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Jim McEleney

Franchise Consultant

Contact  |  Articles  |  Events
Phone: 857-856-8860
Local Office: 200 2nd Avenue S, #483
St Petersburg, FL 33701
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WELCOME

Welcome! We are fortunate to live in a world of many choices – and with a decision as significant as business ownership, you deserve the best team of advisors available. Thank you for visiting my consultant page where you can learn more about how I help my clients and the deep resources of FranNet. I welcome the opportunity to start a conversation with you, and to partner with you at no cost in evaluating how business ownership and entrepreneurship could fit into YOUR big picture and desired lifestyle.

Watch Our FranNet Success Stories!

ABOUT JIM

Jim first came to know FranNet some years ago as a client. With the education and coaching he received through FranNet, Jim became an entrepreneur and multi-unit operator of one of the most recognized national haircare brands in the U.S.

His perspective as someone who executed a career pivot into franchising/small business ownership, and ultimately his time as a franchisee, have helped Jim’s clients to understand and digest what they are experiencing and learning as they conduct their own journey of franchise research with him by their side.

Prior to his entry into franchising, Jim spent many years in the field of financial services/banking with one of the largest U.S.- headquartered global financial institutions, living and working across three continents.

Now located in the Tampa Bay area, Jim has been an active member of the community including his work as a volunteer, and as a member of various business organizations and boards.

10 Frequently Asked Franchise Questions
FAQs
What is a FranNet Franchise Consultant?

A FranNet franchise consultant is a local, franchise expert to advise you on franchise and business opportunities. Within our group, we have past and present franchisors, franchise executives, franchisees, regional and area developers, and other business professionals.

How Do We Help?

We help you by providing assorted research and information that will help you investigate different franchises to start your own business. We can introduce you to many different franchisors, so rather than having to go from place to place to learn about specific businesses, you can learn the basics about several options all in one spot! This saves you time and money.

FranNet Consultants help save you time and money in several ways: by educating you about franchising, by helping you research your business, by identifying the right structure and strategic mix of the businesses you are interested in, and by introducing you to the franchisors that fit your model.

We’ll encourage you to thoroughly research any franchise that you are investigating, and we’ll even help you find franchise attorneys and other advisors so you can gain more information before you buy. We believe that the more you know, the better the odds are that the choice you make will be a good one. As a result, we stress that you spend the necessary time to research before you buy. Once you’ve bought the business, it’s too late to change your mind.

How Much Do We Cost?

FranNet Consulting Services are 100% Free For Our Clients. Like a real estate agent, we make our commission only if and when a deal closes and are paid by the seller, not you, the buyer.

How Can We Work Together?
  1. Take Our Entrepreneur Readiness Profile
    • Create your free Readiness Profile to evaluate the best business ownership options for you. First, you will complete a personality analysis and an investment range determination. From there, our algorithm can help determine what franchise options in your local market may be best able to meet your goals.
  2. We Will Review Your Readiness Profile
    • Once you have your Entrepreneur Readiness Profile results, you may request a free, no-obligation review session with your local franchise consultant. During this meeting, you can gain more insight into what franchise opportunities may be best for your goals.
  3. We’ll Discuss Your Franchise Options
    • After the review of your Readiness Profile, we work with you to determine what local franchise options may be worth exploring. Your local consultant will present you with a number of options and depending on which ones you are interested in, your consultant will make an introduction.
  4. Introduction To Your Ideal Franchise Brands
    • We will help facilitate those introductions and coach you on the due diligence process. We will also provide guidance on which questions to ask, the Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs), and the tools you can use to rank the franchise opportunities for yourself.
  5. Introduction to Existing Franchisees of the Brands You Like
    • Once you’ve learned more about each franchise opportunity that you are interested in, you will be able to speak with active franchisees in their respective organizations to validate the business, support, and overall success of each opportunity.
  6. Attend a Discovery Day
    • Before making a formal commitment to a franchise opportunity, you will attend a Discovery Day, usually on-site at the corporate headquarters of the specific franchise you’re interested in (In the wake of COVID-19, many franchisors are offering virtual Discovery Days). This Discovery Day is a great opportunity for you to meet the top management team, see their operational facility, and learn more about the day-to-day life of owning a business under their brand.
  7. Making a Final Decision with FranNet By Your Side
    • Once you return from a Discovery Day, you’ll be in a position to decide if that specific franchise is the right fit for you. If it is, we’ll provide the necessary referrals to franchise attorneys, accountants, and funding partners to help complete your franchise due diligence. From there, it is your choice to sign the final franchise agreement and become a franchisee.
Virtual & Live Events

Upcoming National Events

How to Fund Your Business

monday, 11/18/2024 at 12:00 pm ET

If you are considering starting a business, it’s important to learn about all of the funding options available to you. Join us for this informative webinar!

Franchise Spotlight: This commercial cleaning franchise is a sweeping success!

wednesday, 11/06/2024 at 2:00 pm ET

On Wednesday, November 6th at 2:00pm EST, FranNet will be featuring a leader in the cleaning service industry. From office buildings and medical facilities to restaurants and retail spaces, this franchise’s customized solutions are always dependable and consistent.

 

Veterans in Business: The Power of Franchise Ownership

wednesday, 11/13/2024 at 2:00 pm ET

Join us for a FREE one-hour webinar to discover how franchising can be your path to financial independence and career fulfillment after service. We’ll explore a variety of franchise opportunities suited to different investment levels and personal goals, providing valuable insights for veterans at every stage of their journey.

Resources

Helpful Articles

Franchise Ownership 101

Learn the basics of franchising and how it can be a phenomenal business model for people who want to go into business for themselves but not by themselves.

Read More

Business Ownership Exploration

Learn the advantages and disadvantages of the three primary ways of going into business for yourself!

Read More

Entrepreneur Readiness Profile

Find out your owner profile and see if franchise ownership is right for you. There are 4 sections: values, motivation, work style, and investment tolerance.

Discover Readiness Profile

Contact

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