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What's Your Next?

What's Your Next?

By: Stacey Riska
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Providing great information to help aspiring Entrepreneurs transition out of their current business or corporate job into another business or franchise.© 2025 What's Your Next? Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Discovering Sir Grout - A Top Level Franchise Opportunity
    Jul 8 2025

    In today's evolving business landscape, aspiring entrepreneurs seek ventures that offer resilience, scalability, and meaningful impact. Sir Grout, as presented, stands out as a franchise opportunity that fulfills these aspirations. This article 🔍 delves into the franchise's business model, benefits, and potential for success.

    Understanding the Sir Grout Business Model 📚
    Sir Grout specializes in restoring and transforming hard surfaces like tile, grout, and stone. Unlike typical grout businesses, Sir Grout offers advanced services that significantly improve aesthetics and functionality.

    Core Services:
    🔹 Tile and Grout Cleaning: Utilizing proprietary solutions and techniques.
    🔹 Grout Color Sealing: Offering customizable colors, including glow-in-the-dark options.
    🔹 Natural Stone Restoration: Polishing and honing granite and other stone surfaces.
    🔹 Additional Services: Slip-resistant and antimicrobial coatings, glass cleaning, and retail sales of pH-neutral cleaners.

    Why Choose Sir Grout? 📊

    • Recession-Resistant & Sustainable
    • Proven to perform well during economic downturns.
    • Environmentally friendly, preventing unnecessary waste by restoring instead of replacing surfaces.
    • Quick Startup & Strong Support
    • Franchisees receive extensive training and support.
    • A national call center and digital marketing team ensure franchisees can start booking jobs immediately after training.
    • Scalable Business Model
    • Low overhead with the ability to operate from home.
    • Growth opportunities through additional territories and vertical integration with other Threshold Brands franchises.

    Financial Insights 💰

    • Revenue Potential: Average franchisee revenue is around $572,394, with some exceeding $1 million annually.
    • In 2025 Initial Investment Estimated: Ranges from $127,000 to $197,000, including a $60,000 franchise fee.
    • Operational Efficiency: The business achieves a high estimate close rate of about 55%, significantly above the industry average.

    Ownership Models 👥

    • Owner-Operator: Hands-on involvement in daily operations.
    • Executive Ownership: Managing estimates while technicians perform the work.
    • Semi-Absentee Ownership: Overseeing operations and finances remotely.

    Sir Grout presents a robust franchise opportunity combining financial potential, sustainability, and comprehensive support. Whether you're seeking a new business venture or aiming to diversify your portfolio, Sir Grout offers a proven path to success in the home services industry.

    📚 [Resources]

    📝 QUIZ: WHAT FRANCHISE CONCEPT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

    https://www.nextlevelfranchisegroup.com/whats-your-perfect-franchise-quiz

    💰 FREE FRANCHISE INVESTMENT CALCULATOR

    https://www.nextlevelfranchisegroup.com/franchise-investment-calculator

    📖 FREE E-BOOK: THE ROADMAP TO BUYING A FRANCHISE - IN 9 EASY STEPS

    https://www.nextlevelfranchisegroup.com/files/the-roadmap-to-buying-a-franchise-in-9-easy-steps.pdf

    📰 TONS OF ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND CONTENT

    https://www.nextlevelfranchisegroup.com

    CONTACT US

    👍https://www.NextLevelFranchiseGroup.com/contact

    📰https://www.linkedin.com/company/next-level-franchise-group/

    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • From Boardroom to Tool Belt: How Chris Built a 7-Figure Handyman Franchise Empire
    Jul 7 2025

    What happens when a billion-dollar chemical industry exec trades his corner office for a tool belt? 🧰 You get Chris Toomey’s inspiring story—a journey from global leadership to local impact as a multi-unit ACE Handyman franchise owner.

    🚪 Closing the Corporate Chapter
    Chris spent over 20 years climbing the corporate ladder, ultimately running a $1.5 billion operating division in the chemical industry. But when his company was poised to relocate him again, he asked himself the question many of us face:
    “Do I want to keep living someone else’s plan—or build my own?”
    He took control of his future and parted ways on good terms, deciding it was time to build something of his own.

    🔨 Why a Handyman Franchise?
    Despite not being a "handy" guy himself, Chris found a sweet spot in home services. He didn’t want to work in the business (swinging hammers) but on the business—leveraging his leadership and operational expertise.

    When researching industries, he looked for:
    ✅ Underserved market demand
    ✅ Recurring and recession-resistant revenue
    ✅ A trusted national brand

    ACE Handyman Services fit all those criteria—and the icing on the cake?

    🚀 Building an Empire, Not Just a Job
    Chris didn’t stop at one territory. In just under 4 years, he scaled from:
    2 territories out of 1 office ➡️ to 7 territories across 4 offices ➡️ on pace for $2 million in revenue this year with a team of 20+ employees.
    He leveraged his corporate skills—financial management, operational efficiencies, and people leadership—to scale smartly.

