Don’t know what to think

I was trying to have a discussion with my wife regarding decision to franchise or go solo with business idea. She's a believer in the franchise model because they've never had one fail. They may not have had a location fail but I bet they've had an owner fail. Why? Because they have the option to remove an owner and send in their management team to assist - aka do clean up an aisle 3.

Anyway, I was commenting on the costs and outflow of cash for expenses. Some of the fees seem unreasonable to me. She says to me I don't think you understand starting a business is expensive and they have a good track record. I understand that but have read the fdd document? I looked over it. I think it can be done more frugally than that. You don't know what you're doing. I do know what I read and I understand math - you didn't read the document because you'd be concern spending half a million dollars - I want to discuss this with you as a mental exercise. You figure out how to make it work - this is your thing - you said you can do this - so do it.

Here's what I get out of this - Do it so if it doesn't work I can blame you. If you ask me starting a business isn't a me thing. It's a we thing. It is a completely different model of economic existence with all the risk and significant risk to loss possibly the benefit.

Working for a company is minimal risk with practically guaranteed limited benefit if you show up and do your job as they've structured it.

Owning a business is making it work for employees, customers, stake holders and the community. It has to meet needs of all the above.

Watched a video about a shop that's been around a while. They speak of the trials and tribulations. One comment made that strikes me is keeping expenses in check. From what I see the franchise model doesn't do that. They have a model they think works. And from what people have told me it is more of a build it and they will come. And they end up with too many employees and under utilized equipment. Built for an optimistic future and not earned reality.

JetBlue started with three cities and one airplane. I think it is misguided to start a shop with 8 bays with lifts and an alignment machine when you haven't serviced one car. Or why am I spending 500 dollars a month for software that is available for 200? Mechanics for 8 bays plus other employee overhead like jr tech, foreman, advisors and parts people. When Ike worked at a CB they ended up getting rid of a bunch of people. To use an airplane analogy - the business had too many airplanes and crew with not enough routes or people to move.

Much to consider.