what products and services you’ll offer. Choosing the right business in the right industry can make or break your success. If you know you’re ready to start your entrepreneurial journey but haven’t yet determined your industry, home services is a phenomenal option. And by choosing to franchise with Neighborly, you’ll have a partner there to help you through the entire process. Let’s look at how to find the right business for you… 

Go Back to Your “Why”

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – remembering your “why” is what makes business ownership all worth it. The fact of the matter is that most people don’…

Spring cleaning doesn’t just mean organizing, cleaning, or decluttering your house. Small business owners can also take advantage of this tradition by spring cleaning their businesses. 

Taking the time to spring clean your business can show you what processes may need improvement, help you streamline everyday operations, and set your small business up for continued growth and success. 

Here are seven ways you can spring-clean your business:   1. Brush Off Your Business Plan

When was the last time you reviewed your business plan? If your business plan has been collecting dust, spring cleaning is a great time to give it the attention it deserves. Instead of a one-time exercise, think of your business plan as a tool that can help you reevaluate how you’re doing and where you are in your business. Small businesses constantly develop and change, unexpected things happen, and your business plan needs to adapt to these changes.  

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We don’t often think of building a legacy in our 20s. But think of how much you could achieve by paving the way now – all the communities you could impact and the accomplishments you could be proud of 30 years down the line.

Franchising opens the doors to those kinds of possibilities. Whether you’re midway through life looking for a career change or are a young upstart trying to make a name for yourself, educating yourself about business ownership can help prepare you to make those entrepreneurial dreams come true. But at some point, it’s time to close the books, trust in yourself and take the leap into business ownership.

As we head into graduation season, I’m reminded that you’re never too young to start thinking about owning a business. In fact, according to Franchise Wire, 62% of Gen Z have started or intend to start a business. I’m not saying you must have it all figured out at 18. But for young entrepreneurs who aren’t sure what path to take, now is an ex…

Securing funding is critical to starting a new business for most aspiring entrepreneurs. Getting sound financial guidance from a reputable, licensed professional service can’t be underestimated. Unfortunately, many potential business owners have never opened or operated a business before and may not understand the basics of acquiring a loan. While they may have taken out a mortgage or secured a car loan, those are not analogous to securing a loan for a business.

Sometimes prospective business owners don’t ask the right lending questions or may need help knowing what questions to ask, so education is essential. Learn some of the ins and outs of how to go about getting financing for a small business or franchise.

What are ROBS and How Can You Use Them to Fund Your Business

Named by the IRS, ROBS stands for Roll-Over as Business Startups. With a ROBS plan, you can withdraw money from your retirement funds to finance your new business without th…

Without the commitment and demands of a year-long business cycle, larger staffs and equipment inventories, and sustained motivation and profitability, seasonal businesses are a fantastic opportunity for entrepreneurs to supplement income, expand their interests, and try out businesses on a smaller level that could grow into something much bigger.

Simply put, a seasonal business is an enterprise that earns the majority of its income during a limited number of months each year, which is often a winter or summer business.

Why Start a Seasonal Business?There are as many reasons to start a seasonal business as there are businesses to start seasonally. Some augment your income. Others are more motivated by personal lifestyle. Here are the most common reasons:

Freedom. Because less time is involved in a seasonal business, you only need to operate your business in high gear for a limited time each year, which opens up more time later. You also have the freedo…

From serving our country to serving their neighborhoods, veterans embody the Neighborly mission to build a service community that enriches people’s lives by delivering amazing experiences. As a vice president of franchise development at Neighborly, I’ve seen firsthand how veterans’ leadership skills, dedication and desire to give back to others helps them become highly successful business owners. Even in my own family, my father, brother and nephew are army veterans, and coming from a military family has given me immense respect for the sacrifices and bravery of our veterans.

Each May for Military Appreciation Month, we honor these men and women who have bravely served our country. But at Neighborly, honoring and providing opportunities for our veterans is at the heart of what we do, all year round. Giving Back, the Neighborly Way

Neighborly is dedicated to creating business ownership opportunities for our country’s veterans. Not only do we provide incentive…

A home is often the largest investment someone ever makes, making home inspections an invaluable part of the home-buying process. Home inspectors play a crucial role in ensuring that homebuyers are fully informed about the home’s condition so they can consider all factors before making that home investment. According to the Organization of Real Estate Professionals, approximately 80% of all homes are inspected by a professional inspector.

