SBDC seminar to explore benefits of franchise ownership
A free seminar on Tuesday will provide interested community members with insight into owning a franchise.
Exploring All Things Franchise will be from 10 a.m. to noon at the University of Houston-Victoria Small Business Development Center, 3402 Ben Wilson St. The event is co-sponsored by the SBDC, the UHV School of Business Administration and the Victoria Chamber of Commerce.
The seminar will examine the basics of franchise ownership. Some of the topics covered will include the pros and cons of owning a franchise, how to find the right franchise, misconceptions about franchises and why building equity is important.
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| Joe Humphreys |
“When it comes to deciding whether to open a franchise, there are a number of elements to consider,” SBDC Director Joe Humphreys said. “Whether you are ready to buy a franchise or just want free expert assistance reviewing franchise opportunities and general business startup assistance, this seminar will help attendees become informed.”
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| Diana Trondsen |
The seminar will be led by Diana Trondsen, a FranNet consultant, who has had been in the franchise business for more than 15 years. FranNet is a company that provides education and support to individuals who are interested in exploring self-employment as a career option through franchised business ownership.
Trondsen has owned and operated seven franchise locations, and her expertise includes implementation of franchise systems, business operations, and regional and local marketing.
Trondsen holds a bachelor’s degree in maritime administration from Texas A&M University. She is based out of Houston and works as the company’s South Texas consultant. She helps interested parties find a franchise that best suits their interests, skills and financial capability, and then she works with then to develop a business model.
The UHV SBDC offers assistance on starting, growing and financing a business; contracting opportunities; and recovering from disaster. It also helps new businesses start and existing businesses expand through a combination of consulting and training in areas like market identification, raising capital and developing a business plan. Most of its services are free to area small business owners. The center serves Aransas, Bee, Calhoun, DeWitt, Gonzales, Goliad, Jackson, Karnes, Lavaca, Refugio and Victoria counties.
To sign up for the seminar, contact the SBDC at 361-485-4485 or sbdc@uhv.edu.
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 80 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.
