The Retail Doctor's Blog

I was walking Hallie Mae, my Harrier hound the other morning when I felt a pull.

She was standing still and looking up at me in a Well, what are you going to do? gaze. 

Retailers are tripping all over each other trying to knock themselves off and create low-priced versions of themselves. Whether it’s J.Crew’s recent announcement, Macy’s, or GAP Factory they’re all struggling with how to grow their business. 

Attracting discount, value shoppers is their bold vision.

This is not where successful retailing is heading and, as is often the case, the independent shops are showing how to do it right.

I was the CMO for the second-fastest growing company two years running in Los Angeles County.

It was a franchise I hooked up with, taking it from start-up through about 135 locations across the U.S.

I'd tell franchisees during discovery day, "You get out of it what you put into it."

Many franchisees enjoy a great living.Through running a business they are able to use all their gifts to live a life few have the guts to even dream about.

But buying a franchise can come with a steep entry price.

It’s like buying a Maserati (the franchise system) and having to learn how to drive it. If you want the thrill, you have to come to it with a realistic attitude.

Some franchisees buy a franchise and expect it will solve everything; they leave the car in the driveway expecting it to drive itself.

But you can’t buy any business and expect it to run itself.You have to understand it if you want to make money.