Aspiring entrepreneurs can join the thriving home inspection industry by starting a home inspection business. Opening your own business may seem daunting, but with the right tools and information, you can begin to take the steps toward operating your own home inspection business. 

Why A Home Inspection Business is a Good Investment

There’s a growing demand for home inspectors and home inspection businesses,  making home inspection businesses an excellent industry to consider. According to the National Assoc…

When you find an opportunity and industry that really suits you, franchising can be rewarding in both the short and long term. If you’re interested in the home services industry — from house cleaning to HVAC to landscaping—connect with us at Neighborly. As a franchise business owner of one of our national award-winning brands, you’ll maintain independence and flexibility while having access to ongoing training and support.

Neighborly is proud to give aspiring and existing business owners the chance to stand out in competitive industries and build the lives— and the legacies —they’ve always wanted.

See Neighborly Brand Press Releases and News on Home Services Opportunities Here.

Click on any of the Neighborly franchise brand links below to learn more:

Cleaning & OrganizationDryer Vent Wizard®Molly Maid®ShelfGenie®

Windows, Glass & DoorsWindow Genie®Glass Doctor®Precision Door Service® Read more about Neighborly | Home Services Franchises to Consider

We started with one brand in Waco, Texas, in 1981. Today, the Neighborly network is comprised of  19+ distinct service-based franchise organizations located in North America & Europe.

What is Franchising?

A franchise is a business model in which a company (referred to as a franchisor) gives other parties (franchisees) the right to use its trademark to sell goods or services according to its terms. The legal contract for this arrangement is usually called a franchise agreement.

The franchisee may benefit from the company’s established business systems, recognized brand, training programs, and other support. These benefits are typically given in exchange for an initial investment, a franchise fee, and a set percentage of ongoing sales revenue (royalties). 

Explore all of the Neighborly franchise opportunities listed on Home Services Opportunities here.

The Neighborly® family …

The military can serve as the foundation for a civilian career for many service members. After finishing their military service, many Veterans seek a second career where they can use their skills and prior training to continue to serve their communities.

According to the Department of Defense, more than 200,000 service members leave the military annually. When they leave the military, many Veterans are eager to shift gears but lack clear pathways to do so.

Owning a franchise can be an excellent opportunity if you are a Veteran searching for business ideas. While Veterans comprise 7% of the country’s population, Veteran franchise owners account for 14% of all franchise owners. Find out why franchising may be the perfect fit.

5 Transferable Skills For Veterans in FranchisingFranchising doesn’t always require prior business experience, and many of the same qualities prized in the military are equally valued in franchise entrepreneurship. DedicationMili…

In today's business world, women are making their mark on the home services sector. Women entrepreneurs are not only bringing fresh perspectives and innovative solutions, but they are also changing the way traditional home services businesses are perceived. The number of women seeking business ownership or entrepreneurship has increased steadily over the years.  

In fact, the National Association of Women Business Owners reports that there are 12.3 million women-owned businesses in the US alone. In the home service industry and elsewhere, women are using their unique skills and leadership qualities to benefit their customers, their families, and their communities alike. For this reason, women in business continue to play an impactful role in the industry and have become a powerful force for positive change.   

The Impact of Women in Business 

Women in business bring an invaluable set of skills, talents, and perspectives t…

If you've ever thought about starting a landscaping business, you probably have come to realize that there is a lot to consider. While the prospect of owning your own business no doubt seems like an exciting and rewarding endeavor, it’s sometimes hard to determine if you're taking the right steps to get on the path to progress and success. This is where having a well-crafted business plan can be the difference between dreaming and achieving.

The right business plan will help you articulate your goals, formulate a business strategy, and help you reach your desired outcomes quickly and efficiently. To make sure that your landscaping business plan is up to the challenge, use SMART goals to make it both actionable and attainable. In what follows, we'll define SMART goals, and explain how to use them to build a business plan that will help you achieve them.

What are SMART Goals?SMART is an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-…