There's more than one route to entrepreneurship, and a Michigan transplant to Cincinnati has started his own business by helping others launch theirs.
Darian Richardson opened
RMC Franchise Connect last fall. Richardson helps others find a franchise that best suits their financial and life goals and matches their personal interests. Located downtown, RMC offers a variety of free services for those looking to go in business for themselves, but wanting to work with an established brand to help them along.
"I like to say with a franchise you're in business for yourself, but not by yourself," Richardson said.
He decided to start RMC after working for a company that produced marketing pieces for large corporations. Richardson worked with franchises, which got him interested in the business. His former company Valassis, transferred him from Michigan to Cincinnati to work on a new venture,
Promotion Execution Partners (PEP), a promotional management company.
He'd long had an itch to start his own franchise-related business and after several years at PEP decided to go out on his own. He has one other employee, a marketing director.
"A lot of people asked me why I wanted to start a business in this economy, but I said it was the perfect time to start a business. A lot of people are looking for their next opportunity," Richardson said.
Among services he offers are profile analyses that best match an individual with a franchise. RMC can also access a person's skill set, and matches his or her with a compactable franchise opportunity, Richardson said. He can also help people through the franchise process.
"Everyone has their own goals and needs. We do the leg work and provide them with options," he said. "It really cuts down on the time and money they would need to do it by themselves.
Richardson is paid a commission by the franchise once he helps someone become an owner.
Though most people think of getting into the restaurant business through franchise, the world has opened way beyond food, he said. Among businesses franchisees can get into are health and beauty, home care, lodging, retail, pet care, sports, decorating, coffee shops and even urgent care.
RMC will be launching his Franchise Connect Spotlight series 6:30 p.m., Oct. 13 at his office (The McAlpin Building, 15 West 4th Street) for people who want to find out more about buying their own business. A representative from Liberty Tax, a fast-growing tax preparation company, is among the planned speakers. The cost is $10. RSVP to
[email protected] by October 10.
Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Darian Richardson, founder RMC Franchise Connect
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