    🕰️ Lifestyle By Design, Not Default
    Chris works hard—sometimes 50–60 hour weeks—but on his own terms. He’s no longer flying ✈️ across continents or missing family milestones. Now he spends evenings refereeing high school soccer ⚽ and giving back to his local community.

    🔮 What’s Next for Chris?
    Doubling his revenue to $4 million is on the horizon. But more than numbers, Chris is passionate about:
    🔧 Expanding into adjacent home services
    👥 Empowering his team to grow alongside him
    🏡 Continuing to meet an underserved need in his community

    Chris’s advice to anyone on the fence about business ownership?

    👉 “If you’re thinking about it, don’t wait 10 years like I did. The sooner you take the leap, the sooner you’ll experience the freedom—and fulfillment—you’re chasing.”

    ➡️ Want to connect with Chris? Find him on LinkedIn or search for his ACE Handyman Services locations in southeastern Michigan.

    📚 [Resources]

    📝 QUIZ: WHAT FRANCHISE CONCEPT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

    https://www.nextlevelfranchisegroup.com/whats-your-perfect-franchise-quiz

    💰 FREE FRANCHISE INVESTMENT CALCULATOR

    https://www.nextlevelfranchisegroup.com/franchise-investment-calculator

    📖 FREE E-BOOK: THE ROADMAP TO BUYING A FRANCHISE - IN 9 EASY STEPS

    https://www.nextlevelfranchisegroup.com/files/the-roadmap-to-buying-a-franchise-in-9-easy-steps.pdf

    📰 TONS OF ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND CONTENT

    https://www.nextlevelfranchisegroup.com

    CONTACT US

    👍https://www.NextLevelFranchiseGroup.com/contact

    📰https://www.linkedin.com/company/next-level-franchise-group/

    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • How Much Money Do You Really Need to Buy a Franchise? (Hint: Not Millions!)
    Jul 1 2025

    💼 Money Talks: Demystifying Franchise Investment for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 💬

    In this episode, our team dives into the big, scary M-word: Money — and how much of it you actually need to start a franchise. Spoiler alert: it’s not as much as you think. 😮💡

    💸 How Much Money Do You Really Need?

    The biggest myth? That you need a mountain of cash to invest in a franchise. Many people think they need to be millionaires. But the truth? Most franchises fall into the $100K–$150K total investment range — and you can get started with as little as $50,000 in liquid capital.

    So what exactly is liquid capital?

    It’s not just cash sitting in your checking account. It could be:

    💼 Savings

    🏠 Home equity

    📈 Retirement accounts (yes, your 401(k) can help fund your dream)

    💰 Life insurance with cash value

    Common funding sources include:

    • SBA Loans (Small Business Administration)
    • Require a cash injection (usually 20–30%)
    • Often offer flexible repayment terms
    • Payments may not begin until your business opens
    • 401(k) Rollovers Allows access to retirement funds without early withdrawal penalties
    • Must be done correctly with professional guidance

    HELOCs (Home Equity Line of Credit)

    • Low-interest borrowing using your home's equity
    • Friends/Family Partnerships
    • Bring in someone to co-invest or support your vision

    🚫 Avoid using credit cards — it's one of the most expensive (and riskiest) ways to fund a business.

    📊 Know Your Numbers

    Successful franchisees understand their financial runway. Before investing, be sure you:

    • Know your break-even point
    • Understand loan repayment timelines
    • Have a cushion to live on while your business ramps up

    ✅ Pro tip: Use our free ROI calculator (on their website) to plug in real numbers and project your return on investment.

    🎯 It’s Not About Being Rich — It’s About Being Ready

    Why franchisors require $50K+ in liquid capital:

    • To ensure you can pay your personal bills during ramp-up
    • To reduce the risk of early franchisee failure
    • To protect the brand and fellow franchisees

    To prepare:

    ✅ Make a personal budget

    ✅ Decide how much you’re willing to invest vs. borrow

    ✅ Understand your comfort level with risk and outside funding

    ✅ Use “OPM” (Other People’s Money) wisely

    🧠 Final Thoughts

    Money is important, but it shouldn’t stop you from pursuing the freedom and lifestyle you crave. 💥

    📚 [Resources]

    📝 QUIZ: WHAT FRANCHISE CONCEPT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

    https://www.nextlevelfranchisegroup.com/whats-your-perfect-franchise-quiz

    💰 FREE FRANCHISE INVESTMENT CALCULATOR

    https://www.nextlevelfranchisegroup.com/franchise-investment-calculator

    📖 FREE E-BOOK: THE ROADMAP TO BUYING A FRANCHISE - IN 9 EASY STEPS

    https://www.nextlevelfranchisegroup.com/files/the-roadmap-to-buying-a-franchise-in-9-easy-steps.pdf

    📰 TONS OF ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND CONTENT

    https://www.nextlevelfranchisegroup.com

    CONTACT US

    👍https://www.NextLevelFranchiseGroup.com/contact

    📰https://www.linkedin.com/company/next-level-franchise-group/

    Show More Show Less
    12 mins

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