Consultants Jon Ostenson and Sue Bennett Share Their Meaningful Missions
One of the best parts of owning a franchise consulting business is impacting lives and empowering others to do the same.
The increasing desire for purpose-driven work has led many people to careers and businesses where they can make a difference. The annual Deloitte Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey shows that young employees want their employers’ values to be aligned with their own – and they want to drive societal change through purposeful and meaningful work. And they won’t settle. Fortune reports that this generation is rejecting assignments and job offers in the pursuit of purposeful work.
However, finding purpose-driven work in corporate America is not always easy. That’s where franchise consultants come in. They empower others to find meaningful and lucrative work through franchising. Franchising provides opportunities to go into business for yourself but with less risk than starting from scratch. Franchise consultants help hopeful business owners navigate the vast opportunities in the growing world of franchising.
With all of its possibilities, it’s no surprise that franchising is booming. According to the International Franchise Association’s 2023 Franchising Economic Outlook, franchise establishments will increase by almost 15,000 units in 2023, or 1.9%, to 805,000 units in the U.S. Franchise consultants guide aspiring entrepreneurs every step of the way to franchise ownership, offering guidance, tips and strategies to identify and invest in an ideal franchise business.
The Impact of Franchise Consultants
In addition to helping people find a new path through business ownership, franchise consultants make a difference every day in so many other ways. They help communities, educate and empower. Below, we talk to two superstar franchise consultants who have found purpose by paying it forward. Jon Ostenson and Sue Bennett have gone above and beyond in their franchise consulting businesses to help others.
Jon Ostenson
Stewardship of resources, clients and reach is important to me, and I value franchise companies that share this priority.
Jon Ostenson
Franchise consultant Jon Ostenson loves to share his knowledge and experience in franchising with aspiring business owners. Through his book, Non-Food Franchising: The Better Path to Business Ownership, he helps people understand the many opportunities available in franchising outside of fast food. But his book does even more than that. Its proceeds are donated to Hope International, a nonprofit organization that empowers underserved communities through sustainable business programs.
Ostenson and his 11-year-old son visited entrepreneurs in the Dominican Republic on a Hope International mission trip last year to see the impact of the organization firsthand. Pictured above, Ostenson and his son pose with a Dominican woman who grows and sells produce thanks to one of Hope International’s microloan programs.
Brands that give back are always on Ostenson’s radar. “Stewardship of resources, clients and reach is important to me, and I value franchise companies that share this priority,” he says.
Sue Bennett
I love to help new franchise consultants understand how to navigate the sales process and provide tremendous value to their candidates.
Sue Bennett
Sue Bennett Is one of the top franchise consultants in the business. With almost 16 years of experience, she has ushered hundreds of hopeful entrepreneurs into franchise ownership and helped launch dozens of franchise consulting careers.
Her amazing success has driven her to dedicate her time and energy into ensuring that other consultants succeed. In addition to serving as a mentor, she assists with new franchise consultant training and shares insights on IFPG’s monthly educational webinars. “I love to help new franchise consultants understand how to navigate the sales process and provide tremendous value to their candidates,” she says.
Beyond the Profits
Jon Ostenson and Sue Bennett show how franchise consultants can do more than just business. They prove that consultants can make a real difference in people’s lives. Here are five ways franchise consultants make a difference every day.
How Franchise Consultants Give Back
- Educational empowerment: Franchise consultants can host workshops, webinars, and seminars that educate potential business owners about the diverse opportunities within franchising. Sharing knowledge equips individuals with the insights needed to make informed decisions that align with their aspirations.
- Community outreach: Franchise consultants can collaborate with local organizations and nonprofits to identify candidates from underserved communities with the drive to become entrepreneurs. They can offer mentorship, resources, and guidance to help them navigate the path to franchise ownership.
- Socially responsible partnerships: Franchise consultants can highlight franchise opportunities that prioritize social responsibility, sustainability, and community engagement. By steering candidates toward brands that share their values, consultants can amplify the positive impact these businesses have on society.
- Support for new consultants: Franchise consultants can extend a helping hand to new entrants in franchise consulting. They offer mentorship, training, and insights to equip them with the tools to excel, expanding the network of consultants committed to making a difference.
- Philanthropic ventures: Many franchise consultants embrace the spirit of giving by allocating a portion of earnings to support charitable initiatives. Whether donating proceeds from resources like books or contributing a percentage of consulting fees, consultants can magnify their impact by channeling resources toward causes that matter.
Franchise consulting isn’t just about making money – it’s about making a positive change in the world. Jon Ostenson and Sue Bennett illustrate that with the right approach, consultants can help others achieve their dreams and create a better future, one franchise at a time.