Avery: Hey guys, welcome back to the Short Term Show. Today, I have a very special guest named Kim Daly, so I’ve had an interest in franchises for a little while, and I think some of you might have too. I’ve never done anything with them. It’s just been something that I’ve been like, you know, we’ve got a bunch of short terms, we’ve got a bunch of long terms. What other kinds of businesses can we diversify into? So I wanted to get someone on in case there’s others in the same boat. I’ve got Kim here, who’s an expert in franchises. I’m really excited to have her on today. How’s it going, Kim?

Kim: It’s going great, Avery. Thank you so much for having me as a guest.

Avery: Yeah, thanks for coming on. So why don’t we start by you just telling us a little bit about yourself. You’re a franchise consultant—what does that mean?

Kim: For the last 20 years, I’ve been helping people learn about franchising, to understand what the real value proposition is. I help them select the right types of franchise investments based on their goals, background, interests, and finances. Some call me the Franchise Matchmaker. I put people together with good franchisors. I coach their due diligence process so they can confidently say yes—or no—because sometimes it’s not the right investment for everybody.

Avery: That’s really interesting. I have a lot of questions, and I’m going to try not to jump around too much. If I’m brand new and thinking I’d like to own a franchise, but have no idea what industry to pick—do I want a yogurt shop, or maybe a fitness franchise? What advice would you give someone like me?

Kim: That’s a great question, and why I have a business. Most of the time, when people think about owning their own business, they think about what they know, or what their community needs—like, “Oh, my community doesn’t have a UPS store,” so they think that’s the right choice. But if the business doesn’t match their core skills or isn’t an investment that feels comfortable for them, and most importantly, doesn’t produce the type of financial return they’re looking for, it’s not going to be a good investment—no matter what the community needs.

Avery: That makes a lot of sense. So if I’m not sure what options are out there, how do I know what the right fit is for me?

Kim: That’s where our conversation comes in. I help people really refine what they’re interested in, the vision for their future. Once they can communicate their personal, professional, and financial goals—what they want to achieve over the next five to ten years—it becomes clearer. Franchising is a long-term investment, so it’s not like you’re going to buy a business and sell it in three years. Sure, if you hit the jackpot and the brand blows up and someone offers you a million bucks, great. But more than likely, you’re building this.