According to FlexJobs’ 2022 Career Pulse Survey, 63% of people would choose a better work-life balance over better pay when changing jobs. What work-life balance means is unique to each person, and it can be difficult to find as an employee; there’s only so much freedom employers are willing to provide. That’s why owning a business, and specifically a franchise, could be the best work-life balance job you ever have.
When people fled their jobs in 2021 and 2022, the rate of people filing new business applications broke records. Before the pandemic, the U.S. Census Bureau received 3.5 million applications. That number boomed to 4.4 million in 2020, 5.4 million in 2021, and 5.07 million in 2022.
People are finding the best work-life balance job may be working for themselves.
What Does It Mean to Have Work-Life Balance?
A scientifically reviewed article on the psychology of this subject revealed some important findings that explain what work-life balance means to different people. The author notes there is a common understanding that there are (at least) two domains in life – work and personal – and both require attention but not at the sacrifice of each other.
The goal is to create a balance between both domains that allows you to get what you need from each one, thereby building a life that makes you happy and satisfied. How does that happen? The author notes the following:
- Having the necessary resources to function optimally in multiple domains
- Being responsible for your own life and setting your own boundaries
- Understanding that your work and your life don’t have to be separated
- Having autonomy over the demands of various roles and the ability to meet these demands
- Experiencing little conflict between work and personal roles
- Knowing that work-life balance is not achieved in a single day, but rather across a longer period
You can see how difficult it can be to find the best work-life balance job outside of being your own boss. How long do you stick it out with an employer, hoping they’ll make decisions that will balance out your life?
Why Franchising Gives You the Best Work Freedom
People who run their own businesses have to create work-life balance as well; it doesn’t happen automatically. However, when you’re the decision-maker, you have the autonomy that can lead to meeting the demands of the work and personal aspects of life.
The startup of a new business is always stressful. Franchising comes with the difficult startup work already handled. All you have to do is get trained on the franchisor’s systems and then start implementing them. If you’ve ever researched starting a business from scratch, you’ll appreciate how much stress is alleviated by having that work already done for you.
Here are some of the ways the best work-life balance job comes from franchise ownership:
- The model to operate and market the business is already in place.
- You enjoy the freedom of owning a small business while benefiting from and being supported by a larger organization (the franchisor).
- You hit the ground running with a brand name that’s already established.
- You have the freedom to make impactful decisions in your business, while the larger and more stressful corporate decisions are covered in your operations manual.
- When you face a challenging situation, you have a network to turn to for help, which makes it easier to find solutions.
- Stress builds with things we don’t understand, such as search engine optimization and what marketing strategies are best for attracting customers. In franchising, the marketing is managed for you by people who have expertise in that role.
Here are some additional reasons why franchising can provide work-life balance:
- You’ll be challenged in your work with ways to always increase your potential.
- You’ll use your experience and drive to build something worth selling when you’re ready to retire from your franchise.
- Owning a franchise brings excitement to the job every day with new experiences and achievements that are not available when you work as an employee.
- There are opportunities to be inspired by training and support that increase your effectiveness as a leader; both for your employees and within your community.
- You can reignite the passion for the working aspect of your life.
- You don’t have to ask for time off ever again!
- You can operate a franchise in any city or state if you want or need to move.
- In the right industry, you have excellent business security.
- You have the independence you want with the support of the franchisor.
Merry Maids Cleans Up Work-Life Balance Issues
For 40 years, Merry Maids has operated with a business model that understands the need for work-life balance. Our work happens while people are at work, leaving both the customer and our franchisee evenings, weekends, and holidays to enjoy! You can build a good franchise opportunity with the right industry, and Merry Maids has done just that. We offer:
- A stable and secure business in a growth-oriented industry
- An opportunity to run a business, not work in the business
- Diversified revenue streams, including strong recurring revenue
- Franchisee support, including business coaching throughout your franchise ownership journey.
Merry Maids has helped hundreds of people become franchisees. Our franchisees started with experience ranging from zero cleaning knowledge to having run their own independent businesses. Today we have nearly 1,000 franchise units in operation with a brand that has earned a reputation of trustworthiness and consistency.
The Best Work-Life Balance Job Is Not a Job
When you’re ready to have a life that gives you the freedom to grow your earnings and enjoy your life, you’re ready to talk to us. You can start operating your own Merry Maids franchise in as little as 90 days with our proven, efficient, and successful business model. Residential cleaning is a growing $1.2 billion industry. An aging population, younger people who are pressed for time, and the increased awareness of the value of a clean home are all propelling the industry forward.
Contact us today and explore what we’re all about. You’ll be impressed with what our top-ranked franchise has to offer.