By Dane Carlson on September 22, 2008 in Ideas

I recently had a chance to exchange a couple of quick questions with Joel Libava, a franchise consultant with Franchise Selection Specialists in Cleveland, Ohio.
What is a franchise consultant?
There are actually a couple different types of franchise consultants. There are those who help companies franchise their concepts. Then there are those who strategically match prospective franchise owners to opportunities in franchise ownership. I do strategic matchmaking and coaching.
How’d you get into the business?
I was in automobile franchising, got downsized, and was given the opportunity to join my late father’s franchise consulting firm, in 2001. Best decision I ever made-career wise.
What advice would you give someone looking to buy a franchise?
1. Don’t buy a franchise that has the potential to turn into a fad.
2. Don’t skimp on the most important part of the process; the research!