Stephen Maeker

For community members looking to start a business this year, the University of Houston-Victoria Small Business Development Center is hosting a workshop about the nitty-gritty details of what it takes to start a franchise.

Stephen Maeker, a franchise consultant for FranChoice, will lead the workshop “What You Need to Know Before Buying a Franchise.” It will be from 9 a.m. until noon Jan. 21 at the UHV SBDC office, 3402 N. Ben Wilson St.

“With New Year’s resolutions, people get excited about starting a new business,” SBDC Director Joe Humphreys said. “A franchise is a good way to go if someone isn’t quite sure how to start a business. It’s a realistic opportunity because of all the details provided by the franchise company, plus community members can get the help of SBDC business advisors.”

Joe Humphreys

Maeker will cover how a franchise works, pros and cons, how to estimate income potential, different types of franchises and how to get financing. He also will give a detailed look into a real franchise disclosure document, which gives extensive information about the franchisor so a potential franchisee can make an educated decision regarding the investment.

Farhang Niroomand, dean of the UHV School of Business Administration, said franchise ownership is a growing segment because most franchise companies are organized in what is needed to open a business.

Farhang Niroomand

“Owning a franchise is a good starting point for becoming a business owner because of all the help associated with starting the business,” he said. “A franchise has many keys to a successful business, including affordability, a proven method of success, a structured business plan and easy entry into the market.”

Humphreys encouraged community members to attend the workshop. To register for the free workshop, email sbdc@uhv.edu or call 361-485-4485.

“The more information a business owner has, the more likely he is to succeed,” he said. “So even if owning a franchise is farther down the road, this is a good opportunity to have any questions answered by Mr. Maeker, someone who works with a variety of franchise companies.”

The UHV SBDC offers assistance on starting, growing and financing a business; contracting opportunities; and recovering from disaster. Most of its services are free to area small business owners in Aransas, Bee, Calhoun, DeWitt, Gonzales, Goliad, Jackson, Karnes, Lavaca, Refugio and Victoria counties. It is part of a nationwide small business assistance program serving the small business community and federal, state and local governments.