Episode 12: The Lifecycle Of A Business

What Are Business Cycle Phases?

When it comes to any business, there are business cycle phases. The 5 business stages are launch, growth, shake-out, maturity, and decline. While some businesses may sidestep one or more of these business cycle phases, this is the general pattern they all follow. The nature of the franchising model and the resources available within it, however, allows for continued relevance of this franchise brand and business model. This typically allows for franchise owners to avoid the decline phase of business cycles. 

The Launch Phase Of A Business Cycle –

In a franchise system, the launch phase of your business life cycle is generally much quicker than if you were to invest in/launch a start-up. In this episode, we are talking to three of our Brothers Gutters Franchise Owners, Jimmy (PA), Nathan (SATX), and Luke (GA). All three of these owners are at different phases of their business cycle. Jimmy is a veteran, while Nathan is a year and change in, and Luke is one of our newest franchisees. During this episode you will get a unique perspective on business cycle phases from individuals who are all in different phases themselves within the same franchise model, all having different backgrounds.

We focus on all the business cycle phases in this discussion, but our predominate focus is on launch, growth, and avoiding decline.

Episode Breakdown –

00:50 Introduction Of Featured Franchisees

03:48 Five Stages In Lifecycle Of Business

04:42 Our Franchise Launch Phase

06:50 Review Of Each Franchisee’s Launch Phase

15:27 How Does Timetable Differ From A Startup?

19:03 How Has The Brand Played A Part?

23:18 Moving To Growth Phase

31:40 Benefit Of Corporate Location

37:44 Highlighting Featured Franchisees

42:10 Pool Of Franchisees As Mentors/Peers

47:23 Maturity & Decline Phase

48:45 How We’ve Adapted/Grown As Franchise

49:20 How Are You Avoiding Decline?

50:24 PA’s Growth Path This Year

52:42 Growth Is Not Always Revenue

54:03 Complacency Fosters Decline

55:30 Growth = Creating Jobs For Others

56:30 Taking The Mentor Seat