FRANCHISE: 5 Questions to Ask Before Making a Career Shift

Jan 25

Career shifts rarely come out of nowhere.

They usually start quietly — a lingering sense of burnout, a Sunday-night knot in your stomach (hello Sunday scaries), or the feeling that you’ve outgrown the role you worked so hard to get. For many professionals, especially parents and purpose-driven leaders, the question isn’t “Should I change?” but rather “What’s next — and how do I do it responsibly?”

If you’re considering entrepreneurship or franchise ownership, here are five important questions to ask yourself before making a career shift, designed to help you clarify your motivations, assess your readiness, and decide if this path aligns with the life you want.

1. What pain is driving me to consider a change?

Career change isn’t about chasing something shiny — it’s about responding to something that’s no longer working.

Ask yourself:

Am I burned out, undervalued, or disengaged?
Do I feel limited by corporate structures or lack of autonomy?
Am I craving flexibility, meaning, or alignment with my values?
Am I financially successful but emotionally unfulfilled?

There’s no “right” reason to want more — but clarity matters. Understanding why you’re seeking change helps ensure you’re moving toward something intentional, not just away from discomfort.

2. What does “success” actually look like in my next chapter?

Before evaluating business models or franchise opportunities, define success on your terms.

Consider:

Time freedom vs. working a 9-5
Flexibility vs. defined structure
Purpose-driven work vs. purely financial upside
Community impact vs. scalability

For some, success means replacing corporate income and/or growing wealth. For others, it means building something meaningful alongside family life. Entrepreneurship — and especially franchise ownership — can look very different depending on your goals.

3. Do I want to build from scratch or follow a proven system?

This is a critical distinction.

Entrepreneurship often involves creating everything from the ground up — brand, systems, processes, and market validation. That can be exciting, but also risky and time-intensive. We know…we did it ourselves!

Franchise ownership, on the other hand, offers:

A proven business model
Established brand and systems
Training, support, and ongoing guidance
A clearer, faster, and often less expensive path to launch and scale

Neither path is “better,” but one may be better for you, depending on your risk tolerance, experience, and desire for support.

4. What kind of support will I need to succeed?

Many career-shifters underestimate this piece.

Ask yourself:

Do I want mentorship and accountability?
Do I thrive with structure and clear expectations?
Do I value community and peer support?
Am I willing to ask for help instead of figuring everything out alone?

The right franchise doesn’t just sell a concept — it provides robust training, systems, and ongoing support so owners aren’t navigating growth in isolation.

5. Am I ready to lead — not just work?

Owning a business is a leadership shift.

It requires:

Decision-making under uncertainty
Managing people, not just tasks
Thinking long-term instead of paycheck-to-paycheck
Being comfortable learning as you go

You don’t need to have all the answers — but you do need a willingness to grow, adapt, and lead with intention.

So… is franchise ownership right for you?

Franchise ownership can be an incredible next step for professionals who want:

A career and business with purpose
More control over their time and impact
A proven system rather than a blank slate
A business aligned with their values and family life

At Inclyousion Sports, we work with career-shifters who are exploring entrepreneurship and franchise ownership as a way to build meaningful businesses that positively impact kids, families, and communities.